Protector - Laurel Dewey [126]
Good morning!” Kathy cheerfully exclaimed as she darted over to Jane. “Happy first full day in Peachville!”
“Thank you, Kathy,” Jane said, subdued.
“I’ve brought you a little welcome casserole.”
“You made us a casserole!” Emily exclaimed as she rounded the Subaru.
“Look at her!” Kathy exclaimed. “You’d think she’d never seen a home cooked meal before!” Jane took Kathy’s gibe as it was intended and tried to remain calm.
“Thank you!” Emily said ecstatically.
“You are very welcome, sweetheart!” Kathy handed the dish to Jane. “There’s enough in there for four meals.” Kathy took the big basket from Heather. “And here’s a little welcome basket from our family to yours! There’s tea, cookies and preserves, some nuts, spices, fancy cocoa mix, assorted fruits and lots of other goodies for you two!”
Jane set the casserole on the hood of the Subaru and took the basket. “Do you give every newcomer this kind of attention?”
“Just the special ones,” Kathy said, directing her comment to Emily. Kathy bent down to be on eye-level with the child. “How’s that head feeling today, sweetie?”
Emily brushed her hand against her bandage. “It’s okay, I guess.”
“Oh, you poor little thing,” Kathy said, softly touching Emily’s cheek with her hand. “Heather, why don’t you show Patty your snazzy new line dancing outfit?”
“Why?” Heather said in a snotty tone.
“Because I’m sure she’d love to see it!”
Emily looked at Jane, not sure what to do. “It’s okay. Go on,” Jane said.
Emily crossed over to Kathy’s car with Heather. “She’s a very well behaved little girl,” Kathy said, observing Emily. “The way she looked up at you for permission before going over to the car. Most kids would just skip away without a thought.”
“Most kids are rude, too,” Jane said with a forced smile on her face, alluding to Kathy’s bratty daughter.
“Oh, pish-tosh! Kids have to express themselves! They need to push the boundaries and find out what’s what!”
“That’s assuming there’s boundaries to begin with,” Jane said without flinching.
Kathy caught Jane’s drift. Her pasted smile lost a hint of its phony glimmer. “I don’t mean to be forward, but I sense lots of stress in your voice.”
“Do you?”
“It must be dreadful to lose a husband in such an awful way. It’s only normal to feel angry. It’s part of the grieving process. You will see the light at the end of the tunnel.” Jane hated being placated but she hated it even more when the homilies were in response to an undercover ruse. “Oprah did a show on young mothers who tragically lost their spouses. It was so eye-opening for me to see these brave women carrying on with such a dreadful burden. I cried at least twice during that show. Twice! One of the experts talked about how important it is to feel the anger but to not take out the aggression on the ones who are closest to you. The ones who are so innocent.”
“Mom!” Heather yelled in a shrieking, bitchy voice. “When are we leaving?”
Kathy turned to her daughter with her jaw clenched. “In a minute, darling!”
“You said we could go to Montrose and buy those country dance CDs!”
“And we will. Mom just needs one more minute with Mrs. Calver!”
“If they’re sold out when we get there, it’s all your fault!” Heather screamed.
Kathy turned back to Jane. “Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I understand what you’re going through.” Kathy grasped Jane’s arm. “I feel your pain.”
“You feel my pain because you lost a husband or because you watched Oprah?”
Kathy didn’t know what to say. “I’ll let you go.” She turned and then spun back around. “The gals and I are getting together for our Wednesday gab fest two weeks from today. It’s going to be at my house and I’d love it if you and Patty would come! That’s our cherry night. We’ll be up to our elbows in pits, making preserves and juice! Patty’s should have her stitches out and, that reminds me, did you call Dr. Armstrong?”
“No. It’s been a busy twenty-four hours for us.”
“I’d be happy to call him for you—”
“I’ll take care of it.”
Kathy took a step back, sizing up Jane