A Valley to Die For by Radine Trees Nehring Page A

realized she wasn’t going to say more, he finally told her goodbye, finishing with, “You’ll call me soon?” Then, at last, he hung up.
    Good heavens, why did Evan have to be so interested in her? And the man had taken her seriously when she mentioned the bus trip. Senior citizen bus trip indeed—the last thing she wanted to do was go on any kind of bus trip, let alone with Evan!
    Still, the folks who came to the center in tour buses always seemed to be having a good time, like they were members of some special club.
    But, she reminded herself, she had never wanted to join any club, either. Too many people, too close together.
    Carrie put her coffee cup in the sink, then made a cheese sandwich, piled carrot sticks beside it on a plate, and poured a glass of orange juice. She took the food to her office, setting the glass in the copper coaster Rob made for her when he was in eighth grade metal working class.
    The coaster was ugly. Rob had never been any cleverer at making or repairing things than Amos. Being a teacher suited him.
    She began sorting brochures, stopping every few minutes to punch re-dial and listen to the phone ring at JoAnne’s house. She wished she’d left JoAnne a note asking her to call when she returned. She hadn’t done it because she hated to admit she’d been in the house, but then, JoAnne knew she might be expected to check on the cat under the circumstances.
    An hour and a half later, the brochures were all sorted, she had made the notes she needed, and also finished all the food, including the carrot sticks. She couldn’t think of anything more she wanted to do in her office. It was nearly 3:30.
    After one more call to JoAnne’s still-empty house, she punched in Henry’s phone number.
    His familiar rumble sounded a bit breathless. “Oh, hi, Carrie. I was getting more firewood in, supposed to be very cold tonight. Heard anything from JoAnne yet?”
    “No, but Henry, I thought I might call her niece if she’s not back soon. Do you have a Kansas City phone book? I’d like to have Susan’s phone number. The name is spelled B-u-r-k-e. Burke-hyphen-Williams.”
    Carrie suddenly felt very awkward. She didn’t want to tell Henry about searching JoAnne’s house and finding an unlocked door and a blank address book.
    “Hey, she’ll surely be back this evening. I wouldn’t worry, you know how she is. Do we have a date for supper?”
    His quick dismissal of JoAnne’s absence made Carrie feel once more that she was overreacting. After all, under some circumstances, she might not even know JoAnne was gone, and there could be a perfectly logical explanation for both the unlocked door and the missing address book.
    “Yes, that’s great, Henry, at least if you don’t mind if we stop by the center to leave my brochure boxes, and also take time to go to the grocery. I need some things I can’t get in Guilford. I should drive this time. My turn.”
    “Nope, I’ll drive, and I need to get milk myself. Guess you’re bringing your cool chest? Where do you want to eat?”
    “Have you tried the new catfish place? It’s just a mile south of the center. How about that?”
    “Sounds good. I’ll pick you and your boxes up in an hour. Don’t forget your cool chest. Mine still smells like fish from last summer.”
    Carrie didn’t realize until after Henry hung up that he hadn’t answered her question about whether or not he could help her locate Susan’s phone number. Well, of course, he wouldn’t think it was that important anyway.
    CHAPTER V
    Henry’s old Volkswagen Rabbit came bouncing down the drive at exactly 4:30 by Carrie’s clock. One might never worry if JoAnne was late, but it was time to worry if Henry was late for anything.
    Carrie was prepared. She’d had the brochure boxes, cool chest, and her coat ready at the door by 4:15, and her teal blue knitted cap was already on her head.
    She always wore sensible hats when it was cold. This one didn’t exactly go with her outfit, but