She pouted. “So are you kicking me out now?”
“No, I’m just trying to talk to you, to help you figure things out. Whether you can admit it or not, you’re in a predicament.”
“Maybe I am. But it’s my predicament.”
“Not completely. It’s my house so that makes it partly mine too.”
“Then throw me out.” Kitty pointed to her foot. “Just toss the poor little injured girl out on the streets. That’ll solve all your problems.”
Riva laughed. “You need a blizzard, a hungry babe in arms, and Fiona playing a tragic tune on her fiddle to make your pathetic image really work.”
Kitty picked up her book, then opened it toward the back. “If Danny comes back again, you have my permission to call the cops.”
“Why would I do that?”
“Because he can make a big stinking mess. Especially if he’s drinking.”
“I told you. He’s been sober for a year. He goes to AA.”
“Good for him.” Kitty pursed her lips.
“And he’s inherited some property out of town. His parents’ farm.”
“Lucky Danny. That place is a dump, but I suppose he could sell it.”
“He wants to keep it and fix it up, and he really wants to talk to you.”
“So you’ve said.”
“Look, Kitty, I realize you’re in a tough spot. And I actually care about you. I’d like to see you get your life on track. I can tell you’re unhappy, and you admitted you were a mess. But if you’re not willing to let others help, and I don’t mean by bringing you food and cleaning up after you, well, I’m not sure there’s much more we can do. Your foot should be healed enough to move out so you can get on with your life. I suppose I should give you notice.”
“Is this supposed to be tough love?” Kitty pouted.
“Yeah, I think so.” Riva stood. “So, what do you want me to tell Danny? I promised him I’d call.”
“Seriously?” Kitty shook the book in the air. “You remind me of Elizabeth Bennett. If you ask me, that woman’s a royal pain,always butting into other people’s business and messing things up. She should fix her own life.”
“I happen to like Elizabeth Bennett.” Riva moved toward the door.
“Big surprise there.” Kitty laid the still-open book in her lap. “Look, if you’re determined to play bossy Elizabeth and you wanna force me to talk to Danny, why don’t you go check him out for me. See if his story is really true. I bet you’ll find him living in squalor and drunk as a skunk on his parents’ stinky old farm.” She laughed. “Bring back pictures. I need some amusement.”
Riva wondered how much she really cared to get involved in their domestic differences, and yet, if it could help Kitty—and get her to move on—it might be worthwhile. But what if Kitty was right? What if Danny was playing her? After all, Kitty was a pro at playing her housemates. She and Danny might be cut from the same cloth. He could very well hide whiskey bottles in his boots too!
“I don’t know why I’m so nervous about this,” Riva said to Marcus as he drove through the countryside later that day. “I feel like a baby for asking for your help, but Windy insisted I needed a man along. Still, it feels kind of silly now. I’m sure I could’ve done this myself.”
“Based on what Kitty has said about her ex, I don’t think you’re being overly cautious.”
“But Danny seemed just fine this morning. He was very nice to me.”
“Didn’t you say Kitty seemed nice when you first met her? And she took Laurel in as well. But now that you’ve gotten better acquainted—”
“Don’t remind me. You know what they say about like attracting like. Danny and Kitty could be two of a kind.”
“That’s what worries me.” Marcus stopped at a crossroads tocheck his phone’s GPS. “According to Wes, Danny’s place is just a mile down this road. Wes has known Danny since they were kids. He admitted that Danny has had some troubles, but they’ve been out of touch for a few years.”
“So how is Wes?” Riva gazed out over a lush green field bordered by tall fir trees. Not a bad place to live if you didn’t mind being off the beaten path.
“He’s doing okay. He asked me about you too. I think he’s hoping for another invite to your house. He really enjoyed that last little shindig, but I told him about your ban on men.” He chuckled. “Windy explained the reason for the new rule to me. Not a bad idea, really. At least while Miss Kitty is part of the mix.” He turned down another country road and checked the address on his GPS. “That woman can throw a real wrench in the works.”
