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Kimmie didn’t hear when or if Dwayne left, but the house was quiet when Cars ended, and she figured whatever business he’d wanted to get done at home was accomplished. Pip was restless, wandering from room to room. Kimmie followed him mindlessly. What else was there for her to do?
Meg came home a little before five, carrying at least half a dozen fabric shopping bags, which she dumped on the counter before racing upstairs. “I’m so late. I’ve got to get ready for that thing with Dwayne tonight. Follow me upstairs, and we can talk while I get ready.” She rattled off the things she bought, and Kimmie was amazed that her sister could turn a seven-item list into a several-hundred-dollar shopping spree.
“Oh, and I know I said you could wear my clothes, but I saw this cardigan sweater and figured it’d look really good with some black slacks for your date tonight. You’ll have to let me know if it fits.” Meg tossed it to her and scurried into her bathroom, where she immediately began emptying her drawers haphazardly. “You excited about spending time with that cute trooper? Have you noticed how sexy he sounds when he laughs? You better tell me everything that happens tonight, or I’ll totally die of jealousy. By the way, how’d things go while I was gone? Were you bored? Did you figure out how to use the TV remote? Is Pip feeling any better?”
Kimmie glanced at Meg’s bed, where Pip had been fingering the raised patterns of her quilt, but he wasn’t there anymore. “Pip?”
Kimmie retraced their steps downstairs, her heart high in her throat. Finally, she found Pip pulling a bag with dozens of matchbox cars out of one of Meg’s shopping bags.
“Are these cars all for him?” she called up the stairs.
Meg appeared at the top of the landing. “Yeah. I remember Mom mentioned that he liked them.”
Kimmie was touched by the gesture and glad that now Pip would have something to do to occupy his time besides wandering from room to room, feeling up the different blankets and pillows and upholsteries. She had to pull the butcher knife back out of the drawer to cut the box open, which reminded her of how scared she’d been when she’d heard her brother-in-law upstairs. She needed to call Taylor too and let him know she was all right. The afternoon had whizzed past.
She carried the new toys upstairs where Pip could play with them in Meg’s room, hoping her sister wouldn’t mind the mess.
Meg was in front of her mirror, running a flat iron through her hair. “I can’t believe it took me that long just to get everything. I hope I’m not late. Dwayne throws a fit about that.”
Kimmie still hadn’t decided what, if anything, she’d tell her sister about seeing Dwayne at the house. It wasn’t her business for one thing, and it would make things awkward for the rest of her stay if she and her brother-in-law started this visit on bad terms. On the other hand, Kimmie was sick of secrets, sick of having to pretend. She had no idea what Dwayne was doing this afternoon at home, and even though she had her suspicions, she doubted Meg would listen even if Kimmie did decide to share.
She’d have time to think through things later. She’d met Dwayne for all of two minutes. She shouldn’t jump to conclusions.
Meg brushed her hair into place, pouting until she got it just right. She glanced at Kimmie’s reflection in the mirror and asked, “So what time’s Officer Cutie coming to dinner?”
“Around six,” Kimmie answered. “I still need to call and give him your address.”
“Use my cell.” Meg pointed to her handbag on the bed. “I already put his name in there.”
Kimmie was impressed that she managed to get the phone turned on, but after that she was lost.
“Here, give it to me,” Meg ordered, then taking the phone said, “Siri, call Taylor’s cell.” She shoved the phone back to Kimmie when it started ringing.
“Kimmie?” His voice sounded panicked. “I’ve been really worried about you. I kept trying to dial the number you used to call me earlier, but it went straight to voicemail.”
Meg leaned over and called out, “That must have been the landline. I’ve got the ringer turned off.”
Kimmie blushed, realizing she was on speaker, and walked down the hallway where she hoped she could find a little privacy. For all she knew, Dwayne was home again and about to pop out of the room at the far end of the hall.
“Are you all right?” Taylor asked. “I was worried. I almost called the local police to check on you.”
“I’m sorry.” She should have called him right back, but she was so embarrassed to have let her brother-in-law freak her out that she’d conveniently forgotten. “Did you get your friend to the airport all right?”
“Yeah. You still free for dinner?”
Kimmie thought of all the reasons why Taylor shouldn’t come over. She hardly knew him, for one thing, and she didn’t like the thought that he was paying her attention just because he was sorry for her. It felt strange and somewhat rude hosting someone at her sister’s house, especially with Meg out for the evening. Besides, she had Pip to worry about. What if his fever spiked?
“I hope you like Chinese.” Taylor’s voice was playful, and Kimmie’s arguments died on her lips.
“That sounds delicious.”
“Where should I meet you?”
Kimmie stepped back into the bedroom where Meg shouted him her address through her closed closet door while she dressed.
“Did you catch that?” Kimmie asked with a laugh. She nearly tripped over one of Pip’s cars as she stepped back out of the room.
“I got it,” Taylor answered. “I’ll see you pretty soon. And Kimmie?”
“Yeah?” She waited, her heart a fluttering bird in her chest.
“I’m really looking forward to spending some time together.”