Blueprints: A Novel by Barbara Delinsky Read Free Book Online

familiar scent spread by the ceiling fan, she was revived enough to pull out the thin package with its red ribbon. “I know you don’t like me buying you gifts, Mom, but since you won’t take another cat, this’ll have to do. It’s totally self-serving. Read the card.”
    Tucked under the ribbon, the card was handmade, as Jamie’s to her mother always were. Caroline kept every one, occasionally pulling them out to show Jamie the progression. This year’s was part computer-assisted, part cut-and-paste construction paper, all geometrically shaped navy and mint. And the note inside?
    Caroline read it, set the card on her lap, and gave Jamie a chiding look. “A weekend with you at Canyon Ranch. I can’t refuse that, which you knew.” Slipping her good arm around Jamie’s neck, she gave her a hug. “Thank you, honey. I will love it.” Her eyes lit. “Let’s go tomorrow.”
    Grasping the fingers at her shoulder, Jamie laughed. “We can’t, because (A) your wrist has to heal, (B) I’m in Atlanta tomorrow, and (C) my calendar is crammed with meetings for the next ten days. The taping backed things up, speaking of which—” She hitched her chin toward the DVD case that lay on her mother’s lap. Though its cover wasn’t as handsome as what fans would eventually see, the red bow couldn’t hide its identity.
    “The uncut tape,” Caroline said excitedly. “Perfect timing. I’ll watch it later.”
    “No typing notes.”
    “I’ll call Claire with a critique.”
    Oh no. Not good. “I’d hold on that, Mom. She wanted time off.”
    Without responding to that, Caroline angled herself and looked Jamie over. “I got used to seeing you in slacks while we taped. This is dress-up. Big meeting day?”
    Grateful for the change of subject, Jamie gave her a rundown of appointments. She didn’t mention having had breakfast with Roy and felt even more duplicitous for that. Wondering again whether Roy was behind the hosting change, she asked, “Is everything okay between you and Dad?”
    “As okay as it ever is,” Caroline mused lightly. “I rarely see him.”
    Jamie doubted her mother would have continued to work for MacAfee Homes if regular encounters with Roy were part of the job. They went their separate ways, his big-picture marketing to her detail carpentry. On the rare occasion that she went to the MacAfee Building, it was either to meet with the budget director or visit with Theo. She didn’t seek out Roy.
    “Which is good,” Jamie said, considering.
    “Which is good,” Caroline confirmed.
    “What’ll you do when Theo retires and Dad takes the throne?”
    “Work, same as always. Unless your father cuts my pay or tells me to use inferior material. I’ve been spoiled. Theo believes in top-notch everything, and he gives me free rein.”
    “He respects you.” Jamie lifted her hair to cool her neck. “Besides, having a family business was always his dream. You may not be Dad’s wife, but you’re still my mom, which makes you family in Theo’s eyes.”
    Truthfully, if Caroline had left the company after the divorce, Jamie might not have gone to MacAfee Homes straight from college. She and Caroline had always dreamed of working together, though, and her mother being on the family payroll was the clincher. The path to licensure was rigorous, and while Jamie’s mentor at MacAfee had been patient and instructive, he was male. Her emotions weren’t on his radar screen. But they were on her mother’s. Caroline might glaze over when Jamie got going on a new piece of architectural software, but she was immediately, entirely present when Jamie needed encouragement.
    And now this? Competitors for the same job? Jamie might have wanted that job in theory one day, but no way, no way could she take it today.
    “You look troubled,” Caroline said.
    She gave a little headshake. “Sorry. I have a gazillion things on my mind and half of those on tap for today.”
    “But making wedding plans is not on the list. I