by Lauren Carr
“Did you take the money?”
“Of course, I did. I’m no fool.”
They stepped through the cut-glass doors into the foyer. Shrieks of delight from the game room located in the finished basement told Nikki where her dog had gone. Debra deserted Nikki to give chase after her granddaughter, who she saw zeroing in on the dessert table in the formal dining room.
“Elmo is working the crowd, as always.” Kathleen Bryant declared while descending the staircase from the upper floor to greet her daughter. “Welcome home, darling.” She took Nikki into a warm hug. As they parted, a wicked grin crossed Kathleen’s face. “I hate to say this, but it is slightly pathetic that your dog is more sociable than you are.”
“Elmo’s a party-animal. No one is more sociable than he is.”
As the words exited Nikki’s mouth, a loud high-pitched screech erupted from the game room.
Two hairless creatures, one red and the other gray, scurried up the stairs, down the hallway, and into the parlor. Both wore rhinestone collars to indicate that they were house pets.
The curious boxer dog was in pursuit. Unable to gain traction on the shiny hardwood floors, his giant paws slipped and slid under him. Nikki chased after him.
The cats jumped onto a loveseat and arched their backs. If they had hair, it would have been on end. They hissed at the dog. Nikki grabbed Elmo by the collar and lifted him so that his front paws were off the hardwood floor. “Elmo! Stop! They’re not armadillos! They’re cats!”
Kathleen gasped. “What would make him think they were armadillos?”
“Well…” Nikki flicked her eyes in the direction of the two hairless Sphinx cats. “Have you taken a good look at them?”
The two felines growled at Elmo, who peered at them with intense curiosity. He so wanted to take a closer look at these animals that resembled some he had seen in the desert.
“I never,” Nikki’s mother groused. She left the scene before it got too embarrassing.
“Elmo, these are the evil stepsisters I’d told you about,” Nikki said. “Meet Lucy and Ethel. The red one is Lucy. The gray one is her sidekick.”
His eyes wide, Elmo regarded the two creatures. He licked his stubby snout and looked back at her.
“I know they don’t look like it, but they’re cats.”
Elmo got his nose as close as he dared to take a sniff at Lucy, who swiped at him with her needle-like claws. With a snort and a shake of his head, he backed up.
“Didn’t I warn you? Don’t turn your back on them.”
Elmo decided to sit back on his haunches and study the curious creatures.
Trusting Elmo to not eat the feline family members, Nikki went back to the foyer to collect her overnight bag. Her stepfather had already discovered the bag and had it slung over his shoulder.
“Elmo told me that you were home.” Harrison Spaulding wasted no time taking Nikki into a hug. “How was your drive?”
“Long.”
A home building contractor, Harrison’s hands were rough. The long days of working outside had weathered his face to make him look much of his sixty-plus years, which contrasted with his hard muscular body. Kathleen had dressed him in a summer suit with an off-white shirt to go with her long ivory dress.
During their twenty years of marriage, Harrison had learned how to clean himself up for social events with his wife. Nikki had to admit that he cleaned up well. She had no doubt that his son had inherited his good looks from his father.
“Does Ryan know you’re here?” Harrison asked. “He’ll help you unload your SUV later.” He trotted up the staircase to her old room. “Go get a drink and relax.”
Stepping into the hallway from the dining room, Kathleen paused to watch her husband make his way up the stairs. A warm smile crossed her lips. Nikki could see that her mother’s love for Harrison had not diminished in the twenty years since they’d married.
Kathleen’s long off-white dress made Nikki aware of her casual ensemble of worn blue jeans, baggy shirt, and loafers. Some things never change.
Kathleen Bryant had the tall, slender figure of a fashion model. On the wrong side of fifty, she was an ageless beauty.
Nikki prayed that she had inherited her mother genes of beauty. Like her mother, Nikki had no problem keeping her weight on the slender side. She’d even inherited her mother’s blond hair and blue eyes.
