Читать книгу Change of Life - Leigh Riker, Leigh Riker - Страница 12

W as half a loaf really better than none?

In a brief “discussion” with Daisy, Nora had convinced herself that it was. Considering the business she had already lost and the two possible clients who had more recently bailed out to use another design firm—word was definitely getting around town about the burglary—Nora’s answer had to be yes.

It didn’t take long to realize that Geneva’s unorthodox suggestion had another benefit beyond the half share of the design fee Nora would earn, assuming she and Starr could actually work together.

She could quell the local gossips who were beginning to have a field day with her misfortune, and finally demonstrate her innocence in the burglary.

Her life had been spinning out of control long enough. It was up to her to resolve her problems. And as always, that meant seeing to her business and to her family.

After Geneva had left her office, Nora decided on her first course of action. She picked up the phone to call Mark Fingerhut.

“Nora. What can I do for you? Having more of those uncomfortable hot—”

“My will is stronger than a few little hormones,” she said. “I feel fine.” As long as she didn’t come into contact with Detective Caine, Nora added silently. “I wanted to thank you for agreeing to see Geneva Whitehouse.”

“No problem. We had an opening and she sounded quite upset.”

“I’m sure you can deal with her concerns.”

“If I can calm you,” he said, a smile in his voice, “she’ll be a piece of cake.”

He sounded upbeat. Nora had never seen Mark in a sour mood, so maybe Savannah had just caught him in a bad moment. Still, she hesitated, not sure she should mention the other reason for her call. “I was also wondering if you might have room for another patient. My mother,” she added. Nora had been ruminating about Maggie since their last call. “I’ve been trying to persuade her to come to Destin. She’s had some problems with her health in the past and I’m worried about her.”

“Sure. We’ll set up an appointment for her, too. Let me connect you with my receptionist.”

“Well, not just yet. We’re only in the planning stage.” At least, Nora was. Laying the groundwork with Mark, she told him what she knew of Maggie’s heart condition and that her mother undoubtedly hadn’t taken care of herself in general, especially as a woman. “I hoped that if I approached this from a different direction and talked to you first, I might convince her to make the change. She definitely needs an exam.”

“I’ll be glad to take a look at her.”

“She can be difficult,” Nora felt obliged to warn him. At the other end of the line Mark laughed.

“Why am I not surprised?”

Maggie Scarborough was the lucky recipient of Nora’s next call. She listened to her daughter, then started to frown. All at once Virginia wasn’t nearly far enough away.

“Nora, I know you were trying to be a good daughter,” Maggie lectured her in the stern tone she used whenever she felt hemmed in by Nora. “But I’d really rather you didn’t discuss my private affairs with a stranger.”

“Mark Fingerhut is a practicing physician, not some Peeping Tom.”

Maggie tightened her grip on the telephone receiver. “No man has seen me that way since your father died.”

“Well, then this is your chance,” Nora told her.