The Replacement. Anne Duquette Marie

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      “Glad to hear it.” Lindsey scooped some scrambled eggs, made from frozen egg liquid, and canned peaches onto Pam’s plate. “When you’re done eating, you can help me feed Ginger.”

      Pam nodded. Lindsey shoved the child’s fork and spoon closer. “You’re a big girl. You use a fork instead of a spoon, right?”

      Pam paused, then stabbed at a slice of peach in heavy syrup and popped it into her mouth.

      “Pretty good, huh?” Lindsey said, doing the same with her own peaches. “You like eggs?”

      Pam shook her head and speared another peach.

      “I like to do this.” Lindsey reached for the bottle of ketchup and dumped a red blob on the scrambled eggs. “It makes ’em taste just like French fries. They even look like French fries. They’re both yellow.”

      “Not the same yellow,” Pam argued. These were her first words since her rescue. Lindsey ignored the suddenly alert adults and continued her conversation in the same soft tone she used with her dogs.

      “Well, no, but they still taste like fries. Wanna try?” Lindsey scooped up some eggs and held them up. “Come on…one bite, and you can tell me if I’m right or wrong.”

      Pam opened her mouth and took the portion of egg, then chewed and swallowed.

      “Good?”

      “It doesn’t taste like fries.”

      “Well, it does to me. What do you think?”

      Pam shrugged. “It’s okay.”

      Lindsey shoved the bottle of ketchup Pam’s way. “Help yourself, honey.”

      “Mommy calls me that.” Pam tried to snap the pop-cap up, and failed. Suddenly her eyes filled with tears. “I wanna go home.” She began to cry in earnest, harsh sobs that made Naomi reach for the child, but Lindsey was there first.

      Lindsey tucked the little girl under her chin and kissed the top of her head. “Of course you’re going home! As soon as we can get you there.”

      Pam shivered. “Daddy said I couldn’t see Mommy again. I have to stay with him forever an’ ever.”

      “Well, he was wrong, wasn’t he? You’re right here with us, and we’ve already had the police tell your mother you’re safe.” Lindsey picked up her napkin and wiped the child’s cheeks and nose. “We’ll send you home as soon as possible. After you get better—and the weather does, too.”

      The child sniffled some more, and Lindsey wiped her face again and rocked her. After a few minutes, Pam settled down. Lindsey speared yet another peach and fed it to her. “Shall we put ketchup on the peaches?” she asked.

      Pam grimaced. “Not on mine.”

      “Come on, let’s try it,” Lindsey teased. “I will if you will.”

      Pam shook her head, then gasped as Lindsey dunked a peach slice into some ketchup and ate it. “Umm-umm! Tastes just like French fries!” Lindsey smacked her lips. “Your turn!”

      Pam wrinkled her nose. “Yuck!”

      “Fine. More for me. Forget the ketchup.” Lindsey moved Pam’s plate closer. “Let’s have a race and see who finishes first. On your mark, get set, go!”

      Five minutes later, all the peaches were gone, and a few minutes after that the eggs as well. Pam yawned, drank her milk, then yawned again.

      “Back to bed for you, young lady,” Naomi announced.

      Pam reluctantly allowed herself to be taken from Lindsey’s lap. She balked as Naomi began to lift her up. “I was gonna feed the dog!”

      “You can feed the dog in the bedroom,” Naomi said firmly. “I don’t want you getting chilled.”

      “Good idea,” Lindsey agreed. “You two can make friends with each other there.”

      Pam sighed with contentment as Naomi carried her away. Lindsey and Ginger followed, closing the door behind them.

      “IMPRESSIVE,” KEITH SAID, clearing the dishes as Eric studied the storm outside. “Our replacement always seems to know just the right thing to say or do. Seems to come naturally to her. I’m surprised you ever let her go.”

      Eric peered through the small window and pivoted back toward the table. “No one tells Lindsey how to do her job.”

      “I’m not talking about work. I’m talking about personally. Naomi’s dropped a few hints here and there about Lindsey.”

      “My personal life is none of your business.”

      “Look, Eric. We’ve got enough going on here without adding an ex’s angst to the list.”

      Eric restrained the sudden flash of anger coursing through him. “Don’t worry about it,” he said curtly.

      The men were silent for a moment, then Keith put down his pile of dirty dishes with a thump. “You might as well know I’ve applied for a transfer. Another winter alone with your…moods—and your sister’s—isn’t anything I’d care to repeat. If I have my way, I’ll be leaving when Lindsey does.”

      Before Eric could reply, the lights flickered, went out, then went on again, but dimly.

      “Hell, now what?” Keith said. “I’d better check the generator.”

      “I’ll go with you,” Eric said, the hair on the nape of his neck rising with a creepy premonition he’d learned never to ignore.

      “Pass.”

      “I said I’ll go with you,” Eric repeated. He reached for his ranger-issued rifle. “Naomi—Keith and I are going out to check on the generator!” he called out. “Be back in twenty minutes!”

      NAOMI LOOKED AT HER WATCH, then continued to bandage Pam’s feet. “My brother has a loud voice, doesn’t he?” she said, hoping Pam would open up with her as she had with Lindsey. Like Naomi, Lindsey sat on the bed. Ginger lay on the floor closest to the portion of bed where Pam sat, sniffing Pam’s damaged toes, then sniffing the air, then the child’s toes again. Next she shoved her golden head straight at Naomi’s chest.

      “Ginger, knock it off,” Naomi grumbled. “Lindsey, do something.”

      Lindsey grabbed Ginger’s collar and gently tugged, effectively distracting the dog.

      “My feet are ugly,” Pam moaned. “They’re all black.”

      “Just the toes,” Naomi explained. She’d finished bandaging the first foot and was beginning the other. “That black is where the cold damaged your capillaries, and the lifeless tissue is starting to slough off.”

      “Huh?” Pam pulled her bare foot away from Naomi and started to touch the damaged toes.

      Lindsey caught Pam’s hands СКАЧАТЬ