Designing Hearts

by Robin Strachan

  “I think of you all day long,” he said as he covered her with his body.

  Charmed as much by his tone as the words he spoke, Jill wrapped her arms around his neck. They kissed with unrestrained longing, the result of a long day of shared thoughts. Jill ran her fingers along both sides of his back until he shivered, and she felt the gooseflesh under her fingertips. She loved exploring all the sensitive places on his body, the way his skin was surprisingly soft and smooth, the way his chest hairs tickled her nose as she kissed him there. Most of all, she loved feeling him move within her in ways that seemed unfamiliar, as though they were reinventing the act of lovemaking.

  Love is always new. In her mind, she thought she heard the music and lyrics to Chris’s song. Now it was Denny’s voice she heard murmuring as he lowered himself against her chest, laying his cheek next to hers.

  “I love you, Jill. I do.”

  As the first of December arrived, Tom continued his careful transition out of the business he had founded. Charlie Johnson, the fellow senior partner Tom had recommended as his successor, was tapped to manage the business. Jill thought Charlie was a wonderful architect, and he believed in feng shui principles as strongly as Tom did. She felt comfortable that nothing about her position would change. Tom had already begun transitioning out of his responsibilities and planned to be in the office just three days a week prior to moving to California the following month.

  “It won’t be the same without you here. Who will I go to lunch with every Monday?” Jill frowned and tucked her arm through Tom’s, allowing his body to serve as a windbreaker against the chill wind as they left the office for lunch.

  “I’m sure Charlie Johnson eats lunch. You two need to talk regularly, anyway, just like we do.”

  “It won’t be the same. Charlie and I don’t have the same history. I’ve known you my entire adult life!”

  “It’ll be weird for me, too, not seeing you all the time. But I hope you’ll come to see me as often as you can get to California. Bring Denny along.”

  Tom’s step had lightened considerably since announcing his pending retirement, and he was already clearing his house in preparation for putting it on the market. Jill had done a pre-market staging, but without any enthusiasm. Even so, she knew the house would sell and that Tom was likely to get multiple offers.

  “Maybe I’d better ask you to feng shui my house for a quick sale,” he said. “Or is the staging you already did the same thing?”

  “It’s definitely not the same thing, but I’m not sure you should trust me at this point. My intentions might not be completely focused on helping the house sell.”

  In response, Tom put his arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head. “You’ve never been one to embrace change easily.”

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Jill held her umbrella high above her head, dodging other pedestrians on the crowded sidewalks of Manhattan. It was May, a time when balmy, overcast skies and a warm drizzle left reflective puddles of colorful neon from retail signs along the streets of the city. She had just finished meeting with the producer and staff at Home and Hearth, including her new personal assistant, Melanie. It had been necessary to take a short leave of absence from her job at the architectural and design firm as taping of the first season’s episodes of Finding Feng Shui got underway. The pace of production was surprising to Jill, who’d already helped two homeowners solve feng shui challenges in their homes.

  A couple in their mid-forties in Rhode Island was experiencing difficulty in adopting a five-year-old girl from China. Time and again, paperwork challenges kept them from bringing home the child they had come to love through correspondence and photographs. Generous funding from sponsors had allowed the renovation of their home that would most help them—creativity and children, as well as the family areas. Within weeks, they were able to schedule a trip to bring their new daughter home.

  A widower who’d lost his job just three months after his wife died was concerned about being unemployed and possibly losing his home. Jill enhanced the career, helpful people and travel, and prosperity areas of his home. Within two weeks, he found another job with a company that was a competitor of his former employer.

  Jill had selected Joel and Diana Foster for an episode on the health square of the bagua. Although Diana’s cancer was still in remission, Jill knew it was important to continually strengthen good health intentions. This week, a more extensive remodeling of the Fosters’ health and family areas was underway. After viewing initial footage, Jill knew it would be a powerful segment.

  For the romance episode, she had thought about asking Kristen to be on the show and had emailed her to ask if she was interested in being featured. Jill hadn’t spoken with her in several months, although Kristen had sent congratulations upon hearing about the new television show.

  She dialed Kristen’s number. “Kristen, hey, it’s Jill! I haven’t talked with you in a while and wondered how things are going.” She went on to ask whether Kristen was interested in participating in an episode about the relationship square of the bagua.

  “I would be, except I’ve met someone,” Kristen said, sounding jubilant.

  “You did? Tell me!” Jill was thrilled at the news.

  “About two months ago, I needed some electrical work done on my house. I called a company listed in the yellow pages, and the owner came right over. His name is Tim. Turns out, he’s one of the bass-baritones in that chorus I joined just after you did my home consultation. Tim sits right behind me, but we’d never actually spoken before. One thing led to another, and we started dating. He’s really, really nice, Jill. He’s not like anyone I’ve ever dated.”

  “I’m happy for you,” Jill said, smiling as she listened to Kristen talk about her new friend.

  “Jill, I can’t thank you enough,” Kristen said. “Your class changed my life in so many ways. You’re doing a real public service taking your class to the next level. I can’t wait to see you on TV when the show airs! Are you already feeling like a big star?”

