Читать книгу Colder Than Ice - Maggie Shayne, Maggie Shayne - Страница 12

Beth looked across her coffee table at Josh, who sat in an easy chair. Maude was in the kitchen, whipping up something that smelled wonderful. Beth caught glimpses of her beyond the archway in the kitchen and kept offering to help. Maude flat out refused. Bryan was at the small desk on the far side of the living room, using Beth’s computer to catch up with his e-mail.

“Thanks for letting Bry use your PC,” Joshua said. “He’s been bored out of his mind.”

“It’s not a problem. I certainly don’t mind him using my computer if he doesn’t mind using my screen name. Did you ever get hold of the local ISP?”

“Phoned them today. They’re ‘processing our application.’ But they said he should be able to log on by morning.”

“That’ll make him happy.”

Josh shrugged. “He thinks I should have upgraded him to wireless service.”

She smiled. “Typical teenager.”

“How’s he doing? With the tutoring, I mean?”

“We had a great session today. I assigned him Hamlet last night, and he’s already halfway through it. He’s smart, Josh. And he’s a good kid.”

“Thanks.”

She was quiet for a moment. The silence stretched, and it was awkward. She looked toward the kitchen. “I wish Maude would let us help.”

“I think she’s enjoying having people to take care of,” he said.

Beth nodded, knowing he was right about that. “So is there really anything wrong with her stove?”

Joshua looked alarmed. “What do you mean?”

“Come on, Josh, isn’t it obvious?” She shook her head at his puzzled look. “She’s been trying to fix me up with some ‘eligible young man’ ever since I met her. I’m afraid I was right in my earlier assumption. You are the newest candidate.”

“Oh, that.” He smiled as if to cover it, but she didn’t miss the look of relief that crossed his face. “So you still think she’s matchmaking.”

She shrugged. “I’m sure of it.”

“Do you mind?”

She shrugged. “I keep telling her I’m not in the market for a man.”

“Ouch.”

She looked up quickly. “I didn’t mean—”

He held up a hand, stopping her. “It’s okay. I’m not easily offended. Or dissuaded.”

She shrugged, not sure what to say to that. “Things seemed better between you and Bryan, this morning.”

“Changing the subject, huh?”

She raised her eyebrows, waiting.

“Actually, yeah, I think things are better. And I have you to thank for it.”

“Me? What did I do?”

“I tried what you suggested, talked to him about what was going on with me.”

“And it worked?”

He shrugged. “He didn’t respond in kind. Then again, he didn’t stomp away and slam a door on me, either. I call that progress.”

“It’s a start.”

The dull bleat of a cell phone came from Beth’s purse, which was hanging from a hook in the tiny foyer, near the door. She crossed the living room, dug it out and answered.

“Hey, Beth? It’s me. Is everything okay there?”