The Nesting Dolls Read Online Free

and Isobel had embraced Taylor. Now the three girls were inseparable. That afternoon at the Wainbergs’, they had found the food and politely endured questions about school and holiday plans from their parents’ friends, but as Gracie flung her scarf around her neck, she made it clear they were ready to move along. “Let’s make tracks,” she said.
    Isobel frowned at her wristwatch. “We have to hurry,” she said. “We’re supposed be there in ten minutes, and the weather will slow us down.”
    I handed Taylor the car keys. “Why don’t you girls go to the car? We still have to get our coats.”
    Delia and Noah walked with us to the door and waited while the young woman who’d taken our things retrieved them.
    “I was surprised to see Louise Hunter here,” Zack said. “Leland says she’s become a recluse.”
    “How would Leland know?” Noah said. “He’s never around.”
    Zack shrugged. “Leland’s company is involved in some serious international deals.”
    “And that excuses everything,” Noah said mildly. Our coats arrived, and Noah held out mine. “Anyway, I thought Louise might enjoy a party, so I added her name to the invitation list.”
    Delia cocked her head. “I didn’t realize you and Louise Hunter knew one another.”
    “Life sometimes gets too much for Louise and she calls me.”
    “And you take care of her till she sobers up,” Delia said.
    “Peyben is one of the firm’s biggest clients,” Noah said quietly. “And Louise was once married to Peyben’s owner.”
    Delia linked her arm through her husband’s. “You take care of a lot that we don’t know about, don’t you?”
    “Thanks for noticing,” Noah murmured.
    It was a nice moment, but like many nice moments, it was interrupted by the outside world. When the doorbell rang, Zack was closest to the door and he reached over and opened it.
    Theo and Myra Brokaw were standing on the step. The storm was still in full force, and the Brokaws had linked their arms, presenting a united front against the elements. Zack pushed his chair back, and Theo and Myra stepped past him into the safety of the entrance hall, frowning in concentration as they stomped their boots and brushed the snow from their shoulders.
    Like many couples in a long marriage the Brokaws had grown to look like one another. Both were tall and lean withthick eyebrows, deep-set dark eyes, and strong features. That afternoon, both were wearing ankle-length grey cashmere coats with festive red scarves knotted around their necks. For people who were late for a party in their honour, they were remarkably unperturbed, but they had an explanation for their tardiness. “I’d forgotten how challenging a Saskatchewan winter can be,” Myra Brokaw said. “We had quite the adventure getting here.”
    Zack moved his chair aside, and extended his hand to her. “I’m glad you triumphed,” he said. Then he turned to Myra’s husband. “It’s a pleasure to see you again, Judge Brokaw.”
    Theo Brokaw’s chiselled features were transformed by a smile that was surprisingly winsome. “Do I know you?” he asked.
    “I’ve appeared before you many times,” Zack said. “Obviously, I didn’t make much of an impression. I’m Zack Shreve.”
    “And you’re a lawyer,” Theo Brokaw said, and his tone was self-congratulatory.
    “I am,” Zack agreed.
    “Well, so am I,” Theo Brokaw said. “At least I used to be.”
    For once, my husband was flummoxed. Myra smoothed over the awkward moment. She touched Theo’s elbow, and he moved smartly towards the Wainbergs. Delia opened her arms in greeting, but her eyes were anxious as she scanned Theo’s face. “Welcome. I’m so glad you could come.”
    Theo Brokaw stared at her, his forehead creased in bafflement. “You’ve gotten old,” he said. Before Delia could react, he bent towards her, buried his face in her neck, and breathed deeply. “Ah, but your fragrance is the same,” he said.
    Until she disentangled herself,