Page 70 of Already Home

Beth stopped by Jenna’s store on her way to the market.She wanted to hear about the singles class the previous evening. Ellington hadarrived as promised, and she was curious if Jenna had liked him as much thesecond time around.

He’d certainly been good-looking enough, Beth thought as shewalked toward the store. But what, really, did they have in common? She hadasked Marshall if he knew any suitable single men in the local businesscommunity. Although he’d refused to get involved, she knew she could convincehim that this was important.

She pulled open the glass doors and stepped in to find a classin session. But instead of her daughter helping people through a cookingproject, Serenity was explaining the recipe.

Beth came to a stop so quickly, the door bumped her in thebutt. She moved inside, then searched for Jenna and found her stockingshelves.

“She’s teaching a class?” Beth asked as she approached. “Youdidn’t tell me.”

Beth felt oddly breathless and confused, as if she’d suddenlyfound her kitchen chairs nailed to the ceiling.

“She mentioned it a week or so ago,” Jenna said. “I wanted totell her no, but you kept saying I should give her a chance, so I put out asign-up sheet and we had ten people interested within three days.” Her daughtersmiled. “She has a welcoming style. Very inclusive and warm.”

Beth eyed the large crowd. “What’s the class?”

“Introduction to vegan cooking. They’re even baking, which Idon’t understand. How can you bake without eggs for binding?”

“But this is your store,” Beth protested.

“I know, but I don’t think the customers care who’s cooking.”She frowned. “Are you upset?”

“What? No. Of course not. Just surprised. You never mentionedit. I wondered if you were keeping it a secret.”

Jenna stared at her. “Why would I do that? I forgot to tellyou. It’s not a big deal.”

“Oh, I know. I’m fine.” Beth smiled as widely as she could.“You go ahead and finish your work. I just wanted to stop by. I’ll see youlater.”

Jenna nodded slowly. “If you’re sure.”

“I am.”

They hugged, then Beth turned to leave. She still felt a littleshaken inside. It was because she’d been so surprised, she told herself. HavingSerenity a part of Jenna’s life was a good thing. She’d thought so from thestart.

Before she could reach the door, Violet stopped her.

“Morning,” she said.

“Hello, Violet. It looks like you have your hands full.”

“I know. It’s a nice way to start the morning. Were youleaving?”

“I have errands to run.”

“I’ll walk you out.”

Beth led the way. When they were out on the sidewalk, Violetstopped.

“I have a favor to ask, but I want to make sure you don’t feelobligated.” Violet bit her lower lip and ducked her head, then looked back atBeth. “Agreed?”

“Of course.” Beth was more intrigued than concerned.

“I was wondering if you would mind going shopping with mesometime. You’re always dressed so stylishly and I’ve seen the clothes you’vebought for Jenna. They’re wonderful. I don’t have a huge budget, but I want tomake some changes in my wardrobe.”

Beth smoothed the front of her jacket and smiled. “Violet,that’s very sweet of you, but I’m old enough to be your mother. Why would youwant to dress like me?”

Violet shook her wrist with the half dozen bracelets. “I likemy look, but I want to upgrade it. I’m dating this really great guy. He’s aprofessional, in finance. Suits and ties, that kind of thing. I want to fit inbetter.”

“You shouldn’t change yourself for a man.”

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