The Drifter by Richie Tankersley Cusick Page A

demanded. “Nora?”
    But Nora swept down the steps past her, leaving a cold chill in her wake. Carolyn watched her walk off in the direction of the road. Nora didn’t look back.
    â€œWhere’s she going?” Carolyn turned helplessly to Andy. “What’s happening? ”
    â€œDon’t worry about the house,” Joss said quietly.
    She’d almost forgotten he was there.
    At the sound of his voice, Carolyn looked back at the porch. Joss was framed there in the doorway, his eyes narrowed and watchful.
    â€œDon’t worry about the house,” he said again. “That’s what I’m here for.”

12

    â€œY OU CAN ’ T STAY WITH HER ,” A NDY SAID FOR THE HUN dredth time. “There’s nothing you can do, and she’s getting the best care she can get.”
    Carolyn sighed and leaned across the table. The hospital coffee shop was practically empty, and her fourth strong refill sat in front of her, cold and untasted.
    â€œOh, Andy, I’m just so worried—”
    â€œI know you are. But she woke up, didn’t she? And she talked to you, so that’s another good thing. And she acted like she knew you when they let you go in.”
    Carolyn gave a reluctant nod. “I told her I wanted to get a motel room so I could be close to her.”
    â€œWhat’d she say?”
    â€œShe said no. Then she said ‘house.’”
    â€œWhich means …”
    â€œKnowing Mom, it means she wants me to go back and finish fixing it up.”
    Andy smiled gently.
    â€œShe has a one-track mind, you know,” Carolyn tried to joke. “Even on her deathbed, she’d still be worried about that stupid guest house.”
    â€œShe’s not on her deathbed,” Andy said. “Don’t talk like that. She’ll be fine.”
    Carolyn looked at him hopefully, and he smiled again.
    â€œAnd then she said ‘paper,’” Carolyn went on.
    â€œPaper?”
    â€œI don’t know. I guess because we were talking about advertising this morning when I left the house. She wants to put ads for the guest house in all the papers.”
    Andy raised his cup to his lips, watching her over the rim.
    â€œAnd then she said ‘Joss,’” Carolyn added.
    Andy’s eyes narrowed. “And what does that mean?”
    â€œI don’t know.” Carolyn frowned and shook her head. “I just thought—knowing Mom again—that she wanted me to make sure he was taken care of. She’s so thrilled about him being our first guest and all.”
    Andy swirled his coffee in his cup. “Sure. That’s probably it. Did your mom mention Nora?”
    Carolyn thought a moment. She’d had such a short time with her mother in the recovery room, and Mom’s speech had been so garbled, that she’d only been able to recognize a few words of their conversation.
    â€œNo,” she said, “I’m pretty sure she didn’t say anything about Nora.” She gazed at Andy, who avoided her eyes. Then she said slowly, “I guess she’ll want Joss to stay on and finish the house.”
    â€œI guess.”
    Carolyn looked down at the tabletop. Her head ached and she slowly rubbed her temples.
    â€œMaybe Nora will stay with you,” Andy said softly.
    Carolyn looked up with a weak smile. “Is mind reader another of your odd jobs on the island?”
    He shrugged sheepishly. “You just look worried, that’s all.”
    â€œI’m just wondering …”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI don’t know. Why she said Joss’s name, I guess.”
    â€œI thought you had that figured out.”
    â€œI don’t know,” she said again. Something dark seemed to be nagging at the corners of her mind, but she was too exhausted to deal with it.
    â€œSo … what are you gonna do?” Andy asked her, and Carolyn sighed.
    â€œI want to be with Mom, but I can’t afford a