The Dream Thief by Kari Kilgore (books for 10th graders txt) 📕

I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't at least ask." She paused, chewing on her lip, then spoke quickly. "What if you and Karl continue to get along so well? At some point, you won't be able to avoid meeting his parents. That would be awkward to say the least."

This time Loretta felt her own cheeks coloring. That had been much on her mind lately, but she wasn't about to admit it to Bess. At least not until she was ready to admit it to Karl. Or herself.

"Karl and I haven't talked about anything like that, but you have a good point. I'm fond of him, and I have to admit I like his mother." Loretta glanced up at that high, rounded turret where Karl said he still slept when he was here. She wondered what his room looked like, what it felt like. "I'm, well, if that ever comes up, I hadn't considered much past doing whatever I could to warn Mrs. Gilmore in advance. I know she'd keep her own secrets. I'd have to trust Karl to do the same."

Klia Gilmore opened the dark blue door seconds after Loretta knocked, a sure sign she'd been anticipating their visit. Even though it was late Saturday afternoon, her pink silk dress was as formal, if less revealing, than what Loretta and Bess wore. Loretta suspected that was simply who Mrs. Gilmore was rather than any attempt to impress her.

"Ms. Schofield!" Klia took Loretta's hand in both of hers. "What a pleasure to see you after such a long absence. Please do come inside."

"Mrs. Gilmore, I'm delighted to see you as well. One reason I try to avoid these long delays is I do miss seeing everyone, especially people as pleasant as yourself."

Loretta stepped inside and turned to her guard.

"This is my sister, Bess. I trust her with my life. She's been thinking of partnering with me in my business, partly to help keep these problems from coming up. I hope it's acceptable for her to join us?"

As every other client had done, Klia was quick to agree. She held Bess's hand the same way she had Loretta's.

"Of course, and I'm very pleased to meet you. We'll go through into my correspondence room, Bess, for a bit of privacy." She opened a door to the left of the entryway. "I've already prepared tea, and we have service enough for three."

Loretta watched Klia Gilmore bustle around the small room, seeing her differently than on her last visit over a month ago. Whether she wanted to or not, her mind noted the strong resemblance between Karl and his mother.

Mrs. Gilmore wore her hair caught up in the current style, but the same curl Karl fought with was obvious. She had a similar shape to her face and the same easily tanned complexion. Karl must have gotten his size and those striking eyes from his father. Klia was only a little taller than Loretta herself, and her eyes were light brown.

Loretta glanced around the room, trying to match this aspect of Mrs. Gilmore with her son. Her desk was large and fairly plain, though the legs were elaborately carved and the whole thing polished to a high shine. The fine fabrics on the modern loveseat and chairs and the expensive floral rug certainly didn't match anything in Karl's apartment.

The shelves, though, that she recognized. Every wall space that wasn't a window, door, or fireplace was covered with them, and they were loaded with books, appropriate curios, and odd handmade gifts that must have come from her children.

The shelves around her desk were full of paper, envelopes, pens, and sealing wax. Now that she focused on them for the first time, Loretta realized she'd never imagined so many varieties and colors existed, much less that one person would have all of them.

"We won't be bothered in here," Klia said. "I've made sure everyone knows I have a private meeting. Would you both like cream and sugar with your tea?"

"Thank you, both would be fine," Loretta said. She waited for Klia to finish with the tea. "I am truly sorry for the delay, but I hope your item will prove worth it."

Bess loosened the drawstring and pulled out a large glass box framed with bronze. Klia's eye's lit up as she took it and turned toward the window. Beneath the glass was a tiny fetus, one that would have been conjoined twins if carried to full term. And if it were genuine.

The thing was a bit longer than Loretta's hand, skin pale and leathery. She could easily make out fingers on four hands, toes on two feet. Karl's mother acted as though she were holding a jeweled tiara.

"Ms. Schofield, this is perfect," she said in a breathless voice. "Exactly what I asked for. Do they truly come from Aerohead? I'd never be brave enough to get close to there."

Loretta suppressed a shudder, remembering she'd used Mrs. Gilmore's daughter Rethia to Build this hideous thing. Her pregnant daughter. Some things were far worse than a haunted city.

"Oh, you know I must respect the privacy of my suppliers, Mrs. Gilmore. The same way I respect the privacy of all of my clients."

"But of course," Klia said. "I appreciate that very much. This truly is a treasure. I only hate that I must keep it so hidden away."

"That's too often the case with the things we love," Bess said, not looking at Loretta.

"It is indeed." Klia tilted her head, looking intently at both women. "I know this will seem a bit forward, but may I ask if either of you are single?"

Loretta closed her eyes for a second, wishing she could disappear. This was something she hadn't anticipated in all her worry about this visit.

"Yes, ma'am," Bess said. "Loretta and I both are."

Loretta glared at Bess as she turned to Mrs. Gilmore.

"My sister's right. We both are."

"Well, I do have a son who's nearly marriage age," she said. "The age for a Builder,