  “To tell you the truth, it’s all a little surreal,” Jill admitted. “I don’t think it’s sunk in yet.”

  “I’m not the only one you helped in a big way,” Kristen continued. “You’ve probably already heard Chris’s newest song on the radio.”

  “I did! I tried to call him, but he’s on tour now, I was told.”

  “I ran into Shelly at the mall last week,” Kristen said. “She is hugely pregnant and was buying a few things for the baby. She left that awful husband of hers, you know, and then moved out of her parents’ house into her own apartment. I think she’s happier than I’ve ever seen her. She said if it hadn’t been for your class, she wouldn’t have realized that you have to take action to help yourself.”

  “Ugh. Actually, I take no credit for the action Shelly took,” Jill said quickly, “especially how she chose to get pregnant. But sometimes life takes weird twists and turns that may start out looking terrible and tragic, but end up being a blessing. Who knows?”

  “I also saw Pam recently,” Kristen continued. “She came to see me about a part-time paralegal job at my firm. She wants to spend less time working and more time writing romance novels. She’ll transition into full-time writing at some point, after she retires.”

  “Good for her!” Jill said. “It took a lot of courage to make that decision. Has anyone heard from Amy?”

  “Amy said her yoga and meditation classes are going well, and she wishes you’d join, as soon as your schedule permits. I go on Wednesday evenings, and it’s been really fun. Maybe you could take the same class.”

  “Oh, gosh, I’ve barely got time to eat these days,” Jill said. “But I did promise her I’d join her class, at some point, so I will.”

  That month a promotional announcement for Finding Feng Shui aired—one that involved a camera crew following Jill around for several days. Although at first she had been uncomfortable with the constant attention, the availability of a makeover and wa
rdrobe consultation turned out to be an enjoyable part of the process. Nevertheless, she was astonished one evening, following a commercial break for fabric softener, to see herself on her forty-two inch screen as part of the show’s first advertisement.

  She’d been relaxing with a cup of tea in her living room, watching an episode of a landscaping design show, when she heard the announcer’s voice mention feng shui. She did a double-take, her mouth hanging open in amazed delight. “Love, wealth, good health, and happiness can be yours if you follow the ancient Chinese art of feng shui. Let feng shui and interior design expert Jill Hennessy solve your personal challenges and make your dreams come true. Watch the premiere episode of Finding Feng Shui, premiering June second on Home and Hearth, the network you love to come home to.”

  Jill froze in front of the television screen, hardly able to believe her eyes as an image of herself surrounded by Chinese symbols appeared in living color. It didn’t take long for excited family members, friends, and co-workers to begin calling and texting.

  Her mother and father were first. “Congratulations, Jill! Dad and I are just beside ourselves with pride. He says you’ll be more famous than me, and that I’ll have to take a back seat from now on.”

  Jill laughed. “I seriously doubt that. Actually, Mom, it might be nice if you’d appear on the show occasionally with your helpful hints—a little mother/daughter time. What do you think?”

  “That’s very sweet of you, dear, but no thanks.” Nancy’s voice was adamant. “I’m perfectly happy writing my little column and remaining anonymous at the grocery store. One television star in the family is enough.”

  Denny’s reaction was predictable. He was painting a new landscape when she showed up at his front door.

  “Don’t sputter, love,” he said mildly as she started to explain why she was there. He smiled as Jill described the commercial. “I’m glad you’re happy. I’m verra verra proud of you.”

  “It was so weird to hear my name that way and see my face on television, Denny.”

  “Well,” he said, “I just hope I don’t read in the tabloids that you’re having an affair with a co-star and having his baby.”

  “That really would be newsworthy,” Jill said dryly. “The most exciting thing you’re likely to read about me is that I’ve taken up crocheting.”

  “Speaking of babies, any word yet?”

  “Well, the due date was yesterday, and Finn said earlier this week that he thought the baby was planning to try out as a kicker for the Jets. But then the little guy quieted down, and Missy’s having a lot of trouble sleeping, so I expect news any minute now.”

  The next day after work, Jill stood in the produce section of Shoprite, her ear resting on a cantaloupe. She sniffed the sweet aroma and rapped it lightly before putting it in her cart.

  “Hey, there.” Someone touched her coat sleeve. It was Meredith, and she was beaming.

  “Meredith!” Jill was delighted to see her former student and grabbed her for a big hug.

  She already knew from an email months earlier that Meredith’s house had sold and that there had even been a bidding war. Meredith shared that she had gotten two thousand dollars more than her original asking price before the price was lowered. Thirty prospective buyers turned up at Meredith’s open house to participate in a cooking demonstration and food-tasting. Offers started coming in immediately, and the house sold the next day.

  “So, all is well?” Jill hugged her. “What’s new?”

  “Gosh, I hardly know where to begin,” Meredith said, running her hand through her dark curls. “The boys and I love the new house. Business is booming, and right now I’m buying travel-size toiletries for my trip to Italy. My sister and I are leaving the day after tomorrow.”

