Page 94 of Resisting the Fall

“Genevieve Hazelton and Lisa Ellis.”

“There’s only three of them?”

He nodded.

“Well, my vote goes to Lisa Ellis, then. As his secretary, she has the proximity thing going for her.” Apparently, I was not ready to admit my mom might be dating anyone yet, though I’d definitely be looking for more evidence now.

“You’ll have to let Emma know so you can get one of her ‘I Voted’ stickers. They’re pink.”

“Stop it!” I couldn’t help laughing. “That is hilarious!”

His gaze returned to the farmhouse across the road—or, more specifically, to the stunning librarian across the road—and he nodded.

“Maybe you should reconsider that no-dating policy of yours,” I said, knowing exactly where his thoughts were again.

He didn’t look at me but drew in a slow breath, shaking his head. “If only it were that simple.”

I couldn’t argue with that. I was still trying to figure out how to approach the last few weeks of still being married to my almost-ex-husband of six years, who I was very much still in love with. I was clearly in no position to give Carson advice on dating.

My old violin case sat open on the floor in Penny’s room.

“The movement will come from the elbow,” I explained, mimicking her position and showing her what I meant. “Open. Closed. Open. Closed. And while you do that, your wrist will push and fold. Push and fold.” I turned back toward her. “Why don’t you try it on the A string? Start the bow high and bring it downward.” I pointed to the space between the bridge and the fingerboard. “Keeping it right here.”

She gave an eager nod and slid the bow downward along the A string, causing a pitchy screech. She stopped, her eyes wide.

I smiled. “Your form is wonderful, and that’s what matters for now. Just keep doing what we talked about, and the rest will come.”

She nodded, moving her bow downward again. Once she seemed to have that, I had her do an up bow, then we put the two together. Up, then down. Each attempt sounded better and better, though after a while, I could tell her arms were getting tired. Holding the violin in proper position took some getting used to.

“Should we stop there for now?”

She gave a little pout. “Will you keep teaching me, though?”

I beamed, unable to think of anything I’d enjoy more than teaching Penny the violin. To share something I loved so much with her. “Absolutely.”

“Are you two ready for dinner?” Mom asked, poking her head in the room.

Penny carefully placed the violin in its case. “Did you hear me playing, Nana?”

My mom reached out a hand for Penny. “I did.”

Penny scrunched up her face. “It doesn’t sound very good yet.”

“You should have heard Maven when she first started playing.” Mom sent me a teasing smile. “Those first few months, I bought myself some ear plugs for when she’d practice.”

Penny giggled.

“And now, I intentionally play her recordings because I can’t get enough.” I hadn’t recorded anything individually, but my string quartet had done a handful of songs, and there were several orchestral recordings from when I’d been in a community orchestra.

I smiled, wrapping an arm around my mom as we made our way to the table. Right as we sat down, a heavy knock sounded on the door.

“I’ll get it.” Penny jumped to her feet, racing into the front room.

“If it’s Ben,” Mom said as I stood up, “tell him we’d love for him to join us.”

When I rounded the corner into the family room, Penny had the door opened. “Are those for Maven?” she asked.

“Someone told me it was a good idea to bring flowers for a date,” Ben said.