“I got butterflies,” he admitted, adding a slight flush to the statement. “You know the last time I felt that? I was about fourteen.”

“I think we should talk,” Lola said.

“We’ve been talking nonstop,” he said. “Almost every day.”

“I think we should talk about this—you’re courting me. I thought we were single parents who liked being independent?”

“Am I making you feel less independent by holding your hand?” he asked, giving her hand a squeeze.

“Just where do you think this is going?” she wanted to know.

“I have no idea, but I’m enjoying it right now. How about you?”

“I’m surprised, that’s all. We’ve known each other for years and now, suddenly, we’re kind of dating. Even if our dates seem to be on the phone or looking at new hardware. I grew up around hardware.”

“That’s what’s so funny,” he said. “I’ve known you for so long, I know your dad works in hardware and you work at Home Depot and yet I never considered we’d have this shared interest. That’s very cool. What are you worried about?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Getting too involved, I guess.”

“Well, take it easy. We’ll only get as involved as you want.”

“Right,” she said. “This is new territory for me.”

“Me, too,” he said, giving a nod. “I’ve hardly ever dated in my whole life.”

“There was your wife, who is incredibly beautiful. I think she might be the most beautiful woman in the world.”

Tom laughed. “You mean my ex-wife? Yes, Becky is very pretty. We’ve been divorced for eight years now.”

“But you remained very...close.”

“I’d say we get along pretty well, under the circumstances. But it’s time for me to get on with my life. Becky has definitely gotten on with hers. Listen, if I’m making you feel uncomfortable or pressured or—”

“I’m not the kind of woman men pay attention to, that’s all.”

“I resemble that remark,” he said, laughing. “I’m not exactly being chased down by women, but that’s been okay by me. Four kids, a bunch of jobs... Until a couple of years ago when Jackson graduated from high school and Nikki started driving, I don’t know when I would’ve found the time. Things are getting a little less complicated. Finally.”

“Tom, you’re a very handsome man...”

“Thank you, Lola. And you’re a very beautiful woman.”

She laughed at him. “Me? Please!”

He frowned. “I never suspected you for a lack of confidence. You always seem so sure of yourself.”

“I am. But not in the looks department.”

“Why the hell not?” he asked. “You’re gorgeous!”

“Stop it!”

“I shouldn’t be surprised,” he said somewhat sadly. “Becky never thought she was pretty enough and there’s no question about it, she’s—Well, this isn’t about her. Here’s what makes you beautiful,” he said. “Your hair is so silky...thick and curly and it kind of makes a guy want to dig his hands in it. Your lips, they’re kind of heart shaped and I don’t think you ever wear makeup—you don’t need to. You have that beautiful, smooth skin, kind of like the sateen paint I like. Velvet skin, red lips, big, dark eyes, and you always smell a little bit like Ivory soap. I’ve always liked that smell so much, it’s so clean smelling. And you’re soft. I hope this isn’t offensive—you’re sexy and buxom in the most subtle, alluring way. I can’t help but imagine what you’d feel like in my arms. That wasn’t a pass, I just mean I can imagine you’d fill my arms and I bet that’s the most amazing, beautiful feeling.

“And then if it’s not enough that you look beautiful, you act beautiful. All the time. You’re sweet and funny and so supportive—I bet it’s just the way you are because it never seems phony or like you have to try. You’re kind. You treat people with such consideration. But you’re strong—there’s something about strength in a woman that’s enviable. Admirable. And you know what else I love—you seem fearless. I guess when a woman’s been on her own with kids, she’d better be fearless or the earth would just swallow her up! Yes, Lola, you’re sexy and beautiful and I love looking at you. Holding you is probably even better.”

Her eyes welled up and tears spilled over. With a cry, she fled the porch. She ran into the house, leaving him alone.

He sat for a minute. “I guess I better practice my delivery a little,” he said to no one.

* * *

Sierra was not entirely surprised when Maggie called her, but she was a little surprised by the request. “Can you come over? I have a couple of things to show you.”

She went as soon as she could. She found Cal in the kitchen chopping veggies, marinating salmon filets. “Maggie’s in the bedroom. Go ahead.”

