Free Lucky Break by Carly Phillips Page A

feelings and had stormed out.
    After explaining to her father and suitor that she had no intention of agreeing to an arranged marriage, she’d gone in search of Edward. She’d tried to reach him but he’d wanted nothing to do with her. That had been the last she’d seen of him for seven years, until Amber Rose Corwin had walked into her shop to buy a gift for her new father-in-law, Edward Corwin. That had been Clara’s sign.
    She’d returned to Edward’s life, determined to wait as long as it took for him to heal so they couldhave a future. After his hospitalization last year, the doctor put him on antianxiety medication. Mike, Edward’s son, had asked her to move in, make sure he took his pills and keep his appointments. Clara knew the Goddess was looking out for her then.
    It had only been about four months, but there was light. Edward talked to her at dinner. Not rambled, disjointed thoughts but real conversation. He’d ask about her day, her business. He had begun reaching out to her at last. Baby steps, but she was so grateful.
    She replaced old candles around the house with fresh, new ones, wanting the scent to permeate by the time she returned home from work. Ever since she’d reopened her shop, Crescent Moon, here in Stewart, her New Age gift business was better than ever.
    Her home life was harmonious and she was at peace. Maybe tonight she’d kiss Edward on the cheek before going to bed. It would be their first physical sign of affection but Clara felt certain Edward was ready.
    Â 
    J ASON ARRIVED at the Perkins mansion at nine on the dot. Clipboard in hand to take notes on the project, he walked up the front porch to find the door ajar. As he stepped inside, a flash of fur whizzed past him, brushing his pant leg as it made a mad break for freedom.
    â€œHello? Lauren?” he called out.
    â€œI’ll be right there!” Her voice sounded from deep inside the house.
    Shoving his hands into his jeans pockets, he paced the outer hallway of the large house. He’d never been inside before and, based on his history with this family, he expected old ghosts to reach out and touch him. Instead, all he sensed was an old home with peeling paint, a mildewed smell and dilapidated flooring.
    â€œSorry, but you won’t believe the morning I’ve had,” Lauren said, out of breath.
    She came toward him, closing the last button on her light pink man-styled shirt. Her feet bare, her long hair swinging as she moved, no makeup on her face, she was a breath of fresh air in this stuffy house.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” he asked.
    â€œWhat isn’t? I woke up late, stepped into water all over the bedroom floor. The cat still has an upset stomach—and that’s putting it mildly.” She pulled her hair back into a ponytail with her hands, securing it with a covered elastic. “All of that and it’s just nine a.m.”
    â€œIt could be worse.”
    She raised an eyebrow, hands perched on her hips. “Care to tell me how?”
    â€œYou could still be without a contractor insteadof having the best at your beck and call.” He couldn’t help but tease her.
    â€œGood point.” She shot him a wry smile.
    â€œWhat kind of flood?” he asked, concerned that the old pipes were giving her trouble.
    â€œThe kind that isn’t going anywhere,” she said, turning and walking away. “I need caffeine,” she called over her shoulder. “Want some coffee?”
    He blinked in surprise at her change of subject and, given no choice, he followed her. “Black would be great,” he said to her back.
    Once in the kitchen, which appeared to have been renovated in the last decade at least, he sat at the table, placing his clipboard down.
    Lauren worked quickly. She poured them both cups of coffee that had already brewed and handed him a steaming mug.
    â€œThanks,” he said.
    She nodded, lifted the cup and finished