Page 70 of Luck Be Mine
Sighing when her feet hit the cool comfort of the white tile entryway floor, she stepped on her boots. Geesh. The security camera embedded in the front door dinged, announcing his arrival. Again, she punched in the code, leaving the system idle, and opened the door.
“Hey, Frank. Come on in. I’m running late.” She scooped her boots from the floor.
He followed her into the living room, gazing around. “I haven’t been inside since the kitchen remodel was finished. Look at this.” Frank shifted to check the open room from all angles.
“It’s different with the wall gone, isn’t it?” Cait took a minute to glance around, too.
In place of the wall, the kitchen island had been added with a white marble counter and leather stools. The pearl white walls and the shadow green palate kept a friendly, comfortable vibe throughout the kitchen, living room, and dining room. She’d carried the wall color into the family room, too. The best part had been making it theirs by livening things with artwork, familymemories, service memorabilia, and blue and green colored pillows to make cozy, relaxing spots throughout – safe harbor. Not a place to hide but a place to heal.
“Completely changed the ambience in here. The lighter colors look great. Mrs. Parker tended toward dark colors.”
“I know. God, I never did so much painting in my life.” She stamped into one boot, quickly tying it.
Frank stopped in front of their remembrance wall. She’d opted for a powder blue on the short wall before the entry and had hung Hunt’s medals beside hers, college diplomas, their wedding picture, and a watercolor painting she’d done of their house.
He whistled. “I had no idea you both had so many service medals. Amazing work.”
Cait let memories flow. “It’s a reminder of where we’ve been. I imagine yours looks the same.”
Frank came back to her side. “Haven’t tallied lately, and you aren’t late. I’m early. I have court this morning.” That explained the navy suit. Frank usually wore jeans and a button-down shirt.
“Whew! Staff meeting at QM this morning. Don’t want to be late.” She tied her second boot and gave herself the once over.
“We need to talk about Mrs. Honeycutt.” The ninety-year-old woman lived on the other side of Frank. Lovely lady with a big heart, but she was close to blind and not mobile. Her son frequently checked on her, but Cait and Frank took turns filling in.
Cait signaled to Frank. “Let’s talk in the kitchen. Do you want coffee? Or a muffin? Doogie made them.”
“I’d take a muffin. No time to eat.”
She grabbed one for him and her, poured some coffee in her travel mug, and switched off the pot. “I can check her later.”
Frank took the muffin with a napkin, and frowned. “No need. She fell last night. EMS took her to the hospital. Broken hip.”
Cait gasped. “I missed all that, but I don’t hear anything from the back of the house. Not good news. It might be time for different arrangements for her.” Cait slung her purse over her shoulder and grabbed her keys from the entry way table.
Frank stepped behind her and opened the front door, but they both paused to finish their conversation. “I don’t disagree, but talking to Billy about more appropriate plans is getting me nowhere. He’s avoiding tough decisions, and I get it, but it is still necessary. Can you try?”
“I’ll see if I can snag him and have a curbside chat.”
“Much appreciated. Have you met Shelby, yet?”
Cait smiled. “The new lady across the street from you?”
“Yeah, I think she’s completely moved in now.”
“I haven’t had time, but I want to. Best-selling author who writes my favorite fantasy dragon books? Yes, I’ll visit later today.”
“I want her to feel welcome. Set your alarm, Doc.”
Cait huffed. “Crap, I can’t forget, or I’ll get chastised from all directions. She entered the code and waited for the arming beep. Frank shut the door and pushed the electronic button on the number pad to lock it She fumbled with her car fob and started her new car.
She pulled a face. “What would I do without all this technology?”
“I don’t know, Doc.” He patted his badge and his gun. “I have everything.” He grinned while she grimaced.
They both looked to the street as laughter reached them. “Bus time.” Cait stopped at the top of the steps to monitor the load process.
Frank watched the kids with an eagle eye while devouring the muffin in four bites.
