Page 47 of Burn for Me
He laughed, and just before he hung up, he heard her doorbell ring through the line.
* * *
Where is it?It can’t be gone. Think, think! Where did you last see it? Sweeping an irate arm across the desk, papers, photos, and assorted items went flying, landing on the floor haphazardly. Unmindfully stepping on the jumble of things on the floor, pulling on their hair, they seethed. Where did you put it? Think, think! Knocking their fists against their head, they rocked back and forth, repeating the words like a mantra.
They couldn’t wait anymore. They only hoped she was ready. They’d had to step up the plan. They’d lost it, and now he’d probably figure it out. They couldn’t stay. But they couldn’t leave without her. Even though she wasn’t with the hotshot fire investigator anymore, they couldn’t chance it. She belonged to them, not him.OURS!Hang on, we’re coming, love. Just wait for us.
* * *
Who on earthcould be at the gate? Surely it couldn’t already be Gray. She hadn’t yet heard from him. And she wasn’t expecting any other company tonight. Her mom had popped in to see her, and they’d ended up having a girly night in. Chinese, wine, and girl talk had seemed exactly what she’d needed to distract her.
Getting off her bed, Kitty pulled her clothes straight. She couldn’t help but smile thinking about the phone call she and Gray had just shared. Letting herself out of her room, she saw her mom coming out of the kitchen.
“It’s all right, Mom, I’ve got it.”
“You expecting company, Pussycat?”
“No, not yet. I wonder who it could possibly be.” A frown creased her forehead. “I’m not expecting anyone right now. Maybe it’s one of the girls.”
“You want me to open for you?” her mom asked.
“No, it’s ok. I’ve got it,” Kitty replied, heading for the phone receiver for the gate lock. “Hello?”
“Hi, Kitty. Hi. Um– it’s Arch... Archie. Can I... can I come and speak to you? Please?”
Hearing Archie’s voice, her heart sank. He was definitely the last person she wanted to speak to. She didn’t have the emotional strength to deal with him. But she didn’t have it in her to send him away either. Sighing, she hit the release on the gate.
“Sure, Archie. Come on up.” Sighing again, she hung up, not looking forward to the visit.
Opening the front door, she waited for the lift. Looking toward the elevator doors, all Kitty could see was an enormous bunch of tulips and legs get out on her floor. They were absolutely spectacular. Some deep, vibrant colours of reds, oranges, pinks, and purples, and the pure white of untouched snow. Simply gorgeous.
The huge bunch of flowers and accompanying legs stopped in front of her. Holding the flowers out to her, Archie popped his head out from behind them. Blushing a bright red, he ducked his head when he saw her looking at him instead of the bright blooms.
“Hey, Kitty, Hi.”
“Hey, Archie.”
“These are– um, these are for you.”
“They’re lovely. Thank you.” Standing back, Kitty invited him in.
Directing him down the passage, she told him to go on ahead to the living room. Her mom got to her feet as they came into the room.
“Oh, those are lovely. Let me get them into some water for you, Pussycat.”
“Mom, I don’t know if you remember him, but this is Archie Durwood. We were at school together.”
“Yes, I remember you going to school with an Archie. Hello, dear. Nice to see you again.”
“Evening, ma’am,” Archie lisped. His colour deepening again.
“If you’ll both excuse me, I’ll go pop these into some water.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
Giving her a loving smile, her mother left the room.
“Have a seat, Archie. Can I get you anything to drink?”
