Chasing Shadows (Shadows 2)

should be home soon. You kids must be starving."

Kendra nodded eagerly although she was still groggy from her nap in the car. "I could eat a horse!"

Maxine laughed. "I prepared a late lunch for you. Go ahead and sit down in the dining room and I'll bring it out."

I was antsy, wanting to go to my aunt's house before it got dark, but I didn't want to be rude so I followed Kendra into the dining room. Simon trailed behind me after he dropped our bags in the foyer. Simon always seemed to know what I was thinking because he pulled me back before we reached the dining room.

"We can go to your aunt's house after lunch."

"Thanks." I paused, thinking of the long drive we had just finished. "You must be exhausted from the drive. I can go on my own so you can rest if you let me borrow your car."

Simon raised an eyebrow. "Why do I always feel like you're trying to ditch me?"

I laughed at Simon's affronted expression. "I swear I'm not trying to ditch you. I just feel bad."

Simon gave me a quick kiss before leading me into the dining room. "Don't feel bad. I want to go with you."

Lunch was chicken salad sandwiches with homemade potato chips, along with a big plate of blueberry crumble bread. I found I was much hungrier than I thought and ate with gusto. Mrs. Crewe came home in the middle of lunch, her eyes lighting up as she caught sight of us. Kendra jumped up from her seat to give her mother a hug.

"Hey, Mom!" she exclaimed. "We just got back. You won't believe the great time I had at Maxwell. I got to go to a bar and listen to the Henchmen!"

Mrs. Crewe gave Simon a look of censure as he gave her a more sedate hug. "What's this about you taking your underage sister to a bar?"

"You know there's nothing more annoying than Kendra when she wants something," Simon said wryly. "Don't worry, she just came to hear the band. She didn't have a drop of alcohol."

Mrs. Crewe just shook her head but seemed to accept Simon's explanation. Her smile widened when she saw me, and she gave me a hug which I returned awkwardly.

"Caitlin, I'm so happy you could come for Thanksgiving!"

"Thank you so much for having me. I really appreciate it."

"Of course." Mrs. Crewe's smiled faded as her expression turned serious. "How are you doing with everything? It must still be a shock with what happened with Claudia."

If only she knew what had really happened. She would probably lock her son and daughter in their rooms and never let them out.

"I'm doing okay, thanks. I appreciate your concern." I tried to sound believable. "It's a day-by-day process, but it's slowly becoming like a nightmare that's fading."

"I'm happy to hear that." She glanced at our plates as we settled back down to finish our lunch. "What are you kids up to after you eat?"

"I told Megan I'd come over," Kendra chirped, shoving her last chip in her mouth and picking up her plate. She disappeared into the kitchen as Mrs. Crewe's attention turned to me and Simon.

"What about you two?"

"We're going to swing by Caitlin's aunt's house."

Mrs. Crewe frowned, looking displeased. "Is that a good idea? After everything that's happened there? Isn't it considered a crime scene now?"

"Even if we can't go inside, I'd still like to see it. I'm more concerned about my missing aunt than with what happened with Claudia." I felt discomfited by her disapproval. Even though Mrs. Crewe was warm and friendly, I never liked displeasing a parent. It was a result from continually being on the receiving end of my father's tirades.

Instead of getting angry, Mrs. Crewe grimaced sympathetically. "I understand. It must be so hard to not know where your aunt is."

I nodded, picking up the rest of my sandwich. My appetite had vanished but it was something to do. I was afraid that if we continued talking about my aunt, I would start crying.

Mrs. Crewe spent the rest of lunch asking us about school in general, in addition to Kendra's visit to Maxwell, wanting to ensure that her daughter had behaved.

"We'll be back in a little bit," Simon said as he stood and took my empty plate, stacking it on top of his own.

"I'll get that." Mrs. Crewe reached for the plates and stood. "Just make sure to be home in time for dinner at eight. We'll be eating late since your father has a late meeting."