19. Knox
“ I think that’s enough water for the fairy pond, Hazey.”
“Almost,” she says while dumping the rest of the watering can out.
“You sure are doing a good job with that.”
“Thank you.” She smiles sweetly.
She’s been three for less than a week and already feels bigger—talking bigger, acting bigger. Every day, she finds something new to tell me or a new word I’m surprised she knows and knows how to use it correctly. I watch her carefully place pebbles as a walkway for her fairies, singing softly.
Sally’s bark has us both turning our heads down the road.
She’s running toward us beside my not-so-temporary tenant.
Winnie called yesterday to say that when the pipes in her house were getting replaced, they found mold.
It’s going to be a while before anyone is able to live there.
I may have put on a little show of being annoyed, but when Florence called saying she could probably swing a room for her to stay in, I told her it wasn’t necessary if Indie wanted to stay here longer .
“Indie!” Hazel shouts as she approaches us. Sally comes up to nudge my hand with her wet nose, so I’ll scratch her head.
“Hi, Hazel. What are you up to?” she asks, only a little out of breath.
“Making a fairy garden! Come see!” Hazel walks over, grabbing her hand and pulls her along. Indie catches my eye as she passes. She’s not wearing one of her T-shirts tonight, in its place is a tight, pink jacket that isn’t zipped up completely. The color matches the stitching on her black shorts.
“Hey, Knox,” she greets me softly, that sweet-as-honey smile on her face.
“Indie.” Her name is all I manage as a greeting.
“Look here,” Hazel tells her, and Indie crouches beside her to examine the little moss houses and acorn people we’ve made.
“Oh my gosh, did you do all of this yourself?”
“No. Daddy helped.”
“Not much,” I add.
“Well, it’s lovely. So magical,” Indie says, standing and shifting her weight from leg to leg. “Thank you for showing me. I should probably get home and let you guys get back to your evening.”
“Do you want to stay?” My invitation takes me by just as much surprise as it does her.
Eyebrows raised, she cocks her head at me, fighting a smile. “Are you asking me to dinner?”
“I’ve already made chili, so it’s not that big of a deal.” I shrug.
“Right, well, I’m sure it’s better than whatever boxed dinner awaits me. I’d love to eat with you guys.”
“Yay, come see my new books!” Hazel cheers, already running to the house .
“Right behind you!” Indie calls after her. “Is that okay?” she asks me.
“Yeah, it’s okay.” Having her here is more than okay.
After putting away all the garden tools we used to make the fairy garden in the shed, I make my way into the kitchen to get everyone some dinner. Taking out bowls from the cabinet and I ladle some chili into them, and set them at the table.
“Dinner’s ready,” I call to the girls.
“Coming!” I hear Indie’s yell, followed by Hazel's little feet hitting the floor as she runs.
“It smells good in here,” Indie praises.
“I hope it tastes that way.”
I’m surprised at how easy it is for us all to fall into sync together. Without being asked, Indie helps Hazel into her chair, making sure she can reach her drink and spoon. I pour Indie a glass of tea while she tucks a lock of hair behind her ear, smiling at me.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“So, what have you been up to with work recently?” she asks. I’m not used to anyone asking about my day besides my mom.
“Well, I was able to close a case for one of my clients before it went to a trial. The other party wasn’t happy with that, but there was no evidence to support his claim.
Now I’m working with a new client. A horse he was caring for passed while at his stable, and he swears it had nothing to do with him, but the owner is spewing some vicious rumors now about how animals may get treated there. ”
“That sounds awful. Do you have any reports from a vet or a police report to go on?” Her questions surprise me—like she knows exactly what I would need to make a case.
“I have the police report, I’m still waiting on the official cause of death.”
Indie hums. “Yeah, that will help the case move along,” she says casually, taking another bite of chili. She looks like she has more to add, so I probe.
“It could, is there something else?” She turns to face me then, setting her spoon down and folding her hands on the table.
“Well, I’m definitely not an expert, but if I were you, I would make sure I was documenting all his online comments.
A few bad reviews, and some accusations could ruin a business, and if what he’s saying isn’t true, then maybe you’ll have a case for defamation.
” I’m stunned. Not that she’s smart. Her wit alone tells me that.
It’s that she’s thinking about this in a way that a good lawyer would.
“Were you previously a lawyer?” I ask.
She laughs. “No, no. I’m sorry. That was probably dumb.”
“Not at all. It’s a great suggestion. One that I’ll be taking—if I can figure out where to look,” I tell her. I’m not online—like at all. Besides sending and receiving emails, I don’t spend time on the internet.
“Probably his socials would be a good start…see if he’s in any groups or discussion boards.
” Her words are a little tentative, like she doesn’t want to step on my toes.
“I can help if you want,” her offer is tempting for more reasons than those having to do with my case.
I could probably figure it out on my own, but wouldn’t it be nice to have a partner?
“That would help me out a lot,” I tell her, and she beams at me .
“Then I would be happy to help.”
“Is this beans?” Hazel asks, causing Indie to laugh.
“Yeah, dragonfly, it’s—” I’m cut off by Indie’s spoon clattering against her bowl.
“Sorry. Um I’m just going to go to the bathroom real quick. I’ll be right back.”
“Sure, second door on the right, across from Hazel’s room,” I tell her.
“I like beans,” Hazel tells me, happily eating another spoonful of chili.
I’m not sure what would have caused it, but Indie looked upset. Sad somehow, seemingly out of nowhere.
When she gets back, the look is gone. Her sweet smile and happy-go-lucky attitude are back in place.
I’ve noticed she has these moments every now and then.
When she directs the conversation to a new topic or gets quiet before answering a question.
Curiosity isn’t something I like to get entangled in, but I think I’d like to get tangled up in Indiana Holmes.