Candy grunted. “I’m not driving down the mountain in a tin can. Kassie will take you today. She plans to meet Victoria for lunch at Ty’s.
Hearing his name, Scarlett perked up. “I went to his restaurant on my first day here. Is it close to the community center?”
“It’s next door on the left. To the right, you’ll find Bryanna’s Bakery. Above it, Edie, Barb and Deb live in the three apartments. They love running everything. Get ready to taste the best pecan pie ever from Miss Edie.”
“Oh, yum,” Scarlett moaned. “I’m starving.”
“Skip lunch at the hospital, the three Grans will stuff you like a turkey,” Candy said, laughing.
“At least if they decide to cook me, I’ll die happy,” she quipped as they pulled in at the hospital. The last few months, Scarlett thought her life stopped, and she’d spend the rest of her days dependent on others and waiting to die. The people here gave her hope, and she desperately wanted to believe they knew how to bring her out of the darkness.
CHAPTER 12
Kassie gotin the truck and buckled up. “Scarlett, meet Victoria. She’s part of my family.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” she said.
“Hello, darling. So you’re the blind redhead my men like to gossip about. At least they have good taste. I can’t say the same for Ivan’s men,” Victoria said with disgust.
“You’ll have to excuse Victoria. She says whatever’s on her mind,” Kassie sighed.
“You act like it’s a crime,” Victoria scoffed. “I firmly believe in telling the truth.”
“I see nothing wrong with that,” Scarlett agreed.
“Good. They’re taking bets on which one can get you out of your panties first. I’m counting on you to keep them on.”
“Victoria,” Kassie groaned.
“I’m giving her fair warning. Your problem will be their sexy Irish accents. But the Russians don’t play by the rules. They’ll whisper in your ear and before you know it, your legs will be hiked up in the air…”
“Victoria,” Kassie exclaimed again.
“Oh, please. Stop clutching your pearls. She’s part of yourmilitary. You think she doesn’t know about men when she spent ninety percent of her day with them?” Victoria insisted. “And may I remind you of our sausage…”
“All right, today you’ll meet Miss Edie, Miss Debbie and Miss Barb. They run everything, and if you need anything, those three will ensure you have it.”
“Ignore her, darling. She’s still a bit of a prude in some ways. Since both of us work around men, you understand,” Victoria crooned.
“Last time I checked, Ivan’s Russian,” Kassie reminded her.
“I know. How do you think I know which position she’ll land in first?” Victoria grinned slyly.
Kassie groaned. “She’s a patient.”
“She’s a woman,” Victoria argued. “If they come to speak with you, and they have Russian accents, kick them in the balls. It works every time. My men cover their equipment, but a good yank on the ole’ willy keeps them in line. I don’t mean to scare you. Our men know not to cross me or Ivan. Although, some of my husband’s men make me worry if they’ve taken a beating way too many times.”
“I think you’re phone’s ringing,” Kassie said, pulling into the parking space in front of the community center.
“It’s not mine,” Victoria said, checking her purse.
“I don’t have mine with me,” Scarlett chimed in.
“Oh, mine mustn’t have hooked up to the truck,” Kassie said, pulling it from her bag. “Kassie Winters,” she answered.
Scarlett waited while Kassie listened to whoever spoke at the end of the line.
“Take him to the hospital. Doc will meet you at the ER. Where did you find it? I see,” she said. “I’ll notify the police.” She hung up the phone.
