Page 111 of Already Home

A few weeks before, Serenity had questioned whether or notJenna had made the right decision when she’d opened the store. She’d suggestedJenna’s “destiny” lay elsewhere.

At the time, Jenna had listened, wondering the same herself,but now she knew. She’d come back from Los Angeles with little more than somemoney, furniture and a broken heart. From that she’d created a place she couldbe proud of. She’d started over, made friends and was finding a home in thecommunity. She’d risked being creative again and had rediscovered her soul.

The local Chamber of Commerce had talked to her about coming tomeetings. Rotary wanted her to join. She was thinking of being one of thesponsors of a 5K run for charity. She was happy. It had taken a while, but shewas happy.

Unless she thought of Ellington, which she wasn’t about todo.

But she couldn’t escape all his words, and she wondered aboutSerenity and Beth. Was she being unfair to one because of the other?

Her cell phone rang. She glanced at the number and sighed.

“Hello?”

“You were thinking about me, weren’t you?” Serenity asked witha laugh. “I sensed it.”

“I was,” Jenna admitted. “How are you?”

“Good. Jasmine saw her doctor today and everything is goingwell. He’s still very disappointed he won’t be delivering her baby, but shewants a midwife and to give birth at home.”

Jenna winced. “I’m glad she’s following her heart.”

“So am I. How’s Violet?”

“Recovering. She’s getting stronger. The bruises are hideousthough. He really hurt her.”

“Payment will come to him. I believe in karma.”

“I’m not surprised.”

Serenity laughed again, then drew in a breath. “I miss you,Jenna. I wish you were still here.”

Jenna knew what she was expected to say. As for the truth, shecouldn’t be sure. She liked her life here but had to admit, Serenity addedsomething unexpected, in a good way. Maybe a lot of something.

“I miss you, too,” she said softly.

“Thank you for saying that. Tom and I will be back soon. Itwill be a few days. We’re driving. See you then.”

“I can’t wait. Bye.”

Jenna closed her phone, then turned and saw Beth standing inthe doorway leading to the back of the store.

“I let myself in,” her mother said, her voice low and a littlestiff. “I take it you were talking to Serenity?”

Jenna swore silently, then nodded, confident Beth had heard hersay she missed the other woman.

A thousand excuses flew into her head, but she hadn’t doneanything wrong, so what exactly was she supposed to apologize for?

More complications, she thought wearily.

“I stopped by to invite you to dinner,” Beth continued. “Violetis coming downstairs for the first time.”

“Thanks,” Jenna told her. “Let me finish locking up and I’ll bethere.”

* * *

“My life sucks,” Jenna said later that night, sitting onthe chair next to Violet’s bed.

Dinner had gone better than she’d thought, with Beth actingrelatively normally. She’d avoided looking at Jenna too much, or maybe Jenna hadjust been expecting trouble. Or wallowing in guilt.

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