Maid for Martin by Samantha Lovern Read Free Book Online Page B

beneath the lady of the house.” Emma said, keeping her voice low.
    Randi lowered her gaze and pursed her lips, showing her distaste for fancy dogs and irritable mistresses. “Too bad. There’s meatloaf, and steak that looks like it needs to be tossed.” Randi moved to the sink and began to run some dishwater, and then went back to the refrigerator.
    “You’re serious? You’re going to clean it out?” Emma made a mental note that this girl was either bored or a hard worker.
    “I can’t stand a messy icebox.” Randi opened the door and gestured. “Look at this mess. Bowls all over the place, little bits of this and that. Do these people ever eat leftovers, and if not, why keep them?”
    “They eat out a lot and bring it home. Like you said, I’m not sure why. I think they just forget there’s food in there. Celia doesn’t spend time in the kitchen. I used to cook all the time when it was just Martin, but not now. I hate to admit it, but I haven’t even looked in there in ages. It’s good you caught that mess, and not Celia.”
    “Glad I could help, but it’s a shame to toss this food out.”
    Emma peeped out toward the living room. She didn’t want Celia to hear. “A person could slip outside and around to the garage and find a small hole at the bottom of the fence. It might be that a stray will come and eat it, but you didn’t hear that from me.” Emma gave the girl a wink and moved to pick up her files.
    “That secret’s safe with me.” Randi began to push the leftovers onto a plate and dropped the dirty dishes into hot water.
    Emma tucked the file under her arm, started to go, and then turned back. “I know this trial period is like a competition, but just know that Ann is not part of the contest. For her this is just temporary. She goes back to college after Christmas break.”
    Randi tossed another dish into the water and spoke over her shoulder. “That’s good. I should have gone to college. I’ll be sure and wish her well.”
    “She’s my brother's daughter, and she knows this place like the back of her hand. If you need anything, just ask her.”
    Randi turned this time and smiled. “Thanks, I’ll do that.”
    “Get some rest, too. When we start sweeping and washing down the walls, the days will seem very long and tiring. Don’t overdo it, and go to bed at a decent hour. Tomorrow you’ll wish you had.”
     
    *****
    Martin closed the phone and pushed it into his pocket. Celia had changed her tune, but he doubted her sincerity. Was she sensing that she might be losing him, or was she just trying to calm him? Either way, some time away from each other might help.
    He walked over to Mike, who was just reeling in a fish. He tugged and pulled and after a fight with what looked to be a fifteen-pound catfish, he pulled it up and held it out proudly. “Now, this is a nice one.”
    “Sure is. Are you keeping it?” Martin crossed his arms, looking at the wriggling fish.
    “No, I catch and release most of the time. I like eating fish, and I can clean one, but it’s a lot of work." Mike unhooked the fish and leaned down, putting him back into the water. He washed his hands off, rose, and started packing up the fishing gear. “How did the call go?”
    “Not great. Toward the end she started coming around, but I’m not sure if she’s sincere, or if she was playing me. The truth will come out when this party nonsense is over and things get back to normal.”
    “So you’re hanging in until after the party?”
    “I think I should. It’s not fair to dump her now, and besides her family and mine are both coming to the house. I’d rather see where things are going, and then decide.”
    “It could be the craziness of this party that’s adding to the stress, but I don’t think so. I’ve met the woman and I don’t know how you’ve lasted this long.”
    “Why don’t you really tell me what you think?” Martin laughed as he picked up his pole and chair and the two men walked back to