The Missing Mom by Ann Evans

Author:Ann Evans
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2008-09-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

“COME ON, Maggie, drink up. This is a party. Not a funeral.”

Maggie, who had been standing poolside at the Grand Beach Hotel, sipping a rum and Coke and watching the crowd, turned to find Lisa Stewart standing beside her.

She wore a long, flowing gown of bright colors that made her seem very adult. In her hand was a tropical cocktail with a parade of fruit stuck along the rim.

She clinked her drink against Maggie’s. “Having a good time?”

Maggie nodded. A few days ago, Lisa had called to invite her to her twenty-first birthday party. Will had rented a huge banquet room in the hotel. There was an open bar, a steel drum band playing under a thatched roof and enough vivid lanterns overhead to give everything a lovely glow. According to the embossed card Maggie had been handed upon arrival, there would be dinner and dancing until eleven, fireworks at midnight and a final toast to Lisa. Then she and five close friends were going to go upstairs to spend the night before leaving tomorrow on a cruise to the Caribbean.

“Thank you for inviting me,” Maggie said.

“I’m glad you could come. I’m sorry we haven’t had much time to get together and catch up. But maybe after I come back.”

“That would be nice.”

Lisa motioned toward her with her glass, and a little of the ruby liquid splashed over her fingers. “You look very pretty tonight.”

Maggie thanked her, though she felt a little dowdy compared to some of the other guests. Her gauzy, one-shoulder dress in swirling greens and blues had been pulled quickly off the rack in Macy’s. She refused to spend a lot of time thinking about what Will might like to see her in. This wasn’t a date.

Still, she couldn’t help scanning the crowd for him. She’d arrived late, and they’d spoken briefly as he and Lisa greeted the guests who came into the banquet hall–turned–tropical paradise. Since then, she hadn’t seen him.

She wondered if he minded that Lisa had asked her. But then, if that was true, why had he been so under standing the other night? Why had he kissed her?

She still couldn’t figure out how that had happened, but she couldn’t honestly say she was sorry about it. Being held by Will again—that had felt so good, so right. You could almost imagine…

She shook herself mentally. No sense in reading too much into it. She’d been vulnerable; he’d been kind. It was only a few moments. It didn’t change anything. And although she’d been here almost an hour, Will certainly hadn’t made any effort to seek her out.

But he must be busy tonight. With his penchant for organization, he was probably making sure everything went off without a hitch.

A sudden thought occurred to her, and she turned toward Lisa. “Did your brother bring a date tonight?”

Lisa laughed. “I guess we’re going to skip the part where you try to get me to tell you if Will is seeing anyone.” She winked. “That’s what I always liked about you, Maggie.

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