Page 51 of Almost Dead (The Cahills 2)

“I’m surviving.”

“It’ll get better,” Gwen said, then patted her on the shoulder. “Go and talk to your other guests. I’ll catch up with you later.”

“Thanks.”

Gwen gave her a quick I’m-here-for-you hug, then, after grabbing a shrimp canape, she spotted Jack, who was standing near the table of pictures and awards that showcased Gran’s life. She headed straight in his direction. While candles flickered at the shrine Cissy and Deborah Kropft had created so hastily this past week, Gwen struck up a conversation with Jack, her expression changing from serious to almost buoyant.

Did Jack even know Gwen? Cissy wondered. Cissy, on her own, had joined the gym where Gwen worked. But, from the way Gwen was talking animatedly to him, it sure seemed like they were acquainted.

Don’t go there, Cissy warned herself. You’re divorcing him, remember? What do you care who he knows? Besides, it’s Gran’s funeral gathering. Pull yourself together.

Still, she couldn’t help being aware of Jack and Gwen as she spoke to several women from Gran’s bridge group, all bright-eyed women over seventy who were genuinely sad to have lost a good friend and “ruthless” contract player.

Cissy moved through the crush of people who were either pouring themselves cups of coffee and tea from urns in the dining area or picking up glasses of wine set on a table in the nook. Deborah, who had arrived from the cemetery, had taken charge, making certain that the food and drinks were never lacking, grabbing coats that she handed to Lars as people entered. Windows steamed, glasses clinked, the smell of candles burning and coffee brewing filled the rooms, and the buzz of conversation was like white noise echoing in Cissy’s head.

“Is Beej still sleeping?” she asked Tanya as the nanny passed her with an empty tray.

Tanya nodded, wisps of hair falling from the knot at the base of her skull. She looked flustered and a little frantic, and for once Cissy didn’t blame her. “I checked on him a little bit ago. He just fell asleep when the first guests arrived. He was tired. He should be down for another hour or so.”

“Good. And Coco?”

Tanya’s expression changed to irritation. “In her kennel in your office.” She had to raise her voice to be heard over the din as more guests were arriving and the noise level escalated. Each time the door opened, the candles flickered, but the cool air was a relief as the temperature in the house was climbing with the combined body heat and newly operational furnace.

Tanya began arranging a platter of tiny puff pastries filled with mushrooms while Diedre placed skewers of oriental chicken around a bowl of peanut sauce on yet another tray. All the while Rachelle stacked bite-sized tea sandwiches on the mirrored shelves of a three-tiered server.

Saying “Hello” and “Nice to see you again” and “Thanks for coming,” Cissy found her way to the foot of the stairs, catching a glimpse of Jack as he gathered coats and umbrellas and purses. Carrying two leather jackets and a scarf, he followed her upstairs, adding the coats to the growing pile of outerwear on her bed.

“See anything you like?” he asked. “I bet we could make a fortune on eBay.”

“I thought Lars was handling the coats.”

“He couldn’t keep up. Eugenia had a lot of friends.”

“More than I even realized. A better idea would have been to hold this in the church hall,” she said, “but it was booked for a wedding reception, and I didn’t want to go up to Gran’s place.” She hadn’t been back to the big house where her grandmother had died since the day after her death.

“We’ll muddle through,” Jack assured her. His gaze found hers, and it was so sincere, so caring, she almost believed him, believed there was a chance for them.

He’s a player, Cissy. Just like his father. Identical to his brother. You know that. Don’t be fooled again.

“I saw you talking to Gwen.”

“Gwen Crandall? The trainer.”

“My trainer.”

“Yeah, your trainer.”

“How do you know her?”

He gazed at her hard, as if he couldn’t believe they were having this conversation, especially at this point in time. “I met her when I scouted several gyms for an article on exercise clubs in and around the city. Her club was featured. Don’t you remember? We were comparing ‘all-guys’ boxing gyms to those women’s circuit training franchises and to hotel athletic facilities and private clubs.” He stopped, then said, “I hope you’re not asking for the reasons I think you are.”

“She’s beautiful.”

“Uh-huh. I know a number of beautiful women.”

“Well…” She turned away, feeling slightly foolish. “We won’t be married much longer.”

“Oh hell!” He suddenly grabbed her. Just yanked her into his arms and kissed her so hard she couldn’t breathe. She gasped and tried to push him away.

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