Page 65 of One Big Little Secret

I stare at her. Several properties? I was expecting one, an old ramshackle cabin she’d like to unload for more money in retirement.

I don’t follow Evelyn’s life that closely, but I’m surprised.

“What condition are they in?”

She waves a hand. “Truthfully, they’ll need some refurbishing. I won’t lie to you. To bring them up to your immaculate standards, it would take some elbow grease. But with a little investment up front to pay the contractors, I’d be so happy to volunteer them as test cases for Higher Ends.”

“I’ll give it some consideration,” I tell her slowly, wondering how I’ve shifted from a surenoto this. When did this little old lady turn into a master saleswoman? “We’ll try to do our research promptly and get back to you.” I glance at Salem and see she’s taking notes.

Good.

I appreciate the fact that she still does it with an old-school pen and paper, which helps drive details into memory better than anything electronic.

“Thank you so much, Patton!” Evelyn spreads her arms and walks over. I submit to another crushing hug. Definitely not how these meetings normally end. “To even have this opportunity—oh, I appreciate this so much. You can’t fathom how proud Walt would be.”

“We’ll do you both right, whatever we decide,” I say.

“And you!” Evelyn turns to Salem. “You’re so lucky to be working with one of Delly’s boys. I hope you’re learning your pretty head off.”

Salem flushes again, the redness creeping up her neck to her cheeks. She doesn’t meet my gaze.

“For sure,” she says. “It’s an amazing opportunity and a lot to take in. I’m super grateful.”

Then the door bursts open and Arlo comes rushing in.

“Mommy!” he says excitedly. “Delly took me to the kitchen. We made cinnamon buns and cocoa.”

Yeah, that’s Mom, all right. I’m sure it took her five seconds to suss out the kid’s favorite snacks.

“Did you now?” Salem plops him down on her knee where he can’t do any damage.

“Is this your son?” Evelyn asks breathlessly, her face lighting up. “What a delightful little boy. And what’s your name, pumpkin?”

“Arlo,” he informs her.

The second Mom walks in, shutting the door behind her, Arlo grins at her.

Damn. At least he likessomeonein this family.

“We had a lovely time, didn’t we?” She takes a seat beside Evelyn. Salem stiffens. “I hope we’re not intruding. Poor Arlo didn’t want to be away from his mommy any longer.”

“No, we were just wrapping up. And I’m sorry if he started getting restless, he’s very attached,” Salem says carefully. “Hopefully he behaved himself?”

“Adelight,” Mom gushes.

Of course, she’d say that. She’s so desperate for more grandkids, she’ll practically adopt someone else’s munchkins. She loves Colt to death, but I think she’d like ten more just like him. Don’t know how Junie and Dex show their faces around here and survive all the hints she keeps dropping.

The sooner they get around to making babies, the better for all of us.

Arlo looks at me with his beady little eyes.

“Your mommy makes good chocolate. Way better than yours,” he says matter-of-factly. There’s a dark smear around his mouth.

Salem notices it just as I do, wetting her thumb and rubbing it away.

“Arlo!” Salem hisses. “What have I told you about being nice? Mind your manners, big guy.”

“But Mommy, he’s not nice to you.”

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