“What can I ever do—” She stopped short, looked at him in growing understanding.
He knew when to attack. “Actually, you know, I’ve been thinking about September.”
She nodded in complete understanding.
“And I think you’re right about a wedding here on Broward’s Rock.”
She was speechless.
“Of course,” he held up an admonishing finger, “I thought up an innovation or two.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, a lovely, simple wedding at St. Mary’s-By-The-Sea, then I’d like to plan the rest of it.” He smiled his best, most Maxish smile. “It’s the latest thing.” His voice was at its smoothest, most persuasive. “You know, you’ve read all about it in the New York Times, the three-day wedding. We’ll invite everybody, at my expense, of course, to the Island. We’ll have a bachelor’s golf game on Friday, and you can plan a tennis tournament for the bridesmaids, and a dinner that night at the club, then the wedding Saturday morning, and perhaps a regatta in the afternoon. On Sunday, we can—”
She looked at the precious framed letter and then at Max. Was she a pigheaded, stiffnecked, class-conscious spoilsport? Perhaps it was time to fish or cut bait. If she married Max, she married his millions. After all, marriage was for better or worse.
She was turning to step into his arms, when Bobby called out, “Hey, Annie!”
She gave Max a just-a-minute look and turned toward the coffee area. “Yes?”
“How much are these paintings? Gee, I’d love to buy them. I collect hard-boileds.”
“Do you know them all?”
“Sure.” He pointed to the paintings in order. “The first picture is Sam Spade in The Maltese Falcon, the second is Philip Marlowe in The Big Sleep, the third is Lew Archer in The Moving Target, the fourth is Travis McGee in The Dreadful Lemon Sky, and the last one’s Spenser in The Godwulf Manuscript.” He grinned. “Do you suppose we’ll ever find out Spenser’s first name?”
BY CAROLYN G. HART
Death on Demand
Design for Murder
Something Wicked
Honeymoon with Murder
A Little Class on Murder
Deadly Valentine
The Christie Caper
Mint Julep Murder
Southern Ghost
Dead Man’s Island
Scandal in Fair Haven
Available from Bantam Books
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
An accomplished master of mystery, Carolyn G. Hart is the author of eighteen Death on Demand mysteries. Her books have won multiple Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity awards. She is also the creator of the highly praised Henrie O series.
One of the founders of Sisters in Crime, Carolyn G. Hart lives in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Visit her website at www.carolynhart.com.
Carolyn G. Hart Page 47
