Homespun Christmas. Aimee Thurlo

anyone who’s been out of work that long. Have you ever heard of anything so crazy?”

      Myka shook her head. “When Robyn worked in IVA’s public relations department, everyone loved her. That’s why she got such glowing recommendations. I can’t believe the trouble she’s having landing a job.”

      “She took this last rejection really hard, but our get-together tonight will cheer her up,” Liza said. “You coming?”

      “I’ll be there.” She looked back at the butterfly. If such a fragile creature could adapt to summer heat and strong winds, why couldn’t they be just as adaptable? “You know what this town’s problem is? We’re stuck in a holding pattern, clinging to our memories of what used to be—but that’s not good enough anymore.”

      “You have something in mind?” Liza said as they walked toward the house.

      “Yes. Tonight, instead of just talking about the projects we’re working on, let’s do something different. Ask everyone to bring a friend or their spouse and we’ll brainstorm on how to breathe life back into Independence. We dream up new colors, patterns and designs all the time. Why don’t we put some of that creativity to work and see what we can come up with for our town?”

      “I’ll get busy making calls.”

      She’d ask Joshua to come, too. It would be good for him to get away from all the memories the house still held.

      Liza left five minutes later, and Myka finished taking care of the sheep.

      Her mind was racing. Spur-of-the-moment ideas didn’t always pan out, but they had to try something. Endless waiting for the economy to turn around just wasn’t working. For the town’s sake, they had to find a new direction, and more important, a reason to hope.

      CHAPTER TWO

      JOSHUA STOOD ON his back porch, ignoring the dust that was blowing in the afternoon breeze and watching Myka, her hair swirling and falling in soft waves around her shoulders, tend her sheep. The girl he’d known since third grade had grown up and was more beautiful than ever.

      He couldn’t remember a time he hadn’t been drawn to Myka, the good girl who always had something nice to say, and who’d stuck up for him when others tried to put him down. She was a natural leader, never quite falling in step with the rest of the girls, yet seemingly unaware of her own influence.

      The fact that she’d eventually married Tanner was no surprise—they’d been a couple most of the way through high school. What did surprise him was Myka’s loyalty to this dying town. Why was she still here? What was she waiting for?

      He wasn’t a betting man, but from the looks of it, he’d say that the odds were definitely against the place.

      “You gonna stand out here all day?” Daniel asked, coming out of the house.

      “Nah. Just needed some air.”

      “And clouds of blowing dust from this unswept porch? City boy, all that carbon monoxide must have jellied your brains.”

      He laughed, and they went back inside together. Daniel Medeiros, his best friend from high school and the town’s remaining grocer, had volunteered to help him clear out his father’s house. It was a good thing, too. The task was harder than he’d thought. Everything here was a memory wrapped in wishes, most of them never fulfilled.

      His father had always dreamed of better things, making detailed sketches of the barn they’d someday build, and the workshop inside, with the benches and storeroom. Yet the money and time for his dad’s projects had never materialized as he spent his life laboring at his backbreaking job as IVA’s head custodian.

      Joshua hadn’t made it any easier on the man. He’d constantly gotten into fights after school and around town. A group of guys, knowing his dad was a janitor—and a Navajo to boot—had hounded him since elementary school.

      Knowing which buttons to push, they’d counted on getting a reaction from Joshua and had rarely been disappointed. Eventually, he won enough fights to earn respect, and that had somewhat toned down his defensiveness.

      After high school he’d left to pursue his own goals, and somewhere along the way his dad’s time on earth had run out. Adam Nez’s dreams were just another footnote in the history of a man who’d done his best with what he had.

      “We should donate most of your dad’s clothing and furnishings to Reverend Anders,” Daniel said, jarring him back to reality. “These days, he’s got a long list of people who need a hand.”

      “Sure. That’s fine.”

      “Help me load the boxes into my truck and I’ll take the stuff over there now.”

      “After that, let me buy you dinner,” Joshua suggested.

      Daniel laughed. “Hey, if you don’t mind, I’d rather buy the groceries at my store, then cook something on your dad’s old grill after the wind dies down—like the good ole days.”

      “No problem,” Josh said, then thought about it a moment. “Business is okay for you, right? I mean, everyone needs to eat, and you’re the only full service grocer left.”

      His friend shrugged. “I’m selling a lot more chicken and hamburger than steaks these days, and too many people are asking for credit. I’d give it to them if I could, but I’ve got to pay my suppliers, too.”

      “You thinking of leaving?”

      “I’d need to sell the business first, and that’s not going to happen. Not only are there no buyers, but the place has been in my family for generations.” He jammed his hands into the pockets of his windbreaker.

      “It’s hard to walk away from things that matter,” Joshua said quietly. “When I look around here...” He shook his head.

      “What might have been, huh?” Daniel asked, following Joshua’s line of sight as he gazed through the window at Myka’s place. “You always had a thing for her, didn’t you? But she was Tanner’s girl.”

      “She and I have both gone through some tough times these past few years.”

      “Which is why maybe you should back off. She’s a widow just trying to survive. Don’t complicate her life.”

      “I don’t have any designs on Myka, Dan. I’m here to wrap up this part of my life then go on to whatever’s next.”

      “So how long, exactly, are you planning to stick around?”

      “No idea.” His pride wouldn’t let him admit it, but until he found a job, he couldn’t even afford cheap rent. He’d sunk every dime he’d had into trying to save the firm. When that had run out, he’d used his personal credit, just as his partners had, trying to stem the tide.

      “So, dinner?” Daniel repeated. “After I drop this off at the church, I’ll stop at the store and pick up the food. You can grill us a couple of steaks and microwave some potatoes.”

      Joshua pulled out his credit card and handed it to Daniel. “Just put whatever you bring on this.”

      “There was a time when I would have argued with you....”

      “No, this is on my tab. It’s a thank-you Wish I could do more.”

      “No need, buddy.” Daniel headed out to his truck. “Give me about an hour.”

      Joshua watched him leave. That card was his only credit these days. It had to last until he was back on his feet again, and he had no idea how long that would take.

      He’d sent out a lot of résumés and his application for a license in New Mexico, but he’d yet to get an interview in or out of state. He guessed that some employers didn’t want to hire a guy who’d failed to hang on to his own company. No matter, he’d figure something out. Joshua knew he was a good architect. All he needed was the chance to prove himself.