The kids, too.”
“You’re too kind, Anna, and I mean that,” Ryan said, lowering his voice. “I don’t know how I can ever repay you. Actually, I do, but we’ll work on that another time.”
“Just helping out, Ryan, that’s all. Nothing more,” she assured him. The last thing she wanted to do was lead him on. She almost felt sorry for the guy. What an idiot she’d been.
“We’re going to have dinner, so I’ll catch up with you later. ’Night, Anna,” he said, and hung up.
She tossed the phone on the bed. “He’s got nerve, I’ll give him that,” Anna said. “I’m going to call Barb, ask her to send me his tab each night in an e-mail. Not because I care about the money; I just want to know if he’s actually feeding his kids.”
“I would, too; if nothing else, just to be nosy,” Mandy said, grinning from ear to ear.
“That, too.”
Anna used her cell to call the Hyatt. She told Barb what she needed, asked that she be as discreet as possible, and now she owed Barb a favor.
“Done,” she said. “I’m going to finish that chili. It’s so hot, who knows, I might be arrested for arson?”
“That’s not funny, Anna. If that weirdo kid of his actually tells that to the arson investigators, they’ll have to question you, at the very least.”
“I think she’s just being a strange kid, running her mouth. I’m not worried.”
“I hope you’re right,” Mandy said. “Come on, I want to watch that dumb program they’re glued to. See what the hype’s all about.”
Chapter 20
Daniel Alan Lowande arrived promptly at nine o’clock. When Anna saw him, she wished she’d taken more time with her appearance. Ruggedly handsome, dusty-blond hair, light blue eyes, and at least six-four, he looked like a Texan. He dressed like a Texan, in his snakeskin boots and Armani suit. Maybe the suit wasn’t typical Texan, but Anna could tell that he was a man’s man. A Texas man. He reminded her of Chris Hemsworth, the actor who portrayed Thor in the Marvel Studios movies. His hair wasn’t as long as the actor’s, but it was long enough. He was, simply put, a hunk.
“Please, Mr. Lowande, come in. I’m Anna Campbell. My daughter is waiting to speak with you. We appreciate your coming to the house. Christina hasn’t been able to do much more than roll around this place in her wheelchair. Otherwise, we would’ve come to your office.” Okay, she was blabbering. She hadn’t expected this. She hadn’t expected to be reminded of Wade.
“It’s my pleasure, Ms. Campbell. Now, if you wouldn’t mind offering me a cup of coffee first, we can get down to business. I’m an addict. Coffee, that is. Can’t seem to function without at least a pot in the morning. I overslept and had to settle for the drive-through at Starbucks. I need something stronger.”
Anna laughed. “I get where you’re coming from. I’ve just made a pot of Kaya Kopi. Cream, sugar, or both?” she asked.
“Good brew—black, thank you,” he told her.
“Follow me into the kitchen,” Anna called over her shoulder. “If you don’t mind,” she added.
“Best place in the world to figure out a person,” he observed. “See what they like.” He grinned at her. “You know, Cheerios or Frosted Flakes.”
“Very true. We’re more of a Fruity Pebbles crew here when we have cereal,” she said as she filled a large yellow mug with coffee. “Though I do like to toss in a banana; makes me feel like I’m eating healthy.”
He took a sip of coffee. “Excellent.”
“It’s my favorite,” she said.
“You’ve got good taste,” he said.
Anna would swear he was flirting with her. Or maybe this was just his way with everyone. Regardless, he was here to advise Christina and nothing more. She was through with men. For a while.
“Simon briefed me last night, but I’d like to speak to Christina first. Straight from the horse’s mouth, if you will. Sometimes kids are frightened of authority figures, so since most likely we’ll have to chitchat with the police, I’ll want to advise her what to say. I’ll see if I can help you all get this matter settled, then let her get back to being a kid again.”
That was exactly what Anna needed to hear.
“Here,” Anna said, “let me refill your cup and you can bring it with you. We’ve been camping out in the den since the accident. Dr. Laird is hoping to put her in a walking cast in the next week or