Free Perfect Family by Patricia; Potter

red rock cliff behind the house. She didn’t even try to stifle an exclamation of delight as shafts of light turned the rock into flaming gold.
    Jessie saw several figures around the corral and three more on the porch. They disappeared inside as the car drew up, perhaps to announce a new presence. Alex had already stopped the vehicle and gone around to her side. He gave her his hand, and she slipped out. He held on to it, as if he knew she needed this support.
    She tightened her fingers around his for a moment, then let them go. She said a brief prayer as they approached the door, and it opened.
    An older woman appeared at the doorway. Her hair was short and gray, and her skin was dark and weathered. She wore denim trousers, a tan shirt, and a suede vest decorated with what looked like turquoise. Lively hazel eyes, the same color as Jessie’s, searched her face, then the woman’s lips spread into a warm smile.
    â€œJessica,” she said, reaching out with both hands. “Welcome to the Sunset. I’m Sarah Macleod,” she said, without giving Alex a chance to introduce them. The older woman took her hand. “You don’t mind, do you, Jessica?” she’d asked.
    Jessie realized immediately she did not. She instantly liked the older woman, who looked as if she were in her mid-seventies but moved like a much younger person. Warmth exuded from her, but Jessie saw a flash of uncertainty in her eyes, and that made her clasp the woman’s hand. They had something in common, both of them. Neither was as assured as she’d wanted to be. That realization made her like Sarah Macleod far more than certainty would.
    The evening became a blur of names and faces.
    Sarah was memorable, as was Halden. He was obviously the patriarch of the family and sat in what looked like the most comfortable chair in the room. He looked to be in his eighties or so, and he had a thatch of white hair over a face inlaid with wrinkled trails. Calm hazel eyes, like those of Sarah and her own, peered at her with interest. “You have the look of a Clements,” he said in a surprisingly strong voice, though he didn’t try to stand.
    She wasn’t sure whether the comment called for an answer or not, so she just stood straight under his searching gaze.
    â€œThat’s a compliment, girl,” he added, a slight twinkle in his eyes.
    â€œThank you,” she replied.
    â€œYou have doubts?”
    â€œI’ve never believed in fairy tales,” she said honestly.
    â€œGood for you. I never did, either. A good, healthy doubt now and then won’t hurt anyone. Some in this family would be better off it they didn’t count their chickens before they hatched.” His gaze left her face to wander about the room, leaving her to puzzle over the remark.
    She turned to look at Sarah, and was surprised at the expression that flitted across her face. Fear? But it disappeared quickly. Sarah tugged slightly on her hand. “Let me show you some photos.”
    But before they had moved two feet, they were stopped by a tall, distinguished man. That he was related to Halden was obvious, except he had spectacular eyes as blue as a summer’s sky. Clear. Bright. Probing. “I’m Marc Clements,” he said easily, taking her free hand and holding it as if it were a treasure of some sort.
    The congressman. She would have known it instantly, even if he hadn’t mentioned his name.
    He’d given her a smile even more charming than Alex’s, and the room seemed to still with his magnetism. Jessie guessed his age at early fifties, but she couldn’t be sure. She only knew that he made her feel like the most important person in the room.
    â€œMy cousin,” he said as the lines around his eyes creased with warmth. His smile widened.
    She was surprised at the depth of pleasure filling her. She’d felt at ease with Sarah and now with this man. It was odd because she generally was