Page 125 of Clara Knows Best

“Chief surgeon?” Dr. Wilder said skeptically. “Not likely. They give those jobs to veterans.”

“Well, he seemed to think it was a real possibility. He mentioned it a few times while he was here. If he gets that job, he’s never coming back.”

“Regardless of the promotion, he’ll be back before the twelve-week mark. I’d bet my life on it.”

“Would you bet my life?” Clara asked ruefully.

“Yes,” her mother said without hesitation.

“Oh,” Clara said in surprise.

“So, what’s on the docket for today? Going up to the cabin again?”

“No, everything’s done there, and the real estate photographer already worked his magic. Greer and I are going to check out a property in Valentine.”

Her mother looked puzzled. “You’re thinking of moving there?”

“Not to live in. Hart and I might buy it and fix it up.”

Her mother looked impressed. “Oh. That’s fun. To sell?”

“Or rent out. We’ll see what the market can support.”

“I didn’t know there was a market to speak of in Valentine.”

“That’s Hart’s problem.”

“I see. I have to say, I never envisioned the two of you going into business together.”

“We won’t, unless the Del Amos’ cabin turns a big profit. But Hart’s confident about finding a buyer, and he was super happy with the new assessment. He asked if I’d be interested in investing the profit in another project, and I said sure. Not like I have anything else going on.”

“And you enjoyed it,” her mother said shrewdly. “Watching your moodboard come to life.”

“I did,” Clara admitted. “If I can do a few properties with Hart, I’ll have enough of a portfolio that I can take on interior design clients if I want to.”

“Really? Wouldn’t you have to move somewhere with a higher population?”

“Not if I do it online. People submit pictures of their rooms and you create a mockup for them. You can have a whole business with almost no overhead.”

“And that’s what you want to do?”

“I don’t know, I thought I’d try it,” Clara said, shrugging. “Better than trying to open a boutique, anyway.”

“And better than working in a doctor’s office.”

“Yeah,” she said with a laugh. “No offense. Very unstimulating.”

“Well, you’re creative,” her mother said, and to Clara’s surprise, she sounded proud of that fact. “You certainly don’t get that from me.”

52

Jesse stood up, anticipating a handshake but prepared for a punch in the face, just in case. Hart’s gaze betrayed similar wariness as he drew nearer, but he was amused, too.

They shook hands.

“This has got to be the most pretentious place I’ve ever seen,” Jesse said. “Right up your alley.”

Hart smiled wryly and took a seat. “I was delighted to get your text. I’ve been trying to decide if you were just missing my company, or finally ready to make a move on my sister.”

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