Page 46 of Forgotten Path
“I’m looking for my steroid cream. Didn’t you pick it up the last time you were at the pharmacy?”
Her frown slid off her face and concern sparked in her eyes. “Oh, no. I didn’t get there in time. Rhoda closed early to visit her daughter at college. Is it bad again?” She scanned his exposed skin for evidence of the rash that sometimes got worse, sometimes got better, but never went away.
He shrugged. “It’s been worse.”
Anxiety radiated off her like waves, and he felt guilty about that. But it was better to worry her unnecessarily than to let her think he was a thief.
“I’m so sorry,” she fretted, wringing her hands.
“It’s okay. You tried,” he said magnanimously.
“Let me make you breakfast since you’re up so early.” She puttered over to the refrigerator and pulled out the carton of eggs and the container of milk. “French toast or pancakes?”
“French toast sounds great.”
She flapped a hand at him. “You go soak in a colloidal oatmeal bath while I get this on the stove and start some coffee.”
He crossed the room and kissed the crown of her head. “Thanks, Gran.”
She clutched his arm with her birdlike hand. “I shouldn’t have accused you of stealing from me. Will you forgive me?”
“Of course. Hey, isn’t the food pantry open today? Why don’t I go with you and help?”
She beamed and patted his cheek. “That would be wonderful. You’re a good boy, Craig. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
He forced a smile and hurried out of the kitchen. He couldn’t remember the last time he felt like such a heel. He reminded himself to focus on the big picture and tried to shake off the gross feeling that clung to him like plastic wrap.
CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX
“Brianna?”
She raised her head from the report she was editing and eyed Leah, who hovered in the doorway to her office. “What’s up?”
“There’s a man down at reception asking for you. He’s not on your calendar. Should I have them send him away?”
She dropped her pen and lifted both hands. “I don’t know, Leah. Who is he?”
Her assistant flushed. “Sorry. He said his name is Dr. King. Bodhi King.”
Brianna’s stomach tightened, and she clenched her jaw. She should have expected this. Leaving that note had been a mistake. A stupid, stupid mistake. She’d regretted writing it as soon as she’d driven away. In fact, she’d almost gone back and snatched it off the Jeep’s windshield.
But the same thing that had stopped her last night made her hesitate now. Someone had taken those environmental records from the old mill. Someone was trying to hide what was going on. And she had a sinking feeling she knew who that someone was. If she was right, she was going to need help. And Bodhi King could help her.
Leah watched her face, patiently waiting for her to respond.
“Oh. No, tell them to send him up. And hold my calls, please.”
“You’ve got it.”
Leah left, and Brianna used the time it took for Bodhi to reach her floor and for Leah to lead him back to her office to organize her thoughts and steady her nerves. Leah showed him in and pulled the door closed behind her as she left to return to her desk.
“Good morning,” he said as he took the seat across from Brianna’s desk. “Thanks for seeing me without an appointment.”
“Of course. What can I do for you, Dr. King?” She was pleased to hear that her voice sounded professional, pleasant, and blandly neutral despite the rocking and pitching of her stomach.
He leaned forward and gave her an intense look. “That was going to be my question.”
“What? I don’t know what you mean.”
