On the way back, she had a lightness she hadn’t felt in a long time. In fact, she couldn’t remember when she’d had such a wide-open vista in her life. Certainly not at her high-pressure job in Seattle.
A fresh sense of confidence filled her. Babe hadn’t treated her like an unemployed failure but as a professional with a valuable skill to offer other business owners. She lifted her chin, pleased that she was embarking on a new phase of life.
The guest cottage sounded intriguing, too. She didn’t need much. With Babe’s sense of style, it was probably livable, which is all she needed. While she could save money staying with Junie or her mother and grandmother, she needed to act like an adult.
When Maileah arrived at Junie’s house, she rolled her bike around the back. Her sister had just arrived home and was taking groceries from her car.
“Need a hand?” Maileah asked.
“Thanks,” Junie said. “How was your day?”
“I monitored your ads, then I went for a ride and stopped at Beach Babe’s.”
“That’s a cute shop. Mom got me a couple of things from there.”
“I bought a few outfits,” Maileah said. “Babe is delivering them soon. I won’t be sneaking clothes from your closet anymore.”
“Should you be shopping as long as you’re unemployed?”
“They’re clothes for work,” Maileah replied, sounding more defensive than she’d meant to. “I washed and returned your stuff as quickly as I could.”
Junie started up the steps, holding the door open for Maileah. “I do have a favor to ask of you, though.”
“Anything. I owe you for putting me up here.”
“I don’t mind, and you’ve helped me out,” Junie said quickly. “But I was wondering if you could stay at Nana’s for a week. Knox doesn’t have a guest room with his parents and Penny. His mother’s sister and husband are visiting soon and want to be nearby. I wouldn’t ask if they weren’t family. They’re a little older, so this will be easier on them.”
“No problem,” Maileah said. “When I was shopping at Babe’s, she mentioned that she has a guest cottage available to rent. I’m going to see it in the morning.”
Junie surprised her with a frown. “I’m not kicking you out. This is only for a week.”
“It’s time I got a place anyway.”
Her sister pressed her lips together as she placed groceries on the kitchen table. “New clothes, a place to live. I’m not sure those are good decisions. How can you afford all that without a job?”
“I’m working it out.”
Junie sighed. “But so often you don’t. You jump before you have a plan. I don’t want to see you on the hook for a lease before you can pay for it, especially when you have options.”
“This time, I’ll make it work.”
Junie gave her a sad look. “If you need money, I can?—”
“Absolutely not,” Maileah said, holding up her hand and speaking a little sharper than she’d meant. “I can manage. I don’t need anyone’s help.” Staying here was one thing, but she was trading work for her room. Taking pity money from her younger sister was more than her pride could take.
A hurt look washed over Junie’s face. “I’m only looking out for you. I hate to see you make a mistake like you did with Hawk.”
That was a sore point with Maileah. She’d moved in with Hawk and given up her apartment lease, only to discover he’dbeen unfaithful to her. Since she’d been laid off, she had nowhere to go, and no job for a new lease.
“That’s enough, Junie.” Her sister was treating her like she was incapable of making good decisions. “You think you can criticize me because you have such a perfect life here. You have no idea what it’s like to be on your own. You married young, and then—well, you have Mark’s settlement and life insurance.” As soon as the words left her mouth, Maileah regretted them. But she was hurt, too.
Footsteps sounded on the steps, and the screen door creaked open. “What’s going on?” Knox asked. “I heard some commotion.”
“It’s Mayday,” Junie said.
Maileah hated that nickname, so she shot back, “It’s always my fault, isn’t it? I know I’m in the way here. And you think I’m silly for changing my name. But see, it’smyname andmylife. I decide what I want.”
“Hey, you two,” Knox began.
