LITMIR.BIZ

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dear. But difficult sometimes, too. I understand how you feel responsible for her.” Rachel paused. “But…she might need to do as she wants and make her own mistakes, you know?”

      Julia felt as if they were talking about a teenage daughter instead of her mother. But she could see Rachel’s point.

      “Yes, I know. But it’s hard to watch her keep making the same mistakes over and over again. I mean…one description of insanity is repeating the same action and expecting a different result. You know, like banging your head against a wall?”

      Rachel’s expression was thoughtful. “Well, I guess you could say that’s the same description of trying to find someone to love. Sometimes it does feel like you’re banging your head against a wall. At least, that’s the way I remember it.”

      Julia didn’t know what to say. There was no way to argue with the dyed-in-the-wool romantic. Backed in a corner, they always answered on totally unrealistic terms. Julia didn’t think like that.

      “I’m sorry, Jules,” Rachel added. “Like I said before, I know you’re in a tough spot. And I’m definitely on your side. So it’s two against three, okay?”

      Julia nodded and smiled. “Thanks. I know.”

      Julia heard a sharp knock. They looked up to see two women peering through the window. Julia glanced at her watch. “Nine on the dot. They’re clamoring to get in here and buy stuff. I wouldn’t keep them waiting.”

      “Don’t worry. I didn’t plan to.”

      Rachel trotted over to the door and pulled it open, wearing a welcoming smile. “Good morning, ladies. I’ll be right with you.”

      Julia had followed her. “I’d better get to work myself. Thanks for letting me vent.”

      “Don’t be silly, what are friends for?” Rachel leaned over and gave her a hug. “Call me later if there are any new developments.”

      “Fasten your seat belt,” she added. “It’s going to be a bumpy ride.”

      Rachel’s answering smile made Julia smile, too, though inside she felt her prediction was bound to come true. It was no laughing matter, these hasty marriage plans and the goat farm idea, to boot.

      But if she didn’t try to laugh at it, at least a little, Julia was afraid she might cry.

      Julia marched down Main Street toward her office. Had the entire world gone off the deep end, believing anything was fine and dandy as long as two people claimed to be in love?

      It almost made a person feel nostalgic for a bygone day, when marriage was a much more formal arrangement. Like a business negotiation. Between the parents, primarily. A bride and groom sometimes didn’t meet until the wedding day and notions like romance and love didn’t figure in at all.

      At least back then, if a man was marrying a woman for her fortune—or vice versa—people were honest about it.

      Thinking of the days of arranged matches reminded Julia that she’d forgotten to pick up Rachel’s copy of Pride and Prejudice, which they were reading for their book group this month. She had no plans for tonight and was looking forward to a relaxing evening by the fire, reading a cleverly written classic. She’d have to call Rachel and figure out how to pick it up. She didn’t have many days left to finish it.

      Julia found herself passing the Blue Lake General Store. She needed another cup of coffee before she started work. And even something else to eat. Her daily bran muffin just hadn’t done it for her. She craved something sweet and buttery and loaded with fat grams and carbs. The bad kind.

      This was a state of emergency. She was allowed to fall off the fiber wagon once in a while.

      Ella Krueger stood behind the counter and greeted her with a wide smile. The coffee line was usually long at this time in the morning on a weekday, but there were only a few people—workmen mostly on their way out to a building or painting job—waiting for breakfast sandwiches, which Ella’s husband was cooking up on a grill.

      “Coffee, Julia?”

      “Yes, please. Large black.”

      “Anything else today, hon?”

      Julia tried to resist the tempting offerings in the breakfast pastry case.

      Then she saw it. Crumb cake. Ella’s own, homemade and fresh from the oven. “I guess I’ll have a piece of crumb cake. Not too big though,” she added quickly.

      Ella laughed. “We only give out big pieces here. Did you know my crumb cake is a prize winner at the county fair? See, it’s hanging up there,” she said, pointing to a plaque. “Best crumbs, five years running. Most people can’t get them that big. They fall apart. Mine stay big. And they stay on the cake. It’s a secret recipe.”

      Julia wasn’t surprised. There seemed to be a lot of secret recipes in this town.

      Ella rang up the sale and Julia handed over some money.

      “Well, I won’t try to guess. But it is delicious.”

      “What’s delicious?”

      Julia turned her head slightly. Sam Baxter was standing close by. She wondered how long he’d been there, watching her. Rude of him not to make himself known and just stand there…spying. She did feel caught in the act, the damning evidence in her hand.

      “The crumb cake. It’s very good. Ella makes it herself.”

      “Prize-winning crumbs?” he asked.

      He was a gourmet chef, Julia realized. He probably thought Ella’s pride was cute but misplaced. Julia felt annoyed at him on Ella’s behalf. But she knew that wasn’t entirely it.

      “How long have you been standing there?”

      “Not too long.” The corner of his mouth twitched and he nearly smiled. “I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to sneak up on you. I just came out for a walk and wanted some coffee.”

      “She makes good coffee, too. Enjoy.”

      Julia cast him her best real-estate-lady smile and nodded, then tucked the newspaper under her arm and turned to go.

      He watched her for a moment, then quickly tried to catch up. She was just about out the door when he finally did.

      “I’m glad I ran in to you…I thought we should talk, if you have a minute.”

      He stood very close, staring down at her, his hands dug into the pockets of his leather jacket. The wind lifted a few strands of his dark hair and blew it across his eyes. She had the wild temptation to reach up and push it back for him.

      “Sorry…I’ve got to get over to my office and open up. Saturday is very busy.”

      Which was partly true. But since it was the doldrums of the winter, there wasn’t much going on and several employees had keys.

      Julia picked up her pace, hoping to lose him. Most men, even tall ones, had trouble keeping up when she did her speed walk.

      He didn’t seem to notice and kept up easily. It appeared to be his preferred pace.

      He wore the same leather jacket he’d worn last night, she noticed, with jeans. A gray sweater showed underneath and a brown wool scarf was slung around his neck.

      Julia had hoped her reaction to his looks had been a fluke. But all in all, he looked just as sexy and appealing as he had last night. Maybe even better, if possible.

      Finally, they reached the realty office. Julia felt a bit winded and felt a slight sheen of sweat on her forehead, but tried not to show it.

      He stared up at the sign painted on the storefront window. “Home Sweet Home Realty. Cute.” He smiled at her. But she didn’t smile back. “I didn’t take you for the type to go for cute.”

      “It’s memorable and sets a comfortable tone.” Julia sometimes

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