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“I imagine they come in all sizes.” Rachel’s brow furrows over her downcast eyes. “We can call around and see who has the biggest.”
“A balsam can grow from forty to sixty feet in height.” Edward walks over to where they’re working, and Rachel jumps at the sound of his voice.
Some kind of atmospheric flute music is playing. It’s more noticeable the closer I get, and the smile disappears from her glossy pink lips as soon as she sees me.
She quickly slides a thin sheet over Miss Gina’s back beforereturning to her massage. Miss Gina lets out a loud “Oooh!” and Rachel jumps again.
“I’m sorry!” Her green eyes widen, and she lifts her hands quickly. “Was that too deep?”
“A little.” Miss Gina exhales a wobbly laugh. “My shoulders are sore from those water weights.”
“I’m so sorry.” Rachel slides her palms rapidly over the spot. “Better?”
“Much.” She lifts her head slightly. “Zane, you have to let Rachel work on your back. I’m telling you, she has magic hands. I’ve never felt so relaxed.”
Busted. How did she know I was here? I guess Edward gave us away.
Rachel answers without even looking at me. “I’m sure Zane Bradford will be just fine without my help.”
“Oh…” Miss Gina lowers her head. “So we’re back to that again?”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Rachel takes a plush robe off a chair and drapes it over the woman’s back. “Take your time sitting up. I’ll help you off the table.”
Miss Gina slides her arms into the robe, rising slowly with her back to us before she stands and ties the belt.
“I heard about a type of massage where one person slides their body all over the other person’s. Have you heard of that, Rachel?”
She holds Miss Gina’s arm, looking stern. “That’s called Nuru massage, and it’s not a service I provide.”
“It sounds X-rated if you ask me.” Miss Gina elbows her side, lowering her voice. “You might learn it in case you meet someone you want to know better.”
I glance over to where they’re slowly making their way from the massage platform to the house. Rachel’s eyes clash with mine, and her face blazes bright red.
She blinks away quickly. “I have no interest in getting to know anyone better. I am interested in getting you changedso we’re not late to your hair appointment. Then we’re going Christmas tree shopping, remember?”
“Yes,” Miss Gina fusses back playfully. “I don’t know why you’re announcing it for the whole world to hear like we’re on the TV or something.”
“Because it sounds like you lost track of your schedule.” Rachel’s voice is a quiet scold. “How do you even know about Nuru massage?”
“I might be blind, but I’m not deaf.” Miss Gina waves her hand. “I know about things.”
“You’re being a pot-stirrer.”
“Zane?” The old lady pauses at the patio door.
“Yes, ma’am?” I walk over to where she’s staring in my direction while Rachel is looking everywhere but at me.
“The elevator is making a funny noise again. Would you take a look at it, please?”
“I’ll look at it again, but I don’t know much about elevators.” I glance up at the old place. “Who inspects it?”
“Stephen took care of all of that.” She presses her lips together. “Maybe you can track down a receipt?”
More like I’ll track down her old gardener. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thank you, dear.”
The two of them disappear into the house, and I glance over to where Edward is sitting in a chair reading again. Shaking my head, I scoop up my abandoned supplies and return to working on the greenhouse sink.
