Or maybe it simply hadn’t occurred to her to take a hike in the woods. Maybe this friendship she’d started with Laura would be good for her. Laura was different.

She had a lot of friends, she noted, but none were quite like Laura. They were more…what? Refined? Professional? Most, yes. Some younger, some close to her age. None older, none that she could think of. That was a little strange in itself.

She had a lot of friends. She just couldn’t think of a single one that she would call her best friend. She couldn’t think of a single one who she could bare her soul to, if she needed. Was there anyone in her group that she ever confided in? Erica would probably be the closest. She’d known her ten years or more. But if she truly needed to take someone in her confidence, would it be Erica? No. They had a lot of mutual friends and Erica was a bit of a gossip. So no, not Erica. Of course, there was Tanya. She’d known her forever. She’d played matchmaker with her and Derrick. But Tanya was more sounding board than anything. Tanya was straight. Tanya couldn’t really relate.

Again, a sense of loneliness settled over her. She had a lot of friends…yet sometimes, she didn’t have any friends at all.

Chapter Twenty-Three

“Are you kidding me?” Laura murmured as the black Mercedes came through the gate—a day early. She stood up and put her hands on her hips, eyebrows raised as Cassidy lowered her window.

“Hey.”

“Hey? Really?”

Cassidy laughed. “I knew you’d be mad if I came early. I promise I’ll stay out of your way.”

“Oh, no. You’re here now. Go change into work clothes. You can help.” Cassidy stared at her blankly for a moment, and Laura smiled at her. “You don’t have any work clothes, do you?”

“I can find some old shorts, yes. And I know for a fact that I have a T-shirt with paint stains on it.”

“Perfect. My back’s killing me. I don’t think I can lift another stone.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “I’ll put you to good use.”

“Okay. I’m game. I’ve got a few things to unpack first, then I’ll be right out.” She started to drive on, then stopped again. “You want a beer?”

“God, yes. Thanks.”

Laura was smiling as she went back to her flowers. Her back wasn’t hurting her that much, but she thought Cassidy might enjoy helping with the flowerbeds. And she was actually alone today. That had to be a first. But it was Thursday. Probably whoever she had lined up for her date this weekend wouldn’t come until tomorrow.

Where does she find all of these women?