Did you have an appointment?
No.
Megan caught her breath.
I meant I was late for work.
Oh, my, I thought there was a problem. I just this minute left a memo on your desk.
Go ahead in, dear, I don't want to hold you up.
But
Megan found herself addressing Coco's retreating back, so she turned into her office to read the message.
Coco's i.e. of an interoffice memo was something less than professional.
Megan, dear, I hope you slept well. There's fresh coffee in your machine, and I've left you a nice basket of muffins. You really shouldn't skip breakfast. Kevin ate like a young wolf. It's so rewarding to see a boy enjoy his food. He and Nate will be back in a few hours. Don't work too hard.
Love, Coco
P.S. The cards say you have two important questions to answer. One with your heart, one with your head. Isn't that interesting?
Megan blew out a breath, and was reading the memo again when Amanda popped in.
Got a minute?
Sure.
She handed over the paper she held.
Do you think you could interpret this
for me?
Ah, one of Aunt Coco's convoluted messages.
Lips pursed, Amanda studied it.
Well, the coffee and muff ins are easy.
I got that part.
In fact, Megan helped herself to both.
Want some?
No, thanks, she already delivered mine. Kevin ate a good breakfast. I can vouch for that. When I saw him, he was scarfing down French toast, with Nathaniel battling him for the last piece.
Megan bobbled her coffee.
Nathaniel was here for breakfast?
Eating and charming Aunt Coco, while telling Kevin some story about a giant squid.
They'll be back in a few hours,
she continued, tapping the note,
because Kevin
talked Nate into taking him out on th& tour again. It didn't take much talking, she
added with a smile.
And we didn't think you'd mind.
No, of course not.
And the bit about the cards defies interpretation. That's pure Aunt Coco.
Amanda
set the memo down again.
It's spooky, though, just how often she hits the mark.
Been asked any questions lately?
No, nothing in particular.
Amanda thought of what Sloan had related to her about Nathaniel's feelings.
Are
you sure?
Hmmm? Yes. I was thinking about Fergus's book. I suppose it could loosely be considered a question. At least there's one I want to ask you.
Amanda made herself comfortable.
Shoot.
The numbers in the back. I mentioned them before.
She opened a file, handing a