page87 (1/2)

We sat down at the table, and Mom put a plate of cookies between us “So, that laas here today”

“Mr Struthers? The guardian ad lite a chocolate chip cookie Mr Struthers had beencharacter testied to come back to the house next week so he could finish his report

“Yes, that’s him He seems nice Had a cup of tea, asked about you and Katie, watched her with your dad in the garden It wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be” Her eyes wandered to her granddaughter, as currently durandfather’s hands Then she looked at ?” Her face hardened at the mention of Katie’s mother

“Tense,” I admitted “Josie doesn't have a clue how to interact with Katie”

“That’s not surprising given that she’s never bothered to figure out how to be a mother” My mom’s opinion about Josie was set in stone She could turn into Mother Teresa and my mother wouldn’t believe it

“I guess she’s trying” I took another drink

“But why is she trying? What’s this all about?” Mom demanded her tone hard

“I know you don’t like her, Mom, but I don’t want to speculate—”

“I ran into her at Martin’s yesterday It looked like she was there picking out some new clothes for herself She was very happy to see me” Mom’s mouth pinched

“Oh, okay—”

“Do you know she didn’t talk about Katie Not once She only asked about you And how surprised she was that you and Whitney got married To her, it seeht it would last between the two of you That’s all she cares about, Kyle She’s made that very obvious” She took a bite of her cookie “I made sure to tell that to Mr Struthers, just so you know”

I groaned “Mom, that just sounds petty, and of course, you’re biased Don’t bad uardian ad litem, please It’ll make us look worse for it”

Mom frowned “He needs to knohat she’s really like and what her true motivations are”

“We don’t know that’s her motivation—”

“Of course it is You and Whitney need to be on guard; I don’t trust her”

I didn’t try to defend Josie She didn’t deserve it I don’t knohy I was bothering Habit, I guessed