She sat up once again and wiped the tears from her eyes. “Mom,” she said, swallowing her sobs and answering the call.
“Kristine, I just wanted to say…”
“Mom,” she interrupted, “the fire marshal called.”
“Oh. Okay. I’d like to hear what he had to say, of course, but may we talk about that in a moment? First, I’d like to…”
“No, Mom. We need to talk right now,” she said firmly.
Her mother detected the seriousness to her tone. “What is it, Kristine?”
“Mom, on the day of the fire, did you fry fritters?”
“Of course… Well, I mean, Lori did, while I worked the front counter. Why?”
“According to the fire marshal, the fire ignited because the oil became too hot.” She sighed wearily. “The fire marshal said that a water bottle fell into the fryer. I guess the overheated oil exploded, thanks to both the plastic water bottle and the introduction of water into the hot oil.”
Her mother gasped. “That’s … impossible. How could a water bottle have…?” Ruth drew silent on the end of the phone line, apparently processing. “Wait a minute. It was an accident. I mean, surely it was… Oh, Lord. They’re going to think Lori did it on purpose,” she said, as the seriousness of the situation gripped her. “Oh, heaven help us. We’re not going to get an insurance settlement. We’re going to lose everything,” she said, near hysterical with fear.
“It could happen,” Kristine said with a sigh.
“But, Lori wouldn’t…” Her words trailed off.
Lori wouldn’t?
Kristine wasn’t so sure and she was certain her mother had some serious reservations about Lori’s innocence, as well.
Kristine signed off, too weary to talk anymore. She craved sleep and after tending to Gracie’s needs, headed upstairs. Gracie trotted alongside her as she headed to the master bedroom. Desperate for a good’s night sleep, and since she had an early morning, she got ready for bed and then dropped onto the mattress.
It had to be the most comfortable she’d ever lain on. She pressed her hand into the softness, noting it was a luxury latex model. When Gracie leapt onto the bed and lay down beside her, she smiled ruefully. “You are one spoiled dog,” she said with a yawn, as she quickly drifted off to sleep.
She woke early, her internal alarm clock alerting her that it was time to start her day. She remembered she had a long drive ahead of her. She dashed into the bathroom for a moment, and then hurried to let Gracie outside. She stood in the open doorway, to assure the dog didn’t leap over the fence again.
Gracie did her business and walked around the lawn, seemingly enthralled by the dewy grass. She approached every plant, pressing her nose against as many as she could manage before Kristine called her inside.
Hesitant to leave her yard, Gracie walked slowly toward her and watched her expectantly. “Hurry along,” Kristine said, “and we’ll get you fed.”
She turned and entered the kitchen, Gracie at her heels. She scooped up a serving of food and carried it outside and to Gracie’s dog run. She dropped it into an empty bowl within the run. Gracie seemed hesitant to enter, but couldn’t resist a meal. She trotted inside and began eating.
Before going into the house to get ready to leave, Kristine located a hose and pulled it toward Gracie’s run. She cleaned out and refilled a large bowl with fresh water, assured the door was secured, and bid the dog goodbye. Gracie whined and pressed her nose through an opening in the cyclone fencing. “I’ll see you this evening,” Kristine promised.
She went back into the house and after showering, got dressed, applied her minimal makeup, and went out to her car. She started it up and turned it around, so she could drive nose first down the long driveway.
After traffic abated on the main roadway, she pulled out and drove to the interstate. She turned in the direction of Norton. Some three hours later, she arrived in the town and found the hospital, per directions she found on her smart phone. Joe had texted her he would be waiting for her in the waiting room on the south side of the hospital and on the fourth floor.
She easily located the waiting room and he was there, as promised. When he spotted her, he rose from his seat with a smile. She crossed the distance to him, and to her surprise, he pulled her into his arms and held her close. “I’m so glad you’re here,” he said. “It’s good of you to come.”
“It’s no problem,” she assured him. “I’m happy to be here.”