  “Wow! I hope you have a great time.” Jill beamed from ear to ear at Meredith’s good fortune. “I’m so happy for you. And it’s wonderful to hear about your business, too. Now you’re really on your way.”

  “Thanks to you,” Meredith said, holding tightly to Jill’s hand. “The feng shui class and your suggestion about the open house made it all possible.”

  “You’re the one who made it possible, Meredith—your talents and your intentions. I just pointed out a few ancient Chinese secrets.”

  Three days later, on Sunday, as Jill stirred marinara sauce for eggplant parmesan, it occurred to her how much her life had changed in less than a year. Who could have guessed it would all be for the better? From shock over David’s affair to the pain of divorce after twenty-five years of marriage, to new love with Denny, the joyful anticipation of a new grandchild, and the excitement of her own television show. She hadn’t expected that she’d survive, much less thrive, and end up happier than ever before.

  Denny was engrossed in watching World Cup soccer playoffs when Brian appeared in the kitchen, carrying a wood bowl full of salad. “Hi, Mom,” Brian said, kissing her on the cheek.

  She looked at him for a moment before pressing her cheek to his. “I love it when you call me that.”

  Liam wrapped his arms around his mother from behind. “I brought a special bottle of wine, something I know you’ll like.”

  She glanced at the bottle and laughed out loud. It was a Chinese Riesling. “I didn’t know the Chinese grew Riesling grapes!”

  “In honor of feng shui,” Liam said. “We’re celebrating your new celebrity status.”

  As they stood together around the kitchen island, sipping wine, the phone rang. Liam answered and his eyes popped. “Really?” He put his hand over the speaker, his eyes round as half dollars. “It’s Finn,” he said. “Missy’s in labor. They’re not coming over for dinner. They’re heading straight for the hospital.”

  Jill placed her hands over her heart. “Do they want us to be there?”

  Liam shook his head. “Finn says they’ll call us when the baby is born. Missy says she’d rather we wait at home since it might take a while.”

  “Keep us posted,” he told his brother before hanging up.

  “Well, now I’m too excited to eat,” Jill said, mindlessly grabbing handfuls of snack mix and pretzels. She reached for a thick slice of garlic bread, dipped it in olive oil, and took a huge bite. “How can anyone have an appetite at a time like this? We might not have time to eat, anyway.”

  The men exchanged amused glances. “Keep your fingers away from her mouth and nobody will get hurt,” Liam said to Brian and Denny as he carefully removed the snacks out of Jill’s reach. “We’re just teasing you, Mom.”

  Jill flashed him a dark look and began layering roasted eggplant slices, sauce, and cheeses into a pan, her fingers moving at a rapid pace. “Very funny. I need to stay busy. I’ll just keep cooking. I probably should have made another pan to freeze for them when they come home from the hospital.”

  Denny grinned at Liam and Brian. “On such an important occasion, I think it’s important to keep up our strength. We need to eat enough to keep us going.” He smiled sweetly at Jill. “Don’t babies take a long time to be born?”

  Brian leaned against a countertop. “The man has a point. It won’t help Missy if we pass out from hunger.”

  Jill rolled her eyes. “Okay, so you all think I need to chill out. Fine, but pour me another glass of wine then.”

  Denny handed her a glass of merlot. “It doesn’t help to be sober, either, from what I’ve heard.”

  As they sat down to eat dinner, Brian’s face suddenly lit up. “Hey, did I tell you that Paget Weintraub asked me to compose a song for her?”

  Jill clapped her hands in glee. “Wow, you really did make an impression on her. That’s wonderful, Brian! What kind of song does she want?”

  “She said she’d like a signature piece—something she can perform and record. I think she actually wants to be back on the stage again. Right now, I’m leaning more toward classical.”

  “I was surprised that after so many years of not playing at all, she could perform so beautifully,” Denny said. “Her playing was flawless, almost a
s if she’d practiced beforehand.”

  Brian chewed his upper lip. “I’ll bet that she never really stopped playing. I think she’d been playing all along.”

  “Why would she deny playing the piano?” Denny asked, opening another bottle of wine. “Why make such a fuss?”

  Jill shook her head as the realization came to her. “Because she was nursing a grudge and wanted to make Joni think she was the reason the world was denied the talents of the great Paget Weintraub. The piano was in Joni’s house—the house Paget thought should have been hers.” She started setting the table. “I don’t understand how families can behave that way toward one another.”

  “Every family has its problems,” Denny pointed out quietly. “Even families that get along famously most of the time can still knock heads over big or little things.”

  Jill knew that this comment held deep meaning for each of them. There was silence all around. Finally, Liam let out a long breath. “Dad sure seems to be a lot less quick to judge these days. At least he isn’t ignoring Brian anymore.”

  Brian shrugged. “Jill, did you hear that he just bought a house in Greenwich? It’s on the water.”

  “I didn’t hear that, but it makes sense. He’s always loved the sea.” She wondered whether he and Andrea were going to share this new house. On the one hand, she knew David had as much right as she did to pursue happiness. On the other hand, it still bothered her that David likely had underplayed his real relationship with Andrea when he moved into her apartment.