I couldn't tell him what I was thinking. Oliver's energy was a whirl of static; no doubt prison had skewed his aura. Whatever the case, he could stand for a good psychic cleansing, but I was keeping my mouth shut on that little matter. No way was I going to volunteer for the job.
"I just got nailed by a sudden headache."
As I searched for another subject to fill the rapidly growing lull, Oliver raised an eyebrow and cleared his throat. "So, Aunt Ida tells me you're psychic. Tell me about my future, Gypsy woman. That is, if you can."
Demanding bugger, wasn't he? It was clear he was goading me, seeing if he could push my buttons. Irritated, I shook my head. "I'm German and Irish, not Gypsy, My name isn't Madame Zelda, I don't play parlor games, and I don't run a carnival sideshow. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to work."
A glower passed over his face, then he gave me a sheepish grin. "I apologize. I didn't mean to offend you. I was just curious what kind of show you put on for the locals to get them so hooked. Aunt Ida said people here in town love you."
Love me? Considering the community's response to my solving Susan Mitchell's murder, maybe Ida was right. People did flock to my shop now, but I had a feeling it wouldn't last. I'd be yesterday's news before the spring was out. Before I could respond, he changed the subject, effectively ending the conversation by ordering a chicken salad sandwich and Earl Grey tea. I decided to drop the issue and offered him the morning newspaper. While he ate, I jotted down a quick list of sights for him to see and then dove back into my work.
If I'd been afraid he would continue to talk my ear off, I needn't have worried. He drank his tea in silence while reading the paper. After eating his sandwich, he handed me a five and I counted out his change, then gave him the list of town sights and waved as he headed out the door. Yep, Oliver was definitely an odd duck, no doubt about it, and I wasn't sure just what I thought of him. But he was Ida's nephew, and after three years in prison, I'd probably seem strange, too.
I turned back to my inventory sheets, but within five minutes the phone rang and, exasperated, I grabbed the receiver. The way things were shaping up, I wasn't going to get a thing done today.
"Em, I'm bored!" Harlow's oh-so-familiar refrain rang in my ear.
I put down my pencil and smiled. I always made time for my other best friend. "How long till you're out of the wheelchair, Cap'n?"
"You're getting into a rut. That's the first question you ask me every time you talk to me. The doctor said I'll be on my feet again within the week. At least I'll be able to see them for another month or two before they disappear when my baby balloon swells up." Harlow was nearly five months pregnant and starting to show.
"What did the doctor say about your ribs and legs?" I asked. Her accident last December seemed to have left some lingering damage.
"He said the bones should be healed by now, but apparently I've been low on calcium for a long tune, so they're a little bit brittle. My physical therapist thinks that I'm making progress, though I'll be using a walker for a few weeks after I'm out of the chair." I muttered something about buying her some calcium supplements but she brushed me off. "Hey! I saw you mentioned on TV again. You planning on becoming a Kato Kaolin?"
I snorted. "Hope not. I'm not that photogenic. Anyway, I'm glad you called. Want to go out to dinner tomorrow night? I've had a very strange week and could use some company."
"Uh-oh. What's up? I can hear that 'something's not right' tone in your voice."
What was up? What indeed? "I don't know, to be honest. But tomorrow's Sunday, and since I hired Lana, I don't have to work. Maybe if we meet for dinner, I can shake off this mood." She put me on hold to ask her mother-in-law if she could cadge a ride to the restaurant. When she came back, it was all set.
"I'll meet you at five o'clock at the Brown Bear Bar & Grill. I'm so glad my mother-in-law's around. Hannah's incredible; it would be a nightmare to have to go through all this without anybody here. I sure miss James." Her husband was off in Africa on a photo safari shoot.
I said good-bye and hung up, wondering why I felt so uneasy.
GRATEFUL THAT IT was Saturday night, I picked up a bucket of chicken for dinner, setting it on the kitchen counter as I came through the door. The kids could nuke it when they were hungry. Miranda had left me a note saying she was at the library and would be home by seven. Kip was in the backyard, playing some sort of army game.
I traded my shoes for a pair of fuzzy slippers and settled back in the recliner. Andrew was coming over; we were planning on kicking back to watch TV or listen to music. While I waited for him to arrive, I mulled over who I could ask to keep an eye on the kids Sunday evening. I supposed I could just leave Miranda in charge; she was old enough to watch her brother, except that Ida was out of town and I didn't like leaving them alone without a safety net. Randa was a good girl, but I knew very well that she lost touch with reality when she buried her nose in a book.
When Andrew arrived, he ruffled my hair and nuzzled the top of my head. "Why so glum, sweetheart?" he asked, settling in on the arm of my chair.
"It's been a strange week, and I want to go out to dinner with Harlow tomorrow, but I don't have anyone to stay with the kids, and since Ida's out of town, I'm not comfortable leaving them alone."
He shrugged. "I'll come over and stay with them. You go out with Harlow and have a good time."
"You'd do that for me?" I squeezed his hand. He stood up, looking as if he had something more to say. "Yes?" I said, waiting expectantly.
"I've got good news, honey." Beaming, he held up a copy of his novel, The Mistress ofPeachtree Manor. "Maxis Studio optioned my newest romance, and they may agree to let me write the screenplay. By tomorrow night, my agent will know if I'm supposed to fly down to Hollywood to discuss a screenwriting deal!"
"Really? Oh Andrew, I'm so proud of you!" I jumped up and gave him a resounding kiss.
He ducked his head, suddenly shy. "Thanks, but it's not a done deal just yet. I have to be honest though; I've been waiting for this break a long time. Anyway, I can transfer my calls to my cell and hang out with the kids while I wait for George to call."
He pressed me into his arms as he slid one hand behind my neck and hungrily met my lips. Enjoying the fire, once again I was torn about the relationship. Here was a gorgeous, sexy, brilliant man who wanted me. But—and it was a big but—we were so different that, when I was honest with myself, I didn't hold out much hope for the long haul. Frustrated, I pushed away my thoughts and slipped out from under his embrace.
"C'mon babe, let's go to my place for an hour or so." He winked at me, but I was too frazzled to respond.
I brushed his cheek with my fingers. "Sorry, sweetie, but I'm too tired to go out again tonight."