Storing Up Trouble, стр. 82

Before that incredibly telling remark could settle, Norman suddenly realized that Beatrix, who’d already dismounted from her horse, shouldn’t have been at the lake in the first place because she was supposed to be working.

Striding forward, he reached her side in a blink of an eye. Taking hold of her hand, he brought it to his lips. “What’s wrong?”

Beatrix’s nose wrinkled. “Why would you assume something’s wrong?”

“You’re supposed to be at work.”

She blew out a breath. “Oh, yes, quite right. I’m not at work because I’ve been dismissed from my position.”

“What?”

“I know, it was a shock to me as well, but I haven’t had much time to dwell on the matter because after I was dismissed, I then found myself traveling to a jail to secure the release of Colette Balley.”

Norman took hold of her arm right as Agent Cochran rode up to join them, looking remarkably windblown.

“Dare I hope Agent Cochran was with you when you went to this jail?” Norman asked.

“He was, but since you’ve clearly got a million questions, allow me to explain.”

By the time Beatrix was done explaining, Norman had more questions than answers—one of those being how Beatrix had acquired the funds needed to post bail in the first place because she hadn’t been employed long enough to amass fifty dollars, let alone one hundred dollars.

Before he could voice a single question, though, a carriage arrived on the scene, his mother, father, and Constance stepping out, Constance holding the hand of her youngest son and his nephew, Christopher.

Christopher immediately tugged his hand free and dashed for Gemma and Oscar, who were now waddling their way into the lake, the flotation devices he’d made for them impeding their progress.

“Is that your mother?” Beatrix asked.

“It is, and also my father. Would you care to meet them?”

“It would be rather rude if I didn’t.”

Norman frowned. “I suppose you’re right, but after the day you’ve already had, I’m not sure you’re up for meeting my mother. She can be somewhat difficult at times.”

“I’ve dealt with more than my share of difficult ladies” was all Beatrix said to that.

Knowing it would be futile to argue with her, even though Norman was relatively sure Beatrix had never encountered anyone like his mother before, he turned his gaze on his parents, finding them speaking to Theo, who was looking quite unlike herself.

Gone was the drab gray walking dress she often wore, replaced with a green walking dress in exactly the same style that Theo had recently shown him in a fashion magazine. On her head was a jaunty hat with a single feather attached to it, the hat angled in a way that drew attention to short curls that no longer looked singed, but vibrant.

Stanley, Norman couldn’t neglect to notice, was beaming at Theo, suggesting that even though he’d stated the old Theo was perfect, he wasn’t finding much to object to about her new appearance.

“Can we finally get this boat into the water?” Gemma bellowed, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Let me get Gemma and Oscar settled, then I’ll introduce you,” Norman said when he realized Gemma and Oscar were in the process of pulling their peddle-boat into the water. Gemma slipped and tumbled into the water, her flotation device causing her to immediately bob to the surface.

“It’s far too chilly, Gemma, for you to be taking a swim,” Constance called, catching up with Norman as he hurried to the lake. She caught his eye and grinned. “Is that your Beatrix back there?”

“She’s not my Beatrix, not exactly, but yes,” Norman returned, frowning when he realized Gemma was beginning to bob her way out into the lake, which had him running for the water. After helping Gemma out of the water and on to the seat of the peddle-boat while Oscar scrambled in of his own accord, Norman turned and found little Christopher looking forlorn.

“I’ll take you out next, Christopher,” he said, earning a grin from his nephew. Giving the boat a push, he reminded Gemma and Oscar that they were to keep to the shoreline, then stepped back as they drifted away.

A second later, they were giggling in delight, pedaling like mad, their giggles increasing when the boat began chugging away, clearly working.

“I think we might have a situation over there,” Constance suddenly said, waving a hand to where he’d left Beatrix.

Trepidation settled over him when he turned and discovered his mother advancing on Beatrix, determination in her every step.

“That is, indeed, a situation,” Norman said right before he broke into a run, hoping he’d be able to intercept his mother before she did something unfortunate, such as convince Beatrix it would be in her best interest to maintain her distance from him.