Read Online A Murder of Taste: A Queen Bees Quilt Mystery by Sally Goldenbaum - Free Book Online
Authors: Sally Goldenbaum
Ads: Link
gave a moose a muffin. Gus Schuette and his wife Rita sat with Eleanor, debating the merits of martinis. Rita was a definite asset to any gathering, her keen wit and outspoken opinions fodder for lively conversation. “Max Elliott said he’d be by, too, so let’s wait a couple more minutes,” Po said. She’d been happy when Max called, and hoped there’d be a moment or two to ask him subtly about Laurel St. Pierre. She was surprised at Marla’s gossip—she hadn’t known Max even knew Laurel. Besides, the thought of anyone not liking Max Elliott was difficult to imagine.
As if on cue, a knock at the front door announced Max’s presence. “I’ve brought a couple more friends,” he called from the door, then walked on in. “Knew you wouldn’t mind.”
“Of course not, Max, now get on in here where I can see that handsome face of yours,” called Po.
Max entered the family room, assisted by a short cane that was the only sign of a serious car injury the year before. “Folks, you all know Bill McKay—and his lovely fiancé, Janna.” Max bowed toward the woman standing beside the imposing Bill McKay.
“Of course we do. Welcome,” Po said warmly, wiping her hands on a dishtowel and hurrying across the room to greet the new arrivals. “We’re happy you’re here. You probably know everyone—and if not, they know you, Billy, from seeing your face all over town. I swear I’ve seen more of you in the last six months on posters and the like than since you moved back after college.”
Bill laughed along with the others, and made the rounds of hellos. He picked up Phoebe’s Emma and lifted her to his shoulders, caring the delighted toddler around the room. Janna followed close behind him, carefully greeting everyone. She wore a blue silk jacket and slacks, perfectly tailored and slightly out of place with the casually dressed crowd. Janna seemed slightly ill at ease, Po thought, but that was certainly understandable—she was the new person in a roomful of people who had lived in this small town nearly all their lives. “Janna, come meet the other best two two-year-old in the room.” She took Janna’s hand and led her over to the couch where Phoebe urged her to sit next to her. In minutes Phoebe had plopped one twin on her lap, along with the moose book, and suggested Janna finish it for Jude, who eagerly cuddled up to his new reader.
Janna was a good sport, Po thought. She had clearly been brought up right—gracious, polite, and looked you in the eye when she talked. But beneath it Po sensed that the young, well-bred woman had found out early that her family’s wealth couldn’t buy everything. She was still puzzled at the match-up between her and Bill, but could see in the way Janna’s eyes sought him out that she clearly adored him.
Across the room Gus Schuette was patting Bill on the back, applauding his decision to run for mayor. “You can do it, Billy boy. Bring some new blood to this town.”
“The town needs more than blood,” Rita cut in. “What do you intend to do for Crestwood, Bill? Give me the facts, not political jibber jabber.”
Bill laughed at Rita’s forthrightness and answered earnestly. “Well, for starters, I love this town. And I hope to use my father’s company as a vehicle for doing some good things. I’m looking into fixing up some old buildings for the town, using some to fill social service needs. I guess that’s really why I want to be mayor—so I can give a little back to this town.”
“Spoken like a true gentleman. You may have to toughen up a little, Bill, if you want to be a politician,” Rita said.
“Oh, I don’t know,” Bill said. “Maybe Crestwood politics is different and there’s room for the likes of me.”
Po watched his lopsided smile, his gentle manner, and decided that Bill McKay just might be right. “I remember your father saying you’d be a politician someday,” Po said. “He must be proud of this turn in your career,” Po
As if on cue, a knock at the front door announced Max’s presence. “I’ve brought a couple more friends,” he called from the door, then walked on in. “Knew you wouldn’t mind.”
“Of course not, Max, now get on in here where I can see that handsome face of yours,” called Po.
Max entered the family room, assisted by a short cane that was the only sign of a serious car injury the year before. “Folks, you all know Bill McKay—and his lovely fiancé, Janna.” Max bowed toward the woman standing beside the imposing Bill McKay.
“Of course we do. Welcome,” Po said warmly, wiping her hands on a dishtowel and hurrying across the room to greet the new arrivals. “We’re happy you’re here. You probably know everyone—and if not, they know you, Billy, from seeing your face all over town. I swear I’ve seen more of you in the last six months on posters and the like than since you moved back after college.”
Bill laughed along with the others, and made the rounds of hellos. He picked up Phoebe’s Emma and lifted her to his shoulders, caring the delighted toddler around the room. Janna followed close behind him, carefully greeting everyone. She wore a blue silk jacket and slacks, perfectly tailored and slightly out of place with the casually dressed crowd. Janna seemed slightly ill at ease, Po thought, but that was certainly understandable—she was the new person in a roomful of people who had lived in this small town nearly all their lives. “Janna, come meet the other best two two-year-old in the room.” She took Janna’s hand and led her over to the couch where Phoebe urged her to sit next to her. In minutes Phoebe had plopped one twin on her lap, along with the moose book, and suggested Janna finish it for Jude, who eagerly cuddled up to his new reader.
Janna was a good sport, Po thought. She had clearly been brought up right—gracious, polite, and looked you in the eye when she talked. But beneath it Po sensed that the young, well-bred woman had found out early that her family’s wealth couldn’t buy everything. She was still puzzled at the match-up between her and Bill, but could see in the way Janna’s eyes sought him out that she clearly adored him.
Across the room Gus Schuette was patting Bill on the back, applauding his decision to run for mayor. “You can do it, Billy boy. Bring some new blood to this town.”
“The town needs more than blood,” Rita cut in. “What do you intend to do for Crestwood, Bill? Give me the facts, not political jibber jabber.”
Bill laughed at Rita’s forthrightness and answered earnestly. “Well, for starters, I love this town. And I hope to use my father’s company as a vehicle for doing some good things. I’m looking into fixing up some old buildings for the town, using some to fill social service needs. I guess that’s really why I want to be mayor—so I can give a little back to this town.”
“Spoken like a true gentleman. You may have to toughen up a little, Bill, if you want to be a politician,” Rita said.
“Oh, I don’t know,” Bill said. “Maybe Crestwood politics is different and there’s room for the likes of me.”
Po watched his lopsided smile, his gentle manner, and decided that Bill McKay just might be right. “I remember your father saying you’d be a politician someday,” Po said. “He must be proud of this turn in your career,” Po
Similar Books
