Krentz, Jayne Ann - St. Helen's 01 by Amaryllis (as Jayne Castle) (v5.0)

Author:Amaryllis (as Jayne Castle) (v5.0) [Amaryllis (as Jayne Castle) (v5.0)]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

“Well, dear,” Hannah said on the other end of the phone, “I think that wraps up the personal characteristics section of the questionnaire. I must say, you’ve become terribly specific about what you want in a husband.”

Amaryllis fiddled with her desk pen and studied the notes she had made on a sheet of paper. “The more I thought about it, the more I realized I had some definite preferences, Aunt Hannah.”

“Let me see if I’ve got it all right. Dark hair, gray eyes, mid-thirties, successful entrepreneur, small-town or rural background, university degree. You want a man with some knowledge of hand-to-hand fighting skills. Someone who is not afraid to take a few chances.” Hannah paused. “Oh, yes, one who is a conservative dresser.”

“I think that about sums it up, Aunt Hannah.”

“Picky, picky, picky,” Hannah muttered. “Very well, I’ve filled out the rest of the questionnaire for you, so we’re finished with the initial phase of the process. Your great-aunt Sophy gave me a hand with some of it.”

A small degree of relief went through Amaryllis at that news. “Great-aunt Sophy knows me well.”

“She’s the one who told me not to worry too much about how choosy you’ve suddenly become,” Hannah said dryly. “She said it was a positive sign. She thinks it means that you’re starting to take a more active interest in this whole process.”

Amaryllis smiled in spite of her mood. Great-aunt Sophy could always be counted upon to throw a different light on the subject. A memory flickered in the back of her mind. It dated from her seventh year.

It had been a hot summer day. Lower Bellevue had been baking in relentless sunshine for nearly a month. Sophy had taken Amaryllis and a young companion named Linda into town. The girls had gone into the ice cream parlor to purchase cones while Sophy had done some banking next door.

When the two children had emerged, dripping cones in their hands, Linda had pointed to a striking woman who was getting out of an expensive car.

“Know who that is?” Linda gave Amaryllis a sly look. “That’s your grandma.”

Amaryllis studied the elegant, dark-haired woman. “She’s not my grandmother. My grandmother has blond hair and she’s not as tall.”

“Everyone has two grandmothers, dummy. That lady was your daddy’s mother. Her name is Mrs. Bailey. That makes her your other grandmother. My mom told me so.”

“Don’t believe you.”

“Go ask her,” Linda urged.

“Okay, I will.” Amaryllis went forward with determination. A question had been raised. It would be answered. She would prove Linda was dumb, and that would be the end of the matter.

The closer Amaryllis got to the stranger, the more impressed she was. With her expensive clothes, imperious stature, and aristocratic air, Elizabeth Bailey was a vision on the streets of Lower Bellevue.

Elizabeth did not see Amaryllis until she felt the tug on her skirt. She turned her head and glanced down. A strange look appeared in her green eyes.

“Let go of my skirt,” Elizabeth said very quietly. “Do not touch me.

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