Lauren took another sip of the tea. As Clara said, the brew was working to relax her. “I’m not trying to burst your bubble or be a downer, but even hope has its limitations. I don’t mean for you and Edward, but for others.”
Clara shook her head. “Only if you allow it to.” She reached for the Crescent Moon shopping bag. “I have a few more items for you. There are candles to put around the house and a dream catcher to place over your bed. And this is something new.” She handed Lauren what looked like a sterno log.
“What is it?”
“It’s for the fireplace. When burned, it releases positive energy into the room. Used in this house, it will be cleansing,” Clara explained.
Lauren didn’t know how much she believed Clara’s claims, but a little good energy certainly couldn’t hurt. “Thank you. I’ll give it a try.”
The older woman nodded. “While you’re at it, try thinking more positively about your own life. About Jason and the things you want. Whatever you put out in the universe, you will get back.” Clara rose from her seat. “And now I have to get back to the shop.”
Lauren smiled. “Thanks for everything, and I’m so glad we had time to talk.” She hugged the other woman, grateful for her thoughtfulness, generosity and time. She’d try to hold on to a more positive outlook-and hoped Jason would do the same.
WHEN JASON ARRIVED at Lauren’s, she was busy in the parlor, a room he’d already completed work in. He assumed her choice was intended to send him a message. She didn’t want to deal with him at all.
Tough.
He walked into the room filled with wall-to-wall bookshelves. Lauren was packing old hard-covers into a box, pausing every so often to study the covers or contents.
He cleared his throat.
She jumped, startled. “Jason!” Before she had a chance to think, a clear welcome lit her gaze, but just as quickly her eyes turned wary. “I didn’t hear you come in.”
“You were wrapped up in those books.”
She nodded. “I’m trying to decide which books the library could use and which to give away to Goodwill. Sharon is coming over later to help me. So what’s on your agenda today?”
Businesslike. And yet her tone was light. He had the sense she was as unsure of where things stood between them as he was. He’d just have to wing it and see what happened.
“Until the adjuster comes, we’ll keep to the room-by-room schedule we set up.” He stepped farther inside. “So how come you’re not doing the same? I thought you’d be working with me in the living room.”
“Since finding the diary, I’m curious about what else is hidden in this house. I thought maybe there’d be another one buried in here.”
He wanted to believe her, but she slid her gaze from his too quickly. He wasn’t buying her story for a minute. “You can’t avoid me by switching rooms.”
“I’m not lying,” she said through clenched teeth.
Maybe she was telling the truth. But since changing their routine coincided with her decision he should sleep at home, he doubted it. Not that there was anything he could do about it.
“I have some news you’re going to want to hear.” He changed the subject.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, concerned. She’d accurately judged his somber tone.
“Let’s sit.” He gestured to one of the wing chairs.
He thought she’d argue. Instead she walked over and sat down, crossing her long legs in front of her, waiting for him to join her.
He chose the closest chair and settled in. “Mike called. His check on Brody Pittman turned up some interesting results.”
Her attention caught and she leaned closer, resting her elbows on the arm of the chair.
There was no easy way to break the news so he dove right in. “Brody Pittman’s last job was at the Bricksville Correctional Institution, working on the new wing.”
Surprise then disbelief colored her expression but she remained silent, obviously digesting the information and trying to decide how to react.
“I’m sorry,” he said when the quiet became overwhelming.
“Why? Because our plumber also worked at the prison?”