What she had not inherited was her mother’s passion for fashion and shopping. Nikki’s older sister Julie loved nothing better than cruising the department stores with their mother to pick up bargains.
Nikki preferred to curl up in her comfy pants with the latest mystery novel. As an investigative journalist, she was often in front of the camera which made knowing the latest in fashion a necessary evil. She tackled clothes and cosmetics with the same enthusiasm that doctors addressed insurance companies.
As a child growing up in a century-and-a-half old bed-and-breakfast, Nikki had learned early the meaning of don’t touch! A regular stop on home and garden tours, the Bryant home had graced the pages of more than one local designer home magazine. Every piece of furniture and decoration was selected and placed with the inn’s place in history in mind.
“There’s a place for everything and everything in its place,” was the Bryant family saying.
Nikki suspected that her habit of leaving dirty dishes in the sink throughout the day was her way of rebelling.
Kathleen Bryant’s sense of style and taste was by no means part of being a brainless shopaholic. After the sudden death of her husband, Kathleen refused to retreat into her grief and sell the local station that had been in her family for two generations.
At that time, her only business experience was running her in-law’s seasonal bed-and-breakfast. Determined to keep the television station in the family for her daughters, Kathleen took up the reins of WKPG-TV. Her savvy business sense made the station the most successful one in central Pennsylvania.
In no time, Kathleen Bryant gained the reputation of being a savvy businesswoman—who also had an eye for fashion.
“Kathleen, is this Nikki?” A young woman who appeared to be in her early twenties stepped out of the dining room. Hesitant to interrupt, she offered her hand to Nikki. “I’m Rebecca Cambridge, one of the on-the-scene news journalists at WKPG. I am such a big fan of yours. Your mother talks about you all the time.” She gushed. “You’re my idol.”
“Becca’s been doing a terrific job covering the board of education this year,” Kathleen said.
“As a matter of fact,” Becca said, “I’ve been working on an investigative piece that I would love to talk to you about—once you get settled in, of course.”
“Nikki is always up to diving deeper into a story, but she looks like she needs some R&R first.” Kathleen looped her arm through her daughter’s and ushered her into the country kitchen.
“If you need anything,” Becca called after them, “I’ll be glad to help you out in any way that I can.”
“You and Ryan have so much to catch up on.” Kathleen escorted her past the living room where a group of guests were gathered.
“Ashleigh, darling! What have you been doing with yourself? I haven’t seen you since the summer gala at the art gallery!” an older woman exclaimed while hugging another party guest with thick honey blond hair. The two women exchanged air kisses.
Oh, great! Ashleigh Addison is here. So help me, if she’s Ryan’s date—What are you thinking? You walk through the door and suddenly you’re back in high school!
In the kitchen, Trudy Danvers, the inn’s cook, was strategically arranging pineapple on skewers and placing them in a mold filled with other fruit to create an edible bouquet.
“Trudy, look what the dog dragged in!” Kathleen swept her arms in a flourish.
The short, robust older woman turned from the fruit bouquet and placed her h
ands on her curvy hips. With a critical eye, she adjusted her glasses and looked Nikki up and down.
By the frown on Trudy’s face, Nikki suspected the B&B’s cook didn’t realize that the question was rhetorical.
Finally, Trudy frowned and snapped in an accusatory tone, “Don’t they have any food in Vegas?”
“Yes, they have food. There are some wonder—”
“Then why are you so skinny?” Trudy stomped to the refrigerator and yanked open the door. “I’ll bet you didn’t eat that lunch I packed you?”
“What lunch?”
“The corned beef sandwich and potato salad I made for you.” Trudy extracted a plastic bin, a jar of mayonnaise, and several other items from the refrigerator. “I’d put them all in a cooler along with an ice block to keep them cool.” Her arms filled, she shut the door with a swing of her hip and carried the food to the counter.
“That was fifteen years ago. Of course, I ate it,” Nikki said.
“And you look like you haven’t eaten since.” With a sigh, Trudy turned to Kathleen. “You wondered why she hasn’t found a man and gotten married.”
