Page 87 of The Search

“Thank you.” Rudzak smiled brilliantly. “I promise this job will be the ultimate experience of your lifetime.”

Eve called Sarah at nine-thirty that evening.

“Is everything okay?” Sarah asked. “How’s Jane?”

“Not much better. Though you’d never guess if you didn’t know her. She’s just . . . quiet.”

“And how are you?”

“Fine. I knew you’d be worrying, so I thought I’d give you a call.”

“The offer is still open. I’m having a few problems right now, but they should be settled soon and I’d love to have Jane for a while.”

“We’re a family. We’ll work it out.”

Sarah shook her head. “You’re so stubborn. It’s not a crime to ask for help from a friend.”

“We’ll work it out. How’s Monty?”

“In love. With a wolf.”

“What?”

“Don’t ask.” But that gave her an idea. “Maggie, that’s the wolf, has a fractured leg and I could use help tending her. Jane is really good with animals.”

Eve laughed. “And that’s going to make me send Jane to the rescue? Only you would think a wounded animal is a perfectly good reason to send a child into a wolf’s den.”

“Hey, it’s my den. The wolf is just a guest.”

“No deal.”

“Jane would love her. Maggie’s not easy, but she has character. Come to think of it, she reminds me a little of Jane.”

“Does she?”

“I can tell you’re not convinced. Keep thinking about it and let me know.”

“Take care of your own wolf.” Eve hesitated. “How are things with you? What kind of problems? Besides the wolf.”

“Isn’t the wolf enough?”

“You’re being evasive.”

“Maybe a little.” She looked at Logan sitting in his chair across the room. “But any problem I have isn’t anything that won’t go away. I’ll call you in a week and see if you’ve changed your mind about sending me Jane. She really would like Maggie.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of. All I need is to have her heart broken when she has to leave your damn wolf.” Another pause. “You’re sure everything is under control with you? I’ve been uneasy about you lately.”

“Why on earth?”

“I don’t know. I just feel . . .”

“You’re crazy. Nothing ever happens to me. Or, if it does, I always come out of it.”

“Yeah, sure. Well, I suppose you wouldn’t tell me anyway. But if you don’t call me next week, I’m calling you. Give Monty a pat for me.” She hung up.

“You tried to give away my job,” Logan said as Sarah turned away from the phone. “And I thought I was doing pretty well with Maggie.”

“You’ll do.” She sat down on the couch across from him. “But Eve would be better off with Jane here.”