“Do they have an organic section at least?”
She shook her head. “Not at this grocery store. The pork and chicken we raise here on the farm is organic, but Bo doesn’t have a garden, and I didn’t have time to put one in this year. I will next spring. If you need other organics, we can go to Harrison or take a trip to Russellville. Maybe even go to Little Rock, although that’s quite a drive.”
“How do you live so isolated, Viv?”
“I love it.” She sat back in her chair. “I got so tired of the fast-paced life. It was burning me out.”
“Is that why you left modeling too?” She’d always wondered, but until now she never asked. As a kid, she hadn’t wanted Viv to get mad at her and not see her anymore after the divorce, and when she got older, well, she wasn’t really interested. Seeing Viv’s shocking change piqued her curiosity again.
She shook her head. “The industry was soul crushing, Kalista. I used to lament that I’d never made it to the top, but now I’m glad I didn’t.”
“You could have, though. You could still model now.” Despite the lack of glamour, Viv had kept her figure, and for an older woman, she still looked stunning.
“I’m happy here in Clementine, and I love the farm and small-town life. Bo is the best thing that ever happened to me.” She took Kalista’s hand again, her eyes misty. “Did I tell you how much it means to me that you’re going to be at my wedding?”
Surprised, Kalista felt a lump form in her throat. “I’m glad I will be too.” From what she could tell, Viv’s wedding was the only thing she had to look forward to, other than going back to California. It was nice to hear someone wanted her to be around. Until the past week or so, her daddy didn’t seem to care, and of course Bettany and her other stepmothers had seen her as a nuisance. But not Viv. Kalista smiled—her first real one since leaving LA.
Viv glanced at the rooster clock on the wall. “You need to hurry or you’ll be late for your interview with Sebastian.” She jumped up from the chair and dragged Kalista to the bedroom. “You’ll barely have time to change clothes.”
“But I still have to put on my makeup.” That was a thirty-minute process, minimum.
“There’s no time for that.” At Kalista’s shocked look, Viv added, “Don’t worry. You’re lovely without it.”
Kalista grimaced, doubting her words. Her hair looked awful, she had no idea what kind of dowdy clothes Viv would insist she wear, and now she couldn’t put on makeup. What a disaster.It’s going to be a long three months.
Chapter 4
Ihope you enjoyed breakfast, Ms. Smith.”
“It was delicious.” Jade dabbed at the corner of her mouth with her napkin as she looked at Mabel, owner of the Clementine Inn. The inn was expectedly small, with only eight rooms, and each one had a different country theme. Jade was in the cowboy room, and she had to admit that while it wasn’t her style, it was tastefully done. Although she could do without the steer head hanging on the wall above her bed.
“Clyde is famous for his biscuits around these parts.” Mabel beamed with pride as she referred to her husband, a slim man who was just as friendly as his wife. She straightened the black napkin holder on the table. “Are you here for the hoedown this weekend?”
Mabel was friendly, but Jade wasn’t in the mood for a chat. She’d planned to get a cup of coffee, her normal breakfast of champions, but she’d skipped dinner last night and the scent of biscuits and gravy from the modest breakfast buffet had been irresistible. Sausage gravy was her weakness. “No, just a meeting.” If only it werejusta meeting. Her nerves started up again. Ugh, she shouldn’t Ihave eaten so much for breakfast. When she stood and started clearing her plate, Mabel intervened.
“Don’t worry, hon, I’ll clean this up. Just let me, Clyde, or the staff know if you need anything else.”
“Thank you.” Jade forced a smile at Mabel’s kindness, even though she could barely contain her anxiety.
“Sure thing. You have a blessed day.”
Jade’s smile relaxed into something more natural. Even though she still lived in the South, she missed this kind of sweet Southern hospitality that was in short supply in a large city. She was certain she could find it in rural Georgia, but she never ventured past the Atlanta suburbs. She never had the time.Or made the time.
She had twenty minutes before she needed to leave for downtown Clementine whereThe Clementine Timesoffice was located, so she hurried back to her room. She half expected Logan to call her back, but so far he hadn’t. She felt some relief that he was respecting her boundaries, but there was a part of her that wondered if she was doing the right thing by not listening to what he had to say. He didn’t ask her for anything, just to talk, and that was new. What if... ?
No. There were no what-ifs when it came to Logan. For her own sanity and financial health, she had to keep her distance, even if he was telling the truth. Even if she missed him.Even though it hurts.
Blocking off her feelings about Logan, she went into the bathroom to touch up her hair and makeup, pausing to stare in the mirror. Her hair had been short ten years ago, and now it was shoulder length. Despite watching her diet—that went out the window this morning—and exercising when she could, she wasn’t as thin as she was a decade ago. Would Sebastian notice? Would he care?
And why was she wondering whether he would or wouldn’t?
Shaking her head, she left the bathroom. All she needed was to look presentable and professional, which she always did. Even on business casual Fridays, she still wore her power suits and sensible pumps. She grabbed her briefcase filled with spreadsheets and other persuasive sales collateral, just in case Sebastian had questions. The latch opened on its own, her papers falling to the floor.
“What in the world?” She looked at the latch. It seemed fine, and it had never failed before. She grimaced, picking up the papers, organizing them in their original stacks, and putting them in the case, making sure it fastened tightly. Giving it a shake, it stayed shut. She must not have closed it properly the last time she opened it.
Mustering confidence she didn’t feel, Jade marched out of the Clementine Inn to her rental car, a black two-door Nissan that had a little pep but not much room. She hadn’t expected Miles to splurge on a Cadillac or some other luxury rental, but the Nissan seemed cheap. Fortunately she wouldn’t be in Arkansas for long. Despite it being mid-May, it was already humid and warm, making her sweat. Or was it her nerves? Probably both.
The drive from the inn to downtown Clementine was quick. Too quick, and when she pulled the Nissan into one of the three parking spaces in front ofThe Clementine Timesoffice, she didn’t get out of the car. Instead, she put it in Park and flipped the air conditioner dial to its highest setting.
