Silence of the Lamps Read Online Free Page B

they’ll be chaperones. There will be a hundred other people there. Come. I know Grant won’t mind.”
    “You know him so well?” Nikki asked with a wink.
    “We’re becoming very well acquainted,” Caprice assured her with a sly smile.
    Suddenly Mirabelle dashed out of Caprice’s office into the living room and jumped up to the back of the sofa. Sophia wasn’t far behind, chasing after her and then settling on the arm of the couch. Lady ran to Nikki, sniffed her pants legs, then rolled over and lay down at her feet for a tummy rub.
    “I was just going to change,” Caprice said. “Why don’t you help me choose what to wear? You’re better at this dating thing than I am.”
    “Are you trying to distract me?”
    “Am I succeeding?”
    “You have to promise to wear whatever I pull from your closet.”
    If this were Bella making that offer, Caprice would probably refuse. But she trusted Nikki’s taste, even if it wasn’t vintage. That was the fashion she most enjoyed wearing.
    “You’ve got a deal,” Caprice decided, knowing Nikki’s choice would be something Grant would appreciate.
    * * *
    Seated on a blanket next to Grant two hours later, his arm wrapped around her shoulders, Caprice was absolutely happy. The band on the temporary park stage was playing oldies but goodies, her favorites. She couldn’t think of any place she’d rather be, as Lady and Patches romped around the blanket on their leashes and then settled down with chew toys. Folks on folding patio chairs, from teenagers looking for something to do to seniors letting the music bring back memories from the past, were seated across the grass lawn. Her parents might be somewhere in the crowd. She wasn’t sure yet.
    Grant leaned close and kissed her on the cheek. “What are you thinking about?” he murmured at her ear.
    “I’m thinking about how much I enjoy our dates,” she said truthfully.
    He squeezed her a little tighter.
    “You two look too comfortable,” a voice behind Caprice said. “I have a feeling you’re slipping into the older crowd instead of going out and raising Cain on a Wednesday night.”
    Caprice glanced over her shoulder and spied her brother, Vince. With his dark good looks, wearing a tan Polo shirt and navy board shorts, he looked younger than he did in his business suit. Beside him, Roz looked her beautiful self in a violet blouse and matching shorts. Caprice imagined her friend’s leather sandals came straight from Italy. Roz always wore jewelry. Her amethyst earrings and ring sparkled even though the sun had begun to dip below the horizon. She was holding a leash with her dog Dylan who excitedly greeted Patches and Lady and sat on the blanket with them. Dylan was a Pomeranian-Shih Tzu mix and his fluffy tail swept back and forth over the blanket.
    “Can we join you?” Roz asked. “We forgot our blanket.”
    “The more the merrier,” Caprice said.
    After Vince and Roz settled themselves on the blanket, Roz took imported chocolate bars from her purse, passing them around. “This is the fun part of a lawn concert. Better than those greasy fries in that service cart over there.”
    The white Chuck’s Snacks truck contracted with the Chamber of Commerce to do business at these concerts. But its offerings were limited to sodden fries, greasy burgers, and ice-cream sandwiches.
    Roz took a bite from her chocolate bar, then winked at Caprice. “Are you ready for the reunion?”
    Their high school reunion was only five weeks away. She and Roz were members of the planning committee. “I’m ready, but I don’t know if the committee is. Did Alicia look into decorations yet?”
    “Are we going to talk flowers?” Vince muttered.
    Roz jabbed him in the ribs. “Do you have a better idea than flowers in vases on the tables?”
    “Let’s see. Fifteen years ago. Why don’t you do movie themes from that year? Incorporate that into centerpieces.”
    “It’s a little late for an all-new concept,” Caprice said.