Free Power Play by Dara Girard Page A

back. “No, we can’t do this.”
    Edmund drew her close again. “Sure we can.”
    She turned away from him, staring blindly at something in the distance. “No.”
    He spun her to him. “Mary.”
    She glanced up at the sky, unable to face him, knowing that if she did, she’d surrender again. “I’d better go.”
    He reluctantly released her and shoved his hands in his pockets, looking grim. “Yes.”
    She turned and hurried away.
     
     
    Mrs. McQueeth was thrilled when Mary told her about the new arrangement. She was even more delighted a week later when she moved in. Edmund had selected a breathtaking one-bedroom, one-and-a-half bath, newly renovated apartment. A generous ray of light flooded the entryway through a skylight. Instead of drapes, there were simple bamboo shades, stained to echo the wood floors, and built-in shelving throughout to display many of Mrs. McQueeth’s precious family heirlooms. A beautiful rendition of a photograph of her mother and father hung over a stone fireplace. The cheery living room led to a small-size kitchen, which had all of the latest amenities and a dining area, where Mrs. McQueeth’s mother’s handmade dining table and chairs proudly took their place.
    Her bedroom was twice the size of her old one and painted a soft lavender, Mrs. McQueeth’s favorite. Her furniture was dwarfed by the immense space, but Mary could see that she felt at home.
    Every apartment came equipped with all the latest technology. There was a specialized shower stall with a built-in chair, and recliners and beds that could be raised and lowered for residents with bad knees and backs. Mary moved around the apartment, speechless. She was a bit worried about all the high-tech equipment but couldn’t deny that the place was lovely. This wasn’t what she’d expected.
    “How do you like it?” Edmund said, appearing in the doorway.
    “What have you done?” Mary whispered so that Mrs. McQueeth wouldn’t hear her.
    “Don’t you like it?”
    “This isn’t what we agreed to. You said ‘affordable.’”
    “This is affordable or rather it will be.”
    “She can’t stay here.”
    Mrs. McQueeth came up to them with tears streaming down her face. “Oh, Mary, it’s gorgeous.” She hugged her. “I can’t thank you enough.”
    “I’m sorry,” Edmund said. “But there’s been a mis—” Mary kicked him before he could finish.
    “You’re welcome,” Mary said. “I hope you’ll be happy here.”
    “I know I will be thanks to you.” She took Edmund’s hand. “I don’t know what to say.”
    Edmund’s face softened. He looked down at the older woman with a tenderness Mary found surprising. Then he lowered his voice and said something Mary couldn’t hear, and she knew she wasn’t meant to. The words were meant for Mrs. McQueeth alone. Whatever he said filled the woman with such joy, tears started to fall down her cheeks and she hugged him. “Bless you. God bless you,” she said.
    Mary expected Edmund to be embarrassed or impatient with Mrs. McQueeth’s exuberant embrace, but he wasn’t. He treated her as though he’d known her for years. Mary felt a little jealous at the ease with which he’d captured Mrs. McQueeth’s affections, but she could see that winning women over was a talent of his.
    “If you have any concerns there’s a list of numbers on the fridge and on the desk,” he said.
    Mrs. McQueeth wiped her tears with a handkerchief.
    “So what are you going to do first?” Mary asked.
    Mrs. McQueeth went over to the large picture window. “I’m going to sit and enjoy the view.”
    Edmund drew Mary away. “Then we won’t bother you.”
    Mary began to protest, but he sent her a look that halted any attempt. “See you later,” she said. Once they closed the door, Mary looked at Edmund, annoyed, “I wanted more time with her.”
    “And she wanted time alone. She needs the space to take it all in.”
    Mary fell silent, then asked, “What did you say to her?”
    He