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Shannon still looked reticent. “What kind of baggage would make you a target for murder?”
Lisa exchanged a quick look with Milo. Reveal as little as you can without losing her, Casey had said. Don’t overwhelm her with details that aren’t her concern and that will only freak her out.
“I was a street kid, a reject from the foster care system,” she explained briefly. “I had to work for creepy people to survive. I still feel vulnerable when I think someone’s after me. Julie knew all that when she took me in—but she did it anyway.”
“Oh.” That affected Shannon, compassion flashing across her face. “That’s terrible. I get it. Okay.” Her gaze shifted to Emma. “Are you a policewoman? You look too young.”
“That’s kind of what I am. But I’m one of the good guys. You have my word on that.”
Shannon studied her, clearly not sure what to think. But Emma’s Alice in Wonderland appearance had a way of doing the trick.
“Okay,” the girl said. “I’ll eat. And I’ll listen.” She rose. “Can I use the bathroom first?”
“Of course.” Lisa gestured toward it, fully aware that the tiny window in there wouldn’t provide access for escape. “And Milo will put your backpack in your room. Then we’ll eat and talk.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Once alone, Lisa and Milo exchanged a worried look and then turned to Emma.
“What do you think?” Lisa whispered.
“You did great,” Emma replied. “She’s on the fence, but she’s not running. Let’s take that as a positive and move on from here.” Emma gestured for Milo to move away from the door. Then she headed for the kitchen. “I’ll help you serve. Miles, you set the table. I don’t want Shannon to think you’re standing guard. Patrick is ready for action if he’s needed. You both need to take it down a notch and relax. It’s the only way to get Shannon to relax.”
“Easier said than done,” Lisa muttered, following Emma into the kitchen. She pulled on some mitts, opened the oven, and slid out a large Pyrex dish. “Put out four plates and four sets of silverware,” she instructed Milo. “Tonight we’re going to eat like human beings—on a table, not the sofa.” A quick gesture toward the small table in the equally small dining area. “There are even paper napkins and glasses, all ready for you to arrange.”
“Wow. Martha Stewart.” Milo gave an appreciative sniff. “I don’t get it. You were never into cooking, except for your famous meatballs.”
“Well, there’s a first time for everything,” Lisa replied, setting the dish on a coaster. “I follow recipes well. And the Internet’s full of them. You’re getting lemon chicken, rice pilaf, and a small Greek salad. Pretty good, huh?”
“I’ll let you know after I taste it.”
Lisa stuck her tongue out at him, feeling a great deal more relaxed by the normalcy it elicited. Between that and Emma’s presence, she was beginning to think she could pull this off. She felt even more relaxed when Shannon reappeared in the kitchen entranceway, the tears washed off her face, her hair brushed and retied, and her expression wary but not terrified.
It was a huge step.
“Let’s eat.” Lisa gestured for Shannon to join Emma and Milo in the dining area. “I’m sure you’ve never touched a drop of soda, so I put a pitcher of water with lemon on the table. Is that okay?”
“Yes, thank you.” Shannon hovered by the table, torn between sitting down and helping Milo arrange things.
“Sit,” Lisa instructed her. “Dinner’s all ready. So there’s nothing to do but eat.”
“And tal
k,” Shannon added.
“Of course. And talk,” Emma assured her.
Lisa started carrying in food, intent on making Shannon feel okay in their company. “I hope you like chicken.”
Another tentative nod, almost as if Shannon were suddenly realizing how hungry she was.
“I didn’t think I’d be able to eat,” she murmured.
“Well, you can, and you have to.” Lisa used a spatula to place a boneless chicken breast on Shannon’s plate, after which she drizzled some lemon sauce over the top. “You, of all people, know how important it is to take care of your health and your body.”
The girl lowered her gaze.
“I know you can’t compete anymore, Shannon,” Lisa said softly. “And I know what it feels like to have your whole life ripped out from under you. But you will have a future—maybe a different one than you expected, but a happy future just the same.”
