“Of course it does. He makes you think there’s hope, then he rips it away from you.”
That’s exactly what it was. “You know what I need? Some space from him. I’m going to text him and let him know that I’m not going on any runs for the next couple of weeks, and then I’m just going to keep my distance.”
“You know that won’t be easy. Not in this town, which is the size of a shoebox, and not when he’s basically part of the family.”
She lifted her mug. “Well, lucky for me, I’m great at being a hermit.” She wasn’t even kidding—she loved being home. Seeing her acupuncture clients and drinking tea was what she lived for. She absolutely could stay away from him…at least, she was pretty sure. “How areyou?”
“Well, I have a photography client this morning. An engagement couple.”
Didn’t really answer her question. “So business is picking back up?”
Indie scoffed. “No. It’s one of two bookings this week. I really don’t know what’s going on this past year. I used to besobusy.”
“You’re the only family photographer in town. If people aren’t going to you, where are they going?”
“I don’t know. I ran into Betty Hopper, who used to get yearly photos of her and her husband with me, and she was so strange.”
“Strange how?”
“Cold and distant, and when I mentioned that she missed her yearly photo, she just mumbled something about forgetting to book it, then left.”
Clara frowned. “Betty Hopper never forgets anything.”
“Exactly. She’s sixty years old with the best memory around.”
“You don’t think Colt’s mother has anything to do with it, do you?”
There was a small pause. “I mean…it’s crossed my mind. But no, Sylvia wouldn’t do that. She says things that annoy me a lot, but she wouldn’t directly try to sabotage my business…would she?”
“I’m not sure.” She nibbled her bottom lip before asking the next question. “If you’re not getting many bookings, money must be tight. Do you need—”
“Don’t say it.”
“Indie, you’re family and you’re my best friend. If you need help—”
“I don’t need help. Things will pick up. I know they will.” She cleared her throat. “Do you have your first client soon?”
Clara sighed and lifted her cell from the counter to check the time. “Yeah, in ten minutes. It’s actually Helen, from our running club. I was really surprised when she booked it.”
“She didn’t tell you she was?”
“No. She made the booking online yesterday.”
“Is that strange?”
“No. I think she needs it. From what I can see, she hasn’t been herself since the incident at the bar.”
“Well, lucky you’re the magic needle lady.”
Clara chuckled. “I feel far from magic at the moment.”
Indie checked her watch. “All right. I need to go to the shoot.”
“You haven’t drunk your tea.”
Indie cringed. “Sorry.” Then she leaned over and kissed Clara’s cheek. “Chat soon.”
The second her cousin stepped out, Clara glanced at her phone. Should she text Holden now? But what would she write?
