Secret Sisters - an LDS cozy mystery

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven 

I'm sorry for the mess," Hannah said, pushing a laundry basket to the side with her foot. Her baby sat on her hip, a chubby fist grasping Hannah's hair with a death grip. 

"You're not to worry," Ida Mae said, scooting a toy off the couch and taking a seat. "I've seen worse than this in my own house." 

"Not since your children grew up, I'd bet." Hannah put the baby in the playpen and sat across from Ida Mae, tucking her newly freed hair behind her ear. 

"It has been a little while, that's for sure." Ida Mae glanced around. Hannah's house was always clean-she knew the girl worked hard on that, but it was also always slightly cluttered, a state she knew caused Hannah untold grief. A sprinkling of Cheerios on the end table was nothing to have a canary about. Now, if the Cheerios were from last week, for instance, then that would be a worry.  

"Now, I've come to talk with you about a few things," Ida Mae said. 

"I'm sorry about having to take a break from my calling," Hannah said, leaping in. "I'll be back on top of things before you know it." 

Ida Mae held up a hand. "You're not even to worry about that. How is Joey?" 

"A little sleepy from the pain medication. He's napping right now, but the doctor thinks he'll make a full recovery, and soon. Children his age heal quickly." 

"It's a good thing they do, with all the trouble they get into." She shifted a little on the couch. "I think I may have an answer to your rental problem." 

"You do?" 

"Yes, I do. But it's a little bit unconventional." 

Hannah cocked her head to the side. "What do you mean?" 

"Rose Hunter was released from the hospital the other day. You know she's been living with Reed and Heidi, but she feels like a burden, and she really can't live on her own anymore. Heidi is going through a rough time-Tommy was just diagnosed as being deaf, and she's a wreck trying to keep up with everything." 

"Oh, no," Hannah said. "That's so sad." 

"I have a proposition. How much is the rent for your basement apartment?" 

"Five hundred a month." 

"Well, I've been talking to Reed, and he's willing to pay you seven hundred and fifty dollars if you would rent the apartment to his mother and make sure she gets her medicine every day. She also needs someone to check on her three or four times daily to make sure she's all right. He's arranged for a nurse to come in and bathe her and prepare her lunch, and she's signed up for Meals on Wheels for her dinner. She just likes cold cereal in the morning and can get it herself, so there won't be any breakfast to worry about." 

Hannah blinked. "Seven hundred and fifty, just to check on Sister Hunter? That's all I'd have to do?" 

"That's it." 

"But what about the children? Sometimes they're a little noisy, and I wouldn't want to disturb her." 

"Rose is a good woman, and she raised a passel of her own children. I think she'll be very agreeable." 

Hannah shook her head. "I don't know what to say." 

"Do you think it would work out for you? It wouldn't take you away from the children too much?" 

"I don't think so," Hannah said. "But can Reed really afford it? I mean, the rent, but also the nurse and everything?" 

"Actually, a lot of it would be covered by Rose. She was left quite a wealthy widow and can afford the things she needs. Besides, a nursing home would charge at least two thousand a month, and this won't run that high. It will be a savings." 

"Can she get around on her own, then?" 

"She can move fairly well, and she has a walker now." Ida Mae noticed the spots of pink that had appeared in Hannah's cheeks, but she couldn't tell if they were good spots or bad spots. "What do you think?" 

"I think it sounds good," Hannah said. "Let me talk it over with Ned-he was saying that he needed to fix a few small things down there. I don't know how long that will take, but I'll ask him and we'll get back to you." 

Ida Mae nodded. "That sounds like a good idea." 

She took a deep breath of the crystalline air as she walked out to her car. She had a good feeling about this arrangement. Rose didn't want to feel like a burden, and she felt even more like one since finding out about Tommy. Living in Hannah's basement would help her feel more independent, yet if she needed anything at all, help was right there. Reed had suggested an intercom system, and Ida Mae thought it was a wonderful idea. She'd mention it to Hannah after the girl had a chance to think things over. 

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