Casting About

by Terri DuLong

  We got her settled on the sofa to rest with Billie curled up beside her. Adam returned to the family room carrying a cardboard box filled with brightly wrapped presents.

  The look of astonishment on Clarissa’s face made me laugh. “These are for you,” I told her. “Gifts from my mom and Noah that she sent from Paris, Aunt Dora and Saren and Gracie. And some of the kids from school dropped by to bring you something.”

  “Oh, wow, these are all for me?”

  “They are,” Adam said. “You’re a very special girl. Go ahead, start opening them.”

  We sat and watched as she opened pajamas, dusting powder, books, and games, along with assorted other things to keep her busy while she recuperated.

  “Everybody was so nice to me,” Clarissa said.

  “Well, you deserved it,” I told her, picking up the wrapping paper scattered around the sofa. “But you still have one more gift. It’s not wrapped, but I think you’ll like it.”

  “I do?”

  “Yup,” I said, nodding to Adam.

  He went into our bedroom and returned carrying a large wooden sign with the wording hidden.

  I saw the look of interest that crossed Clarissa’s face and smiled. “Well, as the new proprietor of the yarn shop, I recently made an executive decision.” I went to stand beside Adam. “Spinning Forward was the name my mother had chosen for the shop, and since I’m the new owner, I thought maybe that required a new name. And because you’ve turned into such a proficient little knitter, I’d like you to be my assistant there.”

  Excitement covered Clarissa’s face. “Really? You mean like Aunt Dora?”

  I nodded. “Yup, just like Aunt Dora, and when we begin doing the knitting classes for kids, you can be right there with me helping. And so,” I said, waving my hand toward Adam with a flourish, indicating he could now turn the sign around, “I wanted the new name to show that you and I are a twosome.”

  Adam turned the sign around with the words YARNING TOGETHER burned into the wood. A pair of long bamboo needles and a shorter pair were entwined below the wording.

  Clarissa’s hand flew to her face as she gasped. “Oh, my goodness! That’s what I always used to call knitting.”

  I laughed. “That’s right. I thought it was so cute, and the term is appropriate for you and me. So I think it’s the perfect name for the shop. What do you think?”

  Clarissa got up from the sofa and pulled me into a tight embrace. “I love it! I just love it,” she exclaimed. “I don’t know why I always called it yarning instead of knitting—but I’m glad I did.”

  Adam smiled. “I think Monica is too.”

  He propped the sign against the wall so that Clarissa could stare at it from the sofa.

  “When you’re feeling better, we’ll go to the yarn shop and get it hung outside. We’ll have a little ceremony, like when they christen a boat,” I told her. “And everybody will come.”

  “That’ll be so cool!”

  “Oh, gosh, I almost forgot—Zoe called this morning before we left to get you. She’s been calling every day to check on you and said you should receive her gift in the mail soon. Her baby brother was born late last night, two weeks early, but he’s fine.”

  “He was? Zac is here? Oh, that’s so cool. Can I call Zoe later?”

  “Of course you can,” Adam said. “How about some lunch now and then you can rest for a while?”

  “Okay. Gee, so now Zoe’s a big sister. Lucky her.”

  Adam and I exchanged a glance.

  “You think?” Adam said. “She’s not an only child anymore. She’ll have to share everything now that she has a new brother in the house.”

  “Oh, I don’t think Zoe will mind that at all.”

  “Hmm, maybe not,” I said. “But gee, she’ll have to be pretty responsible now. You know, helping out to do things around the house. Maybe being quiet while the baby is sleeping, not playing her CD player really loud—that sort of thing.”

  “Well, right. That’s what a big sister does, you know. It must be a great job to have.”

  “Would you like to be a big sister?” Adam asked.

  Clarissa’s face shot up to look at him, filled with excitement. “Oh, would I ever! I’d love to be a big sister. It’s lonely being an only child, you know. Are we getting a baby?” Her glance swung from Adam to me.

  We both laughed. “Well, not right at the moment,” he told her. “But it just might be possible in the near future.”

  “Oh, wow!” she exclaimed, happiness oozing from her. “Wait till I tell Zoe. Then we’ll both be big sisters. Oh, thank you,” she told us. “I’ve always wanted a baby brother or sister.”

