1105 Yakima Street - Debbie Macomber [62]
“Wait?” he asked as he straightened. “For what?”
“I drove my own car here.”
“Oh, yeah.” He stepped back—and just then, his cell phone rang. Rachel froze.
So did Bruce. He pulled out his cell and his shoulders tensed with what could only be dread.
“Go ahead and answer it,” she whispered.
Reluctantly Bruce did. “What?” he snapped. His eyes locked with Rachel’s. “Sorry. Yes, of course. I’ll be right home.”
This was obviously serious. “What’s wrong?” she asked even before he could disconnect.
“It’s Anne from next door.”
“And?”
“Jolene called her over. She’s been throwing up all night. Anne said she hasn’t been able to keep anything down. She’s afraid there might be something really wrong. She thinks it’s a good idea to take her to the E.R.”
“Then you should go,” Rachel said.
Bruce reached for her. “I’m sorry.”
“I know. I’m sorry, too.”
And she was, far more than she dared admit.
Nineteen
Shortly after nine on Thursday morning Miranda Sullivan was getting into her car to run errands when her cell phone chirped. Digging in her purse, she retrieved it, all the while wondering who’d be calling this early. Caller ID identified Will Jefferson. He’d given her the day off and she planned on putting it to good use.
“Hello?”
“Where are you?” he asked.
“On my way to the grocery store. I’m picking up treats for the goblins who’ll be coming by tonight.”
“Oh, right, it’s Halloween. Aren’t you doing this a little last-minute?”
“Maybe, but if I buy candy too early I tend to eat it myself.”
“No willpower?”
Miranda frowned and refused to take the bait. He knew exactly which buttons to push with her. “Is there a reason you called?” she asked.
“Actually, speaking of last-minute, I was hoping you’d be able to work this afternoon.”
“I thought you said you didn’t need me.”
“I didn’t then, but I do now. My sister wants me to come with her to check something out… .”
“What?” She’d counted on a free afternoon and wasn’t giving it up without a good reason.
“Okay, if you must know…” He sighed. “Olivia and I have appointments at a couple of assisted-living complexes in the area.”
Miranda did sympathize but she had her own appointment at Get Nailed. “I have plans this afternoon,” she said.
“Oh.” He sounded somewhat morose. “So you can’t come in for a few hours? Well, I could close the gallery, I suppose. It probably wouldn’t hurt for one afternoon. Only I hate the idea of doing that… .”
“Oh, all right,” Miranda said, capitulating far too easily. She could phone the salon and reschedule for later in the week.
“That’s great.” He leaped at her offer without any hesitation. “Can you be here around two?”
“I’ll be there.”
“Thanks, Miranda. I really appreciate it.”
“Bye.” She called the salon to cancel her appointment, then shut her cell and put it back inside her oversize purse. So much for shopping, hair and fun. She quickly revised her plans.
First things first. She ran errands, going to Safeway for the candy she needed. In addition, she bought an extra bag of miniature chocolate bars and a plastic pumpkin for the gallery. Then she picked up her dry cleaning. Shirley met her for an early lunch, and when they’d finished, she dropped off some books at the library. From there Miranda got to the art gallery with fifteen minutes to spare.
Will was with a customer when she arrived. He raised his hand briefly but otherwise didn’t acknowledge her. Miranda hung her coat in the back room and stashed her purse in a safe place. Then she opened the candy, dumped the small chocolate bars in the pumpkin and set it on the counter near the cash register for customers to help themselves.
Will was at the door saying goodbye to his customer when she returned.
“What’s that?” he asked, nodding toward the plastic pumpkin.
“What does it look like?”
“You brought candy in here?”
“Yes.” The answer should be obvious.
“You don’t need it and neither do I. Whenever possible I avoid sweets.”
“Then don’t indulge. I thought you were the one with willpower,” she said sarcastically. When he started to respond, she said, “It isn