Local Hero Read Free Page B

Hester said quickly. “Take this into the kitchen, Radley.” She shielded her son with her body and wondered if she’d need a weapon.
    â€œNice place.” Mitch looked casually around at crates and open boxes.
    â€œI’ll get your money.”
    â€œIt’s on the house.” Mitch smiled at her. Hester wondered if the self-defense course she’d taken two years before would come back to her.
    â€œRadley, take that into the kitchen while I pay the delivery man.”
    â€œNeighbor,” Mitch corrected. “I’m in 406—you know, two floors down. The pizza got delivered to my place by mistake.”
    â€œI see.” But for some reason it didn’t make her any less nervous. “I’m sorry for the trouble.” Hester reached for her purse.
    â€œI took care of it.” He wasn’t sure whether she looked more likely to lunge or to flee, but he’d been right about her being worth investigating. She was a tall one, he thought, model height, with that same kind of understated body. Her rich, warm brown hair was pulled back from a diamond-shaped face dominated by big gray eyes and a mouth just one size too large.
    â€œWhy don’t you consider the pizza my version of the welcoming committee?”
    â€œThat’s really very kind, but I couldn’t—”
    â€œRefuse such a neighborly offer?”
    Because she was a bit too cool and reserved for his taste, Mitch looked past her to the boy. “Hi, I’m Mitch.” This time his smile was answered.
    â€œI’m Rad. We just moved in.”
    â€œSo I see. From out of town?”
    â€œUh-uh. We just changed apartments because Mom got a new job and the other was too small. I can see the park from my window.”
    â€œMe, too.”
    â€œExcuse me, Mr.—?”
    â€œIt’s Mitch,” he repeated with a glance at Hester.
    â€œYes, well, it’s very kind of you to bring this up.” As well as being very odd, she thought. “But I don’t want to impose on your time.”
    â€œYou can have a piece,” Radley invited. “We never finish it all.”
    â€œRad, I’m sure Mr.—Mitch has things to do.”
    â€œNot a thing.” He knew his manners, had been taught them painstakingly. Another time, he might even have put them to use and bowed out, but something about the woman’s reserve and the child’s warmth made him obstinate. “Got a beer?”
    â€œNo, I’m sorry, I—”
    â€œWe’ve got soda,” Radley piped up. “Mom lets me have one sometimes.” There was nothing Radley liked more than company. He gave Mitch a totally ingenuous smile. “Want to see the kitchen?”
    â€œLove to.” With something close to a smirk for Hester, Mitch followed the boy.
    She stood in the center of the room for a moment, hands on her hips, unsure whether to be exasperated or furious. The last thing she wanted after a day of lugging boxes was company. Especially a stranger’s. The only thing to do now was to give him a piece of the damn pizza and blot out her obligation to him.
    â€œWe’ve got a garbage disposal. It makes great noises.”
    â€œI bet.” Obligingly Mitch leaned over the sink while Radley flipped the switch.
    â€œRad, don’t run that with nothing in it. As you can see, we’re a bit disorganized yet.” Hester went to the freshly lined cupboard for plates.
    â€œI’ve been here for five years, and I’m still disorganized.”
    â€œWe’re going to get a kitten.” Radley climbed up on a stool, then reached for the napkins his mother had already put in one of her little wicker baskets. “The other place wouldn’t allow pets, but we can have one here, can’t we, Mom?”
    â€œAs soon as we’re settled, Rad. Diet or regular?” she asked Mitch.
    â€œRegular’s fine. Looks like you’ve gotten a lot accomplished in one