Hannah's List (Blossom Street #7)(54)

"Do you see the zebra?" she asked, squatting down so they were at eye level.

He nodded excitedly. "The giraffe, too!"

"Cameron," his mother called, and he hurried after her. When he reached the door, he turned and waved. Macy waved back.

She worked all morning without a break and was about to stop for lunch when Michael appeared. "I'm really going to have to ask you not to hum," he said.

"Oh, sorry."

"It's distracting to me and the staff. I don't mean to be difficult, but--"

"Don't worry about it. I didn't realize it was a problem. All you need to do is ask." She pinched her lips shut, then realized she could still hum.

"I'd appreciate it," he said pointedly. He went into his office and closed the door.

Macy stared at his door for a long time. She felt like sticking out her tongue, but didn't want to be a bad example to some suggestible young patient.

She ate a yogurt and fresh strawberries for lunch at a nearby park. When she came back, she saw that Michael's office door remained closed. She knocked lightly.

"Come in," he called.

Macy stepped inside and pulled the door behind her. Michael apparently ate lunch at his desk because there was an open container with a plastic fork poking out.

"I wanted to talk to you about this evening," she said.

"This evening?"

"Yes, you agreed to stop by my house and meet Harvey, my neighbor. He's the one--"

"I remember who Harvey is and Sammy and Puffball and--"

"Snowball."

"Whatever," he said with some impatience. "Now, what were you saying?"

"You were going to come by. We had a lengthy conversation about it. You haven't forgotten, have you?"

"I remember every word of our conversation. As I recall, we left it open-ended."

"But I said Monday," she insisted, mentally reviewing their exchange. "I know I did."

"Perhaps. However, I made no specific commitment."

That problem was easily solved. "Then how about tonight?"

"I have plans this evening."

"Oh." Well, so much for that. Still, Harvey was expecting to meet Michael and it would be a shame to disappoint him. "I don't suppose you could alter your plans slightly and stop by the house for a few minutes?" she asked hopefully. "I'm sure it wouldn't take long."

"Sorry, I can't."

"Drat." She sighed loudly. "But you did agree. I mean, this isn't a delaying tactic, is it? Because I'm really concerned about Harvey."

"Has there been another incident like the one you mentioned earlier?" Michael asked.

"Not that I know of, but then Harvey wouldn't tell me if there was." Her neighbor was stubborn in the extreme; he was also a cantankerous old fool. Hmm, Michael and Harvey should get along fine, seeing how similar they were.

"Does Wednesday fit with your schedule?" he asked, pulling out his cell phone and scrolling down.

"Anytime." She'd change whatever needed changing because this was too important to miss.

After they'd arranged a meeting on Wednesday, Macy returned to work, drawing into the late afternoon. Michael went into his office while she was putting the finishing touches on an elephant. He left his door open. She didn't intend to eavesdrop, but she couldn't help overhearing what he had to say. His "plans" appeared to be with someone named Leanne. No wonder meeting Harvey took second place--he was having dinner with this other woman.

Annoyed, yet aware that she was being unreasonable, Macy packed up when clinic hours were over and followed Linda Barclay out the door.

"The sketch is coming along nicely," Linda commented.

"Thanks." Macy was afraid she'd need to redo the entire afternoon's work. She felt it hadn't translated from her preliminary drawing to the wall as well as she'd hoped. It didn't help that she'd spent most of the afternoon brooding about Michael. She decided to blame her less-than-ideal work on the fact that she wasn't allowed to hum.

"Dr. Everett recently lost his wife," Linda said as they entered the elevator together.

"Yes," Macy told her. "I knew Hannah."

"You did?"

"I'd never met Michael. I saw him at the funeral. Wasn't it sad?"

"Oh, it was," Linda agreed. The elevator reached the bottom floor and they stepped out. "See you in the morning," she said as she headed toward the parking garage.

Macy walked to the bus stop, which was right outside the building. Using public transportation was so much easier than bringing her car and paying for parking. When she got home, she fed her cats and gave them some attention, then went out back. Harvey sat in his Adirondack chair, wearing his hat, a book propped open on his lap. She scrambled over the fence and joined him.

"Where's your friend?" he asked.

"He couldn't make it. He's coming on Wednesday instead."

"You don't sound happy about it," he said. "I'm used to turning down my hearing aid when you're around. What's wrong?"

"You know what's wrong--I don't like Michael."

"Really? Then he isn't much of a friend, is he?"