Page 26 of Already Home

“If we wait for that, a millennium will have passed.” Jennapushed the dress toward her. “You have to at least try it on.”

Violet took it reluctantly. She didn’t have any silk in herwardrobe. It was costly to buy and usually had to be dry-cleaned. Not an expenseshe needed. But the fabric was whisper soft and the style appealed to her.

After hanging the black dress on the towel rack by the lightswitch, she unbuttoned the front of the dress she had on and shrugged out of itwithout even thinking. When she reached for the black dress, she felt more thanheard Jenna’s surprise. A second too late, Violet remembered that stripping downto a thong and bra in front of her boss probably wasn’t the smartest thing todo.

Jenna stood slightly behind her, so she had a full view of thedelicate scrollwork on the small of her back and the roses between her shoulderblades. Chinese characters trailed along her left thigh, a Celtic designextended up both arms and a dolphin arced just above her right ankle.

“They’re beautiful,” Jenna said, sounding very close to meaningit.

Violet drew the black dress off the hanger. “It was ageographical necessity,” she said, undoing the zipper. “I lived on the streetsfor a while. I got my first tattoo on a dare and the next couple to fit in.”

The others had followed because they’d seemed like what sheshould do at the time. Now she regretted them, but it wasn’t as if they could bescrubbed off.

“Why were you on the streets?” Jenna asked. “Or is thatquestion too personal?”

“I was independent.” Violet slipped into the dress. “This isgreat.”

Jenna moved behind her and pulled up the zipper. “It’s perfect.You have to wear it. I think it needs a little jacket. I have a couple you canchoose from. My mom is very big on accessories.”

Violet was grateful for the change in subject. “She trainedyou?”

“Actually, she does my shopping.” Jenna shrugged. “I know it’sweird, but she loves to shop and she’s good at it. She’ll show up with bags ofclothes for me to try on. I keep the ones I like and she returns the rest.”

“Nice system.”

“It is. I’m spoiled. If things get serious with this guy andyou want to change your look, you should talk to her. I’m sure she’d love tohelp. She can suggest stores or even take you shopping.”

The thought was nice, Violet thought. Impossible, but nice. Inher world, the mother of her boss didn’t bother with an employee. Of course inher world, her boss didn’t usually lend her brand-new dresses.

“Let’s go see what jackets I have. I’m thinking short andtailored, but not too severe. We want him to be impressed, not afraid you’reinto discipline.”

Violet trailed after her, wondering what life would have beenlike if her own mother had cared about her. As it was, Violet had run away atfifteen and never gone back. When she’d been younger, she’d dreamed aboutfinding a family to take her in. A place to belong. She’d always wantedthat.

Without meaning to, she thought of Cliff. He wasn’t anythinglike the guys she usually dated. He was normal—at least on the surface. Shewould bet he’d never gone hungry a day in his life.

They had nothing in common. She would be foolish to allowherself to hope. But maybe, just maybe, a little anticipation couldn’t hurt.

* * *

She wasn’t too proud to buy love, Jenna thoughthumorously as she delivered paper plates filled with lemon bars to thebusinesses around her store. Or at the very least, good neighbors and potentialcustomers.

She saved Only Ewe for last and was pleased to see Robyn behindthe register.

“How’s it going?” the other woman asked when she saw Jenna.“You’ve been getting a crowd over there.”

“Finally.” Jenna handed over the plate. “A little sugar rush tokeep you going.”

“Thanks. These look delicious.” Robyn lifted the plastic wrapand sniffed. “You’re killing me, you know that, right? Those brownie-cookieswere beyond wonderful. I bought the bag of ingredients and made them over theweekend. It was really easy. What a great idea.”

“Violet came up with it. We’re going to keep offeringpremeasured ingredients with recipe cards. And not just desserts, for actualmeals.”

“It’s perfect,” Robyn told her. “I’m tired when I’m doneworking and I don’t want to think up what to cook and then have to stop at thestore. This is nearly as easy as fast food, but healthier and fresh. Not tomention, it will impress my boyfriend, T.J.”

The front door opened and several older women entered. Robynwaved.

“A few of my regulars,” she said in a low voice.

“You have a great store,” Jenna told her, looking at all thebins filled with yarn. “It makes me want to learn how to knit.”

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