Kristin smiled. “Not stupid at all. I’ll be right back.” She wandered off to the copy machine and I looked at the photos on her desk. A great-looking guy held a huge fish, grinning ear to ear on a weathered dock—a big golden dog eyed the fish. A formal portrait of a handsome businessman, the husband, no doubt. My favorite was a close-up of an orchid silhouetted against a brilliant sunset. She saw me staring as she sat down.

“Your family?” I asked.

“Yes, that’s my son Chase, our dog Riley, and my husband, Bob. The orchid is one I took a few weeks ago. Plants are a hobby, but I really love photography.”

“You’re very good,” I told her. “Maybe you should go pro.”

“I just might someday. It’s a dream of mine.”

“My dream is to publish a book. I’m working on one.”

“What’s it about?” Kristin leaned back in her chair and touched the pearls at her neck.

“The life of a lady I knew. She was wonderful and amazing.” I looked at my cheap sandals and added silently: my guardian angel, and the reason I’m not digging for quarters to go to the grocery store.

“Well, I’m sure your book will be, too. Let me know when it comes out, and I’ll be one of your first customers. I’m always looking for a good read.”

We signed enough papers to charter a small country. “Thanks for everything,” I told her and caught an image from the corner of my eye. Oh lord—Donna was strolling up to a teller window. I slid down in the wingback chair and asked Kristin, “Where did you get that dress? It’s really pretty.”

She glanced at her navy linen sheath. “A boutique in Birmingham.” I knew she was wondering why her newest customer appeared intent on hanging around all afternoon. “Your skirt is lovely.”

My size twelve floral skirt from TJ Maxx, designed to make me feel summery, but more accurately rendering me a life-sized replica of someone’s grandmother’s sofa from the waist down. I really needed to start working out. Maybe when the cold was gone. “Thank you. I’d prefer it were three sizes smaller. You’re one of those naturally thin people, aren’t you?” Donna was talking to the teller. I needed three more minutes of chit chat before I could get up.

Kristin regarded me with a tight smile. “I have to exercise, just like everyone else. Particularly if I want to keep these on my desk all day.” She handed me a crystal bowl of M&Ms. I scooped up ten or so, hoping the hand sanitizer had worked. Finish up and leave, dammit, Donna.

Kristin couldn’t miss my fifth sneaky glance at the teller window. “Friend of yours?”

“My boss. I called in sick. I have a cold, and can’t spread it around Fairfield Springs.”