She Waits Read Free Page A

comfortable chair across from Maggie. I took a cup from the tray. "Would you like coffee or tea?" I asked.
    "Tea, plain, would be perfect," she said.
    As I poured her tea, Hannah announced that the doctor would arrive any minute.
    "Aunt Hannah, I'm all right. I'm just tired," Maggie admitted, sounding every bit of it.
    "Nonsense, I'll not have my niece splattered all over the road and not have her properly looked after," she said and then saw my horrified look. "No offense Kate."
    Maggie offered a smug grin. "You want to see Doc, that's all."
    "Why you little... I never heard such drivel! You ought to be ashamed of yourself," Hannah blustered and stalked back toward what I presumed was the kitchen.
    We sat drinking our tea in relative silence until Maggie said, "So, what brings you to our little hamlet, besides the urge to knock people off their horses?"
    I decided to ignore her accusation. "I heard about your town from a friend of mine. She said she'd driven through a few months ago and said it was quite picturesque. I thought I could get a few good shots this time of year. So, here I am." It was almost the whole truth, but I still felt uncomfortable lying to her.
    "So, I gather you're some kind of amateur picture taker," she said.
    "Amateur? I'll have you know that in my circle, I am much respected."
    "Pretty small circle?"
    "Small circle?" I replied, feeling like parrot. "Look, do you know how close I came to winning the..." I looked away and shook my head. "Why am I explaining myself to you?"
    Hannah came out of the kitchen and poured herself a cup of tea. "I can hear you all the way in the kitchen, what's going on?"
    "Aunt Hannah, did you know we were in the company of a great photographer?" Maggie asked.
    I looked up at the ceiling, and counted to ten.
    "I thought I recognized you! Margaret, dear, this is the photographer I told you about last month," she said, looking at me. "Her photos have been all over. I understand they're in great demand by wildlife and conservation journals across the Midwest. Didn't your photos of that beautiful bird help the conservationists in Wisconsin? I thought I read about that somewhere."
    My mouth dropped open. I had no idea anyone would remember that--it was three years ago.
    Hannah looked at her niece, who looked as dumbfounded as I. "Yes sweetie, she's that Kate Ryan. Now close your mouth and apologize." She turned, took her teacart, and just like that she was gone, again.
    We both stared at the door like a couple of idiots then laughed. I offered my hand to Maggie. "Pax?"
    She looked surprised. "Pax," she finally agreed, shaking my hand.
    I was slightly impressed she knew the Latin term for peace. It's not that unheard of, but I was impressed nonetheless. "I didn't think someone your age would know Latin."
    " My age?"
    The doorbell rang and, like a bat out of hell, Hannah flew out of the kitchen to answer it. For a second I thought she was wearing roller skates.
    I couldn't quite make out what was said at the door, but Hannah quickly ushered in a handsome elderly gentleman--and I do mean gentleman .
    His hair is what struck me first. It was thick, wavy and snow white. He was at least 6'2" with steely blue eyes and an Errol Flynn-type mustache. He looked at Maggie, then me, then back at Maggie.
    "Well young lady, what is it this time?" he asked gruffly.
    "She knocked me off my horse," Maggie said, accusingly.
    I stood there gaping, not saying a word.
    "Really? I heard you were on Thunder," he said then turned to Hannah and me. "Would you two excuse me? I have to examine the patient."
    As we walked to the kitchen, I heard Maggie say to the old doctor, "I'm fine, Doc, nothing broken. A mild sprain I'm sure..."
    The kitchen was enormous, light and airy with counter space everywhere. An island in the middle was surrounded by four barstools. We sat at a breakfast area in the far corner, in front of a huge picture window that had a lovely view of the surrounding woods.
    "I am sorry about all