The Next Always

“Oh, talk about looking great.” Clare paused in the kitchen nook. “It’s so clever. It makes me want to completely re-outfit my kitchen. I love that pitcher, oh, and these bowls! I’m going to be doing a lot of my holiday shopping here.”

She wandered through, passing off the tray, studying the pretty displays of jewelry, the vibrant art, the gleaming pottery. “You’ve done an amazing job.”

“I want this.” Hope stood in front of a painting where cherry blossoms in full bloom spread over a blue sky and reflected dreamily in a rippled pond. “I want this for my apartment. I want to look at spring every day.”

“I love it.” Avery glanced at Clare, got the nod. “It’s perfect, and sold. Clare and I want to give you a housewarming present when you take up residence at the inn.”

“Really? Oh boy. I’ll take it.” She wrapped her arms around their waists. “You’re the best.”

“I can put a red dot on the title card, noting it’s sold—if you’re sure.”

“Absolutely,” Clare told Madeline.

“First sale! That isn’t from me, my girls, Justine or Carolee. Ladies, we’re in business.”

“What else can we do—besides spend money?” Avery asked.

“Honestly, we’re pretty set. Nervous, excited, but set.”

Avery checked her watch. “We’ll come back in twenty, just in case. I’ve got my cell if you need anything sooner. Let’s run across the street so Hope can show off.”

“I’m already seeing a half a dozen things I know we’re going to want at the inn when we start accessorizing.” She was still trying to scan when Avery pulled her out the door. “I’m going to go back tomorrow with a notebook. Did you see that bamboo bowl? That’s perfect for the kitchen island.”

She dug out her keys. “We can go in the front. The doors should be in next week, and I got a look at the reclaimed teak benches Justine bought for the porch.”

She locked up behind them. “Let’s go up. They finished the tile in Nick and Nora. You’ve got to see it. I do a walk-through every night after the tile crew leaves. I know Beckett does one, but I feel like I should—plus I get to see everything that was done that day.”

“Have you . . .” Clare glanced toward Elizabeth and Darcy.

“I’ll catch her scent now and then, or hear a little something. But I think she’s a bit shy around me yet. Just look at this. Isn’t it spectacular?”

The back wall shimmered with sea blue glass tiles, floor to ceiling, a stunning contrast for the chocolate brown floor. Large tiles of brown-on-brown tuxedo stripes added a touch of sophistication to the other walls.

“I never would have thought to put these colors together,” Clare realized. “They’re wonderful—elegant, modern, a little glitzy, I guess.”

“Exactly so, and it’ll play off the chocolate brown ceiling and soft blue walls in the bedroom. And the lights? Terrific. Crystal chandelier over the tub, crystal sconces flanking the mirror.”

Hope laid a hand on her heart. “I swear, I fall a little more in love with this place every day.”

“I’m in love with Beckett.” As her friends turned, Clare let out a half laugh. “Wow, that sort of blurted, didn’t it?”

“In love, love?” Avery asked. “Like the big L?”

“That’s the one.” As Hope had, she laid a hand on her heart. “I didn’t think—or believe—I’ d be in love again. Not all the way through. I guess I didn’t believe I could go all the way through twice. It’s not the same as it was with Clint. I don’t think it can be or should be. But it’s just as much, as deep, as real. I can’t believe how lucky I am.”

“You and Beckett.” Avery blinked damp blue eyes. “In big L love.”

“Oh, I don’t know about him. I think it’s safe to say little l on his part. We’re a lot to take on.”

“Clare, he’s been sweet on you forever.”

“That’s a different thing. Little l—that’s pretty terrific. I’m not looking for more from him, for promises and absolutes. Like I said, it’s different this time. I understand more than I possibly could have at sixteen. I’ve got more to risk.”

“And to offer,” Hope added.

“Yeah, I do. But . . .” She thought of Beckett’s words the night before. “Love takes work. A woman, three kids—and now two dogs? A lot of work. I’m happy the way things are. I’m so happy, so grateful to feel this again. To know I can.”

“I love that feeling.” Remembering, Hope sighed. “I miss it.”

“I guess I have, too, and didn’t realize it. And it’s a little scary this time. It may sound crazy, but I kind of like that it is. It adds an energy.”

“If you’re happy,” Hope decided, “we’re happy.”

“I’m very happy. I’m in love with a really good, interesting man who enjoys my kids. That’s pretty damn amazing.”

“I’ve always admired your taste in men,” Avery told her.

The bathroom window shot open, and the air that blew in carried the scent of honeysuckle.

“I’d say she does, too,” Hope murmured.

Just one of the things Clare loved about Boonsboro, and that made her glad she’d brought her kids home to raise them, was the community feel. As she stood in the new gift shop, sipping wine from a little plastic cup, she saw or spoke to more than a dozen people she knew. She watched them wander, form and re-form into groups, share news, opinions.

Avery’s father—a big man with his wild red hair and trim beard threaded with glints of pewter—eased his way over to her. Clare tipped her head toward his broad shoulder.

“Look at you, all dressed up.”

He flushed, sweetly shy. “Justine said no work clothes.”

“I should say not, when you’re one of the featured artists.”

His flush deepened; his big feet shuffled. “Oh, I’m no artist. Just a welder with time on his hands.”

“Willy B, it takes more than some welding skill and spare time to create those metal sculptures. And the clocks are just wonderful. You know Hope’s already earmarked that one”—she gestured—“and the cattails for the inn.”

“She’s going to put that stuff in the inn? Really?”

“She wants the clock for the dining room, in front of the stone arch. People who stay will see your work.”

“Isn’t that something?” He let out a short, baffled laugh.

Avery squeezed her way through the crowd. “Lay off the crab balls for now. We’re nearly out. They’re bringing down more.”

“It’s a nice crowd,” Clare commented. “Madeline looks thrilled, and a little dazed.”

“I should step outside. I feel like I’m taking up half the room all by myself.”

“You stay right where you are,” Avery ordered her father. “Madeline wants you to talk up the potential customers, tell them about your artistic process.”

“Oh now, Avery.”

“Oh now, Willy B.” She poked him in his wide chest. “I’ve got to check the other trays. Don’t you let him run away, Clare.”

“I have my orders.” She gave Willy B a shrug, but took pity on him. “We could step right outside though. Plenty of potentials out there getting fresh air.”

“It’s nice to see people come out like this.” He took a breath when they stepped out to the sidewalk.

“It is, isn’t it? I was just thinking how nice it is to see so many familiar faces, have a little time just to chat and catch up.”

She scanned the little groups, so intent on the people around her she didn’t notice the car parked half a block down—or Sam Freemont behind the wheel, watching her.

“How are those boys of yours? I heard you got a couple new family members. Justine mentioned it,” Willy B added.

“They’re in boy heaven, and for now, at least, being very responsible about taking care of the puppies. I have