Free Where Azaleas Bloom by Sherryl Woods Page A

nightmares about it.
One second I want the man to wind up a pauper, the next I realize he could drag
me and the kids down with him.”
    Raylene’s expression turned thoughtful. “Okay, then, we need to
find you another job, something better than what I can offer you for now. You’re
smart. You’ve been running a household for years, without a lot of help from Ed,
I imagine. You have skills that can be used in the workforce. We just have to
focus on creating the perfect resume.”
    “I did snag another part-time job just yesterday,” Lynn
admitted.
    Raylene’s eyes lit up. “Really? Tell me.”
    “Mitch hired me to handle his billing and payroll. I just
started learning his system this morning. We’re going to go over a few more
things later this afternoon when I get home from here.”
    A grin spread across Raylene’s face. Lynn suspected that the
twinkle in her eyes had nothing at all to do with Lynn having found more
work.
    “Mitch, huh?” Raylene said, clearly fascinated. “How’d that
happen?”
    Lynn didn’t want to mention her foolish decision to check out a
clerk’s job in a dangerous section of town, so she said simply, “He knew I was
looking for something part-time and mentioned that he could use some help. The
best part is I get to work from home.”
    Raylene’s grin spread. “The best part, huh? I’d have thought
that would be spending more time with Mitch. The man is a serious hunk.”
    “So Grace has mentioned,” Lynn said wryly. “That seems to be
the consensus in certain circles.”
    “And you hadn’t noticed?”
    “I’ve known Mitch since grade school. He’s an old friend,
that’s all.”
    “Maybe that’s what he was in school, when you were gaga over
Ed, but circumstances have changed,” Raylene reminded her. “You could do a lot
worse. And don’t forget I’ve seen the way he looks at you when you’re both at
the house for dinner.”
    “That’s concern, nothing more. He’s worried about the toll the
divorce is taking on me and the kids. That’s the kind of man he is.”
    “And there’s something wrong with being thoughtful and
compassionate?”
    “Of course not, but it’s not exactly the basis for some big
romance, the way you’re hinting.”
    Raylene laughed. “Honey, I’m not even hinting. I’m telling you
flat-out you need to take another look at the man before someone else comes
along and snaps him up. He’s been immune to most of the passes I know have been
directed his way, but you can’t count on that resistance to last forever.”
    “Come on, Raylene,” Lynn protested. “How can I even think about
him that way? He’s still grieving for Amy, and my divorce isn’t even final. For
all I know, we could wind up losing the house and having to move to be closer to
one of my sisters. Why start something that doesn’t have a chance?”
    Raylene gave her a chiding look. “I am way too familiar with
that defeatist attitude. I kept trying to let Carter off the hook. I worked
really hard not to fall in love with him, because I thought my situation would
never change and I refused to have him tied down to a woman who couldn’t even
leave the house. The thing was, he didn’t want to give up. He fought for what we
had. I think you and Mitch could have that same kind of staying power.”
    “Based on the way he’s looked at me at dinner?” Lynn said
skeptically. “You’re still lost in some romantic fog. Not every situation has a
fairy-tale ending.”
    “I’m just saying you shouldn’t give up without a fight.
Assuming you’re even the tiniest bit attracted to him, that is,” she said,
regarding Lynn slyly. “Are you?”
    Lynn hesitated, then said, “Okay, I am the tiniest bit
attracted.” She held two fingers maybe an inch apart. “This much, anyway.”
    Raylene laughed. “Couples have started with a lot less. Come to
dinner tonight. Mitch usually stays, as you know. Let me get the lay of the
land.”
    “No way,” Lynn said, shuddering at the