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ookies, ordered Blue to clean up after Tango, and had even put her in charge of hiring a new cleaning lady—a daunting task, since nobody wanted to work for her. Blue snapped the album closed. “I’ve seen more than enough to start working. My sketches are finished, and if you’ll just leave me alone for a while this afternoon, I can get something done.”
Not only had Nita declared she wanted to be in the painting, but she’d also decided she wanted it done on a much grander scale, so she could hang it in the foyer. Blue had special-ordered the canvas and increased the price accordingly. She’d have more than enough money to get started in a new city…if she could only get out of Garrison, something Nita was doing her best to prevent.
“How are you going to paint anything decent when you’re mooning over that football player all the time?”
“I am not.” Blue hadn’t caught so much as a glimpse of him since she’d met him Tuesday on the street, and when she’d driven back to the farm to get her things, he’d been gone.
Nita reached for her cane. “Face it, Miss Big Talk. Your so-called engagement is over. A man like that wants a lot more in a woman than you’ve got.”
“As you keep reminding me.”
Nita regarded her smugly. “All you have to do is look in the mirror.”
“Are you ever going to die?”
Nita’s bottom lip curled, and she took a noisy tug on her front teeth. “He’s broken your heart, and you won’t admit it.”
“He hasn’t broken my heart. For your information, I use men. I don’t let them use me.”
“Oh, yeah, you’re a real Mata Harry, all right.”
Blue grabbed two of the albums. “I’m going up to my room so I can get to work. Don’t interrupt me.”
“You’re not going anywhere until you make my lunch. I want a grilled cheese sandwich. Use Velveeta, not that crap you bought.”
“It’s called cheddar.”
“I don’t like it.”
Blue sighed and headed for the kitchen. Just as she opened the refrigerator, she heard a knock at the back door. Her heart tripped. She hurried over and saw it was April and Riley. As glad as she was to see them, she couldn’t help but be just a little disappointed. “Come in. I’ve missed you.”
“We’ve missed you, too.” April patted her cheek. “Especially your cooking. We would have stopped by yesterday, but I got held up at the house.”
Blue hugged Riley. “You look beautiful.” Since Blue had seen her five days ago, Riley’s long, shapeless tangle had been replaced by a short, curly cut that showcased the oval of her face. Instead of her tight, too fussy clothes, she wore a pair of khaki shorts that fit her comfortably, along with a simple green top that showcased her eyes and complemented her olive skin, which had already lost its pasty look.
“Who’s there?” The old woman materialized in the kitchen doorway and took in April with a disparaging glare. “Who are you?”
Blue made a face. “Am I the only one who hears a cauldron boiling?”
April pulled in her smile. “I’m Dean Robillard’s housekeeper.”
“Blue is still mooning over your boss,” Nita said self-righteously. “He hasn’t come to see her once, but she won’t admit it’s finished.”
“I’m not mooning. I’m—”
“She lives in fairy-tale land that one, thinking Prince Charming is going to rescue her from her pathetic life.” Nita tugged on one of her three necklaces and zeroed in on the eleven-year-old. “What’s your name? Something odd.”
“Riley.”
“It sounds like a boy’s name.”
Before Blue could put Nita in her place, Riley said, “Maybe. But it’s a lot better than Trinity.”
“In your opinion. If I’d ever had a child, I would have named her Jennifer.” She pointed her cane toward the doorway. “Come into the living room with me. I need a fresh set of eyes to read my horoscope. Somebody else couldn’t be bothered.” She glared at Blue.
“Riley came to visit me,” Blue said, “and she’s staying right here.”
“You’re coddling her again.” She regarded Riley with disapproval. “She treats you like a baby.”
