Free It Started with a House... by Helen R. Myers Page B

specimens through a microscope.
    She crossed the Italian marble floor of the grand, circular foyer with its sweeping staircase, and stepped onto the plush ivory rug to join them. “I didn’t see the Mercedes,” she said to Marshall. “Don’t tell me Mother just rang your doorbell again and bribed or blackmailed you to make you come?”
    â€œI walked actually.” With a nod to Sydney, he said, “Your mother kindly invited me early this morning before she and Bart left for services. How was choir?”
    â€œOh, her clarion voice rises above everyone’s,” Sydney gushed. “You should have studied, Gigi. You’d be an international icon by now doing specials with Michael Bublé and Josh Groban.”
    â€œOne performer in the family is enough,” Genevieve replied. As Bart handed her the goblet with two cocktail napkins, she caught his thumbs-up signal and leaned over to kiss his cheek. “Thank you, St. Bart.”
    â€œIt’s those who love her best, who are asked to suffer the most,” he opined.
    â€œI’m an embarrassment to my family,” Sydney explained to Marshall. But she hardly looked worried about that.
    â€œNonsense, love,” Bart said, slipping his arm around her waist. “Modesty simply compels us to make you put up your coloring crayons now and again.”
    Marshall said, “Genevieve has spoken of you with admiration and respect.”
    Genevieve raised her glass to her mother in a “See there?” salute.
    â€œMy daughter doesn’t care for what I write,” Sydney replied. “What she respects is that I sell lots of books.” She preened for Marshall. “I understand your dear late wife was a reader of my work. I’m so sorry that I never got to meet her.”
    â€œMother,” Genevieve said quietly, “I’m one observation away from losing my appetite.” She felt terrible for Marshall.
    His poise intact, he replied, “It’s all right.” To Sydney he said, “That would have been a thrill for her. You gave her many hours of comfort and pleasure.”
    â€œHow is it going with the hangings?” Genevieve also gave her mother a look that begged her to move on to a different subject. “Did you accomplish anything else?”
    â€œWell, the ones we thought should be situated in the bathroom are up and they look made for the spot. Following your idea, I think I figured out a good place for four more. You’ll have to tell me if I’m on the right track.”
    â€œBart, darling, come help me in the kitchen and let the young people chat,” Sydney said. “Genevieve, feel free to show Marshall around the house. We’ll check with Dorothy to see how long before lunch is ready.”
    â€œShould I talk in her left ear and you in her right?” Bart asked all sweetness. “You always get the good ear.”
    â€œOh, you.” Sydney tugged on the sleeve of his sports jacket and led him away.
    Once they were alone, Marshall stepped closer to Genevieve. “How’s the stain?”
    He was no better than wicked Bart, she thought as his gaze slid over her left breast. “A lost cause, I’m afraid—and, no, I’m not taking you up on the offer of a replacement.”
    â€œWhy not? You wouldn’t have had to go to dire straits if I hadn’t done what I did.”
    â€œThen acknowledging a lesson learned is more than enough reimbursement.”
    Marshall’s gaze turned tender. “You’re nothing like the cool professional you exhibit on the job, yet that makes you all the more complicated and intriguing. Quite a bit gets under your skin, and your heart has critical scar tissue. You’re a caretaker and nurturer, which is why no matter how frustrating your mother gets, you can’t turn your back on her indefinitely. You’re a genuine human being, there’s nothing shallow about you. And you quite