Page 51 of Sycamore Circle

She giggled. “It’s short for Beauman. His last name. His real name is Sam but everyone calls him Bo.”

“I like Bo better,” Chloe said.

“I think I do too. But we should, since he likes it better.”

Her mother turned to Chloe. “Do you like this Bo, Chloe?”

“I haven’t met him.” She winked at her. “I don’t think Mom’s ready to share him yet.”

Oh, for heaven’s sake. “It’s not that. It’s... well, I don’t know.”

“It’s good you’re being smart and cautious, Joy.” Lowering her voice, she added, “He could be like Candy.”

“Who’s Candy?” Chloe asked.

“Uncle Rand is dating a new woman.”

“I guess you don’t like her, Grandma?”

“Let’s just say she’s not my favorite person.”

“How come?”

“She’s a little rough around the edges, dear.”

Thinking that Bo could very well be like Rand’s Candy, but also that that wasn’t a bad thing, Joy said, “I went to the store and got your favorites, honey. Grab a banana and a protein bar. We’ve gotta go.” Looking at her mom, she added, “You can walk out with us, Mom.”

“Fine.”

Chloe giggled. “That’s what you get for showing up uninvited, Gram. My mom really doesn’t like surprises.”

“I’m figuring that out, dear,” her mother said as the three of them headed out the door.

Joy shook her head but realized she did feel better about most everything. Nothing was perfect but today was going pretty well. And her floors were vacuumed, too. That was a plus.

CHAPTER 17

It was the day that would never end. First, she’d driven almost to Cincinnati to deliver a painting—only to find out that the customer had no intention of paying her upon delivery. When she’d refused to let him pay her in a couple of weeks, he’d gotten angry.

Next thing she knew, he was calling her names. She’d been trembling when she got into her car. It had taken her almost the entire trip home to calm down.

Then, one of her newer tutoring clients hadn’t shown up. Though Joy did volunteer work for literacy, she also had a handful of students who paid her for her services. She wasn’t sure what had happened to Regina, but Joy was annoyed. It was the second time Regina had booked an appointment then not shown up. It not only messed up Joy’s day, but it also hurt her financially. Her weekly budget counted on that money.

Now, as she stood on the driveway with Tony while Chloe ran back inside for something out of her room, Joy was wishing she was anywhere else.

She was also wishing she hadn’t promised herself four years ago to do everything she could to keep a decent relationship with her ex-husband. Tony’s sudden interest in her dating life was sure making that hard, though. “Tony, you know I don’t want to discuss my personal life.”

“Your personal life is my concern. I still care about you.” He lowered his voice. “All I’m trying to say is that I’m surprised that you’re dating someone.”

Everything about that comment rubbed her wrong. After the day she had, she didn’t want to let him off the hook. “And why is that?”

He looked uncomfortable. “You know what I mean, hon. You’ve always put Chloe’s needs first. Now you aren’t?”

“Me dating has nothing to do with Chloe and it sure isn’t interfering with her life.”

“She said she doesn’t know much about him.”

“She probably said that because she doesn’t know much.”

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