Read Online Polly Dent Loses Grip (A LaTisha Barnhart Mystery) by S. Dionne Moore - Free Book Online

grin. “Read a pamphlet on it yesterday.”
    “Here I thought you were digging and finally struck genius.”
    He winked. “Did that a long time ago when I married you.”
    “I hear you sugar-talking me.”
    The light left his expression and he leaned forward. “You feeling all right?”
    “I’m fine.”
    “You look all wore out.”
    “I need to get back to my house.” To my kitchen, is what I really meant.
    “Four, five more days, babe, and M omma should be settled in real good.”
    “You worried about her being here now that Polly had that fall? Gertrude also mentioned that Sue Mie, the nurse lady who you ran into yesterday, her uncle was here and he fell. They think he had a heart attack after the hall railing pulled out from the wall.” Asking him about Polly’s fall reminded me that I had to look into what had been served in the cafeteria that could have led to M omma’s sugar spiking. While I did that, I would check out Otis’s alibi.
    “Sometimes things happen like that.” He did a little scratch along his nose. A significant scratch. Married to him for as long as I’ve been, this particular scratch was the one that told me he was struggling for composure. One of those little nervous give-a-ways that most people have and, once used to seeing their reactions, anyone close to them can see what they’re thinking.
    He had it in his head that his momma might meet a terrible death. I should probably explain something. You see, Hardy’s mother is all he has. When he was four, his father left them. He’s never felt a need to find his father, and his father apparently feels the same, but I know the deep down hurt he’s carried over being left like that.
    I hitched my chair closer to him and pulled him into one of my hugs. He fit just perfect in the circle of my arms. This reminder of his vulnerability put my longing for home on the back burner. Hardy needed this, needed to know his momma was safe, happy and content, which meant I needed to shelve my selfish need for home and honor him. It was that simple.

 
 
 
    Chapter Ten
    Hilda Broumhild gave new meaning to cooking. Think svelte brunette with enough curves to make a CURVES AHEAD sign envious. Hardy about dropped his last tooth, and I about helped him through the process when I saw his reaction.
    “Someone should arrest her,” he mumbled.
    “Why?”
    “Cause she’s gonna make some poor old man die of a heart attack.”
    “Good thing your heart is strong.”
    “It’s not beat this hard in a long time.”
    Hilda was approaching head on. I gave her a huge smile and hissed at Hardy. “It’s not the only thing gonna be beat hard if you don’t behave.”
    He slid me a mischievous smirk. “I’m married, not blind.”
    “Hello. I’m Hilda Broumhild. Is there a problem I can help you with?”
    Got to hand it to her, her momma done raised her with pretty manners. “My mother-in-law moved in here yesterday. She ate here for the first time and experienced a spike in her sugar level. I’m wanting to know what you served.”
    She must have had these inquiries all the time from concerned family members. Without hesitation she motioned for us to follow her. “Last night we served roast beef and mashed potatoes and a slice of blueberry pie.”
    “Blueberry pie?”
    Her smile revealed nice white grillwork. “The diabetics get the same thing, but the sugar free variety.”
    “Is there a possibility she could have been given a slice that was not sugar free?”
    Hilda pushed through the double doors and into the commercial kitchen, complete with gleaming stainless steel countertops and appliances. She went straight to a wall where several clipboards hung in a row and took one down. “These have the names of patients and their dietary restrictions.” Her finger slipped down the list. “There is only one new resident listed. Mrs. Matilda Barnhart?”
    “That’s my mother,” Hardy confirmed.
    “She is listed as diabetic and should have received a