LITMIR.BIZ

      Chapter Eleven

      AFTER LEAVING THE park, Charlotte found herself driving aimlessly before she thought about where to go. Since she had instinctively headed toward town, she parked near the center and stopped by the City Market, something she hadn’t done in years.

      After a cup of coffee and some self-scrutiny, she wandered through the stalls, buying a pound of fresh red pepper linguine she knew Harmony would like, along with honey and eggs. The last vendor was selling woven baskets, and on impulse she bought one and filled it with another vendor’s fragrant handmade soaps, which bore romantic names like Moon Lady’s Ocean and Ginger Grass and Silk. She was glad she had come, because she knew exactly who to give the basket to, if she dared.

      She pulled out her cell phone and got Samantha’s address by calling Falconview and asking the receptionist to scout directories. Five minutes later she was on her way.

      Ten minutes after that she pulled up to a tiny brick cottage not far from the street where Taylor lived. The house was substantially smaller than those around it, with a front yard gobbled up by a circular driveway and what looked like a complete absence of yard in the back. Now Charlotte understood why Samantha and Edna spent so much time at the park.

      A yellow Volkswagen was parked in the driveway, and Charlotte thought she’d probably found them at home. Before she could think too hard, she took a deep breath, tucked the basket under an arm and made her way to the front door to ring the bell. Laughter spilled out through open windows, and in a moment Edna answered the door.

      “I’ve seen you at the park,” she said in greeting.

      “Yes, you have,” Charlotte said. “My name’s Charlotte.” Up close the child was even prettier than she’d expected, but of course, her mother was stunning. Edna had green eyes set off by her coffee-and-cream skin, and her shining black hair fell in curls to just above her shoulders. Tiny hoops adorned her earlobes, and her smile was beyond magnificent.

      “I brought your mother a present,” Charlotte said, “but I bet you’ll enjoy it, too.” She handed the basket to Edna, who rummaged through, picking up the first bar of soap to sniff it.

      “This smells good!”

      “I liked it, too.”

      “Mom?” Edna shouted. Samantha, who probably could have heard a whisper in the tiny house, came out wiping her hands on a dishtowel. She stopped when she saw who their visitor was, then she smiled.

      “Come in, Charlotte.”

      Edna ran over to show her the basket, while a relieved Charlotte stepped inside and closed the door behind her.

      “This is lovely,” Samantha said. “Edna, why don’t you put the basket in the bathroom? And choose a soap you’d like for your bath tonight.”

      Edna turned, basket in hand. “Thank you,” she told Charlotte. Then she took off.

      “Thank you from me, as well,” Samantha said. “But you know—”

      “That I didn’t have to do it?” Charlotte found herself relaxing. “I know, but I wanted to. I think you’ve gone out on a limb for me, and for no good reason I can think of.”

      “Except that I understand how much you probably wish you could know Maddie. Come sit down. Iced tea or hot?”

      “Whatever’s easiest.”

      Charlotte made herself at home on a comfortable slipcovered sofa and took a glass of iced tea when Samantha returned with a tray. She added lemon and a packet of sugar before she spoke.

      “I think I’ve put you in an awkward situation. I take it you and Taylor are friends? And you haven’t told her about seeing me at the park?”

      “We’ve been friends since the Academy. Of course she was younger than I was, but a kindred spirit. Neither of us was comfortable there. Now, of course, we have daughters in common.”

      “I love watching Edna at the park. She’s quite a diplomat, in the best possible way.”

      “I only recognized you last week. How long have you been coming?”

      “At first just on and off. Then… Well, a lot recently.”

      “I haven’t told Taylor.”

      Charlotte wasn’t surprised, given Samantha’s kindness so far. “I want to talk to her, Samantha. Do you think she might listen?”

      Samantha was silent for a long time. Charlotte watched as she doctored her tea. She wore a purple T-shirt with sequins sprinkled over swirls of violet, and denim shorts that showcased her long legs. Her movements as she lifted the cup, added sugar and lemon, were like waves in a gentle ocean. Charlotte understood why Edna was so graceful.

      “I don’t think she will,” Samantha said at last. “And I’m sure it won’t help to have anyone else plead your case.”

      “I would never ask you to do that, but this can’t go on. Nobody should have to keep secrets for me. I never meant to involve anybody else.”

      “You must feel so frustrated.”

      “That’s the least I deserve.”

      Samantha was silent, and Charlotte was glad the younger woman didn’t deny it or make excuses for her.

      “This has gone on so long, this trouble between the two of you,” Samantha said at last. “I know time can heal, but sometimes it can magnify pain. I’m afraid that’s what’s happened with this.”

      “Do you have a suggestion?”

      “Did you know they’re back to square one on medication for Maddie’s seizures? That’s why she wasn’t at the park today. So this is a stressful time for Taylor. Maybe not the best moment to pop back into her life.”

      Charlotte wanted every detail, but she knew she had no right to information. Still, she had to ask. “I appreciate the warning, but is there anything at all you can you tell me about Maddie’s condition? Without feeling like you’re betraying Taylor?”

      “You probably already know she has temporal lobe epilepsy and they’re on a roller coaster ride. They’re looking for the perfect combination of medications to halt the seizures, but from the reading I’ve done in my nursing journals, I’m not sure it’s that easy. Taylor and her doctor are determined, though.”