He released her with a sigh and ran a hand through his hair. “Dad is being prepped for surgery now. One of the nurses said I’ll be allowed to see him before he’s taken to the operating room.”
Joe took her hand and led her to a chair. He sat down and she took the seat beside him. He turned toward her and searched her face. “Did you get any sleep?”
She nodded. “I did. How ‘bout you?”
He shook his head. “Not much. I guess you can’t help but worry when your dad is having heart surgery.”
“No, I imagine not,” she said, giving his hand a squeeze. “Try not to worry. I’m sure he’ll be fine.”
“So the doctors tell me,” he said, smiling hopefully. “I just want him through this surgery and well on the way to recovery.”
“I understand.”
The two remained silent for a moment, lost to their respective thoughts. “Hey, any word from the fire marshal?” he asked.
“I’m afraid so,” she answered with a sigh.
He sensed the news wasn’t good by the look on her face. “Oh, boy. What’s going on?”
She quickly explained the fire marshal had relayed the reasons for the bakery blaze. She expressed her fears that the insurance company might not pay out if they believed Lori had deliberately set the fire.
“Surely Lori didn’t do it on purpose,” he said, though he didn’t sound entirely convinced himself. He sat silently, apparently processing. “Regardless, Krissy, they can’t prove anything,” he said finally. “Besides, accidents happen.”
Kristine gasped with surprise. Though it was hardly comforting, Joe he was right. How could they prove malice on Lori’s part? The fire might have resulted from human error, but there was really no reason to believe it was intentional. She desperately wanted to believe Lori had simply made a mistake.
She hadn’t worked in the bakery for so long, it wasn’t unreasonable to think she’d forgotten much of what she knew about the day-to-day operation of Branton’s. When she’d worked in the past, she hadn’t been especially conscientious.
Kristine shrugged away the worry for now. She wanted to be present for Joe.
A nurse entered the waiting room and spotted her and Joe. “Mr. Lancaster…”
He rose. “Yes?”
“You can see your father now,” she said smiling.
He turned to Kristine. “Will you come with me? I’d like for you to meet him.”
“Sure.”
She followed him down the hallway and into a room. Though there were two beds, his father was alone in the room, his bed next to the window. He turned when Joe said hello.
“Son,” he said, watching Joe expectantly.
“Dad, I’d like you to meet Krissy. She’s a…” His words dwindled and he smiled awkwardly.
Kristine came to the rescue. She understood his uncertainty as to how to classify their relationship. “Hello, Mr. Lancaster. I’m a friend of Joe’s. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
He held out his hand and she was quick to step closer and grasp it. She was surprised at the strength in his grip. “I’m pleased to meet you,” he said, smiling. “I wish it could have been in a different setting and under different circumstances.”
She gave him a reassuring smile in response.
“Thank you for keeping my son company today,” he said. “He’s very worried, but I’ve assured him, my number isn’t up yet.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear that,” she said. She turned toward the door when a nurse entered.
“It’s t
ime for us to take Mr. Lancaster to surgery,” she informed.
Joe nodded and clutched his dad’s shoulder. When he bent and gave him a kiss on the cheek, Kristine’s heart swelled. Anyone could see father and son were very close.
“You’re going to be fine,” Joe said.
His father nodded.
Kristine gave him a reassuring smile. “We’ll see you soon.”
They left the room, just as the nurse was securing his IV for transport. Joe led her back to the waiting room, where he crossed the room and sat down. Kristine joined him.
He leaned forward in the seat, rested his elbows on his knees, and clasped his hands together. He emitted a long, weary sigh.
“He’ll be fine,” Kristine said, reaching for his hand.
He held onto her hand, even as he sat up in the seat. He regarded their entwined hands for a long moment. “Thanks for coming,” he said for the second time.
“It’s no problem,” she assured him.
“Hey, you drove three hours at the crack of dawn to sit with me during my father’s surgery—a man you’ve never even met. I owe you.”
“You do not.”
