House of Cry by Linda Bleser

Author:Linda Bleser
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2017-04-17T16:00:00+00:00

12

Bob was right. The Warwick really was my favorite restaurant. It was an out-of-the-way little jewel of a place with a hearty but reasonably priced menu. I came here often to eat, usually choosing a quiet spot on the deck overlooking the lake. I had no memory of being here with Bob, however. I usually came by myself with only a book as my dinner companion. Now that I thought about it, I always had a book tucked into my purse in case I had to wait in line or spend time alone. Books were good company. Plus they made effective barriers. People rarely approached someone engrossed in a book.

The hostess greeted us by name. We stopped three times on the way to our table to talk to people who seemed happy to see us. It was a little overwhelming having to keep my happy face on for people I didn’t know, but I didn’t want to embarrass Bob. There’d be no hiding behind the pages of a book tonight.

“Do we know everyone in town?” I asked, only half joking.

“Pretty much,” he replied, pulling out my chair when we finally reached our table. “What can I say, people gravitate to you. I’m just along for the ride.”

“That’s so not like me,” I mumbled.

“What?”

“Nothing.” I ordered a glass of wine while I studied the menu, trying to decide between panko-crusted salmon on wilted greens or one of the Italian specialties the restaurant was famous for. “I think I’ll have the eggplant Parmesan tonight,” I said.

Bob wasn’t listening. I saw him gesturing to someone behind me. I turned and gaped when I saw Diane walking toward us. It wasn’t the sight of her that surprised me. I assumed we’d still be friends in this lifetime since I’d met Bob at her wedding. I also figured we’d most likely run into each other again. What caught me off guard was the high round belly that cleared a path before her. She looked about fourteen months pregnant.

I stood and held my arms out, gathering her close in a genuine and heartfelt hug. “Look at you. You’re positively glowing.”

“Yeah, I’m a great big glowing hippo.”

“Stop it. You look gorgeous.”

Her husband, who’d been walking slightly behind, pressed a kiss to her cheek. “I couldn’t agree more.”

Bob pulled out a chair for Diane. “Why don’t you two join us?”

Diane lowered herself carefully onto the straight-backed chair, leaning back to balance her weight. “Only if you let me sniff your wine.”

“One sniff, then you’re cut off,” I said with a chuckle.”

“Story of my life.” She gave her swollen belly a slow, tender caress. The Madonna-like smile on her face made it hard to take her complaints seriously. “Guess who the final two contenders for godparents are?” she asked.

“Contenders?” Bob pretended outrage. “I thought we were the only ones in the running.”

“That could be why you made it to the finals.”

Bob turned to Diane’s husband. “Are you going to let her get away with that, Dean?”

Dean! That was his name.

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