Progressive Dinner Deadly by Elizabeth Spann Craig Read Free Book Online Page B

overwhelming amount of drama going on. Blanche looked like she’d been run over by a truck, which was probably the strain of being around Jill. Even though she hadn’t noticed Jill in a while. Not since she left Miles’ house to go stir the barbeque. But Blanche could still be stressed out, just worried they were going to have a run in. Myrtle couldn’t imagine Jill starting something with Blanche at a supper club, though she had gotten into a fight with her own sister there.
    Sherry had surfaced from wherever she’d been. She seemed to have even more eye makeup on and looked like the cat that’d eaten the canary. She was rumpled, keyed up, and laughing very loudly at something Blanche was saying. And Myrtle was pretty sure that Blanche was in no mood to be funny.
    Miles was back, face flushed from his cleaning exertions. But he looked unhappy about being there.
    Erma Sherman was in an uncharacteristically hushed mood and kept fingering the earlobe where the missing diamond earring used to reside. Myrtle was just relieved to have a break from Erma’s usual foolishness.
    Much of the salad seemed to be falling onto the floor. The intoxication of many of Willow’s guests was likely to blame. Miles walked up to Myrtle and said, “I’m going to run back home for a few minutes. Just in case anyone is looking for me.”
    “Must be your Type-A nature kicking in. Are you fretting over the red wine stains on your carpet?”
    Miles shrugged a shoulder. “Just a little. Most of it fell on hardwoods, but I did pay a lot for those throw rugs. I’ll just run over there and press on the stains with some paper towels. I’ll be back before we go over to Jill’s house for the barbeque.”
    Plenty of women noticed that Miles had left. The older, female population of Bradley paid close attention whenever there was a new, eligible, attractive, older man in town. They brought over their tastiest casseroles, being sure to say that it was so hard cooking for one person—could he please take the extra helpings? They dressed up in their prettiest dresses for book club and wore carefully-applied makeup. And Miles was still considered a newcomer. The way Bradley operated, he’d probably still be considered a newcomer ten years from now. His obituary would probably read “Miles Standish, a recent resident of Bradley, died….”
    Erma grabbed Myrtle’s arm tightly. “Where is Miles, Myrtle? Where did he go?”
    Myrtle shook her arm free in irritation. “He’s gone home to clean up the mess, Erma. He didn’t want the stains to set and he didn’t spend much time on stain removal before he came to Willow’s.”
    “I’ve got to catch up with him,” said Erma breathlessly. “What if he forgets about my earring? He might throw it away with the trash!” She barreled out of the house.
    Willow’s portion of the progressive dinner wasn’t nearly as lively as Miles’. Time seemed to drag on and on. There was an audible sigh of relief from the group when Tippy announced it was time to head over to Jill’s house.
    The guests were more muted this time as they walked. Myrtle felt worn out from the evening and everyone else was probably the same. In contrast to Willow’s house, Jill’s house was brightly lit both outside and inside. Tippy breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m glad we’re going to Jill’s,” she said. “I don’t like playing hostess at someone else’s house. And Jill is always so on top of things.”
    “Jill will be more organized than her sister,” agreed Myrtle.
    But Jill wasn’t on top of things enough to greet the party at the door, which was a bit of a surprise. Tippy cautiously opened the front door and peeped in. “Jill?” she asked. She hesitated. “Maybe she just had to run in the back for a minute. She is expecting us!” Tippy gave a forced laugh as the scenario at Willow’s house repeated itself.
    The group walked quietly through the front door. Miles caught up with them from behind and gave Myrtle