Page 32 of Dreaming About Forever

Alicia’s smile came easy at Connie’s kindness. “I’m so glad she enjoyed it.”

“And a bodyguard,” Connie said as she gave Jordan a once-over. “We’re so proud.”

“Security agent,” Jordan corrected, but his eyes lifted at the corners.

A young woman stepped up behind Connie and propped her hands on her hips. “Security agent. Sounds important.”

“It is important,” Vicci said. “And you know how serious Jordan is about his work. He has to go wherever Alicia goes, even though she’s not in any danger here with us.”

“Oh, not at all,” Connie said. “We’ll take good care of you, Miss Carver.”

The young woman narrowed her eyes at Alicia, and the piercing stare had her shoulders tensing. Her assessment was more intense than the others, and she hadn’t pasted on the fake smile like people sometimes did when meeting her.

“Mom! Where are the brushes?” another young woman shouted as she stepped out of a closet on the far side of the room. She gasped when she caught sight of Alicia.

“Cassie, come meet Alicia,” Vicci said with a come-hither wave.

The woman jogged over with a wide, genuine smile. “I’m Cassie. It’s so nice to meet you. I’m a fan of your music.”

Alicia extended a hand. “It’s nice to meet you too.”

Vicci put her hands on Alicia’s shoulders. “Everybody, listen up! Alicia is staying with us for a while, and we don’t want any rumors. She’s here for a relaxing break, and we want to make her welcome.”

“Got it!” Cassie said. “Welcome to Redemption Ridge.”

“Thanks. I just got here today, and I’m loving it so far.”

Vicci went around the room and introduced Alicia to the half-dozen women. The names weren’t too difficult to remember, and they all gave her a warm welcome.

She sensed Jordan before he stepped to her side. His dominating presence pulled her attention in the large room.

“I’ll be by the door. Let me know if you need anything.”

Alicia nodded and whispered back, “Thanks.”

Cassie came back a minute later with a tub filled with paint brushes, and the women started pouring paint into trays around the sleigh. They divided up into teams and sections and started painting the marked parts of the sleigh bright-red.

The collective conversation never stopped, but the women worked continuously. When the first coat of paint was on and drying, everyone moved to the kitchen area for a water break.

“So, Jordan is home. That’s exciting,” Connie said.

“For about a month,” Vicci confirmed.

“He’s done a lot of filling out since he left,” Gertrude said with a wiggle of her eyebrows.

“He went through a rough spot after the accident, but he’s much better now,” Vicci said as she filled a Solo cup with water from the refrigerator dispenser.

“How’s he doing…with the injury?” Cassie asked.

Alicia lowered her plastic cup and held her breath. She’d heard brief mentions of an injury, but she hadn’t been able to piece together what happened to him.

“He seems great. He had a run-in with a riled-up cow earlier today, and I noticed he was limping a little. He didn’t mention any pain, but…it’s hard to tell what’s normal when we don’t see him very often.”

Connie rested a hand on Vicci’s shoulder. “He’ll get through this. Jordan is strong.”

“He’s such a good boy,” Gertrude said. “I used to appreciate it when he’d wait with Piper for the school bus to come by when they were little. That boy always had his head on straight.”

“I bet he picked up tens of thousands of pinecones in my yard over the years. I probably should have paid him more,” Gertrude said.

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