Page 49 of Keeping Lucy

Lucy, realizing that Stef was staring at us, explained. “I can’t stand the taste of coffee anymore, but I still love the smell.”

“Cute. And yet shitty too.”

There was a knock on the front door.

Once Lucy had left the room to answer the door, Stef leaned across the table, about to say something to me, but I lifted my hand to stop her. Then Lucy came back moments later with a guest.

“Everyone, this is Naomi Perkins, from the insurance company. This is my husband, Dante, and his sister, Stef. She’s staying with us for a few days.”

I jumped to my feet, reaching out to shake the woman’s hand even as my heart sank. She was short and dumpy, middle-aged, with dishwater blond hair, beady blue eyes, and a dull gray business suit.

“Pleased to meet you.”

“Likewise.” She flicked a look from me to Stef.

“Holy shit! Iloveyour shoes!”

Naomi’s stern look melted immediately and she beamed at Stef. “Thank you so much! Shoes are my weakness.”

“Mine too! Can I get you a coffee?”

“That would be great, thank you. Milk, three sugars.”

“You got it.”

We all sat back down while Stef made the coffee, Lucy next to me, her back ramrod straight and her grip so tight on her mug her knuckles were white.

Naomi removed a manila folder from her briefcase and laid it on the table, then pulled red-framed glasses from her cleavage and put them on. Clearing her throat, she began. “Your insurance claim has been passed to me for assessment, given the, ah, abrupt nature of your marriage and subsequent request for maternity cover. I’ll ask a few basic questions and so long as I decide that it’s all above board, everything should be fine.”

“Great.” The tension in Lucy’s voice was clear, so I put my arm along the back of her chair, trying to reassure her. “And if you decide it’s not above board?” Maybe Lucy was trying to make a joke, but Naomi’s eyes snapped to her.

“Then your coverage will be revoked, your recent claim will be denied, you’ll be required to repay the funds already remitted on your behalf, and your husband will be referred for disciplinary action. After that, I couldn’t say.” She put an emphasis on the wordhusbandthat had my gut clenching.

“I see. Thank you for clarifying.”

“Well, it’s the most romantic story ever, so buckle up, Buttercup!” Stef put the mug of coffee down in front of Naomi. “I’ll leave you to it. I just got in from Seattle and I’m desperate for a shower.” She bustled out of the room. I wanted to call her back in, needing the buffer.

Lucy took my hand, linking her fingers through mine. They were shaking slightly, so I gave her a reassuring squeeze.

“It’s pretty straightforward, as I said. Just some basic questions to start with.” Her pen was at the ready. “How did you meet?” When neither of us answered, she looked at us over the top of her glasses. “It’s a pretty simple question, guys.”

“Oh, well, um, we knew each other years ago, when Dante lived in Esperance as a teenager. He was very close to my, um, I guess you could say foster brother, although that’s not entirely accurate.” Fuck, she was babbling. Time for me to take over.

“Unfortunately for me, Lucy was already dating her high school sweetheart, who she ended up marrying not long after graduating. Isn’t that right,cara?” I continued smoothly.

Taking a deep breath, she shot me a shaky smile. “Yes, that’s right. It wasn’t until after I divorced—”

“When did that happen?”

“What, the divorce?”

“Yes, the divorce.”

Lucy gazed at her for a moment, a blank expression on her face. “Um, we separated last year and everything was finalized a few months ago. I’m not sure of the exact dates, but I can check for you.”

“I see.” She took some notes and the tightening in my gut turned to churning. It did not look good. Then, to my surprise, she put the cap back on her pen and flicked the folder closed. “Thank you. That’s enough for now.”

Lucy shot me a look, her eyes wide. She was clearly thinking the same as me. This wasn’t the end of the investigation. It was just the beginning.

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