Page 31 of A Christmas Mystery

It can’t be that.

It can never be that.

So his old, reserved, mumbly self is a better option in keeping myself out of emotional danger.

“Okay.” I swallow hard. “Well.”

“Drive safe back.”

“I will.”

“Text me when you get back.”

I frown at him, confused by why he wants that.

“So I know you’re back safe.” He’s still not meeting my eyes.

My heart does another one of those silly leaps. “Okay. See you later.”

“See you.”

He closes the door for me and retreats as I turn on the ignition. I can still feel his eyes on me as I back out of my parking place and drive away.

***

AT HOME, I’M GREETEDby a chorus of feline yowls as I step inside. Ed’s are happy, and Claude’s are reproachful. Both of them demand a snack and gobble it down quickly. Then I change into pajamas, wash my face and brush my teeth, and climb up into my loft to flop down on my mattress.

Ed and Claude come to join me. Ed curls up right beside me for a snuggle while Claude makes a few passes, begrudgingly accepting some pets before he settles into the window nook he prefers to sleep in.

I text Theo to let him know I got home safely. Then I close my eyes eventually and try to go back to sleep.

I don’t even come close to succeeding.

***

LATER THAT MORNING, at around ten, I drive over to visit Tee for coffee and cinnamon bread. Daniela isn’t working today until one, so she’s there too. She was working in the studio but takes a break to join us at the kitchen table for a while.

We talk about Tee’s bad hip and then about Daniela’s bad date on Saturday night. I do my best to participate in my normal manner, but I’m exhausted and groggy and confused with an anxious ball of tension in my gut.

It doesn’t take long for Tee and Daniela to notice.

After we fall into silence for a minute, Tee finally asks, “Are you going to tell us what you’re so upset about?”

“I’m not that upset,” I reply, blinking at her and then at my cousin. “I’m really tired.”

“Why are you so tired? Did you have a busy night?” That’s Daniela with her typical sharp dryness.

“No, I didn’t have a busy night.”

“Maria called last night and mentioned she’d heard you spent the day with that very serious young man.”

There can be no doubt that the “very serious young man” at issue is Theo. I give Tee a narrow-eyed look.

“You don’t have to give me that disapproving look. I wasn’t gossiping. She no doubt wanted news on the topic, but I didn’t give her any.”

“Thank you for that,” I say, the tension softening in my throat.

“So you did spend the day with Theo?” Daniela asked, looking more curious than anything else.

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