Catching Serenity Read Online Free PDF Page A

chair, marveling how it smelled faintly of her honeysuckle-scented lotion, even now. A glance at the fraying threads on the edge of the seat brought unexpected tears. Funny how mundane or seemingly insignificant things could trigger memories of Mama in any given moment. Perhaps her tears were more a concession to the idea she might really be gone. Gone .
    He r dad pulled a cigarette from the pack. Probably for effect, he’d waited for her to come back inside. Clamping it between his lips, he curled his fingers around a lighter with a scene of Croisette Shores, the kind sold in the tourist shops down by the waterfront. The years of firefighting had left his palms callused and his hands were gnarled from encroaching arthritis. “So, where’d you get the start-up capital for this business of yours?” he said. “I don’t think I’ve heard the answer to that one yet. Did you get a small business loan?”
    Serenity turned her head as he inhaled a long drag before blowing out a smoke ring. Insinuation wound its way into his words and she struggled to keep her voice calm. “No loans. I’ve lived frugally and worked part-time while I went to school. I used public transportation and lived with three roommates in student housing to save on rent. Money I didn’t need to survive went straight into my savings.” She’d anticipated her dad’s questions and rehearsed that speech to where she could spout it in her sleep.
    “ Good girl.”
    “ It’s called doing what I needed to survive and hang onto what shreds of sanity I had left.” Biting her lower lip, she avoided the intensity of his gaze.
    Clinton grunted, one of his longtime aversion tactics. “This is an old town, Serenity. You know that. They don’t call it ‘historic’ for nothing. Don’t know how many people will want the services of some fancy decorator.”
    She tried not to smirk. “Businesses and homeowners still need to update sometimes, Dad. This house is a classic example. Unlike some people, I can’t sit around and dwell on the past.” She closed her mouth. Best not to alienate him and that last statement sounded a lot more sarcastic than she’d intended. She’d given him enough to chew on for one afternoon and hoped she hadn’t already pushed him too far.
    Thirty minutes later, armed with a lecture about the likelihood her business would fail in an uncertain economy — especially in a town the size of Croisette Shores — Serenity gave her father a kiss on his temple. Dutiful yes, but she appreciated the fact he cared enough to voice his concerns. His skin felt a little warm and clammy and she pressed the back of her hand across his forehead.
    In a surprise move, Clinton clasped his thin, wiry hand around hers and held on tight. Touched by the unexpected show of tenderness, she glanced down at their joined hands. The blue veins in his hands were prominent and the misshapen knuckles had to be painful.
    “ I should have stopped you from running off before.” Tired eyes met hers and softened.
    “ You couldn’t have stopped me, Dad.”
    Clinton released her hand from its vise-like grip , something else left over from his firefighting days. “You always were stubborn, like your mama, but you’ve got a strong backbone, and that’s stood you well. Pretty as a picture like Elise, too, with all that long blonde hair and big blue eyes. Sure to break a good man’s heart.” Another raspy cough escaped, and he turned his head, bringing a fist over his mouth. Thankfully, this one didn’t last long, only a few seconds. “I’m glad you got her looks, not mine.”
    “ Admit it, Dad. You miss her.” She stopped short of tacking on the word, “too.” As mad as she was at Mama, she’d been a good mother until the day she simply...disappeared. The not knowing was the worst thing of all. Like sensing you have cancer but not having a diagnosis. All over again, she silently promised herself and her father she’d find answers so they could have some