Janelle glanced at her scowling husband and then at me. Grimacing, she said, “Never mind. I… I’m being silly.”
Maxwell frowned. “Is it what we talked about before, Janelle?”
Again, she flicked an uneasy look toward Archie. “Oh, just forget about all that, Dr. Thornton. I’ve been under too much stress.”
Looking unconvinced, Maxwell said, “Come talk to me at the reception, Janelle.”
“I will.” She smiled.
“Yes, we need to talk toallof our guests,” Archie said brusquely, giving a pointed look toward the line forming behind us.
“Again, congratulations,” I said smoothly. I steered Maxwell away from them and down the steps of the chapel. He didn’t exactly resist me, but I could tell he was frustrated at being dragged away from Janelle.
Once we were out of earshot of the other guests, I let go of his arm. “What was that all about?” I asked.
He sighed, his gaze pinned on Janelle. “Something weird is going on with that poor girl. I don’t think Archie is being very understanding either.”
I frowned. “Mind filling me in on what the heck you’re talking about?”
He pulled his gaze from Janelle and met mine. “I can’t really go into details, but suffice to say, Janelle has been under a lot of strain.”
“That I already gathered. It seems like there’s something else going on. Who was she afraid of? She mentioned someone being here who made her nervous?”
Maxwell adjusted his gold watch on his wrist, avoiding my gaze. “Just like you can’t talk about your work, I also can’t always talk about mine.”
“Fair enough.” I hesitated. “But if she has a stalker or something, you really should tell me.”
He grimaced. “It’s not exactly that sort of situation.”
A white limousine pulled up behind Maxwell, and a young guy climbed out of the driver’s seat, wearing a chauffeur’s uniform. I assumed the limo was one of Archie’s. It wouldn’t make much sense for him to hire another limousine service when he owned one. The driver straightened his uniform, crossed his arms, and leaned against the vehicle, patiently waiting for his passengers.
A woman’s high-pitched laughter reached me. To the right of us, Mayor Penelope Granger stood, wearing a bright pink dress and matching hat. She was laughing as she spoke with some other people. My stomach sank when I recognized River and Lucas beside her. I gave a quick glance at Maxwell and found him also watching the small group.
“Perfect,” he hissed. “My favorite person in the whole world is here.”
“We’ll just do our best to avoid him,” I drawled.
He scowled. “Easier said than done.”
Maxwell had no sooner finished speaking than River turned and met my gaze. He waved and strolled in our direction, beaming. “Royce! How wonderful. I didn’t know you’d be here.” His smile flickered slightly as it settled on Maxwell. “And Maxwell, how delightful to see you too.”
I didn’t trust what Maxwell might say in response, so I jumped in first. “Max invited me. How could I say no?”
“Of course,” River cooed. “Don’t you just love weddings?”
Lucas trailed along behind River, nodding cordially at Maxwell and me. He didn’t speak; he simply stood beside River, hands in his pockets. He looked bored, like usual. I had to wonder why he was always glued to River’s side, seeing as he almost always looked disinterested.
“I met Janelle’s parents, Michael and Angela, at a Rotary Club dinner last month. They’re delightful people.” River smiled, his silky blond hair fluttering in the light breeze. “You should join the Rotary Club, Maxwell.”
Maxwell grunted.
Penelope and her husband, Gerald, joined us, her sweet, heavy perfume filling my nostrils. “You should, Dr. Thornton. The Rotary Club would be thrilled to have you.”
“Oh, well, er…” Maxwell looked like a deer in the headlights.
“It’s a great way to network.” River winked at Penelope. “Plus, they do such wonderful work around the globe.”
“They certainly do.” Penelope sighed. “I’ve tried to talk Gerald into volunteering in Africa with them. We don’t have any medical training, but they always need help washing and prepping patients for surgery, etc. I think we could make a difference, even if we’re not doctors.”
