Lined With Silver (23 page)

“Hmmm. Interesting.” Sondra had to concede
the possibility. She couldn’t imagine the country was in any better
financial condition in 1969 than it was now. But she didn’t want to
involve Granny in any long-winded discussion on the subject. She’d
rather think about it on her own time. She doubted it would take
much of that. Did it really matter?

Granny stood up and stretched, sending a wink
to Zack. “I’m tired. I’m going to bed. Help yourself to anything in
the fridge if you want a snack.”

Sondra stopped a shudder. If the fridge
looked anything like the table she’d seen on the first day, she
doubted she wanted a peek. In this case, ignorance was bliss. She
hadn’t taken a tour of the kitchen yet, and she wasn’t going to
start now.

* * *

Zack fixed them both a snack. The leftover
waffles with maple syrup were just as good the second time around.
Since she hadn’t eaten her supper, Sondra was hungry enough to eat
three.

Despite her earlier misgivings, she followed
him into the kitchen and was impressed with the gleaming stainless
steel appliances. She’d been expecting a nightmare, but Granny’s
table stacking seemed to have been limited to the table. The
granite counters reflected the bright artificial light. They worked
together to clean up and then headed to their room.

“I’ll try to stay on my side of the bed
tonight, but no promises.” Zack headed into the bathroom to change
and then came out wearing the same pajama bottoms she’d noticed
that morning. She averted her gaze and pulled out her own change.
After her experience of freezing the night before, she decided to
opt out of a bath. Her only aim was to get in bed and warm it
up.

After her quick change, she was relieved to
see the rolled up sheepskin in the middle of the bed. Zack looked
up but didn’t comment on her attire. The air was already turning
frigid, and she had her wool socks, sweat bottoms, long-sleeved
shirt and her robe. He returned to his reading, the book
illuminated by a lamp next to the bed. She shut off the bathroom
light and crawled into the side he’d left open.

“Thanks for sharing the bed. You didn’t leave
much room last night.”

He looked up from his book. “I told you I was
tired. Sorry. I’m not used to sharing bed space.”

Sondra pursed her lips. “Happy to hear that.
We wouldn’t want to make a habit of this, that’s for sure.”

Zack raised his brows but didn’t comment.

Sondra realized she’d been babbling. This was
the first time she’d settled into a bed next to a guy who wasn’t
sleeping, and she wasn’t quite sure what her routine should be.
After a moment of silence, she said, “I didn’t know you were a
reader.”

He smiled. “There’s a lot about me you don’t
know.”

“Good or bad?”

“Hmm. A bit of both, I’m afraid.”

Not wanting to continue that thread, she
asked, “What are you reading?”

“
Unbroken
by Laura Hillenbrand.”

“I planned to watch the movie.”

“I prefer reading, but I’ve heard good things
about it. Maybe we can rent the movie sometime.”

“Would Granny want to watch?”

“I don’t know. She doesn’t watch a lot of
movies, but I can ask.”

Sondra giggled. “I guess her watching is
limited to conspiracy stuff.”

“Mostly.” Zack grinned. “She does have
interesting taste in entertainment, doesn’t she?”

“She’s an interesting person, and you were
right, Granny is the only name that fits her.”

“I’m glad you like her.”

“What’s not to like?” Sondra relaxed into her
plump pillows. She’d been too cold the night before to enjoy their
comfort. The house wasn’t an ice cave yet. “Why does Jade want her
in a nursing home? Is it the stacking?”

“Jade doesn’t hang on to things. She doesn’t
understand Granny’s thought process. She thinks she’s going senile,
and yes, she worries about the cleanliness here. Granny has been
like this since I can remember. I don’t think it’s hurting
anything, and we can certainly afford to hire someone to come in
and help.”

“Why haven’t you?” Sondra rolled over to
catch Zack’s eyes.

He smiled. “After meeting her, you should
know the answer.”

“She is very independent,” Sondra nodded,
“but she’s eighty-three. Isn’t there some way to persuade her maybe
help a couple of times a week would be okay?”

“I would feel much better if she had someone
checking on her, that’s for sure.” Zack’s brows crinkled in a
frown.

