Part 27 (1/2)
”I haven't told anyone, but around here there aren't any secrets, I guess.”
”What will your mother say?” he asked.
”I don't care what she says, if she even finds out. I'm not a baby or an invalid and the bunch of you better get that straight or I might do something dramatic, like run away. Again.” She stood up. ”Really, I'm glad it's out. Wrap your brain around this, Uncle Jack. I like him. I'm not giving him up. Now I have phone calls to make, so I'll see you later.”
”Angie, those Riordans...”
She turned back to him.
”They're good guys, don't get me wrong. But they're not pups. They're warriors, every last one of them. Rugged. Not exactly...docile.”
”Yeah,” she said with a big grin. ”I know.” And with that, she turned and left.
”You could've warned me,” Angie said to Mel.
”Angie, I didn't discuss you with Jack. Not much, anyway. I said it was true I suspected you and Patrick but that we hadn't talked about it and it was none of my business. I also told him that my experience with young women is that the louder the protest against their decisions, the firmer they become.” She took a breath. ”How'd he do?”
”He's bats.h.i.+t crazy. His little kitten is getting boinked by a fighter jock.”
Mel couldn't help it, a laugh burst from her. She covered her mouth with a hand. ”G.o.d,” she whispered.
”Well, there's no one left to be discreet around. We can officially go steady. For three weeks.”
”Like summer camp,” Mel said. ”Only this time in the dead of winter. Listen, while you were with Jack, there was a phone call. Dr. Hernandez?”
”Really?”
”Is he one of yours? Or a plastic surgeon?”
”Plastics. He left a number, I hope.”
”On the desk. He'd like you to speak to his PA.”
Angie bolted for the phone. In fifteen minutes she was back. ”Okay, here's what we've got. The doctor wants to see her for an evaluation. If he can help, he will. His a.s.sistant will help me tally the other costs so I know exactly how much money I have to raise. Monday at 2:00 p.m.”
Mel grinned largely. ”Where?”
”Davis. I'm crossing my fingers that this is a relatively simple procedure. He must be a good man. He's waiving the office fee.”
”Do you want me to take her?”
”No, please let me. But I'll have to go talk to her and her parents.”
”I have a suggestion,” Mel said. ”She's very close to the elementary school teacher, Becca Cutler. And you're close in age. You might want to talk to her, enlist her help, maybe take her with you to the Thicksons'. It could give Megan peace of mind.”
Angie waited until the end of the school day to drive over to the elementary school and introduce herself to Becca. When she arrived, she found the day care staff of three still busy with small children in one room and in another she found a pretty young blonde woman on her knees in front of a miniature table, sc.r.a.ping glue and clay off the top. There was a bucket of soapy water beside her.