to town should be in decent shape by midmorning. In time for church.
The good reverend would hold services no matter how many folks gathered for worship.
And Tina’s funeral?
The loss cut through him again.
Wade had insisted on holding the service tomorrow. But Nolan agreed with his houseguest. A bit too—
“Dinner smells delicious.”
He turned at the sound of Kate’s voice.
She stood in the doorway to the kitchen, crutches propped under her arms. Her hair was piled on top of her head, stray tendrils falling around her cheeks.
Still pale, she wore the sky-blue sweatpants and jacket he and Heather had bought at the local clothing store and looked like a teddy bear that needed a hug.
And a good meal. The velour hung on her slender frame.
“Let me help you.” He pulled a chair from the table and stepped toward her.
“I’ve been practicing in my room. Finally got the hang of it.” She hobbled forward, holding her left leg off the floor.
He touched her shoulder, the velour soft in his hand. “I’ll take these.” He grabbed the crutches and eased her into the chair. Once she was seated, he propped her injured leg on a footstool.
“How’s that?”
She grimaced as he scooted her closer to the table. “If I ignore my left side, I’m in good shape.”
“Would another ice bag help?”
She rubbed her injured leg. “Probably not, Nolan. But thanks. Just give me a minute.”
“I’ve got herbal tea brewing for Heather. How about a cup?”
Kate glanced at the pot on the counter and nodded. “Sure, that sounds good.”
He wiped his hands on his pants, suddenly at odds with what to do next.
Think, Price. Pour the tea. Stir the sauce. Cook the spaghetti.
Her eyes looked questioningly up at him. Big blue eyes edged with apprehension.
It must be disconcerting to have her life put on hold. And in Mercy, Georgia, of all places. He could appreciate her concern.
“Seems strange not to have Tina scurrying around the kitchen. South of the border was her specialty. Enchiladas, burritos, guacamole.” He noticed the moisture pooling in Kate’s eyes. “Look, I’ve upset you.”
She shook her head and sniffed. “I’m fine, really.”
He poured the tea and handed her a cup. “You and Tina were next-door neighbors in El Paso. If you don’t mind my asking, what brought you to Georgia?”
“It was purely economics. I’m a chemist and needed a job. A spot opened at Bannister Scientific about six months ago. Luckily, I landed the position.”
“Chemist, huh? Don’t know if you realized, but Lloyd seemed rather taken aback by your scientific expertise.”
“I noticed he doesn’t like his authority questioned.”
“Exactly.”
“And your line of work?” she asked.
“Basically, I help companies with their investment decisions. Mergers, consolidations, global expansion, that type of thing.”
“You’re a financial analyst?”
“That’s right.” Nolan stirred the pasta into the boiling water, thinking back to what he’d read about Bannister Scientific. “Wasn’t there something in the paper recently about that company of yours?”
Kate nodded. “Unfortunately, yes. The reporter did a bit of embellishing. Amazing how a quote can change after a little cut and paste.”
“Now I remember. The article had to do with transplants. That’s not what you’re working on, is it?”
“Matter of fact, it is.”
The back of Nolan’s neck prickled. “What—what type of transplants are you researching?”
“Pancreatic cells involved in insulin production. My grandfather was a diabetic, and—”
Nolan exhaled the breath he’d been holding. “Let me guess. Because of him you went into research?”
She tilted her head and smiled. “That’s right.”
“Made your parents proud, no doubt.”
Kate started to reply, then appeared to reconsider. She pulled the cup to her lips and took another sip.
Had he said something wrong? “Look, I—”
Water boiled over the edge of the pot and hissed as it hit the hot burner below. Nolan yanked the pot from the flame at the same moment the door to the hallway opened.
Heather stepped into the kitchen and glanced from Kate to her father. “Sorry to interrupt.”
“Dinner’s almost ready, hon.”
His daughter grabbed a mug from the cabinet and poured tea into the cup as he drained the pasta into the colander in the sink. Steam rose in the air.
“I’m not hungry, Dad.”
Before he could respond, she turned on her heel and left the room.
“Heather?” Nolan called after her.
No response.
Seemed he was batting zero for two.
He’d struck out with his daughter, and from the look on Kate’s face, she probably wished she’d chosen another ballpark.
Not a good night for the home team.
And they were only in the first inning.
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