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She frowned. “You don’t want to talk to the parole board?”
“No, I still want to talk to them, but I don’t want you girls coming inside with me. It’s not necessary. I’ll go by myself.”
“Are you sure?” The hint of relief in Brandy’s voice told me I’d made the right decision. She’d come to Texas for two reasons—to support me and to get a break from her twins. Not that she wasn’t a good mother. Brandy adored her boys, but all mothers needed a break from time to time.
I pulled my credit card out of my purse and handed it to Brandy. “There’s a cute little cafe on Main Street. Let me treat you girls to brunch. It’s just a few blocks away, so I’ll walk over when I finish.”
Brandy refused to take my credit card. “I’ve got money, Aunt Ruthie.”
“I know you do but let me treat you.”
“You’ve already treated us to the hotel and dinner last night. Lia and I can pay for our own breakfast.”
“Of course we can,” Lia said.
“Okay.” Reluctantly, I returned my card to my purse and pushed open the car door.
“Mom,” Lia said, “are you sure you don’t want us to come with you?”
I smiled at my daughter, touched by her concern. “No, that’s okay. You girls have fun. Be sure to order the Panther Pancakes if they’re still on the menu.”
“Okay,” they both said.
Knowing I was stalling, I said good-bye, climbed out of the car, and walked toward the building.
