“I wish. But it’s probably a little too early in the day for that. Besides, I need to be sharp when I call Chris. I have a feeling that it’s not going to be as smooth as I’d like.”
“But she gave up her baby. Why wouldn’t it be smooth?” Damon shook his head. “Isn’t this what she wanted? For you to adopt the baby? Why else would she have given her to you?”
It was exactly what Nick had been saying and thinking. But he knew in his gut that it wouldn’t be that simple. There was a reason Jessica had been working on turning her life around. She wanted her baby back.
And as much as Nick wanted to be supportive of that, his heart broke at the very thought of saying good-bye to his baby girl.
Chapter Three
The phone call from Stephanie Starz was exactly what Charlotte needed to get her excited about things again. It hadn’t even occurred to her to try to start up her own interior design business or consultation at all. She’d been so wrapped up in the mess of her personal life, she hadn’t even thought such a thing was possible. But now, it felt like anything was possible.
She couldn’t help but laugh at herself as she walked, almost ran down Main Street toward the hardware store. One phone call and her entire thought process had shifted. No doubt her therapist would have a field day with that, probably tell her how she needed to find happiness within herself before she looked outward.
And Lauren wouldn’t be wrong. But a job offer from Stephanie Starz was also an equally powerful way to find some joy. And she’d take it.
She was greeted by the tinkling of bells as she pushed open the door to the hardware shop and was instantly hit with the unique blend of wood, paint, and grease that she remembered. How long had it been?
When she was in high school and had first developed an interest in paint colors and designs, Charlotte had spent a lot of time in Howard’s Hardware, looking at paint chips, matching colors, and convincing Harriet, the owner’s wife, to give her sample cans so she could test them at home. Just setting foot into the shop again bought back all those memories, and so many more. Harriet had given her a hard time at first about her paint swatches, but Charlotte knew she secretly loved her frequent visits to the shop. So much so that it wasn’t long before Harriet started showing Char giant books of wallpaper samples, stencils, and catalogs for various furniture pieces they could order in.
Those early years of poring over catalogs, order books, and experimenting with color had been so important for Charlotte and were without a doubt the reason she’d pursued design as a career choice.
How could she have forgotten?
Char made her way through the aisles of the store, to the paint counter at the back. Her face lit up the moment she stepped in front of the paint chip shelves.
Home.
It had been too long since she’d lost herself in shades of gray and white. Looking for the exact right mix of cool and warm. A neutral that paired perfectly with a statement color. Char’s fingers drifted toward the greens. Healing aloe, evergreens, palace green, salamander. She couldn’t help but giggle at that one as her fingers pulled the card from the slot.
“Charlotte? Charlotte Davis?”
She turned to see Harriet Howard, looking just the way she’d remembered her as a young girl, if not about fifteen years older. Had it really been that long?
“Mrs. Howard?”
“Well, I thought that it must be you.” The older woman wiped her hands on her apron and grinned. “I’ve only ever known one girl in all my life who smiled at paint chips like that.”
Charlotte laughed and shrugged. “What can I say? There’s something about all the possibilities that’s exciting.”
Harriet took a slow step forward. “How about a hug?”
There was no way she could turn it down. Charlotte wrapped her arms around the tiny, old woman but didn’t hug too hard. Despite Harriet’s own tight squeeze, the woman was so frail-looking, Char didn’t want to break her. “I didn’t think you’d still be here,” she said when she released Harriet from the embrace. “After all these years, you’re still running this store.” She shook her head in wonder, but Harriet only laughed.
“Where else would I be? Besides, someone needs to keep this town supplied. Do you know we’ve been busier than