Free Lighting Candles in the Snow by Karen Jones Gowen Page A

cookie sheet with sides. Do not scrape remaining fondant from sides of pan, as this could result in crystals forming in the fondant. With a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, scrape the fondant mixture from the edge of the cookie sheet toward the center. Spread the fondant evenly and let sit for 15 to 20 minutes.
    When the fondant becomes stiff and turns white; pull it off the cookie sheet and knead it like bread dough, until it is free of lumps. Wrap the fondant in plastic wrap and place in a covered container for 24 to 48 hours.

Chapter Eight
    I  sat in Suzie’s basement salon, bemoaning my fate while she cut my hair.
    “What am I going to do, Suz? Unemployment is boring me out of my skull and I have found nothing. Seriously, nothing!”
    I disliked furthering my dependence on Rob and Suzie by working at Rob’s office but I was afraid I might have to. I craved work, I lived for work. Sitting at home without a job to go to was killing me.
    “Oh, gosh, I know. That’s got to be really hard.” She massaged my scalp with her long fingernails. Damn that felt good. “Honey, why not talk to Rob? You don’t have to go through this. He would put you to work in no time. Seriously, Karoline, you’re being silly. I’ll say something to him tonight when he gets in.”
    “No, Suz. I’m not one of your kids. I’m a grown woman who happens to be going through a rough spot right now. Don’t say anything to Rob, I mean it. Give me some time. I’ll get a job.”
    If I did have to break down and work for my brother-in-law, I’d do it on my own terms as an adult filling out an application, not as the kid sister of the rich doctor’s wife.
    Suzie paused in her fluffing and finger-styling of my hair and frowned at me. “Are you sure you don’t want me to tell Rob? What’s the big deal, whether you work for him or someone else?”
    “It’s the principle of the thing, I guess. Don’t be mad at me. I’m trying to be adult about the situation.”
    “I know you are, sweetie, and of course I’m not mad. Only I don’t want you to have to go through difficulties if you don’t need to, that’s all.”
    “And it’s not like I’ve been goofing off either.” I felt some inexplicable inner need to defend myself. Suzie never criticized me, at least not in so many words.
    “Of course not! You’re a hard worker, you always have been. Remember when we were kids, and I’d run off to play while you stayed and helped mom with the dishes?”
    “That’s me, Miss Responsible Second Daughter. Now I feel like a wreck.”
    “Why?” Suzie asked, suddenly serious. “Is it because of the job thing? Or the divorce?”
    “The divorce is part of it, I guess. Why did I stay with him that long, Suz? What made me turn into jelly around that guy?”
    I stared into the mirror, seeing a morose-looking plain face. A woman is at her least attractive in the hairdresser’s chair, wearing that plastic cover-all, hair pulled back, skin pallid under the florescent lighting.
    Suzie frowned as she fluffed up my brown hair with her hands. She had magic fingers when it came to hair. She rarely used a comb or brush or pick. Her technique was all in how she maneuvered her long slender fingers.
    “I’m glad you’re letting it grow, Karoline. It looks good at shoulder length. Now if only you will let me put in the golden highlights. Or red would look fabulous on you, too. How about next week?”
    “Suzie! Forget my hair. This is a serious question. How did Jeremy turn me into a complete wreck?”
    “I wish I knew,” Suzie responded, looking at my reflection in the mirror. “Part of a lasting relationship is liking who you are when you’re with that person. I really didn’t like what he did to you. You changed after Jeremy came into your life.”
    I had always been independent and strong-willed, but from the beginning Jeremy had me wrapped around his little finger. I had never fallen for a guy like I did for him.
    “The way he convinced you to