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“A little mishap.” That was becoming my new favorite word.Mishap.It said everything without needing further explanation. “Thank you again,” I said when I saw the paperwork he was filling out on my kitchen counter.
“I’ve been meaning to tell you it isn’t necessary for you to tip me, Miss Emme. It’s my job to take care of the tenants of this building.”
“I know that, but I like to do it. I know some of my neighbors make you cookies. I can assure you, you’d much rather have a modest tip than a batch of anything I’d make.”
My mother was a fabulous cook, something that didn’t get passed down to me. The last five times I’d tried to make something, I forgot that I had a pot on the stove or something in the oven. Poor Mr. Bridges had been forced to come up when my smoke detectors refused to stop blaring.
7
LYNX
“How’s the patient?” Stephen asked when I answered his call.
“My worry is the amount of sleeping. Hence, the message.”
“It isn’t of concern as long as she doesn’t have any of the other symptoms I mentioned.”
“None so far.” I checked the time; it was just after four. “Is your conference over, or are you on another break?”
“Over. I’m heading to Providence as soon as we ring off.”
“Please give Nora my regards.”
“I’ve an idea. Why don’t you come down for dinner?”
“I’ve the patient to care for.”
“Bring her.”
“If she’s feeling up to it.”
“Brilliant. Nora will be so pleased to see you again. You will not believe how big the twins have gotten, and Brian is almost as tall as his mother.”
The last I saw my cousin and his family was at Stephen and Nora’s wedding. They’d waited to marry until after their twin girls were old enough to travel. Admittedly, I’d never dreamed Stephen would marry, let alone become a father, but I remembered marveling at the changes I witnessed in him. Only those who knew him well had any idea that he and Nora’s son, Brian, weren’t biologically related. The two were closer than any father and son I’d ever known.
“Sounds wonderful. Should I make a reservation somewhere?”
“No, no. Nora will insist on having you to the house. You know how she is.”
Actually, I didn’t. “I don’t want to impose.”
“You won’t be. Truth be told, with the girls, a casual dinner at home is much easier for us to navigate.”
“Thank you for the invitation, as long as you’re sure we won’t be putting Nora out.”
“On the contrary. So, who is this woman whose head injury I treated?”
“Dr. Emerson Charles. She’s with the International Policy Program.”
“I’m intrigued.”
As was I.
“What’s her specialty?” Stephen asked.
“China.”
“Right up your alley.”
