Max Holt 5 - Full Bloom by Janet Evanovich Charlotte Hughes

Author:Janet Evanovich, Charlotte Hughes
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Detective and Mystery Stories, Bed and Breakfast Accommodations, Mystery & Detective, Humorous, Holt, Contemporary, General, Romance, Max (Fictitious Character), American, Humorous Stories, Suspense, Women Sleuths, South Carolina, Fiction, Love Stories
ISBN: 9780312531584
Publisher: Macmillan
Published: 2005-04-05T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Annie was wearing a bright smile when she answered the doorbell shortly before 6:00 p.m. and found Max, Jamie, and Max's family standing on the other side. "Welcome to my home!" she called out gaily to the crowd, wondering how many of them had seen her on CNN. The only thing she had going for her was the fact that she looked 100 percent better than she had on TV in her shabby bathrobe.

She had purposefully chosen to dress like an old-maid librarian: conservative dark gray skirt that fell below her knees, rose-colored cardigan and shell, sensible pumps, and her grandmother's antique cross pendant. Lovelle had offered her rosary, but Annie figured that would be overkill.

"Please come in," Annie said, stepping aside so the group could enter.

Jamie and Max gave Annie a hug. Jamie had called earlier in an obvious attempt to cheer Annie and make light of her CNN debut, and in the end they were laughing hysterically, just like old times.

Max began making introductions.

"I've already met our mayor and his beautiful wife," Annie said, offering Frankie and Dee Dee a warm handshake. Frankie and Dee Dee were infamously fun-loving and colorful, though Dee Dee was known to be a bit of a drama queen and prone to hysterics. And with her late-in-life pregnancy, these personality traits were becoming increasingly pronounced.

Dee Dee's bottom lip trembled when she smiled, and she didn't quite meet Annie's gaze. "I've heard so much about you," she said. "From Jamie," she added quickly.

They all knew, Annie told herself. Probably everyone in Beaumont knew by now, which explained the traffic jam out front. Theenie had caught several people snapping pictures.

"Pregnancy becomes you," Annie said. "You must be very excited."

"Yes." Dee Dee's voice squeaked and she edged closer to Frankie.

Finally, Max turned to an older couple. "This good-looking twosome is my cousin and best man, Nick Kaharchek, and his lovely wife, Billie. They took me in when I was dangerous," he added with a grin.

"He's still dangerous," Nick said.

Annie greeted them. She could see the resemblance between Max and Nick, even though the older man's face bore a few lines that gave him an air of distinction. His wife was lovely and exuded a feeling of warmth as she smiled and shook Annie's hand.

"And these are my children, Christie and Joel," Billie said.

Annie offered her hand, and the young woman shook it and gave her a quick wink that suggested Annie was all right in her book. Joel held Annie's hand longer than necessary and flirted shamelessly.

"Enough already," Billie said as she pulled him away and told him to behave. "I'm still your elder," she said, trying to sound stern and failing miserably because she couldn't quite hide her smile.

Annie noted an anxious-looking dark-haired man standing at a distance. He stepped forward and shook hands, but Annie could see that his smile was forced. "I'm Beenie," he said. "I sort of take care of Dee Dee."

"He spoils her rotten," Max said.

"I could use someone like you," Annie replied jokingly.

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