“Everybody take a number,” Claire suggested in a tolerant voice as she took hold of Nadine’s arm. To keep herphysically away from Peaches, Tony thought.
Tony watched in amazement. Claire wasn’t even breathing hard. Had he imagined that moment of contact on thestairs? Had he been a victim of wishful thinking?
“And what number are you?” Nadine demanded of Tonywith a saucy grin.
“She’s already past my number,” Tony assured her. “Iwas just heading out. My daughter’s due in at the airport.”
That quickly, Claire was on alert. “Oh, Nadine, this isTony. He’s... he’s my contractor for the upstairs rooms.”
Tony didn’t miss Claire’s intense look his way. He didn’tmisunderstand her plea in the least. Nadine didn’t know, and Claire didn’t want her to. It was a request Tony had made on occasion. One he could respect without trouble.
“Nadine works with me at the hospital,” Claire finished, her attitude as careful as her posture.
Nadine caught the undercurrent but misrepresented it.Her smile reminded Tony of a satisfied cat. “The contractor, huh? Well, Miss Claire, you sure do have good taste.”
Tony offered Nadine a grin. “Nice to meet you, too.”
“Would you mind dropping Bea off at the doctor’s?”Claire asked, letting go of Nadine long enough to take somekind of list from Peaches, who resolutely refused to acknowledge the latest newcomer in his restaurant. “It’s righton the way to the airport.”
Tony fought the urge to look around. “Bea?” he asked.
Claire flashed him a smile. “My waitress. She’s pregnant.”
Tony couldn’t think of anything to do but nod. “Oh.”
That quickly, Claire was quietly in charge. Consultingwith Peaches, taking over the inn, heading off Nadine, whoevidently had come to elicit help about some problem atwork.
“You tell me I should lose three days’ pay because I calledthat jackass a jackass,” she challenged Claire, hands onhips.
Claire just shrugged as she gathered a waitress uniform inher arms. “Not my decision. Remember, I’m only the part-time help.”
Finally out of the direct line of fire, Peaches made a successful escape, leaving Nadine in an even worse mood.
“And just where does he think he’s going?” she demanded.
“Someplace safe,” Claire said. “Come on back to thehouse. We’ll talk while I’m changing. Bea’s in the back,Tony. Is it all right?”
“Sure.” Distance wasn’t a bad idea right now. Especiallysince he was still trying to figure out just what had happened. What was still happening, come to think of it. “I’llbring Gina back for tea.”
Claire had just turned Nadine for the door, and Tony hadjust turned for the kitchen. Before they could make theirrespective getaways, the front door slammed open a secondtime.
“Mom!” Jessie sobbed. “I think I flunked!”
And Tony, who had had his share of upsets and discoveries for one day, fled through the same door as Peaches.
