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exuberance. “Camille is way better than I am with the customers.”
    â€œDon’t sell yourself short.” Hettie laid a cold hand on her arm, but it warmed Julia’s heart. “You’re the one with the eye.”
    Julia glanced down at her watch as she patted her mother-in-law’s hand. Time was running out here much too fast.
    â€œYou need to go on. I don’t want you rushing.” Hettie’s words and tone were pure mother. Julia had said the same things to Melissa countless times in exactly the same manner.
    She really should be going, but she couldn’t bring herself to leave just yet. The trip was only for three weeks, but she’d never left Hettie that long, and the separation was one of the things that had her so jittery. “Do you want me to push you back to your room?”
    â€œNo, the book club will be starting here in about ten minutes.”
    Julia had shifted to the edge of her seat, but now she settled back again. “What was this month’s book?”
    â€œ Pride and Prejudice. ” Hettie grunted and fitted the lid back onto the candy box. “Poor Lizzie. Blinded by her pride.” She gave her head a sad little shake. “Seven times I’ve read the dang book, always thinking one of these times she’ll drop those blinders earlier and go for it.”
    Austen was a favorite, so Hettie’s comment piqued Julia’s interest. “Hey, if Darcy had let his prejudice slip and quit being Mr. Snootypants sooner, she would’ve come around. And I didn’t know you were reading that one. We could’ve read it together.”
    â€œNo, thanks. Seven times is enough. Lizzie and Darcy will just have to go on learning the hard way.” Hettie raised an eyebrow. “But don’t be thinking you’ll find a Darcy where you’re going. Those hot-blooded Italian guys? They’re anything but stuffy. Not a Mr. Snootypants in the bunch.”
    The gentle reminder had Julia glancing at her watch again. She really should be on her way, but . . .
    â€œJulia.”
    She raised her eyes to meet her mother-in-law’s firm yet tender gaze.
    â€œIt’s time, sweetheart. Get out of here before you get caught by the book club. Those old women will be all over you wanting to talk.”
    Julia’s eyes blurred with tears. She was being silly and overly emotional, but she couldn’t help it. She scooted close enough to give Hettie a long hug. “I’ll miss you.”
    â€œLove you, sweetheart.” Hettie let go and pushed her firmly away. “Now shoo. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”
    Julia stood. “Can I do anything for you before I leave?”
    â€œYes.” Hettie nodded toward the candy. “Stick that in the chair pocket, would you? I don’t want to have to share.”
    Julia did as she was told and then rested her cheek for a quick moment to the top of the lovely white head.
    She paused at the door for one last wave.
    Hettie threw her a kiss in return.
    * * *
    During the three-hour drive from Paducah to the airport in St. Louis, Julia sang loudly with each song that came on the radio—no need of her playlist to make her happy this day. And later, tethered to the airplane by a seat belt, she still felt like a kite set free, literally soaring above the earth, on her way to a new place, ready for a new experience.
    Anything was possible.
    The two-hour weather delay in Chicago didn’t dampen her spirit either, even when she struggled to get her carry-on into the overhead storage compartment.
    â€œHere, let me get that for you.”
    Played against the surrounding drone of muffled murmurs, the vibrancy in the voice caught her off guard. Her body stirred at the brush of the hand that grasped her case and the male body that leaned in to her to give it a shove.
    She turned to find herself staring at the pocket of a dress shirt and had to lean back slightly to make eye