THE BED & BREAKFAST LIVING-ROOM REMINDED KATHY THAT evening of the library at Mrs. Sloan's house. She hadn't noticed before that they both had a similar lighting, almost faint, fit for confidences.
"Here it is."
They were in a corner of the room, sufficiently far from the three guests who were watching TV and finishing off Mrs. Horwood's lemonade.
"Yeah, this certainly explains the flowers."
"I too thought I might be attaching romantic purposes to what would most probably turn out to be just a kind gesture concerning my aunt's passing. But not anymore."
"No. You're right. The letter leaves little room for doubt. It is a man. He sent the flowers. And he's wooing you."
"He is, isn't he?" Pat looked worried.
"What's the matter?"
"I don't feel the same."
"About Henry?"
Pat nodded.
"That's what you were going to tell him this evening?"
"Yes. I was firmly resolved to put an end to this before anyone got hurt. But then, when I went into the café, I… I started to feel bad. And then I saw you and… I guess I needed to speak with someone else first."
"Well, I'm glad you did," said Kathy self-assured. "'Cause I think you might've made a big mistake."
Pat's expression changed, as if Kathy's words had offended her.
"I'm not saying you should accept Henry anyway," said the latter understanding. "What I mean is that… Maybe it's not him."
The young woman relaxed and offered Kathy an apologetic smile. She breathed in slowly, and then breathed out.
"I really can't think of anyone else. Why? Can you think of someone?"
Kathy wasn't sure if it was a good idea to share her suspicions with Pat so soon, before having the chance to confirm them. What if she was wrong and troubled her unnecessarily?
"Oh, come on. If you know something, you must tell me."
"Well… It's the handwriting. It looks familiar to me."
An old-time carefully neat writing, matching the man's presence.
"Couldn't it have been Steve Grant?"
In the fortnight she'd known Pat, Kathy had never seen her blush before.
"It was Tom who called when we were at the café."
"Tom? Oh, yes, Tom. How is he?"
"Good," answered Jesse with that crafty tone he used when he had the power of knowledge. "He is dating a girl."