Part 2 (2/2)
Because she listens so well, she charged off into the woods. As I lost sight of her I yelled, ”Good, run all the way back home you stupid cur!”
I truly loved my dog but wondered what she had dug up. As I walked back to the house, Maggie and Hannah were watching me from the deck. Maggie was smiling and Hannah looked at me as if I were an escapee from Happy Dale.
”I'm sorry, she dug something up in your yard,” I said, feeling like an idiot.
”It's all right, Aunt Hannah's dog used to dig all the time,” Maggie said. Her smile was genuine.
”Hey, where is your dog? Chance could have a playmate.” I smiled, but it faded when I saw their faces.
”The poor thing died. He was-” Hannah began.
Maggie interrupted quickly. ”Aunt Hannah, don't. It's all over.”
I looked at Maggie and tried to figure out why she would cut her aunt off like that. ”I'm sorry,” I said, not knowing quite what to say. After a few moments of awkward silence, I tried to change the topic. ”Shouldn't you be off that foot?” Nice segue, Kate.
”Yes, she certainly should. Let's all go in. What time is it?” Hannah looked at her watch. ”Good heavens it's after noon, time for a c.o.c.ktail! It's getting cloudy and it'll take the chill out of our bones.”
It was getting rather cool. I turned and looked for my crazed canine but she was still nowhere in sight. She'd be back in an hour or so, after she finished snooping and burying whatever she'd found.
Maggie limped into the den and I followed.
”Have a seat, anywhere,” she offered, plopping on the couch while I looked around the ma.s.sive den.
”Your aunt's house is huge.”
”This house belongs to me. Aunt Hannah has lived with us since my mother died. Both of my parents are gone now, so it's just the two of us.”
”I'm very sorry about your parents-your aunt told me about them earlier.”
”I had a feeling she was going to do that. She likes you. You have an honest face. Aunt Hannah is very impressionable.”
”We had a very interesting talk, nice but interesting.”
Hannah came in with a tray full of gla.s.ses and a decanter. ”Pour if you will, Kate,” she said.
”My pleasure, Hannah.”
”You have an engaging personality, Kate. And beautiful green eyes. Doesn't she Margaret?”
”Of sorts.”
”Now,” said Hannah sitting down with her drink. ”Tell us about yourself, Kate. How long have you been a photographer? Are you originally from Illinois?”
As soon as I opened my mouth to speak, the doorbell rang. I wonder if I can do that again? I opened my mouth again, and by golly, it worked.
”h.e.l.lo, is anybody home?” A woman's voice came from the foyer.
I watched Hannah and Maggie stare at each other-neither moved.
”Ladies, someone's at the door.” I looked first at Maggie, then at Hannah, watching for any reaction.
Hannah took a long, long sip of her sherry. You could almost call it a swig. Maggie drained the contents of her gla.s.s, laid her head back on the arm of the couch, and closed her eyes. Well, when in Rome. I drained my gla.s.s as well.
”h.e.l.loo!”
”We're in here, dear,” Hannah called politely.
Maggie lifted her head and glared at her aunt. I remembered that look from earlier that morning. I was grateful I was not the recipient. Hannah rolled her eyes.
In walked the most strikingly beautiful woman I had ever seen. She was 5'9” and all legs. She looked like Ava Gardner and had legs like Cyd Charisse. Okay, I'm a sucker for Hollywood. Her hair was jet black, short and wavy. Her eyes were green and somewhat almond shaped. She had high cheekbones, full red lips and long shapely legs that went ”all the way to the floor” as my father used to say. She was wearing a plaid skirt and with those legs who wouldn't and a V-neck sweater with a blazer: very cla.s.sy.
All at once, I felt like a frumpy b.u.mpkin in my jeans, flannel and loafers. I thought for sure she was going to take out a cigarette and wait for someone to light it. I might have, if I smoked, and if I had a lighter.
This strange, elegant woman looked at Maggie. ”G.o.d, Mags. Are you all right?”
I'd stood when she entered the room, but she breezed right past me to sit on the edge of the couch. See if I light your cigarette.
”I saw Doc, he told me what happened,” she said and touched Maggie's forehead. ”Are you all right?”
”Allison, there was no need to come over. I'm fine. Really,” Maggie said.
My eyes widened as I realized who this woman was. I gave a questioning look to Hannah who had a mischievous smirk on her face.
Allison glanced at Hannah. ”I'm sorry, Hannah, I didn't mean to be rude and ignore you.”
”That's all right, my dear, you were only rude to our guest. This is Kate Ryan,” Hannah said, pointing toward me. ”Kate this is Allison Carson, a friend of the family.”
I stood and extended my hand. ”Nice to meet you.”
”The pleasure is mine,” Allison said insincerely, taking my hand. I noticed the realization flash across her face.
”Yes,” I said, answering her unasked question. ”I'm the one who knocked her off her horse.”
”Really? And you're sitting here drinking sherry? How nice.”
She was beginning to annoy me. ”Nothing like a gla.s.s of fine sherry after knocking someone on their a.s.s and-”
”Allison, would you like a gla.s.s of sherry, dear?” Hannah chimed in, saving the day.
Allison smiled sweetly at Hannah. ”No thank you, it's a little early in the day for me.” She looked at me. ”But you enjoy yourself.”
She so didn't mean that and I was now truly annoyed.
Allison turned back to Maggie. ”You take care, and give me a call if you need anything. Anything at all.” She kissed her on the forehead.
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