“I think maybe I ate her.”
Kim hesitated. “Are you drunk?”
“I’ve been more sober.”
“Did Sophie cook for you?”
“I think so,” Reede said. “Someone did. Orange soup. Chicken stuffed with something, and green beans, and some kind of mashed something, and—”
“Probably parsnips. She used to make them for Jecca and me. What I want to know is how you liked her.”
“Don’t know,” Reede said, smiling. “Never met her. I got back and the place was clean and I had food.”
Kim was beginning to understand. “Not your usual Treeborne dinners? A little wine to go with it all?”
“Exactly.” Reede sat down on the couch. “She bought me some new pillows too.”
“Did she?” Kim hadn’t heard her brother in such a good mood since he’d taken the job in Edilean. Maybe it was good that he hadn’t seen Sophie. In college guys sometimes became blithering idiots around her. Her prettiness along with her great figure often made them speechless. “So what are you going to do tomorrow?”
“I’ll be in Richmond all day.”
“Why?” Kim asked in a way that was a demand.
“Not that it’s any of your business but I’m going to observe some eye surgery.”
“Wouldn’t you send your patients out of Edilean for that?” Kim asked.
“I’m not always going to be in this town. As soon as Tris gets his fill of the big city I’m—”
She cut him off. “Don’t forget that the McTern Halloween party is on Saturday. What are you going to wear?”
Reede thought maybe he was falling asleep.
“Reede!” Kim said sharply. “You need to call Sophie and thank her. And this weekend you can invite her out. You do take Saturday and Sunday off, don’t you?”
“Ostensibly.”
“What does that mean?”
“Outwardly appearing as such. Apparently.”
“I know what the word means! Why do older siblings always treat us younger ones like we’re morons? Reede, I mean what does that word mean to you?”
“That I’m on call 24/7. Half this town gets sick on the weekends.”
“Well, not this weekend. This one you’re going to the Halloween party.”
“No I’m not. I hate those things. I spent too much time in countries where they believe in witchcraft. Halloween isn’t funny.”
“You’re just making up an excuse not to go.”
“I guess you’re not dumb after all.”
“When you call Sophie, why don’t you ask her out? Break the ice at the lavish party. Listen, I have to go. But call Sophie. Do you hear me? Call Sophie.”
“I don’t have her number.”
“Call my landline. She’s staying at my house.”