Chapter 72
Her palms were sweaty even in the cool air of Butterflies Dental Clinic reception, and she kept her baseball cap on with her hair tucked into it, hoping that Victoria wouldn’t recognize her if she came out.
Thankfully the waiting room was empty, and there was only the genial assistant, Marjorie, behind the counter, a woman in her sixties with neat gray hair and glasses that hung on a chain around her neck.
“I guess most people in town trust you with their teeth after all these accolades.”
“They certainly do. And what can we help you with?”
“We just moved here, and my mother has quite a few dental issues.” She figured that if Bonnie had met her lover during her working hours, maybe they’d had a lot of work done.
Given them time to get to know each other.
“I think she could use getting some implants. Do you do a lot of that kind of thing?”
“We do everything, and we most certainly do implants. Let me get you some information.” She perched her glasses on the tip of her nose and pulled open a desk drawer, rifling through the pamphlets.
“There you go.” She handed some over. “As you can see, we try to keep our prices reasonable. Harper’s Creek isn’t a wealthy town and Dr. Sallinger is a good Christian soul. Never misses church.”
“My mother is the same.” Anna could only imagine Mom’s face at that line.
The woman’s smile widened. “That’s what we like in Harper’s Creek. Christian values.”
“Amen.” Dear god, Anna thought. If she died again tonight, then she was going to hell.
“My mom’s terrified of the dentist, but if I wanted to put her mind at ease, is there anyone who’s had work done here that maybe she could speak to?
Doesn’t have to be overly recent.” Come on, Marjorie, Anna thought, give me something.
“No one too young, though. She thinks we know nothing of the world, and she’s probably right. ”
“I like the sound of your mother.” Marjorie smiled her approval.
“There are plenty of folks who’ve had work done here.
Miles and Jeannie at the diner—Jeannie dragged Miles here a few years back when he needed a filling.
He hadn’t seen a dentist in over a decade, so he might be one to talk to if it’s allaying fears you need.
He was coming for a cleaning every two months for a while after that.
I wasn’t out front then; I worked as Dr. Sallinger’s private secretary. ”
Miles. Could Miles have been Bonnie’s secret lover?
It made Anna want to laugh out loud. Sure, his life would be over if Jeannie found out, but he wasn’t exactly the type of guy you thought about for someone who might have daddy issues.
Miles worked in the kitchen of a diner and lived under his wife’s thumb.
Not exactly a big strong man to look after you.
“Oh, but of course, she should speak to Pastor Keene,” Marjorie exclaimed suddenly.
“Again, it was before my time, but he had a couple of implants done here and then he got a deal with Dr. Sallinger to treat some of the less fortunate here and pay for their dental work. He’d bring them in and sit over there and write his sermons while he waited.
Hasn’t done it for a couple of years. I think there were complaints from some of the other clients about the difference in what they were paying. ”
“Good Christian charity, huh?” Anna said, wry, as her heart raced. Pastor Keene.
“Well, you know people.” Marjorie shrugged. “Faith can be selfish, for sure.” Behind them, the door opened and a flustered woman ushered in two reluctant children.
“I’ll pass these on to my mother.” Anna pocketed the leaflets and gave Marjorie a big smile. “You’ve been very helpful.”
Pastor Keene. Of course.