Read Online Summer Garden Murder by Ann Ripley - Free Book Online Page B

with the call and in the house. He looked at Louise and raised a finger. “That is one helluva guy. He’s going to call back in a few minutes, Martha. Wants to talk to you about the wedding plans.”
    â€œSo I guess that means you gave them your approval,” said Janie, in a clipped voice. It had been a surprise to nobody that Bill Eldridge approved of Jim Daley. He’d expressed it every time he saw the young man or even heard of his latest ambitious exploit. Janie turned to Martha, impatience creeping into her voice. “Come on, Martha, that’s all settled. Now we have to start planning this wedding, because it all has to happen in a big hurry, and the rest of us have things to plan, too.”
    Martha gave Louise a quizzical look. Louise answered with a shrug. This wedding news wasn’t going down well with Martha’s younger sister.
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    Janie watched her sister rummage in the refrigerator for a couple of sodas. She sat at the dining room table, back straighter than usual, trying valiantly but not too successfully to convince herself to not cry. To not be ruined by Martha’s news.
    But it was hardly fair. Janie had a serious boyfriend two years before Martha, and now look what had happened! Why did age have to make all the difference, gaining Martha more respect with her parents, especially her father, who admired the way she took everything to heart: cities, poor people, even the refugees that she’d worked on behalf of during one summer internship abroad.
    Janie shoved her long blond hair back from her face. It was as if she were just the pretty face in this family, even though she was as book-smart as Martha, maybe even smarter in math and science.
    She had been going with Chris Radebaugh for three years. And though they never said it to each other, she was sure that someday they’d marry.
    Why had she been born later? Why wasn’t she planning her own wedding, now that Chris was halfway through college and she was about to begin?
    But no, her parents would balk at that, even though Chris’ mom, Nora, was totally cool and would understand. Even his dad, Ron, would accept it. It was her folks who would balk, and Grandpa and Grandma Eldridge, who were so traditional that they couldn’t accept anything that was out of their limited suburban Connecticut experience.
    She raised her head and stared out into the woods. What if she and Chris just kicked over the traces and ran away and got hitched? After all, they both were adults now. Then she dropped her head to hide a tear that came to her eye. No, she couldn’t do that to her sister. It was Martha’s moment. She’d be a good sport and help plan the wedding. Even though, knowing Martha, there wouldn’t be too much fanfare to it. Maybe they would get married in Chicago’s City Hall, for all she knew.
    With an effort, she composed her face so that by the time Martha returned with two icy glasses of soda, she looked the picture of sisterly serenity.
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    Seeing the girls take charge of wedding details, Louise joined her husband in their bedroom, where she began the unpacking of the suitcases. Bill came up behind her and put his arms around her. “How do you feel about our firstborn leaving?” he said. “Come on, tell me the truth.”
    She turned in his arms and gave him a long look. “Bill, the girl left in body and spirit when she went away to college.”
    â€œYou’re right. With those urban internships and semesters abroad, she hasn’t even come home for much more than a week or two.”
    â€œI’m worried about how Janie is taking this.”
    â€œI don’t know, but I can guess—a little jealous and a little sad. She’d probably like to make it a double wedding.”
    â€œHeaven forbid,” exclaimed Louise. “Janie’s only seventeen—”
    â€œNearly eighteen,” amended Bill.
    â€œBut I think you’re