Dead by Midnight - Beverly Barton [79]
Damn it! Don’t think about what might have been.
Mike caught a glimpse of Abby on the far side of the room, trapped in a conversation with Reverend Patsy Floyd, who was no doubt trying to persuade Abby to help with the Interfaith Youth Council that Patsy had founded. The idea was for children and teens from various religions to meet once a month in a social setting that fostered understanding of and tolerance for one another’s religious doctrines. He knew that Abby didn’t totally approve of the fact that he allowed Hannah and M.J. to attend the monthly meetings.
“They’re too young to be exposed to false doctrine,” Abby had warned him. “You don’t want them believing everything they’re told.”
“I’m not worried,” Mike had said. “My children are being brought up in the same church I’ve attended all my life. I have confidence in their ability to choose the right path. But I want them to learn to be understanding and tolerant of people who are different from them. It’s what Molly would have wanted. She had the biggest, kindest, most understanding heart of anyone I’ve ever known.”
Abby had agreed with him, of course. She always did, easily changing her opinions to mimic his. Even though her physical appearance and generally sweet disposition reminded him of Molly, she didn’t possess Molly’s spunk. If Molly believed in something or someone, you couldn’t change her mind easily. In that way, Molly had reminded him of Lorie.
Mike cast a quick glance around the room and noted that Lorie, with Shelley at her side, was talking to his mother. A tight knot formed in the pit of his stomach. What could she and his mom possibly have to talk about? Nothing too serious, he figured, not from the way they were both smiling. He shouldn’t stare too long. People would notice. People would talk. It was bound to happen now that the whole town knew the sheriff’s department was involved in the Midnight Killer case. He figured people were already speculating as to just how involved he was in personally looking after Lorie.
It’s high time you paid attention to your date for the evening.
He made his way across the room and slipped his arm around Abby’s tiny waist. She was almost too thin. If not for her well-defined muscles, achieved through a strenuous exercise program, she would look unhealthy.
“Hello, sweetheart.” She kissed his cheek.
He smiled. “Thanks for bringing the kids.”
“As a matter of fact, I didn’t bring them,” she told him. “It seems your mother decided to come tonight and insisted on the children coming with her.”
Mike knew for a fact that his mother had not planned on coming to the party. Only yesterday, she had told him that the arthritis in her hips was acting up and she was having to use her cane again.
“I’ll see the doctor Monday and get one of those cortisone shots and I’ll be just fine,” she had assured him.
So what had happened to change his mother’s mind?
“How are you, Mike?” Patsy Floyd asked. “I guess this Midnight Killer situation is keeping you pretty busy. We’ve heard all about it, of course, now that the FBI is involved. I’m terribly concerned about Lorie. Thank goodness she not only has a bodyguard, but she has you, too.” Patsy looked from Mike to Abby. Her face flushed. “I mean in your capacity as the sheriff, of course.”
Mike forced a smile. “Yes, ma’am.”
“I’m very proud of Mike,” Abby said. “He takes his duties as the county sheriff seriously. We can all sleep soundly in our beds at night knowing that he’s in charge.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence, honey.”
“If you two will excuse me, I want to say hello to Jack and Cathy,” Patsy said. “Have you ever seen two happier people in your life? They’re both simply glowing. There’s nothing like being crazy in love, is there?”
Left alone with Abby, Mike managed to keep his strained smile intact. While she talked to him, he tried to listen and respond, but eventually, he allowed