with the idea of someone else predicting her departure from Carden. “Thanks, Elaine. I’m glad I saw you this morning. I have to admit I was a bit put off by Sharon last night.”
“Don’t give her another thought.” Elaine glanced at her watch. “We’d better leave now if we want to avoid the chaos of thirty households of children spilling out onto the street.”
The two women parted company.
Barbara was surprised to discover that she and Elaine had spent almost an hour walking and talking. Elaine was definitely one of those positive people who brighten up every encounter. She would visit her in Toronto. That last thought surprised her. For over three months, Toronto, Chicago, and New York had been out there as unlikely and unattainable goals. She was now actually considering visiting Toronto. As for Chicago, she was certain that Gillian would be calling soon. New York was still out there.
Barbara arrived at the office a few minutes before eight-thirty, her latest arrival to date. She was usually at her desk by eight-fifteen, organizing her day’s agenda. The other counselors exchanged looks and Barbara caught a few glimpses of raised eyebrows.
“Congratulations, Barbara.” Janice’s voice rang through the office. “I hear you were a roaring success last night. I’ve already received several very complimentary emails.” She motioned toward her office.
Barbara followed her inside and closed the door behind her.
Janice started reading from the computer. “A breath of fresh air. Eloquent and inspirational. We’ll be calling again. Barbara Davies lit up the room.” Janice smiled at Barbara. “It sounds like you were a big hit with the CWIN group, and I hear that Sharon Clarke offered you a job.”
“How . . .? What did you . . .?” Barbara laughed. “I guess I’m not sounding very eloquent right now.”
Janice joined in the laughter. “Sharon Clarke does not like to fade into the woodwork. I suspect she spoke in her usual loud voice and at least one other person overheard the conversation. That person must have emailed at least three others.”
“That’s how news spreads in Carden,” Barbara said.
“You’ve got it,” Janice said. “I also hear you weren’t too impressed by her New Age predictions.”
Barbara was glad she had already spoken to Elaine about Sharon. She could sense that Janice wanted to gossip more about Sharon, but Barbara did not wish for any more information about that unsettling interloper. As far as she was concerned, Sharon Clarke was a very tiny blip in her life, and there would be no need for any further involvement. Barbara continued to smile neutrally at Janice, who took the hint.
“I suspect many of the local church and service clubs will be calling to ask if you can speak at their luncheons, dinners, and other functions,” Janice said. “Let me know if you need any help or time off. Lois has been handling many of our speaking engagements. She’ll be happy to have you share that load.”
Chapter 17
Barbara received many invitations to speak in Carden, Milton, and the surrounding area. As much as possible, she created speeches based on her book. She was determined to establish a platform before the book’s publication.
One morning, Barbara looked at the calendar and was shocked to discover it was already December. She couldn’t believe that two weeks had already passed since her first presentation. She had purposefully filled her schedule as much as possible, so as not to dwell on the book or her relationship with Graham.
Graham tried to attend as many of her presentations as he could. He complained about not seeing enough of her, but Barbara was fine with the one or two times a week that they managed to get together. The sex was still good, but Barbara was starting to become restless. She could feel her life changing, albeit slowly.
Barbara continued to look at the calendar on her desk. In a few weeks, it would be Christmas. She thought of Graham’s
“Don’t give her another thought.” Elaine glanced at her watch. “We’d better leave now if we want to avoid the chaos of thirty households of children spilling out onto the street.”
The two women parted company.
Barbara was surprised to discover that she and Elaine had spent almost an hour walking and talking. Elaine was definitely one of those positive people who brighten up every encounter. She would visit her in Toronto. That last thought surprised her. For over three months, Toronto, Chicago, and New York had been out there as unlikely and unattainable goals. She was now actually considering visiting Toronto. As for Chicago, she was certain that Gillian would be calling soon. New York was still out there.
Barbara arrived at the office a few minutes before eight-thirty, her latest arrival to date. She was usually at her desk by eight-fifteen, organizing her day’s agenda. The other counselors exchanged looks and Barbara caught a few glimpses of raised eyebrows.
“Congratulations, Barbara.” Janice’s voice rang through the office. “I hear you were a roaring success last night. I’ve already received several very complimentary emails.” She motioned toward her office.
Barbara followed her inside and closed the door behind her.
Janice started reading from the computer. “A breath of fresh air. Eloquent and inspirational. We’ll be calling again. Barbara Davies lit up the room.” Janice smiled at Barbara. “It sounds like you were a big hit with the CWIN group, and I hear that Sharon Clarke offered you a job.”
“How . . .? What did you . . .?” Barbara laughed. “I guess I’m not sounding very eloquent right now.”
Janice joined in the laughter. “Sharon Clarke does not like to fade into the woodwork. I suspect she spoke in her usual loud voice and at least one other person overheard the conversation. That person must have emailed at least three others.”
“That’s how news spreads in Carden,” Barbara said.
“You’ve got it,” Janice said. “I also hear you weren’t too impressed by her New Age predictions.”
Barbara was glad she had already spoken to Elaine about Sharon. She could sense that Janice wanted to gossip more about Sharon, but Barbara did not wish for any more information about that unsettling interloper. As far as she was concerned, Sharon Clarke was a very tiny blip in her life, and there would be no need for any further involvement. Barbara continued to smile neutrally at Janice, who took the hint.
“I suspect many of the local church and service clubs will be calling to ask if you can speak at their luncheons, dinners, and other functions,” Janice said. “Let me know if you need any help or time off. Lois has been handling many of our speaking engagements. She’ll be happy to have you share that load.”
Chapter 17
Barbara received many invitations to speak in Carden, Milton, and the surrounding area. As much as possible, she created speeches based on her book. She was determined to establish a platform before the book’s publication.
One morning, Barbara looked at the calendar and was shocked to discover it was already December. She couldn’t believe that two weeks had already passed since her first presentation. She had purposefully filled her schedule as much as possible, so as not to dwell on the book or her relationship with Graham.
Graham tried to attend as many of her presentations as he could. He complained about not seeing enough of her, but Barbara was fine with the one or two times a week that they managed to get together. The sex was still good, but Barbara was starting to become restless. She could feel her life changing, albeit slowly.
Barbara continued to look at the calendar on her desk. In a few weeks, it would be Christmas. She thought of Graham’s
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