Love for Sale

casserole.”
    Walker smiled. “Of course she is. I guess I ought to pick up a roast or something as well.”
    Finding pork roast wasn’t easy. Nor was finding toys. His landlady managed to unearth a well-used plush rabbit missing one ear that a former tenant had left behind. The baby wouldn’t mind it missing an ear, Walker assumed. Mabel rummaged around in the lost-and-found closet at the restaurant and located a little metal policeman figure some child never reclaimed.
    Walker headed out for the Towerton house and was surprised and pleased to see that a number of cars were parked in front. The word of Mary’s husband’s death must have spread like a wildfire. She obviously meant a good deal to a lot of her neighbors.
    There were more casseroles and bowls of potato salad than he’d ever seen in one place. Many of the neighbors, knowing all that food wouldn’t keep in Mary’s small icebox, were eating what the others had brought.
    Baby Emily latched onto the rabbit with glee and held it up to her cheek while she sucked the thumb of her other hand. Joey took the figure with a smile and said, “Is this you? Is it my birth- day?”
    Mary was being a good hostess, dragging out chairs and benches and washing up every dish as it was finished so someone else could use it. She only had six of them. Mrs. Prinney was still there, snatching away plates as people took their last bite. As Howard Walker handed Mrs. Towerton the little paper-wrapped pork roast, she said, “Chief Walker, you and Mrs. Prinney were the only ones so far who thought about the children. Thank you for that and for getting the locksmith out so quickly.“
    “It’s the least I could do. I’m so sorry for your loss,“ he said. “If there’s anything else I can do for you, just ask.“
    “I’m fine. Really.“
    “Well, I am glad to hear that. And now I think I’d better get out of the way.“
    “Aren’t you going to have dinner? This is too much food for us to ever eat.“
    “I’d be glad to. I’ll hold on to my plate with one hand to keep Mrs. Prinney from snatching it away.”
    Mary smiled.
    “Chief Walker!“ Mrs. Prinney exclaimed later as he was leaving. “My husband left me here. Could I have a ride home with you?”
    On the way home, Mrs. Prinney said, “Poor girl. What is she going to do without a husband?”
    Walker said, “She’s survived a long time without a husband very well. She’ll keep on doing well, I imagine.”

Chapter 26

    Thursday morning, Mrs. Tarkington took Lily aside as the children were arriving at school. “I had a chat on the phone with Mrs. Rismiller, the minister’s wife, early this morning about changing the rotation of the flower providers for the church. She mentioned in passing that their son was moving back home to Voorburg.“
    “Oh dear. I understand he has very odd theories of religion.“
    “Yes, he certainly does. The point is, even though his mother didn’t come right out and say so, they’re in despair at the thought of having him in their home, pontificating to them about how wrong they are to believe as they do. Especially now, when that awful radio preacher has just been murdered. He seems to be closer to Brother Goodheart’s philosophy than his father and mother can tolerate.“
    “I wouldn’t blame them,“ Lily said. Then she opened her eyes very wide with alarm. “You didn’t suggest him as one of our boarders?”
    This made Mrs. Tarkington laugh. “No, of course not. I wouldn’t want to be around him either. I told her I was thinking of renting out my house. She nearly fell at my feet in gratitude. They’ll pay the rent themselves to house him, so he has no choice.”
    She went on, “The problem is that he’s arriving next Monday. So I have to be out before that.”
    “Is that possible?“ Lily asked.
    “Only if I can catch the Harbinger boys before tomorrow. If I can, I wonder if you could cover for me at school tomorrow? I need to find a great many boxes for my belongings and decide which furniture I’m taking with me. I’m sorry to impose on you, but this is a golden opportunity I can’t afford to miss. If a parent shows up, find out what they need. If it’s vital, I’ll come back to school.”
    Lily nodded. “I understand you hurrying. There aren’t very many people around here who could afford the rental, and you wouldn’t want the house to remain empty. I’ll call Robert, if I may. I need to take his afternoon duties anyway so he can help