Page 26 of April Flowers

But Margot couldn’t stop herself. Tears sprang to her eyes.

Unsurprisingly, Lillian didn’t hug her back. Slowly, Margot shifted away from her and beckoned for Lillian and the stranger to enter. “I’m sorry,” she said, sniffing. “Thank you for bringing her back. I’ve been worried sick.”

The man cocked his head. “Worried? I had no idea!”

He looked at Margot curiously as though he hadn’t seen a person like her before.

Lillian stomped past Margot and went into the living room. Still with her coat on, she sat on the sofa and began to click through the stations on television. Margot remained in the foyer with the stranger, whose smile was the only thing she understood.

“I’m sorry. I’m being terribly rude,” he said, sticking out his hand. “My name is Vic. Vic Rondell.”

Margot blushed and shook his hand. “Margot. I’m her youngest.”

“Of course! Margot. She’s told me so much about you.”

Margot chuckled. “Really?” She didn’t believe him for a second. She knew he was being polite.

“You’d be surprised how many family stories Lillian comes up with,” Vic said. “I feel like I know all of you at this point.”

Margot furrowed her brow. Why was he doubling down on a lie?

“How do you know my mother?” Margot asked.

Vic waved his hand. “We met playing cards. Your mother is a cheat, but I love her for it. She said it was the only way she could ever beat your father.”

It was true that Lillian had always loved playing cards—everything from bridge to poker. It was also true she liked tocheat. She wanted to win big and often pouted if you still found a way to beat her.

“Wow.” Margot was surprised. Vic seemed to be only a little older than she was. She’d guess forty-three or forty-four.

They remained in the foyer, standing awkwardly. Margot realized she was still wearing her coat.

“Why don’t you come in?” she suggested. “I have so many questions for you.”

But Vic’s face grew shadowed. “I wish I could. I have an appointment downtown.”

Was it her imagination, or was he frightened of her?

“Of course. Right. I’m sorry.” Margot swallowed. “But where were you? Why didn’t my mother come home last night?”

“I don’t know where she was last night. But today I took her shopping downtown. She hated everything we looked at,” he said, rolling his eyes playfully. “But that’s her way.”

Margot felt out of her depth.

“I’ll pick her up tomorrow to play cards,” Vic said, stepping back. “Around five.”

“Why don’t you come earlier?” Margot suggested. “I’d love to talk to you.”

“I’ll try to make it work,” Vic said. “I work till four thirty.”

“What is it that you do?” Margot asked.

Vic waved his hands. “I’m sorry, Margot. I’m already late. But I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”

With that, Vic swept out the door and left Margot alone.

Margot stood and watched him back his swanky sports car out of the driveway. She thrummed with adrenaline and shock.

Suddenly she remembered Sam and called her immediately. Sam answered on the third ring. “Any news?” Sam asked.

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