< previous page page_229 next page >

Page 229
"I didn't find it," she said quietly. "I'm sorry. I'd better go."
She tried to muster her dignity as she stepped toward the door, but tears blinded her, and she nearly tripped on the edge of the rug. Strong arms caught her. Large, warm hands grasped her elbows and led her back to her chair. "Abby just made a lucky guess," Mike said to Jess. "Let's see if we can figure out where the tea set is."
Abby had never loved Mike more than at that moment. He supported her, whether or not he believed her.
For the next several minutes, they discussed where the tea set might bebut Abby and Hannah had examined all the suggested locations and had not found it.
Grace came in, carrying a plastic tray with a metal teapot and four unmatched cups. "Here," she said, placing everything on the low table near the settee. "Herb tea. No caffeine."
Abby inhaled the refreshing scent of warm apples and spice as Grace poured. The tea tasted as delicious as it smelled, but it failed to soothe Abby.
Grace resumed her seat, and Mike explained they had been talking about a missing silver tea service. "Do you know where to find it? It has . . ." He glanced at Abby, then continued. "It's embossed with violets and leaves. Five pieces."
"Of course I don't," Grace snapped. Then she hesitated. "Only . . . there are a few old boxes of junk down in the coal cellar. We had it made into a separate room when the place was brought up

 
< previous page page_229 next page >