Protector - Laurel Dewey [113]
“Patty . . .” Emily said, haltingly, “Calver . . .”
“Well, good to meet you, Patty! How was your trip?”
“It was fine,” Jane replied.
“You know, I don’t even know where you two were coming from! When your girlfriend called to arrange the rental unit, I forgot to ask.”
Jane realized the intrusion was already beginning. It made no difference where they came from, but somehow, it was vital information. “The Denver area.”
“Oh, my goodness!” Kathy said with an exaggerated expression on her face. “Well, you two travelers must be tired!”
Jane pulled her hair away from her face with her bandaged hand. “Yeah, we’re pretty whipped. You have the house key?”
“Oh, dear!” Kathy said, her eyes pinned on Jane’s bandage. “What happened to your hand?”
“It’s nothing. Burned it in the kitchen.”
“An unfortunate cooking accident?” Kathy inquired. Emily stifled a laugh at the word “cooking.” “Did I say a funny?”
“Just the cooking part,” Jane said. “I’m not exactly Martha Stewart.”
“Well, honey, we can do somethin’ about that!” Kathy exclaimed. “A group of us girls get together every Wednesday evening at a different gal’s house and we trade recipes, dish the dirt and it’s so much fun! We’d love for you to join us!”
“Oh, you know, I—”
“If you’re worried about child care, bring Patty with you. I’ve got a daughter who is ten. I bet you girls would get on just like two peas in a pod!”
“Well, I—”
“Say you’ll think about it,” Kathy instructed, not giving Jane much choice.
Jane wanted out of that place. “We’ll think about it,” she said rigidly.
Kathy bent down to get closer to Emily’s eye level. “Well, now sweetheart, tell me, what are you all bandaged up for?”
Emily started to respond when Jane quickly interjected, “She fell.” There was an awkward moment of silence between the three of them. As soon as she said it, Jane realized that her spitfire response sounded forced.
Kathy looked up at Jane and then back to Emily. “Well, my, my, my. That’s a big bandage for a little girl. Must have been quite a fall—”
Emily started to respond when Jane once again broke in. “She fell off her bike.” Emily looked at Jane, not knowing what to say or do. “It was a tall bike,” Jane added.
There was another awkward slice of silence between them as Kathy studied Emily’s face. “Well, I know what will make you a happy girl.” Kathy turned to Jane. “Mom, what’s her favorite candy?”
Jane stood perplexed. Not only was this perky woman referring to her as “mom,” but she was also asking a question that Jane couldn’t answer. She turned to Emily. “What’s your favorite candy?”
Kathy was slightly dumbstruck. “Oh, you’re teasing me. Every mom knows what kind of candy their kids like!”
“Mounds,” Emily quickly interjected in an attempt to rescue Jane’s faux pas.
Kathy bent down toward Emily, “Well, this is your lucky day. If you go over to the front window, you’ll find a big bowl of candy. And I bet if you dig around in there, you will find your favorite!” Emily crossed to the window and began rooting the Mounds out of the bowl. “Did she have to get stitches?” Kathy whispered.
“Yes,” Jane whispered. “Why are we whispering?”
“I didn’t want the child to think we’re talking about her,” Kathy said, her voice still in a half-whisper.
“She’s not embarrassed about the stitches.” Jane’s voice leveled back to normal. “Now, if you don’t mind, we’re really tired.”
“Of course,” Kathy said, her toothy grin exploding across her face. “I’ll get your key!” She scurried back to her desk and returned with two keys. “Here’s one for you and one for under the mat! Of course, I have to tell you that no one in this town locks their doors. Or their cars. Or their tractors. Or anything!”
“Really?” Jane said, doing her best to squash her innate cop reflex. “Well, you oughta have your Chamber of Commerce publicize that