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SUNDAY CHARITY DRAGGED herself froo work out As she showered and dressed, she found it difficult to keep fro all the time Every part of her body seemed satisfied and the little aches were a delicious reht
By noon she alking toward Pia’s place She had the top floor in an older building The large single-family home had been divided into three apartments Charity climbed the stairs and knocked on her friend’s door
"Hi," Pia said with a grin "Are you winded by the climb?"
"I’m on the third floor in the hotel and I take the stairs there"
"Built-in exercise," Pia said, closing the door behind her "I’ht we’d eat there"
"Sounds good"
Pia’s place was bright and airy, with lots of s and large roo added character and everywhere Charity looked was a splash of color The sofa was lipstick red microfiber with patterned pillows There was a purple and yellow throw on the back of an old wooden rocking chair and travel stickers pasted on an old steareat," Charity said, following Pia into a bright green kitchen "I love the colors"
"I’ at garage sales and flea ain" She pointed at the flowered plates sitting on a rack on a shelf "Eight plates for two dollars It was a proud moment for me"
"Impressive"
"Thank you"
Pia picked up a tray of sandwiches and salads, then lasses Charity collected it and they went out onto the large balcony
The day was sunny and warm They could see most of the town, a bit of the lake and the dom," Charity teased
"Exactly I look at the little people and wonder about their lives"
They settled into lunch and talked about as going on in Fool’s Gold
"Does Alice have any information on the thefts?" Charity asked "I haven’t heard if the person stealing has been caught"
"Last ti for the culprit I hope whoever it is stops before Alice finds thees of Easy Mac is a whole lot less interesting than themoney from the state" She curled her feet under herself and sipped her tea "Three quarters of a er," Charity said "I just don’t understand how that kind ofisn’tin an auditor Poor Robert I wouldn’t want the responsibility or anyone thinking it was me"
"It’s not Robert Does anyone think it is?"
"Not really That would require a level of creativity he doesn’t have" Pia covered her mouth "Sorry That sounded uy," Charity said with a grin
"Exactly" Pia reached for a half a sandwich "So what did you do yesterday?"
Charity blinked, not sure which of herher afternoon and night with Josh ht blush, so she blurted the only other thing she could think of
"I spent sorandmother"
Pia’s eyes widened with shock "What? You’re Sandra’s daughter?"
"Yes" Charity briefly explained everything she’d learned about in this last seventy-two hours
"That’s a stunned "You are so lucky I would love to have Marsha forcare of everybody If soht there Sandra was an idiot to run off" She winced "Okay, I’ my foot in my mouth ht she would be insulted about the coree I don’t knohy she was always running Soeous, hunky guys, all of ere lousy bets When they moved on, she followed I swore I would never be like that"
"So you’re not interested in Josh"
The statement was unexpected Charity didn’t mean to react, but she had just taken a sip of her tea and nearly choked on it As she coughed and sputtered, Pia looked on knowingly
"Uh-huh Just as I thought You’re a little too cool around hi"
"There’s nothing to tell"
"Do I look like I believe that? Because I don’t"
Noas Charity’s turn to feel uncoan "Men like Josh are a disaster"
"But you’ve fallen for him"
Charity covered her face with her hands "Sort of But he’s a really nice guy"
"Don’t tell him you said that"
"I won’t He’d be wounded"
"You and Josh" Pia looked speculative "Okay, I have to know Is he the god everyone clai"
"That’s what I need in lanced at Charity "Josh really is a sweetie and I totally adore hi that goes with that His ex is an actress Very beautiful He’s been linked with so women"
"You et your heart broken"
"Speaking from the voice of experience?" Charity asked