Page 50 of A Cozy Christmas Blizzard
“They’re fine. Well, mostly fine. Healthwise, they’re both getting over ear infections.”
Oh, dear. “You might’ve told me this before!” K.O. cried. Her mind shifted into overdrive. If the girls were sick, it would throw everything off. Wynn would insist their behavior was affected by how they were feeling.
“They’ve been on antibiotics for the last two weeks,” Zelda said, breaking into her thoughts. “The doctor explained how important it is to finish the medicine, and they only have a couple of doses left. I wrote it all down for you and Dr. Jeffries, so there’s no need to worry.”
“Fine,” K.O. said, relieved. “Anything else you’re not telling me?”
Her sister went silent for a moment. “I can’t think of anything. I’ve got a list of instructions for you and the phone numbers where we can be reached. I do appreciate this, you know.”
K.O. in turn appreciated the opportunity to spend this time with the twins—and to share the experience with Wynn. At least they’d be able to stop tiptoeing around the subject of the Free Child movement.
“We have a Christmas tree,” Zelda murmured as if she were admitting to a weakness of character. “Zach felt we needed one, and when I spoke to Dr. Jeffries last Monday he didn’t discourage it. So I gave in, although I’m still not sure it’s such a good idea.”
“You made the right choice,” K.O. told her.
“I hope so.”
K.O. noticed the clock on her microwave and was shocked to see that it was time to meet Wynn. “Oh, my goodness, I’ve got to go. I’ll see you in about thirty minutes.”
K.O. hung up the phone and hurried to put on her long wool coat, hat and scarf. Grabbing her purse and overnight bag, she rushed outside. Traffic was heavy, and it was already getting dark. She’d planned to be waiting at the curb so when Wynn pulled up, she could quickly hop inside his car. Then they’d be on their way, with no one the wiser.
No sooner had she stepped out of the building than she saw Max Jeffries walking toward her. His cheeks were ruddy, as if he’d been out for a long stroll.
“Well, hello there, Katherine,” he said cheerfully. “How are you this fine cold day?”
“Ah...” She glanced furtively around. “I’m going to my sister’s tonight,” she said when he looked pointedly at her small suitcase.
“Wynn’s away himself.”
“Pure coincidence,” she told him and realized how guilty she sounded.
Max chuckled. “Business trip, he said.”
She nodded, moving slowly toward the nearby corner of Blossom and Port. She kept her gaze focused on the street, fearing she was about to give everything away.
“I’m healing well,” Max told her conversationally. “I had a couple of rough days, but the pain is much better now.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
“Yes, me, too. I never want to see that crazy cat woman again as long as I live.”
It demanded restraint not to immediately defend her friend,but K.O. managed. “I see your memory’s back,” she said instead, all the while keeping a lookout for Wynn.
“Oh, yes, it returned within a day or two. In some ways,” he sighed, “I wished it hadn’t. Because now all I can think about is how that vicious feline latched on to my arm.”
Not wanting to give Max an excuse to continue the conversation, K.O. threw him a vague smile.
“Have you ever seen so much blood in your life?” he said with remarkable enthusiasm.
“Uh, no,” she murmured. Since it was her towels that had cleaned it up, she had to confess there’d been lots.
“My son seems to be quite taken with you,” Max said next.
As badly as she wanted to urge Max to go about his business, K.O. couldn’t ignore that particular comment. Not when Max dropped this little morsel at her feet—much as Martin had presented her with the catnip mouse. “He does? Really?”
Max nodded.
“He talks about me?”
