Page 19

He shrugged. “Girl clothes, smelly girl stuff. That qualifies. Clarice—cousin—likes the smelly stuff.”

“Make a note,” Sonya told Cleo. “Have Gigi’s smelly girl stuff in the bathrooms for the event.”

“Right there with you.”

“Now”—Sonya smiled as Trey topped off her wine. Then, lifting her glass, turned to Owen—“about that doghouse.”

By the time they’d eaten their fill, Sonya had poured the last of the second bottle of wine. “I say we take this, walk around with the dogsbefore we come back for pie. And we’ll tub up some of this, and some of that, for both of you to take home.”

“I especially like that part. It was a damn good meal,” Owen added. “Appreciate it.”

“You’re going to want a jacket. Both of you.” Trey gave Sonya’s bare arm a stroke as they rose. “April nights are cool.”

The music on the iPad had Sonya frowning. “I don’t know that one.”

“‘Pieces of April,’” Owen told her. “Three Dog Night.”

“Owen knows music,” Trey said.

“So I see. Well, speaking of dogs, we’ll take them out the front, grab jackets.”

All three dogs got up, stretched, and raced to the front.

“We’ll take KP when we get back. It’s only fair.”

“I’ll let you.” Sonya glanced up at Trey as they walked. “I’m not sure Molly will.”

“Invisible housekeeper. Handy,” Owen decided. “I could use one of those.”

“She’s family now, too.”

She paused outside the music room, and the two portraits she’d found in the studio. Of Clover and of Johanna—the sixth and seventh brides.

“Just like they are.”

They stopped in the small parlor for jackets, then stepped out into a star-strewn night that struck between cool and cold.

“Going to see a freeze tonight,” Owen predicted.

“Are you two warm enough?”

Trey took Sonya’s hand. “We’re Maine men, cutie. This is balmy.”

“It’s so clear.” Shaking back her hair, Cleo looked up. “You never see stars like this in Boston.”

“How about Lafayette?” Owen wondered.

“No, not unless you head into the bayou.”

“Ever think about going back?”

“For visits, sure. To live?” Cleo shook her head. “I found my place.I love this house.” She turned, looked back at it. “Dobbs wants to spoil that. Chase us out. She doesn’t understand who she’s dealing with.”

As she spoke, the window of the Gold Room slapped open. In the glimmer of starlight, something flew out. Something big, something fast, that let out a shrill, inhuman shriek.

Even as Owen shoved Cleo behind him, Trey shifted to stand in front of Sonya.

It took a heartbeat, no more than two, with all three dogs barking vicious warnings. And Jones actually leaping up as if to attack what flew at them.