Page 111 of Absinthe Minded

“She probably rejoined the party. Relax, she’ll turn up when your father announces the engagement.”

“There’s no engagement. I called it off. She needs more time before we force her down the aisle.”

“Nonsense.” Evelyn handed me an envelope. “She’s a little naïve, but she loves you. If you don’t believe me, read the article she wrote about you.”

I shoved it in my jacket pocket and walked away before I said something I’d regret. I spotted my father in the center of a semicircle of young women. “Sorry to steal him away, but I need a quick word.”

Papa Joe flashed the women an award-winning smile and turned to me. “What’s wrong?”

“I can’t find Maggie, and Ma told me you’re planning to announce our engagement?”

Joe laughed and slapped me on the back. “She’ll turn up when I call her name.”

I lowered my voice. “There is no engagement. I need to find her.”

“She was wearing your ring earlier. What did you do?”

She was?“Nothing. Why does everyone in this family think I did something to Maggie?” I sighed, scanning the crowd. “She’s ill. End of story.”

Joe opened his mouth, closed it, and shook his head. Before he could say anything else, I walked away.

Shanna stopped me on the way back to the house. “Have you found her?”

“No.” I noted her swollen lips and wrinkled gown.Fucking Enzo. “Careful with my brother. He’s… It’s complicated with him.”

Chloe ran to me and hugged my leg, her smile fading when she saw my expression. “What’s wrong?”

I brushed my hand over her cheek. “Sweetheart, have you seen Aunt Maggie?”

“Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention.” Papa Joe’s voice rang out over the crowd.

Me and everyone else turned our attention toward the stage.

“It seems my son has lost his fiancé. Mary Margaret Guthrie, would you please return to the parlor to claim him?” Joe chuckled and the crowd joined in.

Holding my breath, I scanned the crowd for any movement toward the main house.

After a few moments, my father made the same announcement, but Maggie still didn’t materialize.

Shanna tugged on my jacket. “Did you two have another argument?”

“No. I left her for five minutes to get her something to eat. When I returned she was gone.” I lifted Maggie’s silver purse in front of Shanna’s face. “She left this behind.”

“Maybe she went home,” Shanna mumbled.

I nodded, though I doubted Maggie would have left without her purse or without telling anyone. With each passing moment my gut clenched tighter. Coupled with the frustration burning a hole through my chest, I felt as if I’d would come out of my skin if I didn’t find her.

I held my phone to my ear and forced myself to loosen my grip before I cracked the case. “Hildie, this is Gabe. Is Maggie there?”

“No, she isn’t. Is everything all right.”

Frowning at Shanna, I shook my head. “Call me the moment she comes home.”

An hour later, we’d searched the entire house and called the police. The party guests began to leave when the squad cars arrived.

Detective Wayne O’Malley had been at the party when Maggie went missing. He pulled me into an empty guest room and closed the door behind him. “Did the two of you have an argument?”

“No.” I folded my arms across my chest, rather defensive after answering the same question so many times in one night.

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