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“They looked wealthy.” Her chins quivered as she spoke in that tone that was like nails down a blackboard to Ted.
“There’s a look?” he said, keeping his words calm for Gracie’s sake.
“Don’t you—”
“You want extra cream on that hot chocolate today, Mary?” Piper said, drawing her mother-in-law’s attention away from Ted as she returned with the donuts. “Here, I bagged them up for you. I’m guessing they’re for Mr. Goldhirsh. Say hi for me. Maybe give him a kiss on the cheek.” Piper winked at him.
“I’m not kissing any man on the cheek.” He took the bag, winked back, and dropped a kiss on Gracie’s head before he left.
He cranked up the air con and headed back down Main Street.
Mr. Goldhirsh lived in what Ted called the civilian part of Ryker Falls. A cluster of houses, in streets. Some had views down to the water; most claimed they could see either Phil or Roxy even if they couldn’t. Or could if they stood on their roofs or hung out of windows.
He parked on the street. It seemed busy for a Saturday morning. Ted grabbed the book and bag of donuts and headed down the narrow drive to the little pale blue house at the end.
Immaculate, the flower beds were blooming with color, not a weed in sight. The windows sparkled as Ted walked up to the front door. Two cars were parked down here. One he recognized as belonging to the Robbins sisters.
Ted stopped. What was going on? Was Mr. Goldhirsh really sick? Hurrying up to the front door, he knocked loudly. He heard someone calling him in and entered.
The hallway was lined with photos of the owner’s running achievements. He saw Boston and London Marathon medals. There was no doubting that considering he’d spent his early years in a concentration camp, the man had packed a lot into his life after that. Was that why? Ted would have to ask him one day.
The place was painted cream, and the only word to describe it was pristine.
“In here!”
It was a house with plenty of rooms; nothing open-plan here. Entering the living area, he stopped in the doorway.
Mandy was here.
She sat in the window, and the sun came through at just the right angle to bounce off her hair. She looked like a bloody angel, Ted thought, dragging his eyes from the vision.
“Ted!” Miss Sarah called to him. “Are you joining knitting club?”
Not if hell actually freezes over.
“I thought you were sick?” He gave Mr. Goldhirsh a look.
“I am.” He forced out a cough. “Come, sit.” He waved Ted to a seat.
“You’ve been running,” Ted said, noting his running clothes.
“I forced myself to get to the end of the street and back, just so my lungs start working properly.” Mr. Goldhirsh forced out another hacking cough. Ted wasn’t buying it.
“I’ll take those, Teddy Bear,” Rory said, grabbing the bag of donuts out of his hand. She was laughing at him. “You got conned, bud.”
“I can see that.”
“Because he forgot to get these and for some reason he wants you here.”
That rocked Ted back on his heels. Why the hell would Mr. Goldhirsh want him here at knitting club?
“I’ll just drop the book. I don’t want to get in your way.”
“Come here, Ted,” Miss Marla called to him. “I need your help.”
“Why?” He didn’t move.
She had her boot on a stool. He watched as she moved slightly and winced. Ted moved closer.
