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you.”
    “I like being behind the scenes.” I defended myself. “It’s easy. It’s comfortable.”
    “But everyone else gets the credit,” she tossed back. “Whatever happened to getting out there? Taking chances. You used to talk about how you’d love to work at the Travel Channel —”
    Before I could defend myself, Candace’s cell phone started to play Bob Marley’s, “Don’t Worry About a Thing.” Her lips curved into a smile. It disappeared promptly after Marcus launched into some terrorized-husband-left-alone-with-the-kids rant. “Jaden and the kittens,” Candace mouthed with one hand over the phone. She stood, stretching her slender limbs, and walked to the door.
    Hip cocked to one side, Candace managed to eek out comforting words between her husband’s gruff complaining. “Honey, you found Jaden. That’s all that matters.”
    I caught phrases like, “clawed my arm,” “wandered away,” and something about finding Jaden “under the front porch.”
    “Sorry, I’ve got to run,” she hung up, apologized, and waved over the shop owner. “Marcus needs help. I have to get there before he gives away the kittens.”
    From experience, I knew the girls’ pets were safe no matter how much trouble they caused. Marcus threatened, but it was unlikely he’d actually haul away the fuzzy perpetrators.
    “Y’all be good,” the owner said and gave Candace air kisses goodbye.
    “Thanks darling,” Candace slid on her sunglasses. “You coming along, Mel?”
    As we stepped into the thick, warm air outside, I couldn’t help but think about Marcus. He was the complete opposite of Chris. My husband managed quite nicely doing everything by himself. I’d love to have spouse who called and needed me to come home every once in a while.
    “Marcus has a hard time handling Jaden. She’s such a free spirit.” Candace winked at me. “She has this absolute obsession with animals. It’s like the Pied Piper, only reversed.”
    “Jaden follows them? Just wanders off?” A shudder went through my spine.
    “She tries to wander off all the time,” Candace confirmed as we walked to our cars. “We have to keep an eye on her every second. I’m used to it, but it drives Marcus crazy. Meanwhile, Addie clings to my leg like Velcro.”
    Candace stopped. “Have you ever heard of using those On Star things for kids? I need some kind of tracking device when Marcus is with them.” She frowned. “Nah, too radical.”
    I wondered what Dr. Phil would say about ankle bracelets for children ala Martha Stewart. I decided not to mention it and hugged Candace instead. “Thanks for everything.”
      Candace looped a tanned arm around my neck and planted a kiss on my cheek. “This was fun. We need to pamper ourselves more often.”
    Bob Marley began singing again from her cell phone. Candace glanced down. “Marcus.” She slid into her seat and slammed the door shut behind her. “I’ll bet Chris will like your toes,” she added out the open window.
    I waved as she drove off. The mention of Chris’s name made my heart flutter. Would he notice? I thought back to the last time we had actually touched, let alone made love. Three weeks? Two months? Way too long ago.
    Maybe more pampering wouldn’t hurt. Inside my car, I searched my bag for some makeup. I dabbed a touch of color on my lips and gingerly stroked the mascara wand through my lashes. Natural, light. Nothing drastic. I checked my reflection.
    Not bad. A little confidence boost.
    It might even help when I had to face my mother.
     

Chapter 7
     
    “You have reached the voicemail of Chris Moore, with Macon Financial. Please leave a message. I’ll get back to you at my earliest convenience.”
    When was his “earliest convenience”? I wondered, thinking his clients probably talked to him more than I did.
    “Chris, honey. It’s me.” I paused. What did I want to say? “Just thinking about you. Let’s get lunch or dinner at that new bistro. Say Tuesday or