Under Nikki’s fiery glare, Kathleen threw her hands up into the air as if she feared her daughter was about to pull a weapon. “I’ve never said anything about being worried about your commitment issues.”
“You didn’t have to,” Trudy said while constructing a rather large sandwich. “It’s natural for a mother to worry about her daughter having issues when it comes to men. Sure, she may have a big important job, but that doesn’t keep her warm at night. And who’s going to take care of her when she gets senile if she allows her clock to run out without getting a ring on her finger? Well, I can tell you why she can’t find a man with just one look at her. But don’t you worry.” She held out a plate filled with a sandwich and an enormous dill pickle. “A few Trudy Love Meals will put some meat on those bones. Then men will know that she’s not a twelve-year-old boy.”
Nikki had no choice but to take the plate.
Trudy never gave anyone a choice. She had been working for the Bryant family since Nikki was a little girl. When they had guests at the B&B, Trudy would arrive before dawn to cook enormous breakfast buffets that would be set up along the sideboard when the guests awakened. After the guests checked out, Trudy would clean the guest suites.
The breakfasts at the Bryant Bed and Breakfast were the stuff of traveling blogs and review sites thanks to Trudy Danvers. Food was Trudy’s passion. She believed that food was the answer to everything. Illness—she had a soup that would be just what the doctor ordered. Sadness—she had a dessert to cheer you up. Happiness—Trudy knew just what meal would add to the celebration.
Granted, there was no scientific evidence to prove that any of Trudy’s prescriptions helped. That was okay. Her cooking was so good that no one cared.
Nikki ate half of the sandwich under Trudy’s watchful eye, while Kathleen escaped under the pretense of needing to mingle with guests who had just arrived.
While Trudy resumed work on the fruit bouquet, Nikki picked up a flute to fill at the champagne fountain on the kitchen table, which was covered with a linen tablecloth. She was aware of many curious eyes glancing in her direction when they passed the kitchen doorway. Their attention was drawn to her for one of two things. One, she had failed to dress appropriately for the social occasion. Two, Nikki was going to be most of the party guests’ new boss.
“How does it feel to be the big boss lady on Monday?” Trudy asked. “Nervous? Maybe that’s why you’ve lost so much weight. Nerves can do terrible things to a woman’s digestion.”
“No, I’m not nervous. I’ll have Debra to help show me—”
“Oh, your mother didn’t tell you,” Trudy said while breezing past her with the fruit bouquet.
“Tell me what?” Nikki asked.
“Debra has retired. Her last day was yesterday, too. She remarried a couple of years ago. When your mom announced her retirement, Debra decided now was as good a time as any. She’s going to stay home and take care of Fiona while Katie takes classes at the university.”
Nikki took a healthy sip of the champagne. “Debra has been with WKPG since—”
“Thirty years. She started working for the station as a receptionist right out of business school.” Trudy set the bouquet in the center of the dining room table and jerked her chin in the direction of an older, heavy-set man across the room. “Wyatt is still there. As general manager, he’ll do most of the hands-on work for you. If you need anything, he’ll be able to help you. If not, well, Kathleen and Harrison aren’t leaving for their train trip across the Canadian Rockies until a week from Monday. She’ll still be around.”
Trudy grinned with pleasure at the bouquet. “Well, that’s taken care of.” She hurried back into the kitchen. “I’d love to stay and catch up, but I have to go to the church and make sure that is clean for tomorrow’s service. Tell your mother to leave the kitchen. I’ll clean up tomorrow afternoon. You should go upstairs and freshen up. Put on some lipstick.” She frowned at her as she picked up her oversized purse and took out the keys to her van. “Maybe change your clothes and put on a push-up bra.”
Before Nikki could object, Trudy threw open the back door and trotted out.
Nikki caught her reflection in the shiny brushed chrome of the refrigerator. With a loud groan, she set down the champagne flute and finger combed her hair. When not in front of the news camera, she kept her style understated—simply because she didn’t like to waste much time on hair and make-up.
