The Guest List (28 page)

“Fine. If that’s the way you want it, I’m outta here.”

“So go and good riddance,” Abby shouted.

Mallory blinked when the kitchen door slammed. “Kind of hard on him, weren’t you?”

“He deserved it. He knows me better than to think I would use people to promote my book.”

“He just said that because he’s upset. He’s worried for you, Abby, for both of us. And he feels as helpless as we do. Call him back in here. You don’t want to be mad at each other now. It’s Christmas.”

Mallory was right. Swallowing her pride, Abby ran to the front door and called out his name.

Steve grimaced as he twisted around to stare at Abby. She saw that he was scowling. “What?”

“I’m sorry I yelled at you,” she said, closing the door behind her. A cold wind whipped around her, chilling her. “Come back inside and we can talk about this a little more.”

“Okay. And I’m sorry I called you stupid and accused you of using all this to promote your book. It’s just that all this is so damn upsetting. I don’t want anything to happen to you, either of you.”

“I know. And I love you for that. I love you for everything, Steve Carpenter,” she said, reaching for his hand.

Christmas Eve

The morning was spent wrapping the Christmas presents. The moment all the foil paper, glossy ribbons, and tape were
placed in the closet and the room tidied up, Abby and Mallory showered and dressed for the drive over to the Mitchell house to deliver their Christmas presents. The Christmas spirit had taken hold of them and they’d decided to make an all-out effort where Carol was concerned, to put the past behind them and try to build a new and solid relationship. If Donovan was guilty of the crimes they suspected him of committing, Carol would be left alone and would need all the emotional support she could get.

“Merry Christmas!” Abby and Mallory shouted the moment Carol opened the door.

Carol’s face went white as she stared at them. “Come in, come in,” she said. “I don’t know where my manners are today. Donovan still isn’t home.”

She looks flustered, and why would her face drain of color at the sight of us?
Abby wondered. “Carol, are you all right? You look … I don’t know, strange, for want of a better word.”

“I’m fine,” Carol said as she stepped aside to allow the girls entrance into the foyer. “I’m just worried about Donovan. It isn’t like him to go away without letting me know where he is. He knows how I worry.”

Her words and her tone didn’t compute,
Abby thought irritably. She dismissed the thought a moment later and chalked it up to her imagination. This was supposed to be a pleasant visit.

“I’m sure he’s just upset and needed some time to himself,” she said.

“You’re probably right,” Carol said, hugging each of them in turn. “I’m so glad you came by. I have presents for you, too. I’d intended to drop them off this morning but didn’t want to leave the house for fear of missing Donovan.” She ushered them through the foyer into the kitchen, her voice as jerky-sounding as her movements. Carol had a melodious voice most of the time and always moved with grace as she glided from one place to the other. Not so today.

Abby hung back, her mind telling her that something wasn’t
quite right. She felt herself shivering in the hallway that led to the warm, sunny living room.

The moment Carol turned her back, Mallory grabbed Abby’s arm and squeezed it. “She hugged me,” Mallory whispered.

Abby shrugged and continued to follow Carol.

The house looked like an ad for a Christmas issue of a home-decorating magazine. Garlands graced each doorway. A nativity scene sat beneath the tree. Beautifully wrapped presents were piled high on the window seat behind the tree. Everywhere the eye could see there were bowls of red-and-white-striped candy, nuts, and chocolates. The tree was at least ten feet high, embellished with delicate ornaments, gathered from Carol and Donovan’s world travels.

“I also have those two boxes of your parents’ things,” Carol said as she reached the kitchen. “Let me put on the teakettle, then I’ll get them for you.”

“That would be great,” Abby said, looking around at the familiar surroundings. She used to love this kitchen. Especially the way it smelled. Carol was always cooking or baking something. It was also the place where they all gathered to eat, talk, laugh, and love. But all that was before she went off to college. Before she became independent. Before Connor.

The moment Carol was out of earshot, Mallory whispered, “There’s something weird about the way Carol is acting. She seems nervous to me. Tell me you’re picking up the same vibes I am, Abby.”

