Free Delivered with Love by Sherry Kyle Page B

After all, you need a roof over your head . . . and I need my sister back. We'll take it one step at a time." Nancy squeezed Claire's hand.
    Claire had a feeling at this point Nancy would do anything to make amends with her sister. Why would she put money down for someone she didn't know? Another thought wound its way through Claire's mind. Why should she question Nancy's kindness? Like the woman said, something inside her made her want to help. And at this point, who was Claire to argue?
    Tom's tow truck pulled up in front of the house.
    Claire joined Nancy at the window. Her Volkswagen was hitched to the back of Tom's truck. She raced through the door. Her car evoked emotions she couldn't explain. Happiness. Sadness. Joy. Fear. Without her VW, she felt lost and alone. Claire approached her car and ran her hand over the top. As pitiful as it looked, she was glad to have it back.
    "I thought it'd be better to bring your car home." Tom reached down and unhitched the Volkswagen from the tow truck. "I told the guys at the shop you needed more time and that I'd bring it back down when you were ready."
    "Thanks, Tom." Claire leaned against the passenger door. "I appreciate it."
    "Tom, your dinner's in the microwave," Nancy called from the front door. "I've got to be at work in half an hour."
    "I'll be there in a minute. You coming?"
    Claire was hungry, but she didn't want to intrude on Tom and Nancy's time. "Please, go ahead. I'll be inside in a little bit."
    Claire watched Tom greet Nancy with a kiss. As funny and creepy as she thought Tom was, it was nice to see his affection with his wife.
    A white Ford F-150 pulled up. Blake hopped out of his truck. "Hey, Claire, how about that pizza?"

 
     
13
     
     
    W hen she received the dinner invitation, Claire wanted to blurt out, "I'd love to," but thought better of it. Blake was one good-looking guy. But is that all he was? Someone easy on the eyes? Her mother had dated several handsome men, but when it came down to it, they bolted. "Friendship is the main ingredient for a good relationship," her mother used to say. But by the time her mother figured that out, she was diagnosed with cancer.
    "Pizza sounds good, thanks," she said instead. "I'll let Tom and Nancy know." Claire sidestepped toward the house. "Be right back."
    "Nancy, Tom?" Claire called as she approached the kitchen.
    Tom sat at the table watching his frozen dinner spin around in the microwave. "Where's Nancy?"
    "Getting ready for work. Care to join me?" Tom pushed out a chair with his foot.
    "Thank you." Claire rubbed her hands together. "But Blake—you know, the guy who lives next door to the house for rent—invited me to dinner."
    Nancy stepped into the kitchen wearing her nurse's uniform. "He didn't want to cook in the rental house tonight, huh?" She winked. "Have fun."
    Claire ran to the bathroom to check her face in the mirror. She wasn't one for much makeup, but tonight she added a coat of mascara, a few swipes of blush, and lip gloss that held a hint of pink. Then she gently ran her fingers through the curls, attempting to tame her crazy mane. The rain had tightened her soft waves into ringlets. She raced into the bedroom and changed into her favorite T-shirt and sweater.
    "Bye. I'll be back in a couple of hours," Claire called to Tom and Nancy in the kitchen, and then headed toward the front door.
    "Take your time," Tom called back. "I'll leave the front door unlocked."
    Claire slipped through the doorway. Nancy must have talked to Tom and softened his heart in the few minutes she dressed. Either that or maybe he had resolved whatever issue he was going through. The last time he saw her come out of Blake's truck, he glared at her. Of course, that was before he knew of her situation. Reality set in. She was still homeless and in need of a job—but maybe her luck would turn.
    Blake inspected the dents her car had sustained in the accident. He furrowed his brow and shook his head. "I bet this was a beauty