“And… You’re presently house and dog sitting for me, for which I am also eternally grateful. That Gracie can be a handful.”
It was her turn to sigh. She hated to tell him about Gracie damaging his couch, but decided he’d given her an opening, and that she’d better just get it over with. “Joe,” she said wanly, regretfully. “About that… Um…”
“What’d she do?” he said, unsuccessfully biting back a smile.
“You won’t be smiling when I tell you,” she said,
“Oh, really?” he said with a wince. “Is it bad?”
“Um, well, yeah. And I’m sorry. And I’ll pay for the damage…”
“You will do no such thing!” he said, incredulous. “It’s not your fault Gracie is, as I said before, a handful.”
“No, I mean… Well, if I’d been watching her better, it wouldn’t have happened. But anyway, my mom and sister happened to stop by your place—sort of took me by surprise. So… I was dealing with them and didn’t really think about Gracie…”
“Did she run past you when the door was open?”
“I wish,” she murmured, averting her eyes.
He squeezed her hand. “Just tell me. It can’t be that bad.”
“Oh, it’s bad enough,” she mumbled and ventured a glance his way. She definitely had his attention now. He was looking slightly pale.
“Okay, I’ll just say it. She chewed up your couch,” she said the words in a rush and almost of their own volition, her hands covered her face. After a moment, she spread her fingers in order to see his face. To her surprise, he looked totally calm. “Aren’t you angry?”
“I’m not especially happy with Gracie at this particular moment, but Kristine, it’s a matter of perspective. It’s a couch.” He gave a shrug and said under his breath, “A very expensive couch…” He gave himself a shake. “But when your dad is in surgery, it sort of makes you realize what’s really important.”
“I will pay for the damage,” Kristine insisted, her face contorted in misery every time she saw an image of the tattered armrest in her mind’s eye.
Joe rose to a standing position and extended a hand to her. She hesitantly reached out to him and he pulled her up and into his arms. He gathered her against him. “Don’t worry about the couch,” he whispered.
“She also ate one of your throw pillows and one of your slippers.”
He pulled back, his expression rueful. “How long did you leave her unattended?”
When he saw the mortified expression on her face, he burst out laughing. “I’m kidding! She’s still a puppy. Puppies chew on things.”
He held her for a long moment. When he released her, he searched her face. “It’s okay,” he assured her. “I’m not worried about the couch. If the damage isn’t too bad, I’ll simply have it reupholstered.”
Kristine refrained from mentioning that Gracie had torn the fabric from the armrest and exposed the wood. Her tooth marks told the tale.
“I need coffee,” Joe said suddenly. “How ‘bout you?”
“Sure, but I’ll get it.”
She crossed the room to a coffee maker and poured two cups. She turned. “Cream or sugar or both?” she asked.
“Black,” he said, as he dropped into the chair again.
She rejoined him and passed him his coffee. She took the seat beside him again. He took a sip of the coffee and then began fidgeting with the cup as he lifted the lid and replaced it. He repeated the action several times. Next, his right leg began to jump. Finally, he turned toward her and his eyes widened as if he remembered something he needed to discuss with her.
“Oh, Kristine, with all the commotion lately, I forgot to ask, but what did Devon mean the other day when he said…?”
Kristine’s heart skipped a beat when she understood what he was asking her. When her phone rang, she felt incredible relief. It couldn’t have happened at a better time.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” she said with a wince. “Excuse me, please. I really need to take this.”
Chapter Twenty-one
Kristine stepped out of the hospital waiting room and into the hallway to take the call. She hoped she wasn’t breaking any rules by being on the phone.
“Hello,” she said.
“Kristine! I’ve been trying to reach you!” Lori cried. “Mom told me about the call from the Fire Marshal. I’ve been wracking my brain, trying to remember if I left a water bottle near the fryer.”
Unsure how to respond, Kristine remained silent.
“Kristine, are you there?”
“I’m here.”
