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Just as she shifted the paintbrush to his face, she saw Jason in the distance. No longer wearing a paint-splattered shirt, he headed for the parking lot, a bag of something in his hands. Now that he was far enough away, she could really study him. He was... so handsome. He looked in her direction and frowned. Tall, dark, and handsome, but worry lines were etched into his forehead, giving him an intensity she rarely saw in men.
Her cheeks burned, and she turned away, sure he was searching for someone else. By the time she looked back, he was gone.
While Hannah was packing up her supplies a few hours later, Gretel pulled her aside.
“Thanks for coming today, Hannah. Are you interested in future events? We have a fair coming up this summer.”
With school ending in a few months, she would need a job or two to keep her busy. “Oh, that sounds fun. Yes, I’m interested.”
“Who would’ve thought you’d be such a hit? We got the most donations from your crowd, and the blood drive was packed.”
“Well, I appreciate the opportunity. I rarely get to paint these days, so it’s nice to brush up on my skills.”
“You’re really a Jill of all trades, and your students adore you. How were you able to get away from your classes? Did you have a sub?”
She shook her head. “No, it’s just part-time work. I fill in for PE teachers around the city when they need me, and I have my own class three times a week in the mornings.”
“It must be nice.”
“It is.” She wheeled the cart next to her out of the way and then reached over and hugged her new friend close. “Thanks for giving me a chance.”
“Oh,” Gretel said, taken aback.
“Sorry, I’m a hugger.” She was more than just a hugger—she was a seeker of touch. Her psychologist called it a sensory seeker or a craver. She didn’t like those terms as much and refused to go to therapy after being diagnosed.
“Oh, that’s all right. It was just surprising. You’re such a darling person.”
“Thank you.” That wasn’t something she heard very often, at least not from people she barely knew. Most people, like Jason, were turned off by her forwardness.
“I’ll be in touch,” Gretel called to her before she left.
Hannah waved one last time and headed to her car, a sleek red Buick that she’d bought off a friend months ago. Even though it was ten years old, it was in mint condition and had barely been driven.
Before she reached her car, she passed the clinic’s front door and paused. A hiring sign was posted on the grass. Part-time office assistant position, hmm? I wonder if they would work with my schedule. She made a mental note to get online that night and apply. Another steady part-time job was just what her bank account needed. Plus, she’d never tried her hand at office work. Could be fun.
She stuffed her art cart in the back of her car with the rest of the miscellaneous supplies she needed for odd jobs and headed to the Carters’ house. On Tuesday and Thursday, she walked their two large mastiffs in the evenings. She really was a Jill of all trades, and because it satisfied her needs, she filled her schedule with odd jobs that kept her life in constant motion.
On her drive over to the Carters’, she thought about which recipe she wanted to try out, not wanting to wait too long before she brought a treat to Jason. She probably had enough in her account to buy him a nice shirt, and with a batch of freshly baked lemon macarons, she was sure she’d win his forgiveness. And while the cookies were baking, she could fill out her application.
Turning the rock music up loud, she smiled and sped down the highway with the windows rolled down and the wind blowing in her face.
It was great to be alive.
A few hours later, she pulled into her parking spot and turned off the engine. She spotted a neighbor across the lot and scrambled to get out of her car. “Hey, Christina.”
Christina spun around and waved when she realized it was Hannah. “Hey, Hannah.”
When they were only a few feet apart, Hannah asked about Christina’s mother who’d been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s a few months ago.
“This week is worse than last. I caught her stuffing socks in the microwave.”
“Cold feet?” Hannah asked with a grin.
She laughed. “She’s a little old to be getting married, but yeah. I’m not sure what was going through her mind. I just have to endure a few more weeks, and then she’ll have around-the-clock care. We were just approved at the nursing home down the street.”
“That’s great. I’m making macarons tonight, and I’ll bring some over tomorrow.”
Christina held her arms out and hugged Hannah. “You’re the best neighbor.”