“I know,” Abby agreed. “She’s probably just worried about Donovan.”

Carol carried in one box and then the other and set them on the floor between Abby and Mallory.

When Mallory made a move to open one of the boxes, Abby stopped her. “Wait a minute, sis. Let’s not do this now. Let’s do it tonight when we open the other presents. It’ll be our parents’ Christmas present to us. What do you say?”

Mallory pulled a face that expressed her displeasure. It was
obvious she wanted to open the boxes right then, in front of Carol. She gave Abby a long, irritated look before she returned to her chair. “If that’s what you want, it’s fine with me.”

Carol set a tea tray down in the center of the table. Her hands trembled as the china cups clinked on the saucers. She immediately jammed her hands into the pockets of her sweatpants.

Seeing the Chintz tea set brought back memories for Abby. “I remember how Mama loved tea. Earl Grey was her favorite, I think. She liked herb teas, too. And … didn’t she have a window herb garden that she used to make tea? Funny that I would suddenly remember something like that,” she said quietly. “Actually, it’s weird that I would think of that now after all these years.”

“Donovan loves tea, too, but only loose tea, not the bagged variety,” Carol remarked. She set a basket full of hand-labeled tea canisters on the table. There were fruit teas, flower teas, exotic teas, and herb teas in the pretty basket.

As Abby reached for one of the canisters, a vision of her mother pouring tea into two cups came to mind. Startled, she pulled her hand back and stared at the canisters, trying to make sense out of what she’d seen. She was about to mention her memory to Mallory, but instinct told her to keep it to herself, at least until she had time to think about what she had just remembered.

“I’ll have whatever you’re having, Carol,” Abby said, deferring to her expertise.

“Are you sure? It’s not the most flavorful tea. It’s more for medicinal purposes than anything. A little rosemary, which is good if you’re feeling low, and peppermint, which helps get rid of headaches. My favorite is green tea, but you pretty much have to acquire a taste for it.”

“Whatever you suggest,” Abby said as she watched Carol spoon tea leaves into a small sterling-silver strainer before she positioned it over her cup. They could have been crushed oak
leaves for all she knew about teas and herbs. Next came the hot water.

“Let it sit for a minute or two before you drink it,” Carol suggested. She then prepared Mallory’s tea.

Abby’s eyes narrowed at the kindness Carol was showing Mallory. She couldn’t detect a trace of the animosity she knew Carol felt. The optimist in her wanted to believe Carol had meant what she’d said in her letter and was trying to make amends. But the pessimist in her couldn’t help but think it was all an act.

They sipped tea and chatted like old friends getting reac-quainted after a long separation. Two cups of tea later, Abby looked at her watch and made an excuse for them to leave. Carol helped them out to the car with their mementos and presents. She kissed each of them on the cheek and hugged them tightly. She stood in the driveway waving until they were out of sight.

“I can’t believe how nice she was to me,” Mallory commented on the drive home.

“I can’t believe it either. That in itself is suspicious. I wonder what she’s up to.”

“See, now you’re getting the hang of it.” Mallory grinned. “She is, you know. Up to something, I mean. We need to stay alert. We may not be the only ones who suspect Donovan. What else would make her so damn jumpy? That tea was really shitty.”

“You can say that again. I was gagging as I drank it. Let’s go home, Mallory.”

“Yes, ma’am!” Mallory said smartly.

Abby had a delightful surprise waiting for her when she got home; Bunny stood on the front porch shouting, “Merry Christmas!” She waved wildly as she jumped up and down imploring Abby to hurry.

Abby turned off the ignition and jumped out of the car. “Bunny! I can’t believe it! Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? This is so wonderful! My God, I can’t believe you’re here.” She ran up the steps into Bunny’s waiting arms.

“I wanted to surprise you.” Bunny laughed through her tears as they hugged each other. “By the way, just so you know, Steve let me in.”

Abby broke away and stood back. “You look different somehow. What have you done? Changed your hair? Your makeup? You’re absolutely glowing. Whatever it is, I want some.”

