I felt my heart constrict. They gave you a retainer, though.
Jim closed his eyes. Thats not a guarantee. My contract states that if the project moves forward, I apply it to the cost of the project. If they back out in the first sixty days, I have to return fifty percent.
I grabbed the stovetop for support.
He wrapped his arms around my shoulders and pulled me into him. Dont worry, honey. Things will be okay. If this falls through, Ill find something else.
I wanted to say that I would go back to my secure corporate income, but I choked on the words.
There was no way. I couldnt go back now. I had tasted the freedom and excitement of entrepreneurship. Even with doubts surrounding a steady income stream, nothing could bring me to sacrifice myself to the doldrums of my office job again.
Could it?
Laurie squeaked from the nursery. She had been asleep for about an hour in the crib and that was the maximum she had ever slept at the dinnertime hour, what Jim and I were beginning to call the witching hour.
Ill get the squirrel, Jim said. As he left the kitchen, he asked the inevitable, Whats for dinner?
Nothing, I called after him.
Jim laughed. Okay, open a can of soup. Were on austerity anyway.
I groaned. But Im nursing and Im really hungry.
Jim returned to the kitchen with Laurie bundled in his arms. Okay, screw it. Lets order a pizza.
I squinted at him and bit my lip. I may have good news.
Jim raised an eyebrow. Good. Something to celebrate. What is it?
I got a pseudo-job offer today. I think it will keep up our income stream anyway.
Jim held Laurie out to look into her face. Mommy got a job offer, he said.
Laurie was holding her head so well these days we no longer cradled it. Yet as Jim was holding her up and she was looking at him happily and gurgling, her head started to wobble and she suddenly pitched herself headfirst into Jims chest.
Whoa, Jim said. Shes excited.
We laughed.
What kind of offer? he asked.
I filled him in on the details.
His face displayed an array of emotions as I recounted Garys offer. I left out the girdle-popping incidentno need to sound like a complete moron in front of my number one fan.
When Id finished talking, he was silent for a moment.
Finally I asked, So do you approve? Can I take him up on it?
He shuffled Laurie from one shoulder to the other. Kate, I dont ever want to keep you from doing something you want to do. He wrapped his free arm around me. I just want you to be safe. Promise me youll be careful.
I kissed him. I promise.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Watchful
To Do:
1. ?
2. Throw out stupid girdle and exercisethere is no substitute.
3. Find Margaretwhy isnt she calling me back?
4. Get Laurie outfit for Thanksgiving.
5. Groceries!!!
In the morning I looked out my front window and saw our neighbor Kenny washing his van. It was an old white van with tinted windows.
A van?
His van would be perfect for a stakeout!
I rapped on the window. He looked up and waved when he saw me. I picked Laurie up, wrapped her in a blanket, then ran down the stairs.
Hi, Kenny, can I use your van? I want to check something out.
Sure. Is your car in the shop?
No. I need to go on a stakeout, I said proudly.
Kenny bobbed his head up and down. Cool.
I observed Celias midwife center from inside Kennys van. There was no activity.
Wow. I was on a stakeout.
Id done a stakeout on my first case, but Jim had been with me, so it felt more like I was hanging out with my husbandwhich I wasinstead of a stakeout. And following Alan last week didnt count because that was really only followingso now it was officialmy first stakeout.
And I actually felt prepared. I had stopped by Moms to water her plants and borrowed her binoculars, then Id bought lunch.
Practically a legitimate PI.
And with two paying clients no less!
Where was Margaret?
I unwrapped the bagel Id purchased from the shop up the street. Cream cheese dripped over the side but the tomatoes and spinach were still crisp. If I waited any longer to eat it, the veggies would start to wilt.
Oh, well, better eat it now. If Celia kept me waiting too long, I could always get something else from the shop.
Wait. What if I missed her leaving?
I used my binoculars to check out the shop.
Binoculars! A real PI tool.
Oh, I was growing, growing, growing!
Never mind the fact that I had borrowed them from Mom.
The shop was within view, but if I went inside and, say, I was at the counter ordering, then I wouldnt be able to see the entrance of Celias midwife center. I couldnt risk missing her.
Darn.
I bit into the bagel anyway. It was absolutely divine. Either that or I was extremely hungrywhich I was. After a few bites the bagel was gone.