Page 86 of Whispers and Wildfire
My lips twitched in a grin. “Why were you thinking about calling me, Mel?”
“You know, because you’re usually here and you’re not. Except you’re not always here, sometimes you’re off site. I don’t know. I’m worried about you, okay? That’s not illegal. It doesn’t mean anything.”
“So there’s a modicum of concern again?”
“Yes. Just a small amount.”
I could picture her gesturing with her thumb and forefinger to show me just how little concern she had.
She was such a liar.
“So, as part of your job, I need you to run an errand for me.”
“Oh. That’s why you’re calling? Of course it is, it’s a workday and I’m here… working. That’s what I do. I work for you. What errand?”
“I need you to come get me.”
“Come get you?”
“I can’t drive because of my ribs, so I need a ride to work. I figured if I didn’t call you, you’d probably complain about it, so I’m just avoiding an argument.”
“Oh.” She was quiet for a second. “I’m glad you called.”
Why did she keep doing that? Going all soft when I expected her to snap at me. The woman made my head spin. “Yeah, well, you said I should have before. So I am now.”
“I did say that.” Her gentle voice was disarming. “Sure, I’ll be right there.”
“Thanks.”
I ended the call and set my phone down.
Okay, so I’d called her. And it was fine. I needed a ride, she was coming to get me. It made sense. It wouldn’t have been weird if I’d have called Andrea when she was working. Just part of the job.
Except I hadn’t called Melanie because it was her job.
My phone buzzed. It was my aunt Louise.
“Hi, Aunt Louise,” I answered.
“Luke, I’ve been worried sick. Your mom told me you were in an accident. How are you? Are you all right?”
“I’m a little banged up, but otherwise I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I’m sure. Thanks for checking up on me.”
“Of course, dear, of course. I’ll be by later with soup, and I’d bring cookies, but I suppose Harper already beat me to it.”
“She did, yeah. And thank you for the soup, but I’m all stocked up. I don’t think there’s room in the fridge.”
“That’s fine, you can freeze it.”
I shook my head. Sometimes it was easier not to argue with her.
“And one more thing,” she said. “Do you think you’ll be feeling up to the bachelor auction this weekend? There’s absolutely no pressure if you’re too injured. I just need to know since we’re printing the programs.”
I stifled a groan. I’d completely forgotten about the bachelor auction. “I don’t think—”
