She heard shuffling in the front room, then the door opened and Clara stood smiling, her eyes showing more than words could tell. “Well, good morning,” she said. The woman hugged Elizabeth as she entered, and Elizabeth felt warmth spread through her. Clara poured them both a cup of coffee. How she loved that coffee. “I’ll take mine a little warmer today,” Elizabeth said. Clara chuckled. “You know why I did that yesterday, right?” “I caught the biblical reference. And I looked it up before bed last night. Book of Revelation, right?” Clara nodded. “I’ve been to church more often than you think.” Clara sat and looked into Elizabeth’s eyes. “Do you want to talk about the house first or what’s really on your heart?” Elizabeth felt a deep ache inside, sitting here with this older woman. “I’m struggling with being a professional, with you as my client. I don’t want to burden you with my personal life, but . . .” “But your heart is breaking and you don’t know where to turn.
