The Christmas Clock and A Song For My Mother: A Kat Martin Duo by Kat Martin

Author:Kat Martin [Martin, Kat]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781647342395
Publisher: Wolfpack Publishing
Published: 2020-12-08T18:00:00+00:00

2

In the early-morning hours after Marly and Katie’s arrival, it rained, just a light sprinkling that cleared the air, a perfect little storm that left the day sunny and clear.

Winnie Maddox sat at the kitchen table that afternoon, staring out at the garden and thinking it was time to plant. It was strange having Marly home again after so many years. It was strange and wonderful to have her darling granddaughter there in the house.

Oh, the little girl was precious. She reminded Winnie so much of Marly it made her heart hurt. They were both tall and slender, with those pretty blue eyes that had come from Marly’s father. Not Marly’s no-good husband, Burly, who’d had blue eyes, too. His were pale and he wasn’t handsome the way Virgil had been. With a father as good-looking as Virgil, of course, Marly and Katie would be beautiful girls.

They were smart like Virgil, too. She had only known Katie a short time but it was clear the child was intelligent. And Marly had been an honor student.

Winnie’s hand shook as she lifted her coffee cup and took a sip. Because of Virgil, Marly had dropped out of school. She couldn’t stand to see her parents fighting or watch the physical assaults Winnie had been forced to suffer.

Still, Marly had made it, done far better than just survived. She had gotten her GED and put herself through college. Winnie had kept up with the events of her daughter’s life as best she could through Peggy Ellis, one of Marly’s friends from high school. Winnie had never doubted that her daughter would succeed. She was strong and spirited and determined. Marly didn’t need anyone but herself.

It was Virgil who had needed Winnie. And because she knew his secrets, she could not leave him.

Marly pulled open the front door just then and walked into the living room carrying two brown paper sacks.

“I went down to King’s Super and bought us some groceries. A few things Katie especially likes. Cheerios and chocolate milk, some Ruffles potato chips. I figured we’d use them up while we were here.”

“I’m making stew for supper,” Winnie said brightly. “It was always one of your favorites. I’m planning on baking biscuits, too.”

Marly paused in the middle of emptying the second bag. She glanced at the stove, noticed the rich aroma of simmering meat and vegetables that permeated the air and managed a smile that looked far from sincere.

“It smells wonderful. I'm sure Katie will love it.”

Winnie frowned. “What about you?”

“I need to spend some time at the library. I’ve got a full-time teaching job that starts in September. Chrysler Elementary is one of the top-rated public schools in the Detroit area. I want to bone up on a couple of subjects I’ll be teaching in the fall.”

“I see.” And unfortunately, Winnie saw perfectly. “What you’re saying is that you’re giving Katie what she wants—a chance to get to know her grandmother. But you don’t want to spend time with me yourself.”

“I didn’t say that.

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