Once Bitten (A Melanie Travis Mystery) by Laurien Berenson Read Free Book Online Page B

support.”
    “Because you have so much experience in being a good husband,” Peg mused. “How’s your new wife?”
    “Gone,” Bob said cheerfully. “Pffft!” He waved a hand through the air. “You know how these things—”
    “Bob.” My tone was pleasant; the warning was in my eyes. Goading Aunt Peg is not a game.
    I could feel her mounting displeasure from across the aisle. Even Faith was getting edgy. Only Bob seemed oblivious.
    “Bob and Jennifer have separated,” I explained.
    “Divorced,” he corrected. “Mexico.”
    “Even better.” Aunt Peg smiled. “Then you’re free as a bird. You could go anywhere . . . else.”
    “I like it here.” Bob leaned against a bank of wooden crates, signaling his intent to stay put. “With my family—”
    Abruptly my ex-husband straightened. His jaw fell.
    Two guesses, I thought. Either someone had run an electrical charge through those crates, or Bob had just spotted Bertie.
    I turned and had a look. Right the second time.
    Shar Peis must have been scheduled earlier on Sunday, because Bertie was heading back toward the setup leading Ping and Pong. According to the ribbons in her hand, she’d repeated her wins from the day before.
    Bertie’s face was lit by a happy smile. Her hair bounced on her shoulders as she walked. A navy silk dress, fitted through the bodice, looser below so she could run in it, swirled enticingly around her long legs.
    “Hot damn!” Bob said appreciatively.
    “No swearing in front of Davey.”
    Now my ex-husband was speechless. His eyes, however, were huge. I wondered if Bertie ever got tired of having this effect on men.
    “She’s headed our way,” Bob managed.
    “Of course. Those are her crates you’re leaning against. Would you like me to introduce you to Frank’s fiancée?”
    “ That’s Bertie?”
    His expression alone was worth a chuckle. “Didn’t Frank ever describe her to you?”
    “Sure. He said she looked good.”
    One word here. Men. You know what I’m talking about.
    “Hey,” said Bertie. Her gaze flickered toward Bob, then back to me. “I could have used your help again with these guys.”
    “It looks as though you won anyway.”
    “The judge liked cleavage,” she confided in an undertone. “One of the few who’d notice.”
    “I can’t imagine anyone wouldn’t notice you,” Bob said.
    I’m sure he didn’t mean to sound obnoxious. Bertie and I both grimaced anyway. I guessed she did get tired of all the attention.
    “It happens.” Her tone was dismissive.
    “Bertie, I’d like you to meet my ex-husband, Bob.”
    “You’re Bob?” She took a minute to have a good look at him. “I thought you might have horns.”
    “They’re in back,” said Peg. “Under the hair. Though now that I check, there seems to be less—”
    “Aunt Peg!”
    Bob flinched slightly. “You people are tough. What’s a guy have to do to catch a break around here?”
    “Maybe take Davey for a walk around the show?” I suggested.
    “So you can talk about me while I’m gone?”
    “Something like that.” I reached out and squeezed his arm. Probably not the show of support he was hoping for, but all I was ready to offer. “Go sit ringside and let Davey explain to you how dog shows work. You’ll have fun.”
    “Sure we will. Davey and I always have fun together. Don’t we, sport?”
    “Right, Daddy.”
    For the briefest moment, Bob leaned closer. His cheek brushed my hair; his lips hovered next to my ear. I could feel the warmth of his breath against my skin.
    “We used to have fun, too, Mel,” he whispered, his words meant for me alone. “Think about it.”

6

    “W hat was that all about?” Bertie asked.
    Brush in hand, dog on table, I was standing perfectly still, watching Bob and Davey walk away. “I don’t know.”
    “What did he say?”
    “Nothing.”
    “It didn’t look like nothing.” Aunt Peg removed the pin brush from my hand and began to work. Bertie put both the Shar Peis in their crates.