All for One by Melody Carlson

Author:Melody Carlson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Four Lindas, fiction
Publisher: David C. Cook
Published: 2011-09-08T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

JANIE

As the measuring tape snapped back into its case, Janie heard someone calling her name. Thinking it was probably the floor guys here to start installing the carpet and wood floors as planned, she yelled back up the stairs, “I’m down here.”

She stepped back to study the wall she’d been measuring, trying to decide if that was really the best spot for her bookshelves, when she observed Victor walking toward her. Recovering from her shock, she pushed a strand of hair away from her face and smiled. “Hey, you’re not the floor guys.”

“I … uh … well, I noticed your car out front and figured you must be here.” His tone was uncertain and apologetic. “I hope you don’t mind me dropping in on you like this.”

“No, of course not.” She set the tape measure on a sawhorse. “I was just trying to make some decisions about furniture placement, basically killing time until the installers arrived. They were supposed to get started on the floor this afternoon.” She glanced at her watch. “Apparently they’re running late.”

“Well, I’m sure you’re busy, but I just hoped we could talk a bit … finish up our conversation from yesterday.”

She waved her hand around the basement. “As you can see, I can’t invite you to sit down. But Abby’s started placing some of the furnishings upstairs. Do you want to go up there? As far as I know, no one else is in the house right now.”

“Sure.” He waited for her to lead the way.

“Abby’s been working really hard to get some things ready,” she told him as they went up. “Donna’s room—or what Abby hopes will be Donna’s room—is all set, and it looks really great.” She knew she was jabbering on, but she couldn’t stop herself. She told him about Caroline’s mom passing, and how Caroline would be moving in here too. He followed her into the dining room, where a table and chairs were set up, and Janie kept on talking. “Abby got this set a few days ago. I think it goes nicely in here. And she’s getting some chairs for the parlor.” More nervous blathering, but she didn’t know what else to say.

They sat down on opposite sides of the rustic pine plank table, looking at each other for a long, quiet moment. Not wanting to start rambling on again and hoping to get her bearings, Janie pressed her lips together and waited, hoping Victor would take the hint and begin this conversation. After all, he was the one who’d initiated it.

“So …” He took in a deep breath. “As I mentioned yesterday, Ben and I observed you with Steve Fuller at Barney’s. We saw you two holding hands, gazing into each others’ eyes. It seemed rather obvious—and as I said, Ben jumped to the same conclusion—we both assumed that you and Steve were, well, involved. Or getting involved.”

Janie slowly nodded. “That was a natural assumption, Victor. I gave this some thought yesterday, and I understand how you might jump to a conclusion like that.

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