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“Good morning!” Kerry said.
“Who’s that weird lady?” Agnes asked from behind us.
“Weird lady?” Kerry gaped. “I’m not weird!”
“I’ve seen you before! Ms. Rudder says your mouth is never closed!” Beatrice pointed at Kerry, whose jaw dropped.
I stifled a laugh. She was proving Beatrice’s point.
“I’m Kerry,” she said to the girls. “And I’m not weird. I’m just informed.”
Her eyes went to Gabe and me, and I knew why she was here.
“So, grant owner and mayoral candidate. Have any updates for me?”
“I’m gonna make gossip illegal.”
Kerry gasped. “No!”
“Kidding. But there’s not much of one. I’m gonna have Gabe come in and make a game plan later.”
“Will you be here for the election?”
“I will. And for the other ones after that.”
Kerry clapped, which made Beatrice hiss. “I’m so happy to hear that! And you’ll be happy when you see what I brought.”
She lifted an insulated reusable bag and walked into Gabe’s apartment. He gave me an incredulous look, but I only shrugged and followed her. There was no stopping Kerry when she wanted something.
“I have the most delicious casseroles for the four of you.” She pulled out a massive dish. “The first is an egg and bacon breakfast one for the girls. The second is spinach and cheese.”
Agnes went to gag, but I covered her mouth just in time. Kerry didn’t notice.
“And the final is my specialty. Chicken and rice.”
Three casserole dishes were now piled on the counter.
Slowly, I looked at Gabe with a grin. “Wow, this is so sweet,” I said to Kerry, not looking away from him. “Is it for anything in particular?”
“Well, I have to treat our town rescuer somehow.”
Gabe sighed. It looked like I was finally getting the new car I wanted.
“More will be coming. Don’t worry.”
“I-it’s fine,” Gabe said.
“It very much isn’t. Let us treat you just a little bit for all that you’ve done. And now you don’t have to worry about food for a while.”
We very much had to worry about food. Agnes and Beatrice weren’t touching the casseroles with a ten-foot pole.
However, I wasn’t going to tell Kerry that.
“I have something even bigger for you, though.”
Gabe raised his eyebrows. “Is that possible?”
“Oh, it very much is.” Kerry took a deep breath and smiled. “I offer you free secret keeping.”
