Unfinished Business by Nora Roberts Page B

she felt more rested, she might have a clearer idea of what to say to her mother.
    She wondered if a few hours’ sleep would help her resolve her feelings about Brady.
    It was worth a shot.
    She stepped out of the car and rounded the hood to the sidewalk. When she heard her name called, she turned. Mrs. Driscoll was lumbering toward her, clutching her purse and a stack of mail. A huge, wood-handled black umbrella was tight in her fist. Vanessa’s smile came naturally as she moved forward to greet her.
    “Mrs. Driscoll. It’s good to see you again.”

    Only a little winded, Mrs. Driscoll peered out of sharp little eyes. “Heard you were back. Too skinny.”
    With a laugh, Vanessa bent to kiss her leathery cheek. As always, her former teacher smelled of lavender sachet. “You look wonderful.”
    “Take care of yourself.” She sniffed. “That snippy Brady tells me I need a cane. He thinks he’s a doctor. Hold on to this.” Bossy by nature, she shoved the umbrella into Vanessa’s hand. She opened her purse to stuff her mail inside, stubbornly keeping her balance. The rain made her bones ache all the more, but she had always loved to walk in it. “It’s about time you came home. You staying?”
    “Well, I haven’t—”
    “About time you gave your mother some attention,” she interrupted, leaving Vanessa with nothing to say. “I heard you playing when I walked to the bank yesterday, but I couldn’t stop.”
    Vanessa struggled with the heavy umbrella, and with her manners. “Would you like to come in, have some tea?”
    “Too much to do. You still play real nice, Vanessa.”
    “Thank you.”
    When Mrs. Driscoll took the umbrella back, Vanessa thought the little visit was over. She should have known better. “I’ve got a grandniece. She’s been taking piano lessons in Hagerstown. Puts a strain on her ma, having to haul her all that way. Figured now that you’re back, you could take over.”
    “Oh, but I—”
    “She’s been taking them nigh on a year, an hour once a week. She played ‘Jingle Bells’ real well at Christmas. Did a fair turn on ‘Go Tell Aunt Rhodie,’ too.”
    “That’s very nice,” Vanessa managed, beginning to feel desperate, as well as wet. “But since she’s already got a teacher, I wouldn’t want to interfere.”

    “Lives right across from Lester’s. Could walk to your place. Give her ma a breather. Lucy—that’s my niece, my younger brother’s second girl—she’s expecting another next month. Hoping for a boy this time, since they’ve got the two girls. Girls just seem to run in the family.”
    “Ah…”
    “It’s hard on her driving clear up to Hagerstown.”
    “I’m sure it is, but—”
    “You have a free hour once a week, don’t you?”
    Exasperated, Vanessa dragged a hand through her rapidly dampening hair. “I suppose I do, but—”
    Violet Driscoll knew when to spring. “How about today? The school bus drops her off just after three-thirty. She can be here at four.”
    She had to be firm, Vanessa told herself. “Mrs. Driscoll, I’d love to help you out, but I’ve never given instruction.”
    Mrs. Driscoll merely blinked her little black eyes. “You know how to play the thing, don’t you?”
    “Well, yes, but—”
    “Then you ought to be able to show somebody else how. Unless they’re like Dory—that’s my oldest girl. Never could teach her how to crochet. Clumsy hands. Annie’s got good hands. That’s my grandniece. Smart, too. You won’t have any trouble with her.”
    “I’m sure I won’t—I mean, I’m sure she is. It’s just that—”
    “Give you ten dollars a lesson.” A smug smile creased Mrs. Driscoll’s face as Vanessa rattled her brain for excuses. “You were always quick in school, Vanessa. Quick and well behaved. Never gave me any grief like Brady. That boy was trouble from the get-go. Couldn’t help but like him for it. I’ll see that Annie’s here at four.”
    She trundled off, sheltered under the enormous