Page 77 of State of Suspense

Celia came down from the third floor with Sam’s mother, Brenda.

Sam was surprised to see her mother. “Did I forget something?”

Brenda laughed. “No, I was meeting with Celia to get the kids’ after-school routine down so I’m ready to cover for her while she’s away.”

Celia and her sisters were leaving on an Alaskan cruise on Wednesday.

“Ah, okay.”

Celia eyed the bandage on her arm. “What happened to you?”

“A little skirmish on the job. No biggie. Can you join us for dinner, Mom?”

“I’d love to, if it’s no imposition.”

“The lovely staff is always prepared for an extra guest or two. I just need to change, and then I’ll meet you all in the dining room.”

“I’ll go with you,” Nick said.

He was probably afraid she might fall over, which wasn’t outside the realm of possibility.

Her hip felt disconnected from the rest of her body, which was keeping the pain away but made her feel off-balance and out of whack. Hopefully, she’d figure out getting around before she had to put on heels tomorrow night.

Scotty signaled to her as she walked toward her room with Nick. He waggled his finger to bring her closer so he could whisper in her ear. “The study guide got here today and is already a game changer.”

“Glad to hear it.”

“Best mom ever,” he said as he ran off to find the twins.

His words took her breath away.

“Aw, what’ve you done now to be the best mom ever?” Nick asked.

“That’s between me and him.”

“Why does that make me very suspicious?”

“Because you’re suspicious by nature. Everything is fine.”

“Hmmm.”

In their suite, he helped her change into track pants and a clean sweatshirt and found the fleece-lined slippers he’d given her for Christmas. The others were already at the table when they joined them. Nick had changed into sweats and the T-shirt she’d given him for their anniversary.

“Nice shirt, Dad,” Scotty said.

“Mom gave it to me for our anniversary.”

“Nice one, Mom.”

“I thought so, too.”

“I’m not sure how I feel about you two being in cahoots,” Nick said.

Scotty grinned. “Don’t worry about it.”

“I’m going to lose sleep over what you’re up to. She’s not telling you that you can drop out of eighth grade or anything, is she?”

“Not yet.”

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