Bunny grinned impishly. “Being in love will do that, I’m told. I hope you don’t mind, but I brought someone with me.”

Abby’s expression turned to mock dread. “Please don’t tell
me you’ve brought me another dog. Seven is really enough. Did you say you’re in love! This calls for champagne!”

“No.” Bunny giggled. “I definitely did not bring you a dog. I think I’d be inclined to call him a fox.” She turned and held out her hand. “Mike, I’d like you to meet my best friend in the whole world, Abby Mitchell and her sister, Mallory. Abby, Mallory, this is Mike Stone, my fiancé.”

Abby’s mouth dropped wide open as she stared at the tall, blond, handsome, smiling man walking toward them. “Your fiancé? When did this … How …” Realizing she wasn’t making any sense, she clapped her hand over her mouth, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“It’s nice to meet you, Abby,” Mike said, extending his hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you. All good stuff.” He looked around Abby at Mallory. “I’m happy to meet you, too, Mallory. You’re even more beautiful than Bunny described you.”

Bunny snuggled against Mike’s chest. “We made ourselves at home in your absence and whipped up a batch of really mean eggnog.”

Abby put her hands on her hips and glared at Bunny. “How could you get engaged and not tell me? When did this happen? Where did you meet? Tell me everything and don’t leave out anything. I feel so cheated.”

“I’ll tell you all about it, I promise,” Bunny said, laughing. “But first take off your coat, sit down, and warm up.”

In the living room, Bunny served eggnog along with a plate of cheese and crackers. “I just made myself at home. Hope you don’t mind,” she said, stuffing her mouth with a huge hunk of cheese.

“Not at all. My home is your home. Talk, Bunny.”

Steve left Abby and her friend alone to renew their friendship. It was his job to carry in the boxes and presents from Abby’s car while Mallory busied herself in the kitchen making dinner.

Abby listened raptly as Bunny explained that Mike was a staff writer for
TIME
magazine and an aspiring male-adventure
novelist. He and Bunny had met three months ago at a party in New York. They’d had a whirlwind courtship and decided to become engaged on his parents’ anniversary, December 22.

“Oh, Bunny,” Abby cried, “I’m so happy for you. This is wonderful. Can I give you a party or take you out to dinner? I want to do something for you. Tell me more. I know there’s more. Share, girlfriend.”

They talked nonstop for what seemed like hours until Mallory called everyone into the dining room for dinner.

“My God, Mallory, you’re a meal magician,” Abby said, when she saw the beautifully set table and a complete dinner featuring chicken divan.

“Are you going to open your presents tonight or tomorrow morning?” Bunny asked as she helped Abby clear the table an hour later. “Sit, Mallory. You cooked, we ate, and now we’ll do the cleaning up. It’s fair.”

“Mallory and I took a vote and decided to do it tonight so we could sleep in tomorrow morning. Boy, it’s a good thing I’m as unorganized as I am or I would have mailed your Christmas present off two weeks ago,” Abby said, laughing. “You’ll never guess in a million years what it is. When I realized I’d forgotten to mail it, I thought I’d save it and give it to you at my party in February, but since you’re here now …”

“So you’re finally going to have that party you’ve always wanted, huh?” Bunny shook her head. “God knows you’ve waited long enough. I can hardly wait to hear who’s on your guest list.” She looked across at Mallory. “This girl always said she was going to throw a fabulous party someday and invite important people—the Pope, the president, the CEO of General Motors, and all her friends. Is it
that
party?”

“I haven’t made out the guest list yet. No, it’s not
that
party. This is a rehearsal party for the big one.” She giggled. “I thought I’d wait until after the holidays to get into the swing of it.” She rubbed her hands together. “Let’s get this show on the road and start opening presents. Mallory and I will do Carol
and Donovan’s presents first to get them out of the way. You did bring them in, didn’t you, Steve?” When Steve didn’t answer, Abby glanced around. “Where did he go?”

“Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas,” a voice sounded from the hall.

