A Husband's Watch. Karen Templeton

the sympathy in Dawn’s eyes was nothing compared with the empathy in Maddie’s. Having landed in Haven two years before with no money, two small children and another on the way, Maddie more than understood the concept of “financially embarrassed.” Faith tamped down a sigh that was equal parts annoyance at their nosiness and gratitude for their friendship. One of the ironies of life in a small town.

      Sierra brought Faith a dolly, begging to get in her lap; Faith gestured to Maddie to hand her a towel, which she wrapped around her dripping hair. With her munchkin ensconced, singing softly to her new “baby,” she checked to be sure no one else was eavesdropping, although people around here tended to have highly developed listening skills.

      “Frankly, I’m not sure what’s going to happen,” she admitted, explaining about how long it would take to get back on their feet, as well as Darryl’s refusal to accept help from her parents. “And Christmas is coming, and Heather wants to take dance lessons, and…” She shrugged. “I know how it looks, that we didn’t have a contingency plan in case something like this happened, but when you’re barely getting by as it is…”

      “Shoot, honey,” Maddie said, “you don’t have to explain that to me.”

      “Me, either,” Dawn said, then frowned. “Maybe you could get a job, at least for the time being.”

      Faith’s eyebrows flew up, even as a tingle of possibility sparked over her skin. “A job? With five kids still needing me at home?”

      Dawn frowned. “It’s not inconceivable that Darryl could hold the fort while you’re gone, at least with the older kids. It’s amazing how much a person can do with only one arm,” she said over Faith’s protest. “Besides, you’ve already got Nicky and Sierra in day care a couple mornings a week, right?”

      “Well, that’s true. But what on earth would I do?”

      That got a chuckle from the brunette. “Oh, come on…after twelve years of marriage and motherhood, you must have some marketable skills.”

      Faith snorted. “None I could exactly exploit, if you get my drift.”

      Dawn said something about that being a shame as Maddie tentatively said, “Well, I s’pose you could come help me make pies. I’ve got three restaurants in Tulsa that’s takin’ ’em now. I could use the extra help.”

      Faith burst out laughing. “This is the woman who burns fish sticks, remember? Thanks, honey, but you’ve worked long and hard for your success. The last thing you need is me in your kitchen.”

      The younger woman looked extremely relieved. Then Dawn remembered her secretary was going out of town for a couple weeks, but they all decided by the time Faith learned the computer program for the billing and such, Marybeth would be back.

      “Working at the day-care center with your mother?” Maddie said, but Faith shook her head.

      “No openings. And the church can’t afford to hire me out of pity.”

      “Cleaning houses?” Dawn gently suggested.

      “Around here?” she said, and both ladies agreed she had a point. Then Maddie hit herself on the side of the head.

      “I am slow today, boy,” she said, her eyes bright. “There’s going to be an opening at the Homeland, starting next week. Melva Rice told me she’s quittin’, that she just can’t take standin’ on her feet all day anymore. It’s not a bad job, and there’s benefits once you’ve been there for a while. Melva said she was giving notice yesterday, so you’d better go get your application in, like now.”

      “Now, wait a minute, I never said—”

      “She’s not goin’ anywhere until I get that hair under control,” Luralene announced over the tinkling bell as she returned, marching across the floor like an army sergeant.

      “Geez, Luralene,” Maddie said, “you got this place bugged or what?”

      The older woman shooed the others out of her way, smiled for Sierra—who flinched—then set the girl on the floor with instructions to go play for a little longer, Mama needed to get all prettied up now. Then she spun Faith around, shoving her back toward the sink so hard she bounced. “She’s already missed one appointment, she’s mine now. However, to save time…” She took the hose to Faith’s hair again, working shampoo into her scalp hard enough to deep-clean her brain. “Why don’t one of you gals go over to the Homeland and pick up an application for her?”

      There was no point in arguing.