Spirited Away
Page 9
The visual of Amy and Jonathan walking down any aisle without her trailing behind made her laugh out loud. “We’ll see, Bernice. I’m not sure if they’re steady on their feet enough yet, but they change daily, so I will give it some thought.”
“Good. I’ll tell your mother to call you as soon as she’s able,” Bernice said. “She’s going to do my wedding. What do you think of that?”
“God knows she’s had enough experience, so it should be perfect. She loves doing that stuff, so I can’t wait. I’m happy for you, really. You’ve been alone all your life,” Abby said, then felt a bit sad.
“No I haven’t, kid. I’ve had you, your mom, and Daniel. You’re my family, and that will never change, you got that?”
Abby’s eyes filled with tears. “I feel the same way, and I know that Mom does, too. Now”—she knuckled her eyes—“before I start blubbering, let’s stop this lovey-dovey stuff. Just know you’re loved, and make sure to tell Mom to call me as soon as she thinks it’s appropriate to let me in on what’s happening over there.”
“Will do,” Bernice promised, then hung up.
“Sure you will,” Abby said.
Her reporter instincts had been dormant too long, she thought as she observed the twins still playing on the floor. It was high time she did a bit of investigating of her own.
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Dabney House Chicken Salad
Ingredients
4 cups diced or shredded chicken, cooked (about 2 pounds)*
juice and zest of one lemon
1 cup pecans, toasted and coarsely chopped
2 to 3 celery ribs, cut into small pieces
1 small Granny Smith apple, finely chopped
3 cups halved seedless red grapes
½ to ¾ cup light or regular mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard
coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
*To cook the chicken, broil, bake, or barbecue until the center of the chicken is no longer pink and reaches a temperature of 165 F. on your meat thermometer. A store-bought rotisserie chicken is excellent for this recipe.
Preparation
Place the diced chicken in a large bowl. Add the lemon juice and lemon zest and toss to combine. Add the pecans, celery, chopped green apple, grapes, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper; toss all the ingredients together until thoroughly combined.
To allow the flavors to blend properly, cover and place prepared chicken salad in the refrigerator for about two hours before serving.
Makes 4 to 6 servings.
FERN MICHAELS is the USA Today and New York Times bestselling author of the Sisterhood, Men of the Sisterhood, and Godmothers series and dozens of other novels and novellas. There are over seventy-five million copies of her books in print. Fern Michaels has built and funded several large day-care centers in her hometown, and is a passionate animal lover who has outfitted police dogs across the country with special bulletproof vests. She shares her home in South Carolina with her four dogs and a resident ghost named Mary Margaret. Visit her website at fernmichaels.com.
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ONE STEP AT A TIME
In a city built on dreams, Trisha Holiday makes her living moving like one. But out of her dancer’s costume, she’s as down-to-earth as they come. That’s why she ignores the admiring note that arrives backstage after one of her ethereal performances. Yet the sender, a wealthy foreign prince, isn’t easily dissuaded. An American education has made Malik long for the freedom to choose his own bride—and the woman he wants is Trisha.
After a breathtaking visit to Malik’s kingdom culminates in a marriage proposal, Trish attempts to adjust to an opulent new lifestyle. In the midst of these dizzying changes, she vows to help her sister, Emma, whose marriage has ended in a bitter breakup. And through it all, she strives to stay true to what matters most—love, true friendship, and the ties that hold family together across the miles and the years—and embrace the everlasting dance of life.
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“Fern Michaels never fails to deliver a heartfelt and wrenching story . . . A wonderful and powerful read.”
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“Michaels’ latest is sure to capture the hearts of its readers, even while tickling their funny bones.”
—Booklist on The Blossom Sisters
“Michaels just keeps getting better and better with each book... She never disappoints.”
—RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars on Forget Me Not
LEAVING LA LA LAND
Teresa “Toots” Loudenberry has a knack for finding adventure, even when she’s not looking for it. But ever since her friend Sophie convinced her to start holding regular séances, life in Los Angeles is getting a little too dramatic even for Toots’s tastes. When their friend Ida receives a message from the beyond suggesting that her late husband was murdered, a spooked Toots decides it’s time the Godmothers left LA for her hometown of Charleston…
Meanwhile, Mavis, the final member of their group, has been acting suspiciously, mailing packages in bulk and refusing to divulge what she’s up to. She should know by now that Ida, Toots, and Sophie will never let secrets rest or ignore a friend in need. And when the Godmothers discover that whoever killed Ida’s husband has plans for Ida too, they’ll do what they do best—rally together, concoct a daring plan, and show the world there is no match for these four formidable friends . . .
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“A thrilling read ripped from today’s headlines. Michaels mixes humor and good old-fashioned cop drama in an endearing way.”—RT Book Reviews
“A page-turner . . . the perfect blend of mystery, adventure and romance.”
—The Charleston Mercury
The Sisterhood: a group of women from all walks of life bound by friendship and a quest for justice. Armed with vast resources, top-notch expertise, and a loyal network of allies around the globe, the Sisterhood will not rest until every wrong is made right.
The women of the Sisterhood are united by their mission to help those unable to help themselves. But now they’ve encountered opponents who share a unique bond of their own. The law firm of Queen, King, Bishop & Rook—the Chessmen—has been a formidable force in Washington, D.C., for decades. And Sisterhood member Nikki Quinn’s new case has made her their prime target.
Nikki has agreed to represent Livinia Lambert as she files for divorce from her domineering, greedy husband, Wilson “Buzz” Lambert. Buzz, currently Speaker of the House, fears the scandal will scupper his presidential plans, and intends to make life extremely difficult for Livinia—with the Chessmen’s help. The Chessmen may play dirty, but the Sisterhood play smart. For too long, the Chessmen have believed themselves above the law they pretend to serve, but there’s no statute of limitations on the Sisterhood’s particular brand of justice—or their loyalty . . .
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“Michaels listens to fans and delivers one hell of a punch.”
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“Michaels just keeps getting better and better with each book... She never disappoints.”
—RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars on Forget Me Not