Free Delivered with Love by Sherry Kyle Page A

called before his door shut.
    Michael waved and took off down the street.
    Nancy bumped Claire's shoulder playfully. "What was that all about?"
    Claire frowned. "What do you mean?"
    "The questions . . . and the looks." Nancy slipped the rental application in her purse as they walked down the street. "So, Michael was at your mom's funeral. Did you know all the guests but him?"
    Claire had to admit there were quite a few people from her mom's past she'd never met before the memorial. The room had been packed and her mind was in a fog. Her thoughts shifted to the letter. "Before you call your sister, there's something I'd like to show you."

    Nancy hugged the paper to her chest as she and Claire sat on the brown suede sofa in Nancy's family room. "I'll never forget my first love." She handed the letter to Claire. "Michael could be your mom's old boyfriend. How exciting. Are you going to show him the letter?"
    "Maybe in time. He didn't seem interested in sharing any real details today." Claire gently folded the letter in half and slid it inside the envelope. "I wonder if the rental house has been in Michael's family for years." Claire leaned back against the couch.
    "What do you mean?" asked Nancy.
    Claire pointed to the left corner of the envelope. "The address of the rental house is the same one as on the envelope."
    "How romantic." Nancy looked lost in her own thoughts. "And to think you're going to live in that house . . ."
    "I need a roommate and a job first." Claire pulled Nancy out of her daydream as she tucked the envelope into the pocket of her jean jacket.
    "Oh, yes. I need to call Vivian." Nancy sprang off the sofa.
    "Vivian? I knew a Vivian down in L.A. She worked with me at a diner." Claire talked to Nancy's back as she headed toward the kitchen.
    Nancy whipped around. "You know Vivian?"
    Claire furrowed her brows. "You mean to tell me your sister Vivian is a waitress at a diner in L.A.?"
    Nancy nodded. "She's heavyset, about this tall." Her hand came up to her chin.
    Small world. Claire's jaw dropped. "I can't believe it. Vivian is your sister!"

    Claire stood and paced the room as Nancy ran off to call her sister. How would Claire feel about renting a house with Vivian—someone twenty years older? She had seemed sweet and friendly when they worked together at the diner, but Mom once said as people age they get set in their ways. Would Vivian run the house without asking Claire her opinion? She picked up the red candle that sat on the coffee table and brought it to her nose. Closing her eyes, she inhaled the sweet apple scent. After setting the candle down, she walked to the window and ran her hand down the camel-colored drape.
    Vivian might have her own ideas—on how to decorate, when to do the chores, and what to do on the weekends. Claire would have to compromise. It would be like having an older sister in the house again. She sat down on the sofa and leaned her head back.
    What if Vivian still held a grudge against Nancy? Wouldn't that spill into Claire's life when she already had enough problems of her own? Maybe she didn't want Vivian for a roommate.
    Claire's heart skipped a beat. She was trying to define herself as a person, become independent. She heard Nancy end her phone call.
    "Vivian agreed to come for a visit! It took a while to convince her, but once she found out you were here, she agreed to come." Nancy rushed over to Claire and gave her a big hug. "Vivian said it would be nice to have a friend in Capitola— someone to run interference!" Nancy swatted the air. "That sister of mine. I'm simply glad she's coming."
    "She's moving to Capitola sight unseen?" Her stomach twisted into a queasy knot.
    "Well, no. I didn't have the chance to tell her about the house on Saxon Avenue."
    Claire felt as if everyone else was dictating her life. She didn't like it. "So, should we show her the house first before we fill out the application?"
    "No. We're going to fill out the application now and give a deposit.