“From her discussion earlier, she welcomed
people in her home while it was being built.” As she warmed to the
idea, Sondra sped up. “Maybe you can make it seem like she’s
helping someone else. That allows her her dignity but also gets her
watched over.”

“That’s a great idea. I’ll see what I can do
about it.” Zack reached over to pull Sondra’s head close, and he
kissed her forehead.

When he released her, Sondra wished
desperately the stupid rolled sheepskin was gone and she could just
relax into his warmth without worrying about any temporary
arrangement. She ached for something more. She stared at Zack a
moment, trying to see if he felt the same. Not seeing any
encouragement, she rolled over on her side and tried to go to
sleep.

A few minutes later, Zack put his book on the
nightstand and turned off the lamp. It didn’t take long for his
breathing to indicate sleep. Sondra wondered how he could be so
relaxed in their situation, but then she remembered this was his
childhood getaway. Just being in this house probably felt like
having loving arms around him.

She tried to focus on the peace and comfort
of a haven and suddenly wished for her parents home from Norway.
She didn’t ache for them often, but she had been through too much
lately. She wished for the comfort of their presence and then
pushed away the thought. How selfish of her to want them home.

They would be as tormented as she was.
Watching both her and Nikki mourn over the lost twins would have
been a trial. And besides, the people in Norway needed her parents
as much as she did. She sighed and rolled over, watching Zack’s
chest rise and fall in the darkness.

The steady rhythm of his breath lulled her to
sleep.

Pounding on the door the next morning had her
eyes flying open. She stared a moment. The shape next to her wasn’t
familiar. It took her a moment to realize the sheepskin had somehow
found different quarters and this time, it was
her
arm
and
her leg thrown over Zack. She glanced up to see Zack’s
amused eyes staring into her own. She could feel the color rush up
her face just as Granny burst through the door.

Zack noted her heightened color and her wide
eyes before he turned to Granny. “I thought you said you wouldn’t
bother us?”

“Excuse me, but I don’t care who you are,
honeymooners aren’t doing anything at 7:30 in the morning.”

Sondra was working at extricating her limbs
from Zack while they talked, unsuccessfully trying to keep her
distance while moving away. Having his skin touch hers was
unnerving, even if it was her fault. How was she supposed to know
she was a cuddler? She’d never had a bed partner.

“Well, Granny,” Zack drawled, “that depends
on the honeymooners.”

“Stuff and nonsense. You weren’t doing
anythin’, and we all know it.” Granny stepped over to the drapes to
let in the light.

“Maybe Sondra wanted to sleep in.”

“There’s too much going today, and you’re
leaving first thing in the morning.” Granny turned to face them,
her hands on her hips.

“What, exactly, do you have in mind?” Zack
asked as he stepped out of bed, relieving Sondra of her mission to
extricate herself.

“I don’t have built in help too often. You’re
helping me finish the potpourri.” She was adamant.

Zack groaned. “Really?”

“No complaints, ya hear? The stuff is ready
and I want it done.” She headed for the door and stopped to face
him.

“Yes, Ma’am.”

Sondra bit her lip on a laugh. Zack’s meek
tone and his amused eyes didn’t match.

After Granny stepped out of the room, Sondra
asked, “How long does this process go?”

“It can be hours, depending on what she wants
added and what containers she wants it in.” He sounded
resigned.

“What kinds of things does she add?”

Zack shrugged. “I’m not sure. A few spices
and the flower petals. I just do what she tells me.”

“Have you helped her before?”

He nodded, this time with a glum expression.
“More times than I’d like to admit. I think she holds out to finish
it until I come out to visit.”

“What does she do with it all?”

Zack snickered. “I think she gives it away as
gifts. She’s sure it’s the most popular stuff on the planet. I’m
not going to guess what happens to it after she drops it off.”

Sondra joined in his laughter, then grew
serious. “Is there anything I need to know about the process?”

“You might want to wear gloves. Some people
are allergic to orris powder.”

“What’s that?”

“Ground dried iris root.”

Sondra’s brows grew together in a puzzled
frown. “What’s that used for?”

“It’s a preservative and also has a scent of
its own. Granny swears by it.”

“Does she grind her own?”

