70)

She sounded disappointed. “More secrets John? I’m beginning to feel like you may not trust me that much.”

She paused. “That is not something I can make work.”

I gritted my teeth. At least she was giving me a chance to talk.

“There's a lot going on in my head, right now. Some of it’s of it may be about not bothering you with problems that aren't your burden to bear. Some of it may be about not betraying the trust of others, even with things they may not even care about keeping secret.”

“But the real story is that when I called you last night and we started talking, I just wanted to talk to you. Not talk about my problems.”

She laughed. “You did mention your grandchildren’s aunt showing up to take Ami, and I never even thought to follow that up. I guess you aren't the only one getting distracted by a new lover.”

Lover? That sounds… promising.

But she wasn’t done. “I guess it’s a little… pushy for me to expect you to tell me all your problems when we have known each other for such a short time. But if it involves the people and the town, I am responsible for. Then you need to let me know what is going on.”

I sighed in relief. Didn’t screw this one up completely, at least not yet. “So, the kids' grandmother is some high mucky muck witch, and she wants to train Ami because she doesn't trust the kid’s father not to limit her in some way because of him being a man. Or at least that’s what I’ve picked up as her main reason.”

“Being trained by her is also some sort of rare opportunity too.”

Adora made a hmm sound. “So, she is dangerous?”

“Incredibly so. But not to anyone but me and anyone else at my house. Not unless someone picks a fight with her on her way in when she come here tomorrow.”

Her voice sounded a little warmer now, even teasing. “So it sounds like you are having some kind of family get together then, I approve, family is important.”

I winced. “Yeah, about that. We also got my daughter-in-law’s family coming in as well. Her great-grandfather wants Ami with him and the rest of his side of the family to focus on studying his grandmother’s collection of magic textbooks. She was the last witch by some other name in their family and he believes it was a lack of a magic worker that let his family’s rivals drive his family out of Japan.”

She took a deep breath. “Then we have a wicked witch coming to town along with what else?”

“Well...” How to put this? “They don’t like to be called ninjas, but if they did, he would have some kind of title like the old man of the mountain or something like that.’

There was a long pause. “You have a very interesting family John. I think I will be spending the day tomorrow visiting my son next door. Now, what did you need my help with?”

I glanced down at my list. “Can you recommend someone who can hook me up with a large fresh turkey for tomorrow? Something to feed about fifteen people for a thanksgiving style dinner?”

She laughed, a lot. She may have even dropped the phone at one point. “I’ll make the call John. A twenty pound one should be more than enough. But buy a ham as well. Some people don’t like turkey.”

I noted it on my list. “Ham. Great I can finish it off later.” Now, why is she laughing? “Thanks a lot Adora, I didn’t see any at Marv’s, just smaller cuts.”

So, do I ask this or not? “Are we good?”

She took a deep breath. “That depends. Any other big secrets?”

Let’s see. “I’m supposed to have two other people with me for this meeting, and I considered asking you as the sheriff. But I thought that may come off as threatening, and everyone else there would be a relative of the kids, so I went with my brother and his son.”

She said “Oh” thoughtful.

“I spend a few years in the military, then a few years as a cop. I use to dress up in medieval clothing and spend my weekends fighting people with clubs and shields. I’ve started writing dozens of books but never finished them, I…”

She interrupted me with a laugh. “Enough, enough. I get the point, save a few mysteries for the third date.”

I grinned. “So, there will be a third date. I wasn’t sure if I had scared you off.”

Her voice got a little husky. “I don’t scare easily. Now go and finish getting ready for your party.”

We ended up spending another good ten minutes flirting and trying not to be the one to end the call. I finally bit the bullet and said the last goodbye.

I had another load of laundry to get in the washer and the load in it right now into the dryer. I had another grocery run to Marv’s and a turkey that someone had to arrange with me to deliver. I had food to cook up tonight, beds to make, and I had to feed three kids between all that.

Who knows, I might even keep myself busy enough not to freak out, again, over my son coming to my home.