Chapter 4

Moving slowly to minimize the pain, Jennifer tried to find the strength to push against the beam. In the shifting, she knocked some rubble loose, sending it tumbling to the ground below her. Along with the echo of the stones came another rumble. The sound was both foreign and oddly familiar. Jennifer stopped moving to listen, unsure if she really heard something, or if it was all in her head.

Until she heard it again.

"Ryleigh," she whispered as the realization reverberated in her mind: her daughter was in the same area. "Hang on, Baby," Jennifer's voice grew stronger as she called to her daughter. While she pushed against the beam again, hot tears worked their way down her cheeks. "I'll find a way to get to you."

Three days earlier
"Ryleigh Jennifer, would you please come on?"

She stepped into the hall, backpack strapped to her back, suitcase in tow. "I'm coming, Momma."

"Your father has the car almost packed… he's waiting on you."

"Yes, mother…" she rolled her eyes as she worked her way down the staircase.

"Young lady…" Jennifer started. Ryleigh stopped and faced her mother.

She sighed. "I'm sorry, Momma. But I'm moving, and you are harping."

"Maybe if you moved a little faster, it wouldn't be an issue. We have a plane to catch."

"A plane that will not leave without us…" she mumbled as she tried to walk around Jennifer.

Jennifer stopped Ryleigh from walking out the door, taking hold of her shoulders, and turning the girl to face her. "That's no reason to be late, young lady. Just because someone works for us does not mean we are not respectful of their time. Jack is taking time away from his own family so that we can be together. You must always remember that. And your sassy attitude is disrespectful to both Jack and me."

Ryleigh knew she was right, and her shoulders drooped. "Oui. I'm sorry, Momma."

"Now, young lady," Jennifer slid a finger under her chin and lifted the young head so she could see her husband's eyes looking at her from her daughter's face. "I want you to get your bags to the car, so we can go have fun together as a family, please."

"Yes, Momma."

Jennifer turned to face Claire, who had just entered the room and sighed. "We will see you next week, Claire."

"Yes, Mrs. H. Y'all have fun." She had been with the Harts since just after Ryleigh was born, and her Southern accent was just as thick as the day she rolled into Los Angeles. "Don't worry about us," she said, indicating Freeway, Jr., who was now sitting at Jennifer's feet. "Come on, Junior; they are fixin' to get on the road."

Jennifer knelt, rubbed his head, and kissed his nose. "Bye, Baby. You be good for Claire. We'll be home soon." He barked as if he understood her and made his way to Claire's side. Jennifer stood back up, "Good boy."

"Darling, we need to go," Jonathan called from the driveway.

"Thanks again, Claire. See you in a week."

Claire walked to the door and called out, "Bye y'all," as Jennifer climbed into the front seat beside Jonathan. The three of them waved as he dropped the car in gear and they headed to the airport to meet Jack.

Claire McMillian knew her predecessor left big shoes to fill. She never actually had the privilege of meeting the man they simply called Max. But she heard stories… Oh, had she heard stories.

Max had been like a father figure to the orphaned Jonathan Hart. He had lived with them and was a massive part of their lives. Claire knew she could never take his place, though she tried hard to help the Harts in every way possible. One of those large tasks included keeping Ryleigh safe, which was not always an easy task.

Life for the Harts took a turn when they lost Max. It took another turn when Ryleigh, and then Claire, joined them. An unexpected child later in life quickly became one of their greatest joys.

Claire picked up the duster she had been using and continued to clean the photos in the living room. Max was there, as were photos from some of their adventures before Ryleigh. Life sure had slowed them down from the craziness that had been. Time together as a family became the most important thing to both Jonathan and Jennifer.

She made her way to the library shelves and dusted the bindings there. Several of them were Jennifer Edwards Hart's titles. With Ryleigh back in school and Jonathan running Hart Industries, Jennifer picked writing up again, starting with a children's series, winning her critical success. This stepped right into a young adult series, for which she was currently winning more awards, and talking to studio heads about movie rights.

The buzzing of the gate pulled her from her thoughts and task. Claire made her way into the kitchen. Pushing the communication button, she greeted the caller, "Yes?"