Page 4 of Landen

He nodded solemnly.“Ronald told me you were a no-nonsense type of person. Thetruth is, I am going to art school, and working here will allow me tosee the artwork firsthand. And I want to learn from the best. I paintin charcoal.”

“I wouldlove to see what you have.”

“I am shy aboutshowing my work. I somehow think I am not good enough yet.”

“You will neverknow until you show someone.”

“I will thinkabout it.”

Straightening, shewent to get the sprinkler. She spent several minutes watering theflowers before turning in. Her phone rang as soon as she opened thedoor. Digging it out of her bag, she was pleased to see it was herstepsister.

“Hi.”

“Hi. Justgetting home?”

“Yep.”Dumping her things on the table inside the foyer, she secured thealarm before heading into the kitchen. “How was work?”Karen was an ER nurse at the local hospital.

“Hectic. Brianand I want to have you over for dinner on Sunday,” she said.,referring to her brother.

“Not if itincludes another blind date,” she said firmly, plunking thekettle on top of the stove and turning the knob. “The last onewas a disaster. The guy was handsy and disgusting.”

“He is adoctor.”

“Like thatmakes a damn difference.” Digging through her pantry, she tookout the Earl Grey box and a pouch. “It does mean he is adouchebag with a medical degree.”

Karen laughed,tugging a smile from her.

“Okay, fine. Nomore blind dates. Brian is celebrating his promotion at the lawfirm.”

“He madepartner?”

“He did, and wewould like to celebrate. Just the three of us.”

“What happenedto Jake?” She asked, referring to Karen’s husband.

“Out of town,”Karen said lightly.

“Anything youwant to talk about?” Pouring the water over the pouch, Tessatook the cup with her and sat around the counter.

“I had a pisspoor day at work, and I am dead on my feet. I certainly do not wantto talk about my failing marriage.”

“Honey, is itthat bad?” She asked in concern.

“Jake is moreout than in, which is good because when he is here, we argue a lot.”She sighed. “I don’t mean to dump this on you-”

“You are notdumping; you are sharing. And I must ask, why are you so determinedto find me a man when your life is in such a mess?”

Karen chuckled. “Ikeep thinking that you might do better than me. You are gorgeous andmuch too beautiful to be alone. Anyway, I just wanted to check-in. Wehave not spoken to each other in a week.”

“Has it beenthat long?” She asked in surprise as she blew on the liquid.

“The last timewe got together or spoke to each other was last Saturday. I toldBrian I would make the call. Can we count on you?”

“I should beable to make it.”

“Good. Talksoon.”

Hanging up, Tessawrapped her hands around the cup. As stepfamily went, she could havedone worse. She was resentful when her dad announced that he wasinterested in someone.

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