Page 199 of Valor

“That may be good advice,” Oliver rubbed his chin. “Is that what you want to do?”

“I don’t know. I have only seen it once, in a picture.”

Oliver caught her gaze.

“You don’t think it’s safe to visit the mill?” She said under her breath.

“Hmm.” He frowned.

“You think the break-in has something to do with that man?”

“Yes.”

“But we have seen him in the mall parking lot.”

“Yeah, but that leads me to think that there might be more people involved.”

Meghan sucked in a breath. “Good point. But I want to see it anyway.”

“Sorry, I bother,” Mrs. Skala said, entering the living room with a tray of small open-face sandwiches. The tiny morsels of delicious cheese, cured meats, egg, and pickles were arranged with such precision that Meghan wondered if they were too pretty to eat. Oliver’s mom set everything right in front of Meghan.

“Eat. Is good.” A wide smile broke on her face.

“Thank you, but this is too much.”

“Is nothing,” Oliver’s mom said, slightly waving her hand to dispel Meghan’s worries. She pushed the tray closer to her and headed back to the kitchen.

Not wanting to offend, Meghan picked up one of the tiny sandwiches.

“Thank you.”

Mrs. Skala turned around, visibly pleased.

Meghan bit into the small slice of bread.

“Delicious,” she said with her mouth still full as she waved the sandwich in the air.

Mrs. Skala beamed with joy. “Good?” She asked with a slight nod.

“Yummy.” Meghan swallowed and reached for her coffee. “Too much,” she said, setting the cup down and patting her belly.

Oliver’s mom waved her hand and chuckled.

“You too skinny.”

That made Meghan giggle because this sweet woman was the first person in her entire life to call her that.

“Mami,” Oliver started, and then a torrent of incomprehensible words followed.

The woman looked a little surprised, then shrugged.

“Okay?” She looked at her guest.

“What did you tell her?” Meghan asked.

“That we are going out and will be back for dinner.”

A short question interrupted his reply as Mrs. Skala tapped her lips.

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