“No, I didn’t. I may be old, but I’m not careless or absent-minded.” Natalie’s defensive tone softened as she continued. “I know you do, dear boy, and I appreciate your concern ... Yes, it would be lovely to have you close by, but this has always been my home ... That’s true, but I’ve never been fond of changes. Why don’t we talk more about this on your next visit?... You know I’d love that, but I don’t want to monopolize your weekends.” Her mouth curved up as she listened. “Thank you for that. And if nothing else comes up, I’d love to see you ... Same to you.” Natalie ended the call and set the phone beside her, her upbeat demeanor fading. “He was quite concerned about the fire.”
“That’s understandable. It could have caused serious damage if we hadn’t been able to contain it fast.”
“Yes, but he was more concerned about how it started. I think he came to the same conclusion the law enforcementand emergency crew did. That I put the potholder in there and don’t remember. He thinks I may be having lapses related to my dizzy spells.”
“You could always call your doctor, see what he thinks about that.”
“Excellent suggestion. I hope that’s not the case, because I’d prefer to live out my days here. However, I’ve never been one to stick my head in the sand. If I’m beginning to slip, I’ll have to consider relocating to St. Louis, like Steven suggested. That would help him keep a closer eye on me.” Her irises began to shimmer.
Throat tightening, Cara leaned forward and laid her hand on top of Natalie’s. “If it’s any consolation, I haven’t seen any indication of that. You’re sharper than many younger people I know.”
“Thank you, my dear.” Natalie offered her a tiny smile, patted her hand, and straightened her shoulders. “Let’s get back to Marie’s journals, shall we?”
Cara didn’t argue. They had work to do.
But it grew increasingly difficult to concentrate after noise began to emanate from the vicinity of the kitchen half an hour later.
“Micah must be on the job.” Natalie looked up from the journal and adjusted her glasses. “It sounds like he’s hammering and sawing. Why don’t you close the door and see if that muffles the noise?”
Cara did as she suggested, then retook her seat. “Do you want to continue, or should we wait until the repairs are finished?”
“I’m willing to proceed if you are.”
“I’m game. If the background noise gets too distracting or I’m having difficulty understanding you, I’ll let you know.”
They carried on until eleven, with nothing in Natalie’s manner suggesting she was in the least absent-minded or forgetful. On the contrary. Her concentration was intense, and herreasoning as she worked to interpret certain unclear phrases was astute.
The noise continued unabated until they wrapped up, and as Cara shut down her laptop, she motioned toward the front of the house. “I’ll leave through that door rather than disturb Micah. Dinner as usual at five thirty?”
“Assuming the kitchen isn’t in total disarray—but I expect Micah will clean up after he finishes for the day. He’s always been neat and meticulous with the jobs I’ve asked him to do.” Natalie stood, grasped her cane, and walked the journal over to the massive desk where she kept it. “I must admit the noise is beginning to bother me, though. I doubt I’ll get much of a nap either, and that won’t help my concentration this afternoon. I may have to take a break from work.”
Another reference to work.
Why not ask about it? If she was involved in some sort of secret project, she wouldn’t keep mentioning it.
“May I ask what sort of work you do in the afternoons? I know about the baby afghans, but I have a feeling that’s not what you’re talking about.”
“No, although that’s important work too.” She slid the journal into the desk drawer, closed it, and rested a hand atop the large monitor on the credenza behind the desk. “I also do a different type of translation work. I have contacts with publishers from the friends I made while I was in Paris, and I’ve been doing French translations of English books for many years.”
Cara’s jaw dropped. What other secrets did this remote estate contain? “I had no idea.”
“Few people do. Even my old boss at the law firm didn’t know I moonlighted. But it’s enjoyable work, and it helps me maintain my language skills. It’s important to keep the mind active as we age.” A brief shadow passed over her features, but then she brightened. “And I do think the work has kept my brain agile. I’m hopeful the sheriff will get to the bottomof the potholder caper. I’m also hopeful that my dizzy spells are a thing of the past.”
“Me too.” Yet convinced as she was that Natalie’s mind was sharp, the odds that Brad Mitchell would come up with an explanation for the fire yesterday were minuscule. Whatever the cause, it would likely remain a mystery.
“If I can get access to the oven, I’ll bake zucchini bread for dessert.”
“Sounds delicious.” Lifting her hand in farewell, Cara exited into the hall and slipped out the front door. Why disturb a man who preferred to avoid people?
But her plan to steer clear backfired when he came out the rear door as she rounded the corner of the house.
It was hard to tell who was more surprised.
Cara jolted to a stop, but so did he as their gazes met.
He broke eye contact first, snatched a roll of drywall tape from the galérie railing, and bolted back inside.
As the door closed behind him, Cara shook her head.
