Indemnity: Book Two: Covenant of Trust Series by Paula Wiseman Page B

self-righteous.” He hated being called self-righteous. That should distract him long enough for her to concoct a better strategy.
    “ No, I’d rather die than see Bobbi hurt again, but the fact is ... they’re both adults. They’ve chosen a course of action, and you ... we have to stay out of it.” Gavin prodded her out to his car, and then he called Bobbi from his cell phone.
    “ Has Chuck already left? No, Rita needs to talk to both of you. Thanks. See you soon.”
    Gavin’s short, clipped syllables were the only words he spoke on the drive to the Molinskys’. He never even glanced her direction. She began to wish they could go back to the scolding indignation. Her best hope for a way out of this mess lay in her sister’s grace. Chuck was another story. Rita folded her hands in her lap, stared out the window and prayed.
     
     
    Bobbi peeked out the kitchen window just in time to see Gavin’s car pull in the driveway. “Shannon, Aunt Rita’s here! Why don’t you get the door for her?”
    She heard little feet dash from the family room to the entry hall, and then Shannon’s voice rang out, “Aunt Rita! Is this a Katelyn day?”
    “ No, sweetie, that’s tomorrow. Uncle Gavin and I need to talk to Mommy and Daddy.”
    “ Mommy’s in the kitchen, but Daddy’s not here.”
    Shannon skittered back to the family room and a moment later, Rita came into the kitchen with Gavin a half step behind. “Hey, sorry to bother you so early in the morning,” she said taking a seat at the kitchen table with Bobbi.
    “ What’s wrong?” Bobbi said, glancing at Gavin who was standing in the doorway. “I’ve never heard Gavin sound like that on the phone.”
    “ Gavin is overreacting,” Rita said, nodding toward him, “but I’ll wait until Chuck gets here, so I only have to go through it once.”
    “ Do you want some coffee, then? It’s Indonesian. I think it’s my new favorite.”
    “ If that’s the strongest thing you’ve got.”
    Bobbi looked to Gavin, but he shook his head.
    Rita always turned down Indonesian coffee. Always. Gavin’s not speaking, not even hello. That’s a bad sign.
    Bobbi got a cup from the cabinet and poured Rita’s coffee.
    It’s not bad news, like a tragedy. He’s furious about something.
    Bobbi slid Rita’s cup to her and sat back down. She could see Gavin’s hands clenched in tight fists.
    It’s Rita. She’s done something, and he’s livid. What’s she done that she would need to talk to me and Chuck? Unless it had to do with Tracy. Rita’s done something to Tracy. Rita and Tracy ... This should be good.
    They listened to the clock tick as they waited for Chuck, Rita and Bobbi sipping their coffee, and Gavin crossing and uncrossing his arms across his chest. Rita flinched when the refrigerator began to hum.
    What on earth has she done?
    Gavin’s eyes darted back toward the entryway when they heard Chuck’s car. When he finally opened the front door, Rita leaned back in her chair and let a deep breath go. “Good grief, who died?” Chuck said, as he strode into the kitchen.
    “ Nobody yet,” Gavin replied. “Rita?”
    “ Chuck, sit down,” she said quietly, motioning him to a seat. “I need to confess and apologize to you and to Bobbi.”
    He glanced at Bobbi as he slid into a chair, but she shook her head. “I don’t have any idea what she’s talking about.”
    Gavin moved over and stood at Rita’s side with his arms crossed. Rita scowled at him, and then faced Bobbi. “First of all, this is going to sound crazy, but honestly, I had only the best intentions.”
    “ Rita,” Gavin said.
    “ I’m going to tell them,” she said to him. “Calm down.” Then she turned back to Bobbi and Chuck. “It breaks my heart, Bobbi, to see you having to deal with Tracy again, after all she put you through, and I wanted to take that away somehow.” She looked at Chuck briefly, but then pulled her chair around to face Bobbi. “I had a meeting with Tracy this