Free 2 A Christmas Wedding To Die For by Pat Amsden Page B

public knowledge so I suppose there's no harm," he said. "There was Kerry, her BFF, her younger sister, Gemma and then Rohan's two sisters, MJ and Celeste, no surprises there."
    "No. I suppose not," Maxine said thoughtfully. "Anyway, thank you old friend."
    Back in her little red smart car her mother said, "well, then it was definitely Kerry."
    "I'd put money on the sister."
    "They probably fight but who do you confide in if you're going to do something like ditch your wedding party?"
    She thought for a minute but she had to admit her mother was right. "Bestie," she said.
    "Exactly. So now we just need an excuse to talk to her bestie."
    "Not today," Maxine said firmly. "Walt is going to wonder where you are and Grandma Ellie said she was looking after dinner tonight."
    "Oh, all right," her mother said. "We should talk to her as soon as possible, though. Before she forgets."
    "If she hasn't already," Maxine said.
    Only when Maxine talked to her the next day under the guise of wanting some suggestions for the New Year's Party, Kerry claimed she'd been as surprised as everyone else when Julianna had suddenly taken off.
    "Honestly, I went into the bathroom for one minute, one minute – and when I came out she was already gone. And I don't trust her sister for one second but I really can't see why she'd lie about something like that."
    "I'll still run it by Patrick," she told her mother, "even if it looks like another dead-end."
    As they rejoined Walt, up in the kitchen her mother had to agree even if she wasn't happy about it. She gave Walt a kiss on the cheek as they joined them.
    "Have you learned the secret of how to make all these fabulous chocolates," she said brightly.
    "Maybe not all of them," he said laughing, "I've learned enough. Prepare to be impressed the next time I make a special dinner. What have you two been up to?"
    They showed him their nails and the jewelry, and talked about their afternoon. Somehow neither of them felt it necessary to share their trip to Kevin's in detail.
    Heath raised an eyebrow when Maxine said they'd had to make a stop there to pick up supplies for the party but he didn't call her on it.
    "They're having a games night at Julianna's tonight. Anything you want me to check out while I'm there."
    "They're having a games night tonight?" She could feel her jaw drop and hoped Heath hadn't noticed.
    Of course he had. He grinned at her. "Yeah, they're in the final phases of beta testing it so they want serious gamers." He shrugged good-naturedly. "Apparently I made the cut."
    "I thought they were supposed to be keeping visitors to a minimum while-while-"
    "The police try to figure out who was behind the attack," Heath said drily.
    "Something like that," she said trying to regain her composure and failing miserably. "I mean whoever attacked her on her wedding day is still out there. I can understand why the police want her to be careful."
    "They've got security watching the house twenty-four seven and her family's watching for anything out of the ordinary in the house. Apparently the 'plain clothes' policeman are driving her crazy."
    "That's not the point," she said taking Patrick's side. "They're there to keep her safe. And is Julianna going to be in playing with you?"
    "I think that would be her idea of hell," Heath said smiling.
    "So who's looking out for her while you're all busy playing games. Really I can't believe-" She stopped suddenly realizing she sounded exactly like her mother. Without a word she turned and walked downstairs into the shop area.
    Where Detective Shannon just happened to be entering in search of coffee and a chocolate fix.
    She stopped in front of him. "I can't believe it. I'm turning into my mother. And it's all your fault."
    He blinked once, then a lazy smile slid across his face. "I'm glad to know I made an impression but I'm about six steps behind here. You mind bringing me up to speed."
    For just a minute her heart began to race, even as she shook her head. This was