It was the reason I'd called. I'd been praying for good news about Cami's search for a new job. But just now, when I'd asked her about it, she'd replied by turning the conversation back to me.
It was a bad sign.Still, I had to ask, "So…has anything come up?"
"Not yet. But I'm sure it will." She paused. "Maybe."
That didn't sound good.
Still, I refused to add to Cami's worry. "Yeah. Totally. I mean, any school would be lucky to get you." I meant it, too.Cami was amazing with kids.Still, in the back of my mind, I couldn’t help but fear that time wasn't on her side.
September was fast approaching. If she didn't have something by then, her odds would drop to nearly zero.
And now she was saying, "So how about you? How'syourjob search coming?"
As she listened, I told her that I'd had a second interview with that distribution center, but so far, I'd heard nothing more.
When I finished, she asked, "And what about Brody?"
At the sound of his name, my heart clenched like it always did. "What about him?"
"Are you still avoiding him?"
"As much as I can," I said. "But mostly, I think he's avoiding me." I tried to laugh. "You might call it mutual avoidance."
"So how much time is left?"
"'Til the house is finished?" I said. "Barely three weeks."
Would I make it to the end?I wasn't so sure, especially on the very next day when Miss LaRue suggested her dumbest idea yet – and in front of Brody, too.
Chapter 63
Arden
The new kitchen cupboards had been installed just this week, which made Miss LaRue's suggestion all the more idiotic – even if shedidlook very French while making it.
Her lipstick was dark red, and her hair was jet-black, cut in a classic French bob. She wore a flared black miniskirt, a black turtleneck sweater, and – not even kidding – a little black beret set at a jaunty angle on her head.
None of this changed the fact that her suggestion was totally insane.
I gave her a perplexed look. "But we already have cupboards." I pointed to the nearest row of kitchen cabinets. "See? They're installed and everything."
On the opposite side of the kitchen, Roy was holding his video camera trained in our direction. A few feet away, standing in the kitchen doorway, Brody watched in grim silence, looking even more ticked off than usual.
But hey, I was ticked off too.
At the moment, it had nothing to do with Brody. It had to do with the fact that he and I hadalreadyselected the kitchen cabinets. And they were wonderful in every way.
I hesitated. Okay, I guess thisdidhave alittlesomething to do with Brody, but not directly. After all,hewasn't the one suggesting that we change everything last-minute.
Still, I felt a pang in my heart when I recalled how much fun we'd had that day, going to the cabinet maker's workshop and picking out the perfect Maplewood for the cabinets, along with the perfect honey-colored stain to bring out the natural patterns in the woodwork.
Just yesterday, the woodworkers had finished installing the gorgeous granite countertops, which Brody and I had also picked out together.
By now, the kitchen was nearly completed, which made Miss LaRue's suggestion all the more ridiculous.
Her lips pursed as she eyed the cabinets. "But they're completely wrong."
No.Shewas completely wrong. As for the cabinets, they were completely right.