She assessed the damage and yearned for a curling iron, cocktail dress, and a make-up artist. Giving up, she decided to run upstairs and hide in her room until the party ended.
Champagne would make hiding out more enjoyable.
She stepped over to the fountain and stuck the flute under the falling bubbly. On the other side of the fountain, the glass door opened and he stepped in.
The years had been exceedingly kind to Ryan Spaulding. When she had last seen him, he wore thick eyeglasses and was so skinny that she feared he wouldn’t survive military basic training. Now, he sported long lean muscles visible under his untucked button-down shirt and slacks.
Nikki felt a gasp escape her lips. After so many years, she certainly didn’t want Ryan Spaulding to see her looking like she had been dragged behind a horse across one hundred miles of bad road. She did the only thing she could do. Duck behind the fountain.
Furtively, she watched him look around at the crowd before turning in her direction.
The corner of his mouth kicked upward as his eyes landed on her. He opened his mouth as if to speak.
A cry erupted from behind her. “Uncle Ryan! It’s Uncle Ryan!”
A mob of young children stampeded across the kitchen to capture Ryan and hold him in place with their tiny arms around his legs, hips, and waist. They all spoke at once:
“Did you bring me anything?”
“Can you show us a trick?”
“When are you taking us for ice cream again?”
“Show them that trick you do with the quarter.”
“When are you going to come babysit us next? You’re my favorite babysitter, Uncle Ryan.”
“I love you, Uncle Ryan.”
Nikki watched as he lowered himself to their level and proceeded to entertain them with magic tricks. They were nothing elaborate—slight of hand tricks with coins. But to his young audience, the oldest of which was eight, Uncle Ryan was a master magician.
After being sufficiently entertained and bribed with the coins from the tricks, the children ran off to return to the family room. As they passed by her, Nikki turned back to see him watching her.
“Ryan! There you are!”
This guest was notably taller, older, and sexier than the previous intruders.
Even after twenty years, Nikki had not forgotten the sult
ry sound of that voice.
I wonder what magic tricks he’s been entertaining her with.
“Conner and I have a bet.” Ashleigh Addison rushed into the room, grasped Ryan by the arm and dragged him into the dining room.
Her temperature rising, Nikki brought the champagne flute to her lips and took a generous sip.
Near the veggie tray, Ryan Spaulding laughed along with Ashleigh Addison before taking a bite of the celery stick.
The only reason he’s laughing is because he wants to sleep with her. Nikki frowned. What if he’s already sleeping with her? She growled. Why should you care if Ryan is sleeping with Ashleigh? He’s your brother. She groaned.
“Amazing what orthodontia, lasik surgery, and military basic training can do to a man,” Nikki heard whispered in her ear.
Another gasp escaped her lips. She spun around to face her older sister.
Julie took her into a warm hug. “Hello, sis. Ryan’s looking good, huh?”
“I just…” Nikki stammered.
“He got promoted to the head of the state police crime scene unit last month.” Julie reached around her to the counter for a roll of paper towels. “You must be exhausted after driving three-fourths of the way across the country.” She tore off a sheet and knelt to clean the hands of a small child who Nikki noticed at her feet.
Her older sister was seemingly never more than an arm’s length from a child. It started with her acting as babysitter for Nikki. From there, she married and had four children before her twenty-fifth birthday. It seemed only natural for her to become a kindergarten teacher as soon as her young ones started school.
Nikki had no idea who the sticky fingered girl belonged to. She could have been one of Julie’s former or current students.
Before she could finish, Julie acquired a helper in the form of Elmo. The dog stuck in his stubby black snout and attempted to clean the edible mess with his long tongue.
Julie tried to shoo the seventy-pound dog away. “Get out of here, Elmo.”
The child giggled with delight. “Elmo’s helping.” She stuck her hands into Elmo’s face. He obliged her request to finish the clean-up.