Chapter 11 #2
“I’d love to,” I lied, remembering the bug-filled boxes I’d been tasked with sorting through the last time I’d volunteered.
“But I’ve been so overwhelmed lately with family stuff.
” I dropped my voice and shot a glance toward Stuart.
Considering my marriage was back on track, I should probably feel guilty about referencing our recent separation that, I knew, had been the topic of much gossip.
But that’s the length I was willing to go to avoid spiders and other slithery critters.
Her expression shifted into one of prurient compassion. “You poor dear. I do hope things are improving?”
“Absolutely,” I said. “But the family needs my attention. Tend your garden, and all that.”
“Of course, of course,” she said. I expected her to walk away and waylay some other innocent parishioner.
Instead, she added, “It’s just that the Bishop pointed out that since you already have a sense of what’s in the archives, you could head a new committee for organizing and enhancing the collection.
It would only be a one day a week thing.
We’re hoping to look at the collection, see what might be missing, and find out if we can acquire any related material.
As you know, some of the donors split their collections.
But the Bishop believes it would be better for a donor’s collection to be held in one place.
And as you know, San Diablo has the best collection of artifacts and relics relating to the Church of any Catholic institution. ”
I did know that. I’d gotten sucked into doing research in the archives when I’d been duped by a High Demon. A long and messy story, but with a happy ending since I’d brought him down.
But even with that happy ending, I had never been happy about the bugs.
Still, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to have access to the archives, especially while I’m trying to learn more about Allie’s situation. As far as I knew, Allie was one of a kind. But I couldn’t help but wonder if this was a sign. If I was being guided to take this volunteer position.
Even if this gig wasn’t divinely ordained, at the very least, I could use the position as a good excuse to get books from the Vatican.
Much easier to go through the Church system than by the regular mail.
And I knew that Father Corletti would approve.
Especially since it had become more difficult to get access to records at the Cathedral after Father Ben’s death since the Bishop knows nothing about who I am.
It also provided a terrific opportunity to help with Allie’s training and Eddie’s research.
“You know what? I’d love to. I can’t dive in for at least a week—I’m deep in planning Timmy’s birthday party—but you can count on me to coordinate.
And,” I added with a bright smile, “I’ll even recruit Allie and Eddie Lohmann to be my first committee members. ”
“Oh, sweetie, I am thrilled to hear that.” She reached out and squeezed my hands. “And I was going to ask you...”
“Yes?” I tried to keep the trepidation from my voice. Had she heard rumors about me of the demon hunting variety? Worse, did she want me to sign on for yet another volunteer job?
“Well,” she said, dropping into a whisper. “I heard you were teaching a self-defense class for women.”
“Oh! I am, yes. Although the lessons have been less than regular. I’m hoping to start that back up next week, too. I’m still recovering from our trip to Rome.”
She drew herself up. “Well, when you do, you let me know.” She nodded firmly. “After all, every woman needs to know how to kick a little ass.”
I barely managed to refrain from slapping my hand over my mouth to hold back the laughter.
Because those were definitely not words I’d expected from Delores’s mouth.
“Yes,” I said, my voice tight with fighting back laughter.
“She absolutely does.” That was the absolute truth.
I’d just never pictured Delores as the type to do anything more proactive than carry a can of mace deep inside her purse.
“I’ll send you an email as soon as I know when the next session is. ”
She smiled. “I look forward to it.”
She turned away, and I turned the opposite direction, shaking my head in wonder at the surprises that life sent you.
I was about to pull my date book from my purse to look and see when I could schedule the next training session, when I noticed Allie and Eliza hanging out on the playscape, near the swing set.
Timmy, however, wasn’t on any of the swings.
They were just standing by the vertical support posts.
Allie had her eye on her little brother, who was playing quietly in the sandbox.
As for Allie and Eliza, they weren’t alone.
There was a boy with them. A dark-haired boy, who stood tall, his shoulders thrown back with the confident bearing of a full-grown man.
Not the usual slouch I was familiar with when confronted with teenage boys.
Especially teenage boys who were chatting up teenage girls.
I realized I’d crossed my arms, my jaw tight as I watched him watching Allie … and Allie watching him right back. My focus was so intense, in fact, that I almost jumped a mile when Eliza said from beside me, “Not a bad service. I like the priest.”
I hadn’t even realized she’d left the playscape.
“Who’s that?” I asked, not interested at all in Father Joseph right then.
To her credit, Eliza didn’t pretend to misunderstand. “That’s Jared,” she said casually. “He’s the guy from the before. The one who chased away the demon.”