Though the rest of the week went by without any further calamities, I was busy every waking minute. Running the programs and events at the library required constant attention, and now I had the revised plans of Angela’s bridal shower to see to. Good thing I had efficient partners in Sally, Fran, and Marion. Between us, we contacted all the guests about the new locale and selected and ordered the food from the caterers Donna had recommended. Brenda, the woman from the restaurant, called to assure me that I’d be receiving our deposit back within the next two weeks.
Angela regained her usual good humor and seemed no longer upset that her cousins Donna and Roxy were now deeply involved in the arrangements for her bridal shower. Susan Roberts, my very creative assistant who worked late afternoons, had made decorations for the luncheon and offered to drop them off at Donna’s house on Friday. Donna and I exchanged several phone calls. She was friendly and seemed eager to make Angela’s bridal shower a happy experience.
“Angie’s my baby cousin,” she told me. “She’s always been shy. I’m so happy that she’s found someone to share her life with.”
Angela shy? “She and Steve are very well suited,” I said.
“I’m glad, because her mother, Aunt Rosemary, is my favorite aunt.”
Because I worked some evenings and Dylan often returned late from his office, it was a rare treat when we managed to have dinner together during the week. Dylan was an investigator dealing with stolen artwork and jewels. Recently he had been made a full partner in the company and had opened his own office in New Haven. He had branched out into other types of investigations and was finally actively looking to hire another investigator to help with the work load.
Since we were both free on Wednesday evening, Dylan decided to barbecue lamb chops and potatoes on the little-used, expensive grill on the manor house’s back terrace. At seven o’clock, I drove over with the dishes I’d prepared. I put the salad in the fridge and the asparagus in the large toaster oven to heat, then went outside to join my significant other.
Dylan kissed me and handed me a chilled glass of Chardonnay.
“Are we eating inside or out?” I asked.
“Inside, I think. It’s getting chilly. Do you agree?”
“I do. I’ll go in and set the table.”
I placed cutlery and plates on the kitchen table, which was situated in a nook almost twice as large as the entire kitchen in my cottage. But all my appliances were new since Dylan had modernized the cottage kitchen just before I’d moved in. I couldn’t help but compare them to the appliances in this kitchen, which looked to be about twenty years old.
I peered into the formal dining room and the living room. Clearly, Dylan hadn’t changed anything in either room since his parents had lived here. The furniture was graceless and stodgy and had that unused appearance. Not very inviting, I thought. Then I felt a bit nervous, wondering if I would have to live here if we ever decided to move in together.
“Dinner’s ready!” Dylan said, carrying the platter with the lamb chops and potatoes aloft.
I brought out the salad and asparagus, Dylan served the other hot food and grabbed the bottle of wine from the fridge, and we sat down to eat.
We chatted about our day’s activities—Dylan’s cases and his latest interview, the library scuttlebutt and the upcoming shower.
“It sounds like Angela’s calmed down,” Dylan said.
“She has, but that will only last until her brother arrives from California.”
Dylan was grinning when he leaned over to kiss me. “Your life is a constant merry-go-round.”
“Hey, this is about Angela, not me!” I protested.
“Your BFF. Whatever bothers her spills onto you—especially where her wedding’s concerned.”
“I’m sure things will settle down after the big event.”
We had ice cream for dessert, and I left a few hours later. We both had to get up early the following morning. I kissed Dylan good-night and drove home wondering how it would feel if we had dinner together every evening.
Friday morning Angela was perturbed because her brother Tommy had arrived the night before.
“Is he planning to stay at your parents’ house until after the wedding?” I asked. We were having a morning coffee break in the library’s coffee shop.
“Hah! Tommy doesn’t bother to let anyone in on his plans. I only know he came to the East Coast on business. He’s looking for investors to back his latest movie.”
“If it’s business, then he won’t be around much.”
“I suppose not. And he was very civil last night when he arrived.”
“Maybe he’s changed, Ange.”
“Leopards don’t change their spots.”
Saturday dawned, a lovely June day. I thought of Evelyn’s dire prediction on Monday and decided it was nonsense. Because Sally, Marion, Fran, and I would be at the shower all afternoon, the three part-time aides were covering the circulation desk, children’s room, and hospitality desk at the library from eleven until closing time at five. The reference desk and computer department weren’t affected as the men in charge of those departments would not be attending the shower.
“Sorry you have to stay home today,” I told Smoky Joe as I was about to set out for the library. Sally, Marion, Fran, and I had arranged to work from nine until eleven thirty, at which time I would drive us all to Donna’s house.
Smoky Joe meowed as he gave me a woeful look.
“Sorry, boy, I left you plenty of food. Mrs. C will be here all day, and Dylan will stop by with the plumber later and give you some treats.”
My furry feline turned his back on me and sauntered away. I reached for the beautifully wrapped nightgown I’d bought for Angela and headed for my car.