“She used to, but one year Jade got involved.
It was an unholy mess.” Zack laughed. “I think that persuaded
Granny to buy it instead.”

“Was that on purpose?”

“I have my suspicions, but I’m keeping them
to myself.”

“Wise man.” Sondra approved.

They headed down the stairs for another taste
of Granny’s waffles. This time, the topping was strawberries and
fresh whipped cream.

They walked into the room with the rose
petals. The dried flowers filled the room with their scent. “I
swear they smell stronger than any bouquet I’ve ever had. I didn’t
realize the scent intensified when they dried,” Sondra
observed.

“I prefer using the cabbage rose or
sweetbrier rose. They’re older varieties, but in this neighborhood,
they’re easy to find. The new roses just don’t keep their scent.”
Granny walked over to the wall where there were stacked boxes. She
opened the lid to reveal glass lidded bowls. They were big enough
to fill Zack’s hand.

He held one up and asked, “How many of these
do you want filled?”

“I’m hoping we can get all seven boxes done
this morning.”

Sondra pulled on the rubber gloves Granny had
found for her. “Let’s get busy.”

After a morning of mixing rose petals and
spices and then filling glass jars, Sondra was happy when Granny
announced, “I’m hungry. Let’s go do lunch.”

They ate at a small eatery. When they stepped
out of the restaurant, Granny said, “You can’t visit here without
taking at least one official tour of the city. I’ve hired a horse
and carriage ride. That’s around the next block.” She peered at
Sondra with questioning eyes. For the first time, Sondra realized
Granny had felt some stress over their meeting.

“That sounds like fun.” Sondra enthused. “The
sun is out, so it shouldn’t be too cold.”

Zack smiled. “I call dibs on keeping you
warm.”

“You just do that.” Sondra echoed his
smile.

The carriage ride only lasted about half an
hour, but it gave Sondra a taste for what it might have felt like
during the revolutionary war. Some of the roads were still cobbled,
so the ride then wouldn’t have felt much different than it did
now.

As they were settling into their car, Nikki’s
tone rang. Sondra picked up the call. “Hello?”

“Sondra, we just got the results back from
the vet.” Nikki paused, and the pause caused Sondra’s heart to
congeal. “He was poisoned.”

“Poisoned? What? How?”

“It was strychnine mixed with tuna.”

“Who would do this?” Sondra shook with rage.
She’d had her tears. Now she wanted revenge.

She could almost hear Nikki shake her head.
“We don’t know.” She often used the plural when speaking, as if she
was always aware she and Brad were together. “We’ve turned the
matter over to the police.”

When she hung up the phone, Sondra realized
Granny and Zack were staring at her. He hadn’t started the car.

“What happened?” Zack’s voice only slightly
overshadowed Granny’s “Poisoned?”

Someone poisoned Dewk.” Sondra repeated.

“Who would do such a thing?” Granny asked
simultaneously with Zack’s “Why?”

Sondra slumped. “I have no idea. Nikki has
already contacted the police.”

“Who is Nikki?” Granny looked lost.

“She’s Sondra’s sister and was watching Dewk
for her.” Zack answered.

“Oh.” Granny reached forward to touch Sondra
while Zack turned on the car and headed back to her home. “Was she
watching him at her house?”

“No.” Sondra took a calming breath. “He was
at my house.”

“So it might be someone you know?” Granny sat
back, horrified.

“Possibly, but it could’ve been someone
wanting free access to the house.” Sondra paused and stared out the
window for a moment, not seeing the stately homes they were
passing. “But I have a security system in place outside of Dewk, so
that wouldn’t give anyone free access, anyway.”

“Do you have security cameras?” Zack
asked.

Sondra shook her head. “I don’t like my own
life being filmed. It’s too easy for the system to be hacked and
have the film going when you don’t want it on. I have movement
sensors for when I’m gone, but I don’t have any in the yard. Dewk
is―was,” she corrected herself, “always moving around, so it
wouldn’t have worked having any sensors there.”

Zack nodded. “That makes sense. So would
there be a record if anyone tried to get in your house?”

“Yes. I can call the security company. They
would have the information.” Sondra flipped open her phone and
dialed. After a short conversation, she shut the phone.