For the second time in one day Abby’s mouth dropped open in surprise as Steve stomped his way into the living room wearing a Santa Claus costume, complete with a shiny black belt, boots, and a bag slung over his shoulder. Abby giggled like a little girl when his long, white beard slipped down off his chin. He leered at her, then winked.

“Where are the children?” he asked, looking all around the room. “We can’t have Christmas without the children.”

Mallory jumped up and went to the French doors. “Here they are, Santa!” She opened the door and all seven dogs came bounding in. Beemer, wearing a red velvet Santa hat, led the pack, followed by Olivia, who had stuffed antlers tied around her head, then Woody, wearing a collar of jingle bells, Harry, prancing in patent-leather dog boots and the others, wearing Christmas bows on their collars.

“Sit, Beemer! Sit, Olivia! Sit, Woody! Sit, Harry! Sit, the rest of you!” Steve commanded, then waited patiently for the dogs to obey him. “I said
sit,
Harry!” When all seven dogs were sitting, he said, “Stay!”

Not wanting to interfere with Steve’s commands, Abby muffled her laughter into a couch pillow. She wished she had a camera, when she saw a flash go off. She turned and saw Mallory standing at the back of the room. Mallory winked at her before she lowered her head to squint into the camera.

It was that wink that made Abby realize suddenly just how much she loved her sister. And whether she was right or wrong about Donovan, she would still love her.

Steve retrieved a bag from beneath the tree and pulled out seven rawhide chew bones and passed them out. The dogs continued to sit, bones in mouth, until Steve gave the order.

“Okay, outta here you guys. Go into the kitchen. This is now officially people night,” he said, waving them away.

Abby clapped as Steve bowed low in appreciation of his canine prowess. “We’ve been practicing for a month, so don’t go spoiling my performance,” he said. When Abby started to get off the couch, Steve motioned her to sit back down. “Santa is going to pass out the presents,” he said, “so sit there until I tell you you can get up.”

First, he passed out the gifts Mallory and Abby had brought from the Mitchell household. A baby blue cashmere sweater for Mallory and a statement showing a generous investment into a blue chip stock fund. For Abby, there was a black Chanel purse and matching briefcase, which she knew had cost a fortune but would probably get very little, if any, use. From Bobby there were identical framed pictures of himself in his football uniform. They were even autographed.

Abby burst out laughing at how big and wide his shoulders looked with all the football padding.

With Santa’s assistance, Abby and Bunny exchanged presents next.

“Since you can’t have pets where you live,” Abby said, “I thought you might like this.” Bunny burst out laughing when she opened a fake fishbowl filled with battery-operated fish.

“And since you’re a murder-mystery writer,” Bunny said, “I thought you could use some more reference books.”

Abby was delighted. One of the books was a guide to how criminals think and the second one was a guide to poisons. “These are great. Grisly but great. I can’t wait to read them.” She was inexplicably drawn to the guide to poisons.

Mallory and Abby exchanged their gifts next. They had bought each other fun things, silly things. Mallory squealed over her designer socks and shoelaces, and Abby laughed at the studio photograph Mallory had had taken of the dogs.

“Now, Santa has a very special gift for Mallory,” Steve said, waving her over and motioning her to sit down. Using
both hands, he reached into his bag and lifted out a sleeping puppy. “She lost her mama and needs a new one. I thought you would make a good dog owner, Mallory. You have heart.”

Mallory gasped and steepled her hands beneath her chin. “Oh, my God, Steve, she’s the most precious baby I’ve ever seen.” Tears filled her eyes as she reached out to take the puppy from Steve’s gloved hands.

“All she asks is that you love her and take care of her. She’ll give you back everything you put into her tenfold, and that’s a guarantee.”

“Oh,” Mallory cried. “I love her already.” She cuddled the puppy under her chin. “Thank you, Steve … I mean, Santa. This is the best Christmas present anyone has ever given me. Are you sure she’ll love me?” she asked anxiously. “You know,
really
love me?”

“I personally guarantee it,” Steve said, his eyes moist at the rapturous look on Mallory’s face.