At work, I felt a sense of excitement about the upcoming party as I answered emails and checked on the programs in progress. After graduating from college, I’d never stayed long enough in any one place to make close friends until I’d settled down in Clover Ridge. Which was why I’d never even been to a bridal shower before, much less been in charge of one. Good thing the others had plenty of experience. Marion and Fran had planned a few games for everyone to play, and we were bringing along a few gifts for the winners.
At eleven thirty, the four of us headed for my car in the parking lot. I stowed their gifts in the trunk and, when we were all seated, I turned on my GPS.
“We’re off!” I said as I drove onto the street.
Sally, who was sitting beside me in the passenger seat, glanced at the GPS. “According to this, it should take us eighteen minutes to reach Donna’s house.”
Marion laughed. “Not exactly the ten-minute trip she told you it would be.”
“That’s all right,” Fran said. “It will be worth the extra time to get there. I looked up the house online. It’s on the water and should be spectacular.”
And spectacular it was! We were all oohing and ahing as I drove through two stone posts and onto a narrow lane that brought us to a semicircular driveway.
“Wow!” we exclaimed together as we gaped at the large sprawling house before us. It managed to blend spacious floor-to-ceiling windows with the typical white wooden exterior so popular in this area of Connecticut.
“Well, hubby is a surgeon,” Fran said knowingly. “What else would you expect?”
As soon as I stopped in front of the double oak doors, a college-aged young man came dashing from the side of the house.
“I’ll be happy to park your car,” he said.
I handed him my key fob and we exited the car. We retrieved our presents and prizes from the trunk and walked up the three marble steps to the house. I rang the bell, then noticed that one of the doors stood open. As soon as I entered, a woman walked toward me, her arms outstretched in greeting. She was tall and slender, yet curvaceous. Her long auburn hair had the most stunning blonde highlights I’d ever seen and must have cost hundreds of dollars. She was beautiful, too, with perfect teeth and large blue eyes.
“You must be Carrie!” she said, enveloping me in a hug. I breathed in a very expensive perfume.
“And you’re Donna,” I said when she released me. I pointed to my friends. “This is Sally, Fran, and Marion. We so appreciate that you’re opening your home to host Angela’s bridal shower.”
Donna smiled at each of them in turn. “Of course! I was happy to do it. I’m so touched that my little cousin Angie has endeared herself to her coworkers.” She gestured to a small room. “Why don’t you leave your gifts in there, then join the others in the den? Can’t miss it. It’s the room next to the kitchen.”
She widened her smile and left us to drop off our gifts and leave our pocketbooks in a corner where five or six already sat in a pile.
“Little cousin Angie,” Fran muttered as she set her gift on the long table. “The way she talks, you’d think Angela’s five instead of twenty-nine.”
“I think Donna and her cousin Roxy are both thirty-four.” I lowered my voice. “An age difference like that means a lot when you’re young. One reason Angela felt intimidated by Donna and Roxy when she was growing up.”
“Angela’s a good-looking gal, but let’s face it—Donna’s drop-dead gorgeous,” Sally said in her usual no-nonsense manner. “That’s intimidating enough.”
The den was a large, airy room with sliding glass doors leading out to a terrace. Beyond the pool, the extensive lawn sloped down to the Long Island Sound. Angela and her mom were standing with a group of women near two long couches that faced each other over a coffee table laden with snacks. I hugged them both and said hi to Steve’s sister, who was also named Donna. An attractive redhead with eyes as green as emeralds approached.
“Hello, I’m Roxy Forlano. So nice to meet you.”
“Hi, I’m Carrie Singleton.”
Roxy grinned as we shook hands. “Of course! Angie’s BFF. Aunt Rosemary’s told us so much about you.”
I smiled and introduced Roxy to Sally, Marion, and Fran.
“Has the food arrived yet?” I asked.
“Yes. Come with me and see for yourself.”
The four of us followed her into the largest kitchen I’d ever seen, done tastefully in white and black. The aroma of stuffed mushrooms, quiches, and other delectable foods wafted past me. Interesting, since we hadn’t ordered any hot appetizers.
“Donna and I put the perishables in the fridge since we weren’t sure when you guys wanted to serve lunch. And we added a few hot appetizers, which should be ready soon. We thought we’d start serving them when a few more people arrived. Meanwhile, have something to drink.”
She gestured to the counter where coffee was going in a large urn and water was heating in an electric teakettle. There were also bottles of soda, seltzer, red and white wine. Nearby were good-quality disposable cups and utensils and a large ice bucket for the soda and seltzer.
“I think we’ve covered everything, but let me know if anything’s missing. And check out the dining room. We’ve opened up the table and added several small tables in the living room where people can eat when we serve lunch.”
“Thanks so much,” Marion said. “I’d say you and Donna have seen to everything.”
Roxy winked. “We’re both used to feeding large crowds, though I’m happy to say my hostess days are over.” And with that cryptic comment, she left us.
For a moment, the four of us stared at one another, too floored to speak.
