Page 16 of Come to Me

“No, mom. Tate’s teaching him to skip rocks.”

Lori lifted her head and looked out the window toward the beach.

“He apologized for butting in, but?—”

“Any counseling Tate needs should be set up by Logan.” Her mother’s tone was final.

“I know. But he knows people. Maybe he could help us help Tate.”

“Tate just needs time.”

Micki rolled her eyes. Many of the south’s traditions were great, but some, like the one about brushing problems under the rug or not airing dirty laundry, seemed more harmful than helpful.

“Besides, Dr. Andres is here for a respite. In fact, maybe you should go get Tate. He can’t possibly want to be spending time with a little boy,” Lori said.

Micki took a sip of tea. “Actually, I think he does. I think he wants to experience life at the lake.”

Her mother eyed her.

“What?” Micki shifted, wiping the condensation from her glass to avoid her mother’s knowing stare.

“You seem to have a soft spot for Dr. Andres.”

“We’re attentive to all our guests,” Micki argued. “Speaking of which. Have we heard from the newlyweds yet?”

“I think it’s amazing we’ve seen them at all.” Her mother jotted a note down on a pad of paper. “They’ll come up for air when they’re hungry.” Lori rose from her chair. “Will you make a run to town again?”

“Again?”

“It seems like we should have something fancier for Dr. Andres.”

Micki rolled her eyes. “Now who has a soft spot?—”

“It’s not a soft spot. I just don’t want him thinking we’re ignorant hicks.”

Micki stood and went to her mother. What a change a little bruise to the ego could make. Yesterday, her mother was all sweetness, and now she felt defensive.

“I’m positive he doesn’t think that. And he’d be mortified that you thought of him as a stuck-up city boy.”

Lori sniffed.

“He’s not the only one who’s mentioned that Tate needs more help, so don’t hold this morning against him.”

Lori pursed her lips. “Fine. But we still need a few more supplies. Can you go?”

“I will go.” Micki poured her ice down the sink and put her glass in the dishwasher. “I told Dr. Andres to send Tate up when he’s done skipping stones.”

“I’ll make sure Tate doesn’t bother him.”

CHAPTER 6

Patrick wondered what the city slicker version of skipping stones was. A ton of parks littered Manhattan. Central Park offered kayaking and rock climbing, but Patrick couldn’t ever remember anyone skipping rocks. Then again, he and Julia had lived sheltered lives, not because their parents worried about their safety as many parents these days did, but because they had an image to uphold. Their friends had to be in families that met a prominence threshold. Their activities were limited to those that didn’t include children or youth from outside their social status. It made for a lonely life. And it was partly why Julia became a homicidal sociopath.

Sydney had been her only female friend since childhood. Patrick had a few male friends, but he’d spent a great deal of time with Julia and Sydney. In high school, he dated Sydney. Not long ago, he thought he and Sydney might have a future together. It was the same for Julia, the only difference being that their small group was the center of her world. She couldn’t let it go and was willing to eliminate anyone who got in the way.

“You got two skips!” Tate jumped up and down as Patrick’s rock, after two skips sunk in the lake.

Patrick smiled at the boy. It was sweet how excited Tate was for Patrick’s success. His parents had never shown such enthusiasm for any of his accomplishments, of which there had been many.

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