Kinundrum (Piney Falls Mysteries Book 7) by Joann Keder

Author:Joann Keder [Keder, Joann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Purpleflower Press
Published: 2023-06-30T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Lanie

I set my alarm for early morning. I don’t know why I bother, because it's not like this night produced much sleep anyway. Keeping secrets from my husband, no matter how small, makes for a very sleepless and cranky Lanie.

Sneaking out to the kitchen to start the coffee, I can see the light on in Vem's moan studio. She's always raving about her Moaning for Mornings class. "They know how to moan out their nighttime garbage, Lanie!"

I have an idea, possibly a really bad one. "Hello! And welcome to the Piney Falls Blood Bank Hotline. Are you ready to bleed? This month our volunteer coordinator is…Ureeeka Jollopy."

I giggle at the mispronunciation, but the thought of her still unconscious in the hospital is sobering. Instead, someone else answers the phone. "Gladys?" I whisper. "It's Lanie."

"I gathered," she says, unwilling to match my soft tone. "What's got you up this early, toots? I thought you were more of a 'sleep till lunch' kind of gal."

It stings a little, hearing her say that. "I've gone with Cos lots of mornings to open the bakery." I retort. "We leave here by five a.m."

The other entirely-too-sneaky thing I did this morning was shut off his alarm. I texted Doris that I thought he deserved extra sleep. She agreed. I'll only be able to get away with this once, so I need to make it count.

"What time do you open?" I whisper. "The blood bank, I mean."

"You dragged yourself out of bed to ask me that?" Gladys's voice rises at the end.

"I can't explain it all now, but it's important. I'm bringing Cedar in today to donate."

There is silence on the other end of the line and I can only guess what Gladys is thinking. She's only this quiet when she's working up a good story in her head.

"So, just to be clear: you set your alarm, hopped out of bed and called me. You're so anxious for Cedar to give blood that you wanted to make sure you two were the first in line. Did I get that right? And does that make sense, when I say it out loud?"

"I get it, Gladys. This doesn't sound rational."

"It doesn't, toots. You've never taken part in our blood drives before. Not that I don't appreciate your doing it now. Is this something I'll have to testify about in court later on?"

I take a deep breath. "Nobody will come after you, I promise. Now, please tell me what time Cedar and I should be there?"

"Let me look at the schedule for today. Hold on."

"Lanie? What are you doing up at this hour? Did you get confused and think you were needed at the bakery today?"

I can hear the panic in Cosmo's voice. "It's okay, hon. Doris is taking care of everything. She wanted me to let you sleep in."

There's only a hint of guilt in my voice. Putting all of this on Doris's shoulders is low.

"Okay, let's see. I can squeeze you ladies in at ten. You're in luck, we have two nail technicians here today.

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