Page 29 of The Aura Answer
Jax called Larraine Ward, their new mayor, and left a message.
It was at that point he heard sirens screaming down Main Street. In a small town, that always induced a racing pulse. He knew too many people...
He called Evie. She was already on the phone.
He got up and looked out the window. Gray smoke billowed from the direction of the school.
He was out the door before he even gave it a thought.
Eleven
Once they returnedto the house, Gracie printed out the photos she’d taken of Bertie’s gallery art. She’d like to show them to a few people, see if they might be interested in purchasing the sketches to help out his family. There were a couple she wouldn’t mind owning, but her finances could barely pay the mortgage on a house she couldn’t even live in.
She settled in her bedroom with wrapping paper and the loot from the antique store. She had a kaleidoscope and a stereoscope with cards of animals in national parks for the twins. Sometimes, old-fashioned toys could be as much fun as computerized. And she added a vintage Maid Marian costume to Aster’s gift collection, one complete with bow and rubber arrows. Who needed Disney princesses?
It was almost dinner time when she was done, so she jogged downstairs to see who needed help with what.
Instead of setting out food, Dante, Pris, and Evie were gathered around the kitchen island watching a notebook computer. The kids were in the breakfast nook, scribbling on coloring books and ignoring the adults.
Aster waved her artwork at Gracie, so she went there first. “That looks like Honey! Is she wearing a Christmas collar?”Honey was her mother’s golden lab. Gracie shot a surreptitious glance to the counter, but she couldn’t see what everyone was watching.
Loretta was serenely coloring bubbles into the midsections of various Disney princesses and didn’t require attention, but the twins had to show her their creations.
It was a few minutes before Gracie could peer over Evie’s shoulder to the computer screen. All she could see was smoke and fire engines and people running around. “What’s happening?”
“Jax is filming the fire at Patel’s fruit stand. I’m not entirely certain why.” Evie stepped back so Gracie could see.
“Where are Roark and Reuben? I trust they’re not involved?” Gracie asked. It wasn’t actually as strange a question as it seemed. R&R had occasionally explosive habits.
“Reuben’s there, reporting to Larraine and keeping Patel from running inside. I think the firemen have it under control, so Roark is apparently not needed.”
“Do I need to start dinner?” she asked tentatively.
Pris stepped away from the video. “I have pizza ready to pop in. There’s a salad in the fridge. Nick’s still in the garage. Warn him we’ll be ready in half an hour. Jax will just have to eat leftovers.”
Assuming she’d hear the story later, Gracie ran her hand through her hair to straighten the layers and checked that she didn’t have wrapping paper bits stuck to her sweater—then mentally slapped herself. Nick wouldn’t notice, and she didn’t care if he did.
Winter dark was settling in. She switched on the ancient porch light, but it didn’t add much illumination. A square of light lit the driveway, so Nick must have the door open.
She heard voices as she approached. She didn’t want to wait in the cold and eavesdrop until the visitor left, so she continued through the shadows until she reached the open door.
Covered in sawdust, Nick was swishing paint brushes in turpentine and talking to a man whose back was turned to her. Slouching shoulders in a tailored jacket, brownish-blond hair shaved on the sides—Gracie recognized him before he turned at Nick’s greeting.
“Grania, good timing. Do you know Mr. Turlock?” Nick beamed. “He’s interested in Bertie’s work.”
Grania? He was using her real name for why? As a warning? Or did she just go into fear mode because she seriously disliked Teddy Jr.?
“Hello, Ted,” she said with a curt nod, before turning to Nick. “Pris says dinner is almost ready. Do you need any help cleaning up?”
“Grace.” Teddy acknowledged her with a nod, before turning back to the sketches she’d bought at the Barn. “How much do you want for these?”
“They’re not for sale.” Rudely, she removed them from his hands. “Bertie was a friend. These are all I’ll ever have left of him.”
She tucked them under her arm and glared at Nick. “Why are they out here?”
“They need better frames. Now you’ve ruined your Christmas surprise.” Nick turned back to Teddy. “Sorry. They’re not for sale, as I said. But the Antique Barn had quite a few. Didn’t Sammy show them to you?”
“Haven’t been there yet. Just heard you were collecting. I’ll try Sam, thanks. Consider that offer. You’ll not get a better one.” Turlock tipped an imaginary hat and strolled off.
