Yours Seductively

Chapter 4.2

   Having been asleep in a baby carrier on the floor at Dave's feet, little Blaire began to squirm and fuss.

   "We'd better be going," Sally said, rising. "As much as we've enjoyed the evening, it's time to get the kids bathed and in bed."

   Jay didn't look overly enthused, Jane noted in amusement, but he obediently gathered his electronic game and moved to stand with his family as the adults exchanged parting pleasantries. Still holding Amy, Jane remained seated for the moment, saying her goodbyes from the couch.

   She agreed with Sally that they really should "do lunch" sometime—though she wondered if Sally was only making expected small talk, or the invitation was genuine. It wasn't as if they'd even known each other well when Jane had lived here before. But then, Jane hadn't known a lot of people. Her difficulties at home had kept her rather isolated from her peers.

   The few close friends she'd had back then, like Sandy, had implicitly understood that Jane wouldn't be reciprocating their sleepover and birthday-party invitations, but she'd been aware that others had whispered among themselves about Jane's alcoholic parents. Being a Hamilton, and the sister of a man wrongly suspected of murder, Sally surely knew the pain of being on the wrong side of the rumor mill. So marvel she and Jane could be friends.

   "As much fun as it is to hold this little cutie, I'd better be going , too," Jane said only a few minutes after the Ricaforts had departed. She kissed Amy's soft, chubby cheek, and then handed her to Tyler before rising and turning to Debbie. "Thank you so much for having me to dinner, Mrs.—er, Debbie," she said a bit self-consciously.

   Debbie stood and took her hand. "It was a pleasure to have you, dear. I know you want us to stop embarrassing you about it, but I need to thank you one last time for what you did at the swimming pool. None of us will ever forget it."

   Aware that Tyler and Tom were standing behind her, Jane murmured something appropriate and turns to Colton.

   "Good night, Jane," he said, patting her arm in a fatherly manner. "You come back and see us some time, you hear?"

   "I would be delighted. Thank you."

   "Tyler, walk Jane to her car. I'll take Amy." Debbie reached for the child, assuming without waiting for confirmation that her instructions would be followed—as they usually were.

   "I'll go, too," Tom said, starting forward.

   His grandmother caught him by the shoulder. "No sweetheart, you stay here with me and Grandpa. Say good-night to Ms. Doherty now, and you'll see her again another time."

   Pouting a little, Tom gazed up at Jane. "Good night, Ms. Doherty," he said, holding out his right hand as he'd seen the other do.

   She shook his hand. "Good night, Tom. I'll see you around, okay?"

   "I hope so," he answered wistfully.

   Tyler motioned toward the doorway. "After you, Ms. Doherty," he said with dry courtesy.

   "She gave him a cheeky grin. "Why, thank you Mr. Hamilton. Good night again everyone."

   She happened to glance at Debbie as she accompanied Tyler out of the room. The look on the older woman's face gave her pause for a moment. Just what was this, anyway? A gratitude dinner—or a fix-up?