Firefly Lane (Firefly Lane 1)

"Virginia Inn?"

She laughed. "God, I havent been there in years. "

"Liar. Come to my office at three-thirty. "

She hung up the phone and turned her attention back to the McAdamses, who were standing now.

"Well," Mr. McAdams said, "weve said what we came to. I hope you can help other folks like youve done for us. "

She went to them, shook their hands. "Thank you. If you dont mind, can I schedule a follow-up show for next year? To show America your progress. "

"Sure. "

She walked them to the door, said goodbye, and went back to her desk. For the next few hours, while she made notes for tomorrows show, she found herself smiling.

Shed done some good with her show. Shed changed the McAdamses lives.

At three-thirty, she closed up the folder, grabbed her coat, and went to Johnnys office. Together, talking about ideas for the upcoming shows, they walked up the block toward the Public Market and turned into the dank, smoky bar on the corner.

He led her to the back wall, took a seat at one of the small wooden tables by the window. Before she even sat down, he flagged down a waitress, ordered a Corona for himself and a dirty martini for her. She waited until the drinks were delivered before she said, "Okay, whats wrong?"

"Have you talked to Kate lately?"

"No. I think shes pissed at me over the concert. Or maybe its still the modeling thing. Why?"

He ran a hand through his unruly hair. "I cant believe Im going to say this about my own daughter, but Marahs being a first-rate bitch. Slamming doors, yelling at her brothers, ignoring her curfew, refusing to do her chores. She and Kate battle all day, every day. Its wearing Kate out. Shes lost weight. Isnt sleeping. "

"Have you thought about boarding school?"

"Kate would never go. " He smiled tiredly at his own joke. "Honest to God, Tully. Im worried about her. Will you talk to her?"

"Of course, but it sounds like she needs more than a friendly talk. Should she see someone?"

"Like a shrink? I dont know. "

"Depression is common in at-home moms. Remember that show we did on it?"

"Thats what worries me. I need you to find out if its something I should worry about or not. You know her so well. "

Tully reached for her drink. "You can count on me. "

He smiled, but it looked tired. "I know that. "

On Saturday, Tully called Johnny first thing in the morning. "Ive got it," she said when he answered.

"What are you going to do?"

"Take her to the Salish Lodge. Get her relaxed and massaged. That sort of thing. And well talk. "

"Shell tell you shes busy and blow you off. "

"Then Ill kidnap her. "

"You think you can make it work?"

"Have you ever seen me fail?"

"Okay. Ill pack a bag and leave it by the door, then Ill take the kids out so shell have no excuses. " He paused. "Thanks, Tully. Shes lucky to have a friend like you. "