“I remember getting a water out of the fridge in the back, but... I don’t recall setting it down. Could I have put it on the shelf above the fryer? Would I have?”
Kristine remained silent, allowing her to process. She couldn’t provide any answers, since she wasn’t at work the day of the fire.
“It’s been so long since I’ve helped out at the bakery and I’ve been so distracted…” She drew silent. “No! I wouldn’t have left the bottle where it could have fallen in.” She perked up. “Is it possible you may have left…?”
“No!” Kristine cried, aghast. “Don’t even go there, Lori. I’m not taking the blame for this. I may have stupidly covered for you when we were kids, but I’m done. It’s time you took responsibility for yourself and your own actions.”
She heard Lori sniffle at the end of the phone line. “I can’t believe this. I think Mom believes I caused the fire—on purpose!” she shrieked. “You planted that particular seed, didn’t you?” she accused.
“No, Lori, I didn’t. But I’m afraid I have to go now.”
“Kristine! No. Please. I’m sorry.” She detected the change in her sister’s breathing. It came in ragged puffs. “Oh, God, Kristine. What if the insurance company won’t pay? We won’t be able to rebuild.”
“You don’t want to rebuild,” she reminded her.
“That’s not true… The truth is, I don’t know what I want. Branton’s has been a part of our lives since we were born. It’s not so easy to accept the idea that it may cease to exist.”
Kristine considered her words. She struggled to detect deception in her sister’s voice, but Lori was so practiced at lying, there was simply no way to discern if she was being disingenuous.
“I need to talk to Joe,” she said suddenly. “He’ll know what to do.”
The declaration took Kristine by surprise, shocking her into silence.
“Yes, that’s exactly what I’ll do,” she said sounding relieved. “We’re having dinner late this evening. I’ll talk to him then.”
Kristine felt as if she’d been slapped in the face. How could Lori lie so readily? “Isn’t Joe still in Norton?” she asked her.
“Uh, yes. But he’s driving home for our date,” Lori answered, sounding smug. “It’ll be early morning bef
ore he gets back to the hospital, but he says I’m worth the loss of sleep.” She laughed coyly.
“Okaaay,” Kristine said. “I’m staying at his house, but he didn’t inform me he was coming home? That seems odd.”
“Well, Kristine…” She laughed scornfully. “You know how it is.”
“No, Lori, I really don’t.”
Having heard enough of her sister’s lies, she decided to end the conversation. She did make one parting statement: “You might want to have a conversation with Chad, rather than Joe,” she suggested, “being as he’s an attorney…”
She heard Lori’s gasp of surprise. “Do you really think I need an attorney?”
She hung up the phone without answering. She remained standing in the hallway for a moment. She realized her heart was pounding and her blood pressure had risen. She felt slightly dizzy and breathed deeply, to slow her heart rate, as she struggled to calmly revisit her conversation with her sister.
Lori lied so easily. What was she thinking, telling her Joe was in town? If she was going to tell such brazen lies, she might want to do some fact checking first.
It obviously hadn’t even crossed her mind that Kristine might drive to the hospital in Norton to sit with Joe during his father’s surgery. She probably believed the lie was a safe bet, and that Kristine was currently at Joe’s house.
With a steadying breath, she was about to reenter the waiting room when a nurse walked past her. She hurried in behind her.
“Mr. Lancaster,” she said. “Your father’s surgery is going well. We’ll continue to keep you updated.”
“Thank you,” he said, relief etched on his face.
The nurse left and Kristine took the seat beside Joe again. She prayed he wouldn’t remember the question he had asked just before she had taken the phone call. Lest he bring it up, she began talking first, as a diversionary tactic.
“That was Lori,” she told him. “Mom told her about the Fire Marshal’s call.”
“Oh, wow,” he said, making a worried face. “How’d she take it?”
“Not very well. She doesn’t recall leaving a water bottle anywhere near the fryer.” She gave a defeated shrug. “If only I’d gone into work, none of this would have happened.”
The Icing on the Cake Page 16