The Christmas Clock and A Song For My Mother - Kat Martin Page 0,66
himself rap lightly. Marly peered through the window to see who was there, walked to the door, and pulled it open.
“What is it, Reed? I told you I wasn't feeling very well.”
It had sounded like an excuse on the phone and looking at Marly's tight features, he was even more certain of it now.
“I thought I'd better check on you... since you were feeling so poorly." Two could play the game, he thought, though it wasn't something he liked to do.
“I'll be fine. I just need a little rest."
“May I come in?"
“I'd rather you didn't. I might... might be contagious."
Under different circumstances, he would have smiled at her obvious attempt to get rid of him. Instead, he took a step forward, forcing her back inside the house. He'd been angry all day that she hadn't just told him what was wrong, and seeing her now, his temper sparked.
“All right, Marly, let's cut the bull. You're mad at me and I want to know why. I thought we were having a great time together.”
She rubbed her arms as if she were cold. “It doesn't matter. I'll be leaving the first of the week.” There was something in her face, a sort of sad resolve.
“When people don't talk, it only makes things worse. You ought to know that better than anyone. Please, honey, tell me what's wrong.”
Her head jerked up at the use of the endearment he hadn't meant to say. Her eyes glistened for an instant before her chin firmed.
“The truth is that we're getting too involved. I can't let that happen. I have to think of Katie. I have a substitute teaching job waiting in Detroit and a full-time position starting in the fall. Now, if you'll excuse me, there are things I need to do.” She stood there waiting for him to leave.
His jaw hardened. He didn't want to go. He wanted to stay right there and have it out.
Unfortunately, his pager went off just then. Millie. He had to call the office.
“Looks like something's come up. I've got to go.” He reached out and caught her shoulders, dragged her close and kissed her, quick and hard. “This isn't over, Marly. We're going to talk about this and figure it out. I'll be back.”
She touched her bottom lip, still moist from his kiss, and opened her mouth to argue but he was already striding away.
Something was wrong. He wasn't letting her leave Dreyerville until he knew what it was.
Reed's resolve hardened as he headed back to his house.
Winnie walked toward the back of the house, Katie skipping along beside her. They had been to King's Super to pick up some fresh vegetables and the makings for a blueberry pie. Marly had a date tonight with Reed, Winnie recalled. They would be gone by now. The thought made her smile.
While her daughter was out on a date with the handsome sheriff, Winnie planned to cook a meatloaf for Katie. Then the two of them would bake the pie.
Winnie climbed the back-porch steps, carrying the brown paper bag of groceries. She unlocked the back door, which Katie then held open.
“Thank you, sweetheart." She made her way into the kitchen and stopped at the sight of Marly sitting at the kitchen table.
“I thought you and Reed were going out.”
“Something came up and he had to cancel.”
“Something at work?”
Marly glanced up. Her expression looked as dark as it had the day she'd first arrived. Things had changed since then, some of the darkness had faded, at least Winnie had thought so. Now, she wasn't so sure.
“Me and Gran are gonna bake a pie,” Katie said, pulling a small sack of flour out of the bag.
“Gran and I,” Marly corrected.
“Gran and I.” Katie left the bag on the counter and walked up in front of her. “Gran wants us to stay for Mother's Day. It's only another week. Can we, Mom?”
Marly started shaking her head even before Katie finished the sentence. “We're leaving on Monday, just like we planned. We need to get started on your tutoring so you can get caught up at school.”
“We could start right here.”
Marly came up out of her chair. “I'm sorry. I know you want to stay but it's time for us to go home.” She walked out of the kitchen and into the living room and turned on the TV. Winnie followed.
“You seem upset, honey. Has something happened between you and Reed?”