Secrets and Lies by Amity Hope

Author:Amity Hope [Hope, Amity]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 1494468808
Amazon: B00HWUWV2G
Published: 2014-01-14T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 13

“I’ve always wanted to learn how to play pinochle,” Seth said.

I was laughing inside at his ability to make such a proclamation with a straight face. We had only gotten halfway across the commons area before we were waved over to a table. Apparently, this group had given up on me. Instead, they were hopefully eyeing up Seth.

“By all means you should learn to play!” Estelle proclaimed.

“Have a seat, boy,” Lou ordered.

“But be quick about it,” Hector grumped. “We ain’t got all day.”

I slid an arm around his waist anchoring him in place. “Sorry. We’re not staying. I just wanted to check in with Paula for a minute.”

“Well, let the boy have a seat while you go running off. Maybe we can teach him a thing or two by the time you get back,” Lou offered up.

I gave Lou a knowing look. I knew exactly what he was trying to do. First, Seth would take a seat. Then he’d get a quick rundown of the rules. Then they’d tell him he couldn’t possibly leave until he tried his hand at a game. Then they’d try to convince him that he needed to play another round or two because he needed the practice.

Yes, I’d been there, done that. Many times, actually. They could be a sneaky bunch.

I pulled my gaze away from a grinning Lou and turned to Seth.

He shrugged but wore an amused expression. “Sure. That’s fine.”

I held up my open hand to Lou and wiggled my fingers. “Five minutes, Lou. Then I get Seth back.”

He tipped his head at me in acknowledgement, not necessarily agreement. Satisfied that I’d get Seth back eventually, I slipped away from him and headed toward the kitchen as he moved to take a seat.

“Seth?” Ida asked as she squinted at him. “Seth Ryerson?”

“Yes ma'am,” I heard him say as I glanced over my shoulder.

“Well, I’ll be,” she said as she leaned back in her chair. She turned to Estelle. “Isn’t Lily just the spitting image of him?”

Her words didn’t just stop me in my tracks, they spun me back around, heading me right back to the table where I’d left Seth only moments before.

Estelle widened her watery blue eyes in surprise. The action was accentuated by her huge, thick lenses. She looked like an owl blinking back at her friend.

Seth turned to me, a shocked look on his face. I shook my head, letting him know I had no idea what was going on.

“Did you say he looks like Lily?” I asked as I reached out to place a hand on his shoulder.

“I believe what I said was that Lily looks like him,” Ida admitted.

“You know Lily?” I asked.

“I do.”

“Do you know Joanne?” I demanded, realizing she must if she knew her daughter.

“I do,” she repeated with a sniff. She glanced at Estelle who wore the expression of someone who’d gulped some sour milk. Estelle looked at Ida and gave her the big owl-eyed look again.

“You know my mom?” Seth asked, looking stunned.

Never

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