SUICIDAL SUSPICIONS: A Kate Huntington Mystery (The Kate Huntington Mystery Series Book 8) by Kassandra Lamb

Author:Kassandra Lamb [Lamb, Kassandra]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: misterio press LLC
Published: 2015-10-27T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Maria surprised them by returning home from her weekend off at dinnertime on Sunday.

Kate was heating up leftovers while Skip was upstairs overseeing the preparation of backpacks for school the next day, making sure all homework was accounted for.

“Aren’t you having dinner with Eduardo tonight?” Kate asked. She always felt a little weird saying the man’s name, since she had sometimes teasingly called her first husband Eduardo.

“No,” Maria said. “I tell him I need time to tink.”

“Think about what?”

Maria stood still in the middle of the kitchen, staring into space for a moment. Then she shook herself and said, “He propose to me today.”

Kate’s mouth fell open. “He asked you to marry him?”

That’s a little quick, Señor Eduardo. She kept that thought to herself.

“Sí.” Maria clasped her hands together in front of her. “I not sure what to do.”

“Do you love him?” It wasn’t a question Kate had dared to ask before, but Maria seemed to be inviting input.

The little woman tilted her head to one side. “I tink I do.”

Kate’s stomach knotted. “You only think so?”

Maria nodded once, firmly. “Sí. I do. But it so complicated with de children and all.” She stared meaningfully across the room.

Kate turned. Her son was standing in the doorway. “Billy, go tell your sister to wash up for dinner, and you do the same.” It wouldn’t buy them much time, but…

“Okay, Mommy.” Billy bolted for the stairs.

Skip stepped into the doorway. “All set for tomorrow…” His voice trailed off as he stared at Maria.

Kate turned back to her. Maria had covered her face with her hands and was crying.

“Oh my God!” Kate grabbed her by the shoulders and guided her to the table, ignoring the ding of the microwave behind her.

Skip pulled out a chair for Maria. They all sat down.

“What is it?” Kate asked gently.

Maria swiped at her cheeks with the back of her hand. Skip fished his handkerchief out of his pocket and handed it to her.

“Gracias.” She blew her nose, then looked at them with sad eyes. “I no want to leave you.”

For a selfish moment, Kate was tempted to encourage her to turn down the marriage proposal. She couldn’t imagine their household without Maria.

She pushed her own feelings aside. “You will still be a part of our family, always.”

Maria teared up again. “I no can imagine not seeing Billy and Edie every day. Dey like my own children.”

Kate leaned over and hugged her. “We’ll work something out so you see them regularly. Don’t let that stop you from grabbing at this… chance for love.”

At having your own life, she thought but didn’t say out loud.

Skip grinned. “We’ll be happy to dump the rug rats on you as often as you like.”

Maria smiled, even as a fresh tear broke loose and trickled down her cheek. “You tink I should do it then?”

“I think you should do whatever you want to do,” Kate said. “Whatever will make you happy.”

Skip nodded.

Maria’s head bobbed up and down. Then she rose from her chair.

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