  Now that I was off the pill, Adam and I had discussed whether jealousy might be a problem for Clarissa. She’d just proven to us we needn’t have worried.

  By the time we’d finished dinner, the light shower we’d gotten had stopped. The sun was back out, just in time to begin setting in the western sky.

  Adam and I were on the deck enjoying a glass of wine while Clarissa spoke to Zoe on the phone inside.

  He reached over to take my hand. “Do you know how much I love you? I’m an incredibly lucky guy to have you in my life.”

  I smiled. “But I’m the lucky one. And I love you back even more.”

  “I don’t think that’s possible. We have so much to be grateful for, don’t we?”

  “We do. And so much to look forward to ahead of us.”

  I turned as Clarissa joined us on the deck.

  “Everything okay with Zoe and her brother?” Adam asked.

  “Yes, he’s coming home tomorrow. Zoe got to hold him in the hospital today. I was a little jealous when she told me, but then I remembered you said we might be getting our own baby soon. I told Zoe and she was so excited for me.”

  Adam and I both smiled.

  “You know,” Clarissa said. “That lady was right. She said I had to stay here because so many good things were going to happen to me.”

  Despite the warmth of the air, goose bumps covered my skin. “What lady?” I asked softly.

  “That lady that’s been with me since I got here. She’s gone away now, though. When I was so sick in the hospital, she was right there the whole time next to my bed. Didn’t you see her?”

  I saw Adam shake his head as we both continued to listen.

  “Well, she was. And then she told me it was time for her to leave and I wouldn’t see her again. But she said that would be okay because so many good things were going to happen to me and I’d be all right now.”

  I felt a chill go through me. Dear God, was Clarissa referring to Sybile? Had Sybile’s spirit been here protecting Clarissa, looking out for her, waiting until I understood what it meant to deeply love this child? Waiting for me to become a mother in every sense of the word?

  “So the lady is gone now?” Adam asked, like what he’d just been told was the most natural thing in the world.

  “Yeah, I think so, because I haven’t seen her for a few days now. But that’s okay. I have you and Monica and Billie. And maybe a new sister or brother coming.”

  Clarissa felt secure in the love that surrounded her. Had the lady simply been a figment of her imagination? Something a lonely child had required and something that had soothed her?

  “Oh, look,” Clarissa said, going to the edge of the deck.

  Adam and I got up to follow. Hovering above the water was the most vivid rainbow I’d ever seen. Deep pastel shades of pink and green and blue merged into an arc above Cedar Key.

  “You know what?” I said, putting my arms around Clarissa who was standing in front of me. “They say there’s a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. A treasure.”

  Clarissa looked up at me with awe. “There is?”

  “Well, that’s what they say, but I’m not sure I believe that.” I leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “Because you are my treasure, Clarissa. I love you so very much, with all my heart. I hope you know that.”

  She
turned around to face both Adam and me, putting an arm around each of us. “Oh, I do,” she said. “Because I love you just as much, and I always will.”

  I rested my chin on Clarissa’s head and smiled as the rainbow seemed to intensify over my slice of paradise.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Being a writer is an isolated profession, but being surrounded by family, friends, and fans allows me to be connected to the “real” world when I’m not busy creating new characters and plots.

  Every single one of you has given me support, encouragement, humor, and a huge amount of loyalty, which I treasure.

  I deeply appreciate all of the CRMs at Barnes & Nobles across the country who showed such huge support for Spinning Forward. One in particular was instrumental in setting up a fan base for me in the Atlanta area. For Carla Wilson at the Norcross, Georgia, Barnes & Noble…thank you! You’re the best!

  For each and every knitter who purchased my first book and continues to support my writing career, I hope you know how grateful I am. Keep those needles clicking and keep turning those pages.

  Another group that I owe a huge thank you is the wonderful librarians across the country. You know how special and rewarding reading is, and to carry my work in your library is the ultimate compliment to me. A very special thank you to our own Cedar Key librarian, Molly Jubitz.

