Page 100 of What Doesn't Kill Her
Kellen knelt beside Annie and on impulse put her head on Annie’s shoulder.
Annie pressed her hand to Kellen’s cheek and kissed the top of her head. “Is all well?”
There were a lot of different ways Kellen could respond.I’ve got a child and she’s like me. I’ve got a suitor and he loves me. Someone’s trying to kill me and I don’t know why.She chose the easiest. “Max and I are getting married.”
Annie sighed deeply. “May you face all the years of joy and sorrow together.”
Kellen wasn’t sure if Annie had blessed their union or cursed it.
Annie kissed her head again, and her voice lightened. “I’m sorry, dear. That sounded less than enthusiastic. I’m thrilled. Leo is thrilled. But instead of thinking of my joy for you and Max, I was thinking about Leo and me.”
“Problems?” God forbid they would have marital problems; they both laughed and declared they’d been married since the earth’s crust cooled and always seemed dedicated to each other.
“You know how we feel about this place, and since I was sick last winter, I haven’t recovered as well as we hoped and I can’t do what I need to do.”
Oh. Whew. Not marital problems exactly. Life problems, not less dire but more comforting for a prospective bride to hear. “You’re thinking about retirement?”
“Talking about it, which is even worse. I knew this day would come. Leo is more excited than I am, of course. He wants to travel. And we will!” Annie smiled, but with an effort. She turned to the men who were conversing quietly beside the bar. “Leo, we need champagne. We must toast Max and Kellen’s upcoming nuptials!”
Leo clapped Max on the shoulder, opened the floor-to-ceiling wine cooler and pulled out a bottle of Di Luca’s best sparkling wine.
“You told her!” Max looked equal parts dismayed and pleased.
Kellen got to her feet. “Should I not have?”
Annie’s eyes widened in horror. “Haven’t you two told Verona yet?”
Max shook his head.
“Then we’ll have this champagne and pretend we don’t know why we’re celebrating.” Leo popped the cork and poured the champagne flutes full. He handed them out and lifted his in a toast. “May your love light the way for all the worlds and all the times.”
They clinked glasses.
Kellen blinked away unexpected tears.
The house phone rang, and Leo picked it up, listened and hung up. “Kateri is here with Dr. Frownfelter.”
Kellen’s tears dried and she drank her champagne in a rush. She took a breath, metaphorically girded her loins and waited, dreading the next few hours of conversations...and revelations.
Sheriff Kwinault came through the door first.
SHERIFF KATERI KWINAULT:
FEMALE, 30? YO, 5'9" 140 LBS, FIT, BEAUTIFUL, HALF NATIVE AMERICAN. FORMER COAST GUARD COMMANDER, SWEPT OUT TO SEA WHILE BATTLING A TSUNAMI, BARELY SURVIVED. CARRIES A WALKING STICK. A LEGEND AMONG HER TRIBE. RESPECTED BY LAW OFFICERS. FRIEND OF MAX.
Not many women made Kellen feel like an underachiever, but Kateri Kwinault could, if she tried. She never tried, and Kellen had developed a tentative friendship with her.
Max hugged Kateri and handed her a flute of sparkling water. “Thank you for coming to meet with us.”
“It’s notyou, Max.” Kateri accepted the water and sipped. “It’s Kellen, and the opportunity to have a meal with Leo and Annie, created by their excellent chefs.”
“Amen.” The doctor stepped through the door. “Best food within a fifty-mile radius of Virtue Falls.”
“What about Virtue Falls Resort?” Annie asked.
He chuckled. “Let’s not start a war.” He headed toward the bar where a variety of appetizers were laid out.
Kellen had never met Dr. Frownfelter before.
