Joanna’s eyes were drawn to the young woman standing in Samson’s shadow. A foot shorter than the man and many years younger, her tightly curled black hair was cut in a trendy, short style and the fact she wasn’t wearing any makeup was a good choice. She didn’t need any.

“And who’s this?” Joanna said, her eyes darting back and forth between Samson and the woman.

“When we spoke on the phone earlier, you mentioned the photos on my website, so I thought I’d bring along my designer,” Samson said as his toothy smile lit up the foyer. “This is my daughter, Lucinda. She’s responsible for what you saw.”

“Really?” Joanna said, extending her hand to the woman. “It’s very nice to meet you, Lucinda. I hope you don’t mind me saying this, but you look awfully young to be an interior decorator.”

While Samson’s skin tone was dark as night, his daughter’s was far lighter, so her blush shined through immediately. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Kane,” she said softly. “And I’m not really an interior decorator yet, but I am studying to be one.”

“Well, by what I saw on your father’s website, you’re going to have a marvelous career ahead of you.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Kane.”

“It’s Joanna,” she said, motioning toward the stairs. “Now, how about we go up, and I show you what you’re facing.”

As they reached the door to Addison’s bedroom, Joanna stopped and looked at Lucinda. “I’m not sure what your father’s told you, but I have to ask that what you see here, stays here. My wife is a very private person, and the last thing she’d want to see are photographs of her home plastered all over the Internet. After everything’s finished, then, by all means, you can use it in your portfolio, but beforehand we ask for privacy.”

“Of course, Mrs. Kane. My dad already told me.”

“Good, and please call me Joanna.” Pushing open the doors, she gestured for her guests to enter with a sweep of her arm. “Now, let’s see if you and your father can pull off the impossible, again.”

Lucinda didn’t take a step until her father gave her an approving nod and then slowly walking into the room, she looked around. “Oh my,” she said, looking over her shoulder. “It’s a bit...um...masculine. Isn’t it?”

“That’s putting it mildly,” Joanna said, coming in to stand alongside Lucinda.

“Can I take a minute?” Lucinda asked.

“Oh yes, of course. Take all the time you need,” Joanna said.

Joanna and Samson waited patiently near the door while Lucinda looked around, taking her time as she studied the room at every angle possible. “You know,” she said, rejoining Samson and Joanna. “It’s definitely got possibilities.”