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“No,” I said as I plopped back down. I pushed around some of the macaroni with my fork. “Has Andrew?”
She put a container of broccoli between us and speared a piece. “Yesterday.”
That made four times in a week and a half. I stuffed down the hurt and reminded myself he was in a bad place. He had his family. He didn’t need me.
Cricket discreetly stabbed some broccoli.
“Oh. Mr. Dixon wants you to come to Sunday dinner.” Trish turned to Cricket. “You too.”
She mumbled her excuses, but there was a possibility she might show.
“Did I hear my name?” Mr. Dixon strolled in, Ella in his arms, her diaper bag on his shoulder. “Hey, stranger.” He placed a hand on my shoulder. “We missed you Sunday.”
“I’ll try to make it this weekend,” I promised.
“Did you finish making your gloss?”
“Delivered it this afternoon.”
He beamed at me. “So proud of you. Let me know if an old man and a little one can be of any help.”
“Thanks.”
“I can help too.” Cricket spoke just loud enough to be heard, but she fidgeted with the sleeves of her flannel shirt.
“I appreciate it.”
“Have you been here long?” Mrs. Quinn swept over to the table, a notepad in hand.
“Just got here,” Mr. Dixon said.
“There’s my sweet girl,” she cooed at Ella, who screamed her greeting. “I’ve missed you too.”
“I need to go make a phone call,” Cricket muttered as she pushed away from the table.
“Take this with you.” Trish offered her a few more containers.
She greedily accepted before she disappeared.
“She okay?” I asked, pointing my chin after her.
A wary expression wound its way across Mrs. Quinn’s face. “I don’t know. But it’s very difficult to help people who don’t want to help themselves.”
“Did she run off when Officer Wilson came by again?”
“Nope. I still don’t know what that was all about.”
“I’m glad you came by, Baker. Do you have a minute?”
“Sure.”
We moved to the opposite end of the dining room where it was empty.
“Daniel is working on the loose ends to try to keep you protected,” she said, her voice hushed.
“How?”
“I didn’t ask. I only take him at his word. If he says he’s on it, you can trust that.”