  For my friend of over thirty years in Nova Scotia, Rose White, who first became my friend as a pen pal. Thank you for encouraging me way back then and insisting I would someday be a published author. I’m glad I listened to you, and I value our friendship.

  Another thank you to Mary Ann Packer, my friend of over fifty years since we met in second grade. We’ve both fulfilled our passion and our dreams…you became the artist, and I became the writer. Aren’t we proof that great things are possible!

  And to my more recent friends, what would I do without you?

  Our visits to Cedar Key, before relocating, were always made more special by Doreen and Oliver Bauer, owners of the Faraway Inn. Staying there with our Holly created memories that were the beginning of my love affair with this slice of paradise.

  For Edie Zaprir, owner of Kona Joe’s Island Café…thank you for friendship and the opportunity to chill out, when I’m not writing, with your great coffee on your deck overlooking the Gulf.

  Joyce Aycock (my neighbor) and Marge Webber (who discovered me because of my blog about Cedar Key)…your support is deeply appreciated and I’m certainly glad our paths have crossed, all because of the island we love.

  For Savannah Howard, my ten-year-old next-door neighbor. Thank you so much for allowing me the chance to get “inside” the head of Clarissa Jo. Asking you questions helped me create her character even better.

  To my wonderful editor, Audrey LaFehr, thank you so much for making this story even better with your suggestions. You’re a joy to work with! To Martin Biro and the rest of the Kensington team, a huge thank you for all of the assistance you provide getting my work on the bookshelves.

  For my very good friends Alice Jordan and Bill Bonner. Your enthusiasm and support for my work has no bounds. I hope you know how much I value this! And once again, thank you both for reading this manuscript and offering your insights and input.

  For my daughter, Susan Hanlon, and my two sons, Shawn and Brian DuLong…your support and pride mean everything to me.

  Thank you to my husband, Ray, who makes this sometimes difficult career easier. Being my own personal chef and a caregiver to the dogs and cats when I’m on deadline and all of your support allows me to focus on the make-believe world, creating characters and stories that fulfill my passion.

  And to you, my readers…my deepest gratitude for your feedback via e-mails, but most of all, thank you for granting me a space on your bookshelf.

  A READING GROUP GUIDE

  CASTING ABOUT

  Terri DuLong

  ABOUT THIS GUIDE

  The following questions are intended to

  enhance your group’s reading of

  CASTING ABOUT.

  DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  Why do you think Monica was insecure about motherhood?

  Discuss Adam’s reaction and feelings when he was granted full custody of Clarissa Jo following his ex-wife’s accident.

  In the beginning, how supportive do you think Monica was toward Adam? Toward Clarissa Jo?

  Following Carrie Sue’s accident, did you agree with the judge’s ruling in favor of Adam? Why or why not?

  Do you feel Grace was a positive or negative influence on Monica with regard to becoming a new stepmom? Discuss her impact on Monica as a friend.

  Discuss Saren’s feelings about Sybile’s spirit still hovering over them. Did you feel she could be sending Monica a message, and if so, why?

  How would you describe Monica’s behavior toward Clarissa Jo in the beginning? Withdrawn, uncomfortable, fearful, angry, loving, involved? Explain your reasons.

  What do you think Clarissa Jo’s feelings were on leaving her mother? How do you think she felt about relocating? How do you think she felt toward Monica?

  Did you feel “Billie” was a figment of Clarissa Jo’s imagination? And if so, how did you account for the “coincidences,” like knowing about Atsena Otie, naming her dog Billie, etc.?

  Regarding the incident when Clarissa Jo broke the glass bowl that had belonged to Sybile…Did you think Monica overreacted? Did you feel there was any possibility the child could have let the bowl slip out of her hands on purpose? Explain your reasons.

  Did you think Monica overstepped her bounds as a friend when she told Grace what she had discovered about Tony? Why or why not?

  Where, in the story, did you feel was the beginning of the turning point in Monica and Clarissa Jo’s relationship?

  KENSINGTON BOOKS are published by

  Kensington Publishing Corp.

  119 West 40th Street

  New York, NY 10018

  Copyright © 2010 by Terri DuLong

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

  Kensington and the K logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.

  ISBN: 978-0-7582-6202-8