Free The Tolling of Mercedes Bell: A Novel by Jennifer Dwight Page A

merchants who settled on Manhattan in the early 1600s. Another survived the
Mayflower
voyage and lived in the Plymouth Colony under William Bradford. Others came from England in 1627 and founded Dedham, Massachusetts. My father’s ancestors were writers, artists, professors, and preachers. My mother’s fought in the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and both World Wars.”
    Jack and Gabe exchanged a knowing look. Kitty, trumped at her own game, got up to clear the dishes. Gabe ordered Molly to help her mother, which she did begrudgingly.
    “So you come by your interest in religion and philosophy naturally,” Gabe observed, “from the preachers and professors in your family.”
    “It’s hard to imagine there’s a gene for that,” Mercedes answered.
    “Jack’s genes are highly suspect. I’d steer clear of them if I were you.”
    Jack feigned shock and offense. Mercedes laughed at him.
    “Do they rub off?” she teased, touching the back of Jack’s hand with her index finger and inspecting her fingertips.
    “Now you’ve gone and done it,” Jack said. “You’re contaminated.”
    “Better go disinfect yourself, Mercedes. What he’s got will probably kill you.”
    Brandon ran into the kitchen and returned with a spray bottle. They all laughed.
    “Give her a squirt, Sport!” Gabe commanded.
    Jack snatched the bottle and threw the boy over his shoulder. Brandon howled.
    Kitty returned with a silver tray of fruit tarts. Molly brought in small plates and she distributed them to everyone but Brandon, who grabbed his out of her hands. She took her place next to Mercedes,licking her lips. Mercedes leaned over and asked her which tart was the best one, then pulled the tray over and put the chosen treat on Molly’s plate.
    Kitty couldn’t help herself. “So with all that history, Mercedes, are you not a member of the DAR?”
    “I’m not.”
    “I would think you would want to be, since your family has been so involved in the history of our country,” she said in an unctuous tone.
    Mercedes glanced at her watch under the table. She was getting tired of the inspection. A little of it went a long way when you were the daughter of Eleanor Bell.
    “I hope you enjoy your family research and the DAR,” Mercedes said to Kitty. She then looked up at Jack, who promptly changed the subject.

    A S THEY RODE BACK TO San Francisco, Jack explained that Kitty had inherited an enormous fortune right after she and Gabe were married. Gabe had done well enough as a lawyer but didn’t have to work, so he spent time on political interests. Mercedes said she liked Gabe, and meant it.
    “May I drive you home?” Jack asked.
    “I have to pick up Germaine and tend to a few things, but thanks for the offer.”
    “Is she with her father?” It was an innocent enough question.
    Mercedes chuckled. “I certainly hope not, because he’s dead.”
    Jack smiled at her drollness. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were a widow.”
    “That’s okay. It’s been a while now.”
    They turned off the freeway in San Francisco and wound through the streets into a parking space near the train station. Neitherreached for the door handle. Jack admired the colors in Mercedes’s hazel eyes. He lifted her long hand and interlaced their fingers. She felt the smooth texture of his palm—a lawyer’s hand that had known no manual labor.
    “It’s nice spending time with you away from the office,” he said, opening his palm. He laid her hand flat on top of his, matching their fingers. His were a full inch longer. He stroked the back of her hand. She withdrew it gingerly.
    “Thanks for introducing me to your friends, and for a lovely lunch.” She picked up her purse and put her hand on the door handle.
    He leaned over, took her face into his hands, and kissed her squarely on the mouth for what seemed like an aeon. He kept holding her face for a moment more as they drank each other in. He kissed her one more time, and she felt it to her toes. She