She gave a couple of taps before pushing the door open. She was immediately pulled into Maggie’s arms for a loving hug.

“I guess Cal told you,” Sierra said.

“Yep. I have some things for you to try on. I’m taller than you are but they might not be too big.” There were clothes spread on the bed. She held up a black sleeveless dress and matching jacket. “We can have this shortened and taken in and you can keep it. I’m due a new one and I have no idea what size I’ll be after the baby comes. Jaycee said to count on an extra size. Every woman needs a suit. I used to call this my funeral suit but it worked very well in court.”

“Court?”

“Oh, I’m sure you heard. I was the defendant in a wrongful death suit. It was a nightmare, really. I was terrified I might lose in spite of the fact I didn’t do anything wrong. I didn’t make any mistakes.”

“I think I know the feeling,” Sierra said.

“Well, you’re not going to court, don’t worry about that. Then there are these,” she said, holding up a pair of cream-colored dress slacks with a silky blouse and a matching vest. Next there was a pencil skirt and a sweater set.

“What’s this about?” Sierra asked.

“Unless you’re hiding something, your wardrobe is made up of jeans, shorts, sweats, T-shirts and so forth. You should go to the police department looking classy. Smart. Your lawyer will be wearing a suit. He’s delicious in a suit—I live for those days he puts on a suit. You can’t go to the police department to be questioned about a felony looking like a homeless teenager. Cal will take you by a store for the right shoes. My feet are more like paddles than feet or I’d loan you shoes.”

Tears gathered in Sierra’s eyes. One of these days, she thought, I am going to actually break down and cry.

“I want to come with you, but I can’t,” Maggie said. “But I bet I can help—I’ve been through about a million depositions as the alleged guilty party. It can be brutal.”

“Oh, Maggie...”

“You’re going to be all right,” she said. “Cal is brilliant. He was one of the most sought after criminal defense attorneys in Michigan. Before Lynne died. He knows the ropes.”

“I know,” she said with a sniff.

“Well, come on, let’s try it on,” she said. She sat down on the bed, rubbing her belly. “I know someone who can make alterations for us in a hurry but we have a few days. I think he’s got plane tickets for the weekend...”

“Sunday,” Sierra said. “I took a week off at the diner—I said it was a legal matter, that I had an accident over a year ago and there’s a deposition for a lawsuit, but that I wasn’t in trouble. I hope that’s true. A week. Those high school waitresses are getting all the time they need.” She pulled her shirt off over her head.

“If they fire you, we’ll find something else. Maybe something better,” Maggie said. “Don’t worry about stuff like that. This is survival. We’re all going to back you up.”

Off came the shorts. She slipped the little black dress over her head and turned around for Maggie to zip up the back.

“Wow,” Maggie said. “That’s close. I think we need to take it in a little bit, right up the side seams and raise the hem a couple of inches. It has to fit right and be the exact right length—you can’t wear it too short or too long. Cal says when you’re perceived as guilty, you don’t go to court with tight, revealing clothes but it’s even worse if you try to look Amish. Style and taste, that’s the prescription. Whether people realize it or not, their first impressions are hard to erase.”

Sierra put on the jacket which seemed to fit in the shoulders.

“A little hem in the sleeves—they’re a little too long,” Maggie said. “We might be okay on the length. What do you think?”

Sierra turned in front of the mirror. “It’s beautiful, Maggie. Thank you. I never would have thought of this. What I’d wear was the furthest thing from my mind.”

“I bet you’re terrified,” Maggie said. “I certainly was for my lawsuits. And I’m pretty brave.”

“There are so many parts of this adventure that scare me, I can’t even describe,” Sierra said. “It feels like a problem with a lot of moving parts.”

“Sierra, have you had counseling?”

Sierra nodded. “It came up in rehab. I cheated—I didn’t tell the whole story. Well, I wasn’t sure of the whole story. I suspected we hit something and he acted like we hit a person but I thought... I hoped he was just trying to terrify me. Sexual assault came up a lot in rehab.” She shook her head sadly. “I never would have imagined how hard it is, how much shame is involved in rape.”

“I haven’t experienced it, thank God, but I’ve learned a lot about it. Sierra, I’m just so damn sorry.”