Home Free - Fern Michaels [91]
Harry, his eyes as round as he could make them, looked at Bert and said, “Eat shit, Bert!” He stomped off and then stopped and turned around. “I meant to say, Eat poop. Yoko said I have to stop cussing and being so violent. That’s why I didn’t kill you just now.”
Back downstairs, the kitchen was tidy, and the girls were getting ready to head up to the second floor. They all crowded around the door for one last look at snow that was coming down heavier than ever.
The good nights were brief; then the kitchen was silent.
“I can’t believe I’m spending the night when I just live down the road,” Annie grumbled.
“It’s like old times, dear,” Myra said. “Isn’t it wonderful that Yoko finally told us what we already knew?”
“I so hope it’s a little girl,” Annie said. “Yoko is so tiny. Do you think the baby will be tiny like her?” Annie asked fretfully.
“I don’t think Yoko’s baby is going to be a bruiser like Little Jack. Normal, six pounds and a few ounces, would be my guess. It will all depend on Yoko. She did say her morning sickness has abated, and she’s feeling really good. You’re missing Fergus, aren’t you, Annie?”
“No, of course not. Yes, Myra, I am. I don’t know what’s come over me where that man is concerned.”
“Do you think, Annie, that you might be in love with Mr. Duffy?”
Annie flopped down on one of the kitchen chairs. “I’m thinking I might be, Myra.”
“That’s so wonderful. Stop being such a sourpuss. Enjoy what you have and don’t go . . . you know . . . screwing it up.”
Annie laughed and reached for Myra’s hand and squeezed it. “I’ll try not to. So, tell me, what do you think of tonight’s discussion?”
“Which part? We discussed quite a few things. If you’re referring to Mr. OO, I think we can handle that with very little sweat. If you’re referring to the gossip about the president, then I have to tell you I don’t know what to think. Why would she set us up, then abandon us? If she decides not to run for office, we are out of the loop. I suppose the whole thing could be a onetime-only job, for want of a better way to put it. We clean up Mr. OO, find the money, and then we’re done. What do you think, Charles?”
“What I think is, I’m going back to work. I’m worried about Avery and his men on the stakeout in this weather. Since our quarry appears to be in residence, it is highly unlikely that he’ll go anywhere till morning. If they’re back on the job by five o’clock, that should work.”
“Run along then, dear, and tend to your business. Annie and I are going to bed.”
“Are we really going to bed, Myra?”
“Absolutely not. Let’s go in the living room and look at my Christmas tree. Do you know any gossip?”
“Myra, I’ve been with you all day. How could I hear any gossip?”
“Because you’re you, Annie, that’s how.” Myra smiled.
“Well, since you put it like that, I might have overheard something. I saw Bert showing the boys a ring he bought for Kathryn for Christmas. An engagement ring, Myra. Ted personally took him to Dorchester Jewelers in Summerville, South Carolina, two weeks ago. The same store where Ted bought Maggie’s ring. They drove down over the weekend, and Jill and Patsy opened the store on Sunday just for them. Since I was sneaking around, I couldn’t see the ring, but the boys whistled, so I guess it’s something pretty special.”
“But I thought Kathryn didn’t . . .”
“That was back then, Myra, when we were all at sixes and sevens. Everyone has their lives back now and is thinking straight. Kathryn is a different person these days. She’s shed a lot of the guilt she’s been carrying around since her husband’s death. The girls have talked to her. I’ve talked to her. She does love Bert. That’s a given. She told Nikki she’d like to have