“Looks to me like we lucked out,” Fran said, pouring herself a glass of red wine.
“Looks that way,” I agreed.
A timer went off, and Donna dashed into kitchen and began placing hot hors d’oeuvres on platters. We helped carry them out to the den, where several more guests were now milling around. The four of us made a quick decision to give everyone half an hour to nosh and chat while we set out the food we’d ordered, buffet style. We’d invite them into the kitchen to select what they liked, then take a seat in the dining room or the living room. After eating, we’d play a few games, and Angela would open her gifts.
The afternoon flew by. Angela was always on my radar. I was delighted to see her enjoying herself in the company of all the women who loved her. Fran, Sally, Marion, and I kept on top of everything, but there was little we had to do with Donna and Roxy on hand to see to our guests’ needs. They were upbeat and helpful without taking over. Though once, when I went into the kitchen in search of napkins, I caught them squabbling over something. They both glanced up and smiled at me. I grabbed a handful of napkins and quickly retreated to the dining room.
Lunch was delicious, the games were fun, and Angela’s array of gifts ran the gamut from a stand mixer, which she’d never use, to outrageous lingerie, which she might never use either. We were drinking coffee or tea and munching on the most scrumptious chocolate-filled cookies, pecan pie, and other delicious desserts, when two men in their thirties entered the house and stood watching us from the hall.
The taller of the two was smiling as he surveyed the forty or so women sitting around the living room and the dining room table. “Good afternoon, ladies. I hope you’re all enjoying yourselves!”
“We sure are, Aiden,” many responded with silly grins on their faces.
So this was Dr. Aiden Harrington, as handsome as he was charming, his broad shoulders and slender physique evident in his sky blue rugby shirt and white Bermuda shorts.
“A female patient’s fantasy,” Sally whispered to me.
“I’d say!”
Donna hurried over to them. “Aiden! Tommy! You’re just in time for dessert.” She kissed her husband square on the mouth. He gave a start, but quickly put an arm around her waist. When she tried to lead him to the dining room table, he pulled away.
“Be right there, soon as I say hello to everyone.”
Donna pursed her lips as Aiden strode into the living room, a man comfortable among a roomful of women, and hugged Donna’s mother and Rosemary Vecchio. Donna tossed her perfectly coifed tresses over her shoulder and focused her attention on the man named Tommy, who looked like he wanted to run out of the house.
“Come with me, cousin dear, and have some coffee and cake.”
Cousin? This had to be Tommy Vecchio, Angela’s brother. I would never have guessed. Tommy had dark wavy hair like his sister, but that’s where their resemblance ended. Tommy appeared to be five nine—Angela’s height—but while she was thin and wiry, he was stocky and hunched his shoulders so that his neck all but disappeared. His gray T-shirt and jeans looked like they’d been through the washing machine too many times, giving him a slovenly appearance.
“Thanks, Donna, but I don’t want to crash your hen party. I told Aiden we’d be in the way, but he—”
“Don’t be silly,” Donna trilled. “Sit down and have something to eat.”
Tommy frowned but allowed her to lead him to the chair she’d been occupying a minute earlier.
“Coffee?” Donna asked.
“Thanks,” Tommy said, reaching for the plate of cookies.
I turned to Angela, who was sitting on the other side of me. The joyous expression she’d worn earlier had changed to a scowl.
“Why did Aiden have to bring him here?” she mumbled.
“I had no idea Tommy and Aiden were friends,” I said.
“They’re not. Tommy’s desperate to raise money for his movie. He called every relative and old friend he could think of. Aiden said he might be interested, so they arranged to meet for lunch.”
I sensed someone behind me. I turned as Aiden stepped between us to give Angela a hug.
“And here’s our guest of honor!” he said. “I hope you’re enjoying your bridal shower. I know Donna and Roxy want you to have a day you will always remember.”
Angela grinned, her good mood somewhat restored by his attention. “It’s been a wonderful party. All thanks to Donna and Roxy and to my dear library friends.” She gestured to us. “Aiden, this is Carrie, Sally, Fran, and Marion.”
“Nice to meet you all,” Aiden said, gifting us with a warm smile as he shook hands with each of us in turn.
It felt like receiving a blessing from a highly evolved person. Not because Aiden was gorgeous or a doctor, but because during our brief exchange he made me feel cherished. I turned to Sally and saw the same bemused expression that was probably on my face.
“Here you are!”
I blinked as Roxy came to claim Aiden, linking her arm in his.
“Hi, Roxy. Angela’s been introducing me to her library colleagues.”
“And now that you’ve met them, why don’t you sit down and have some coffee and dessert? We made room for you at the other end of the table.”
“All right.” Aiden turned back to us. “I’m glad we had a chance to meet. See you at the wedding.” He followed Roxy.
Sally nudged me. “Notice where his seat is. Next to hers.”
I laughed. “So? What are you implying?”
“I’m not implying anything. I’m simply fascinated by the dynamics in Angela’s family,” was Sally’s cryptic response.