Page 21 of Lost in Love
Katherine grinned back and looped her arm around his. “So would I. It’s a date.”
Anna rolled her eyes. “Don’t encourage him!” She hadn’t told her dad that, despite being too old for Katherine, he didn’t stand a chance with her because he wasn’t her type. “If you’re sure it won’t put you out? He uses a beaker for his tea. I’m sure he’ll show you.”
“I’ve had experience with Parkinson’s patients before. Don’t worry.”
Anna felt a sense of relief at being able to get back to work on time. She gave them both a smile and hurried off to the checkout counter, keen to get her head in the books as soon as possible.
* * *
Anna had never been so grateful for the walk home being so short. She’d taken the maximum number of books from the library at lunchtime and had contemplated leaving some in the meeting room at work but decided against it in case she could manage to get an hour to work later that evening.
She knew it was unlikely, but she was excited to get back to where she had left off on medieval Nunswick. She knew she would have to contain her excitement until tomorrow when she could get back to it between tours.
Having been so preoccupied with her new project, she hadn’t even thought about dinner. Her nostrils flared at an aroma coming from one of the neighbouring houses. Her stomach rumbled, reminding her she’d skipped lunch again.
She turned the key in the door and opened it, only to be met with the inviting aroma at full strength. She drew in a nervous breath, wondering if her dad had decided to try and make dinner again.
Anna blinked and wondered if she’d walked into the right house. It was tidy and clean. The raucous laughter of her dad came across the living room as he watched the television; it was the right house.
Anna hung up her coat.
“You all right, Dad?” Anna asked, admiring the tidy sitting room.
“Never better,” he replied. “Can you smell that? Proper grub.”
Anna was about to question what the food she provided him was but was more intrigued by what was going on in the kitchen to bother. She entered the kitchen cautiously, unsure what she was about to find.
What she did find was Katherine, apron strapped on, hair tied back, with glasses perched on her nose. Anna felt her whole body fizz at the sight of her and gulped. It took her a moment to even question her presence, but she eventually gave way under the weight of the books she was holding.
“What’s going on?” Anna asked, setting the books on the dining table. “I thought you were just going to see him home after the library. You must have been here all afternoon” — she leaned down to peer through the glass door of the oven — “cooking lasagne.”
Katherine removed the apron and placed it on the back of the kitchen door.
“Before you shout and tell me I’m overstepping the mark, which I completely understand I am — ”
Anna interrupted. “I’m not shouting. I probably should be, but someone told to me watch my stress levels and I don’t like to cross her.”
“Well, he explained how he’d been struggling to read lately as he can’t turn the pages as well, and one of the library books he chose I wanted to read, so it made sense for me to read it to him. I hope you don’t mind.”
Katherine sounded a little flustered, and Anna found she enjoyed watching the doctor squirm for a change.
“And the lasagne? I don’t even have the ingredients to make that in the house.”
“I nipped to the shop,” Katherine replied sheepishly. “Look, I enjoy cooking, but I have no one to cook for. You and your dad are practically doing me a favour. Speaking of favours, you can do me one in return actually.”
Anna grinned. “Oh, here we go; now it all comes out.”
Katherine laughed. “No, I just wanted to come back and read to Harry, if you don’t mind.”
“Are you doing this because I was promoted and you don’t think I can handle it all?”
“No. I know by now not to question your abilities. I’m doing it as I’m lonely and I’d like some company. Plus, we’re book buddies now.” She nodded towards Harry.
“She’s reading to me,” Harry called over to Anna, not taking his eyes off the television.
“I can’t let you do all this. You barely know me.”
“Well then, we need to change that, starting with dinner at my house. How does Saturday sound? Bring your books if you need to.” Katherine tapped the pile on the table.
