“I know Anna, Aunt Hazel,” Melody’s voice boomed from the hallway. A second later, she poked her head out the door and rolled her eyes as if that had been obvious.
The dark-haired woman’s eyebrows shot up. “Is that so?”
“Yeah! She was here because she needed to discuss something with Lu.”
“I see. And what exactly was that?” Her gaze slid back to Anna.
She cleared her throat quickly. “It was about his knee. He forgot his pills at the stadium, so I brought them to him,” she said matter-of-factly. She had the squelch any rumors beforethey got off the ground! Of course, she and Lucas had been worthy of rumor, but Hazel didn’t need to know that.
“You work for the Hawks?” That seemed to surprise her even more. “And you know about…?” She looked at Melody, confused. “Why don’t I know you? I’ve been friends with Moreau for years, and I’m always hanging out with the Hawks. What exactly is your relationship?”
They’d been friends foryears? So Lucas had female friends?Shewas the only problem?
Anna bit the inside of her cheek while Hazel scrutinized her. “We’re…friends?”
“You don’t seem sure.”
“Well, I’m not,” she said honestly, laughing.
“Hmm.” Hazel narrowed her eyes. “But you’re nother, are you?”
“Her?”
“Oh, never mind.” Sighing, Hazel waved her hand dismissively. “Moreau would never ask one of his…” She trailed off and instead met Melody’s expectant gaze. “It doesn’t matter. I have to go. Have fun with Anna, Mel, okay?” She ruffled the girl’s hair before turning to Anna and pressing something into her hand. “Here’s the key. Moreau’s fridge is full, so cook a meal.”
She laughed. Just cook a meal. Sure! And then she’d solve the energy crisis.
“Bye, Aunt Hazel,” Melody said, briefly hugging Hazel around the waist. Hazel raised her hand in farewell and walked to her car.
Twenty seconds later, they were alone.
Anna put the keys in her skirt pocket and smiled at Melody. “Hey,” she said. “It’s good to see you again. Lucas is really sorry he can’t be here yet, but he’s hurrying.”
“Hmm,” the girl said, looking up at her skeptically. “You’ve never babysat me before.”
“That’s true.”
“Are you Lucas’ girlfriend?”
Surprised by the sudden change of subject, she opened her mouth. “No.”
“So, who are you?”
Oh dear, Melody was worse than Hazel! Anyway, who was she? “I work with him.”
She frowned critically with her small eyebrows. “You don’t look like you play hockey at all.”
She laughed, stepped through the door, and closed it. “I’m a doctor.”
“Really?” Her eyes widened. “Cool! I want to be a doctor when I grow up because I’m really good at applying bandages. Want to see?”
“Absolutely,” she said, taking off her shoes. “I can give you some tips if you like. Doctor to doctor, that is.”
She nodded seriously. “You never stop learning.”
A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “Yeah? Where did you hear that?”
“From Lu,” she said, and ran ahead of her up the stairs, where her hospital equipment obviously was.