Abby was equally touched by Steve’s gift. It was everything she could do to keep herself from blubbering. Mallory deserved something warm and loving. There was so much love in Mallory, so much she had to give, and the little dog was going to be the lucky recipient of all that love. How wise of Steve to know and understand.

Next, Santa produced two bottles of chilled champagne. “These are for Bunny and Mike and anyone they care to share it with. Hint. Hint.”

Bunny bounded off the couch to accept the two bottles and to plant a huge smacking kiss on Santa’s cheek. “Thank you, Santa,” she said politely. Mike opted for a firm handshake as he grinned from ear to ear.

Santa turned his bag upside down and shook it to show that it was empty. He looked at Abby, and shrugged. “Oops, I must have left your present back at the North Pole.”

Abby struggled to cover her obvious embarrassment. Was he kidding or had he really not gotten her anything for Christmas?
In spite of her doubts, she forced herself to smile and pretend it didn’t matter. “That’s okay, Santa, but you’re going to feel like a real bum after I give you my present.” She put her hand under the couch cushion and pulled out an envelope. “Mallory and I wrangled this out of Donovan for the humane society,” she said, handing it to him.

Steve opened the envelope. “Twenty-five hundred dollars!”

“He said there’s more if you need it,” Abby said.

Steve blinked as he choked up. “That is incredible, Abby. Do you realize how many animals’ lives I can save with this? I can’t thank you enough.”

“Sure you can. Just keep doing what you do,” she said, smiling at him, loving him with all her heart.

Steve smiled as he returned to his Santa mode and scratched his head through his hat. He started patting himself all over as if he was looking for something. “Wait a minute. I think I might have found your present, Abby.” He moved over to where Abby was sitting, got down on one knee, and took a tiny red-velvet pouch out of his pants pocket. “Merry Christmas, Abby.”

Her breath caught in her throat as she took the pouch from his hand. With trembling fingers she loosened the drawstring. A beautiful solitaire diamond ring winked up at her from the velvet nest inside the bag.

“I love you, Abby Mitchell,” Steve said, taking off his Santa hat. “Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Abby’s eyes welled with tears. “Yes! My God, yes!” Abby squealed, then flung herself into his arms.

Abby and Mallory waited until Christmas afternoon, when they were alone, to open the boxes containing their parents’ things. They couldn’t have been more delighted with the treasures they found packed inside. There was a small jewelry box full of real and costume jewelry. They found their parents’
wedding rings, an old watch, a pair of cuff links, and several antique pieces. There was an album full of old photographs, a couple of high-school yearbooks, a scrapbook, a china figurine, and their mother’s diaries.

“I can hardly wait to read them,” Abby said, flipping through one of them. Her mother’s penmanship was beautiful, her letters elegantly formed with swirls and curlicues. Almost Victorian. “Maybe they’ll help me understand her a little better. But let’s wait until after Bunny and Mike leave, New Year’s Eve.”

“Okay,” Mallory said. “If we’re lucky, we’ll find something in them that will shed some light on what we’re dealing with now. But to tell you the truth, I imagine if there was anything, Donovan would have removed it. So let’s be sure to look for crossed-out areas or torn-out pages.”

Abby put the diary back in the box with the others. “I wonder if Donovan made it home for Christmas. I hope he didn’t leave Carol and Bobby alone.”

“Maybe you should call and find out,” Mallory suggested.

“That’s a good idea and while I’m at it, I’ll thank Carol for the gifts. One less phone call to make tomorrow.”

New Year’s Eve dawned sunny and cold. Abby sat in the kitchen working on the guest list for the party. So far she only had twenty names, but each one had been carefully chosen. She’d contacted a company who would do the catering, the bartending, and the music. Mallory had volunteered to do the decorating, which included throwing out the old carpet, the drapes, and most of the living-room furniture.

Suddenly, the piece of toast Mallory was eating flew out of her hand. “Look! Isn’t that Donovan pulling around the driveway?”

Abby rushed to the window. “Oh, my God! It is! How’d he get in? Where’s Beemer?”

An earsplitting bark and vicious growl roared in their ears
as the big shepherd came out of nowhere and hurled his body at the kitchen door.