Disrobed for Death by Sylvia Rochester Page A

good to have them here. Thinking about her dad calling her mom his bride, she crossed into her room with a grin and closed the door.
    Before going to bed, she pulled out another warm up from her chest of drawers to wear around the house tomorrow. But for the following day, she wanted something chic to wear to Wesley’s—and in case she ran into the doctor at Tilly’s. She rummaged through her closet and considered several outfits, finally choosing a lavender wool skirt, a silver satin blouse and a black, Anne Klein fitted blazer. Anything would look good after that gaping hospital gown.
    She really wanted to meet up with the doctor before her appointment. Maybe the hospital setting put him on the defensive. If she could get him away from the cold clinical setting, he might be more conducive to believing her. While Jack looked the same, his personality seemed to have gotten lost in the transition. Somehow she had to get through to the Jack she’d met at the funeral home. That wasn’t going to be easy. She crawled into bed, thinking about the best way to approach the subject, but everything that popped into her mind seemed stupid. Somehow, despite her muddled thoughts, she drifted off to sleep.

    The next morning, Susan opened her eyes to the sound of her mother’s voice and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee.
    “Come in,” Susan said, when her mother knocked on the door.
    “How are you feeling?” She handed Susan a cup of the dark brew in a matching cup and saucer.
    “I see we’re going fancy, today.”
    “If you don’t use your good china, who will? Coffee mugs are for the office.”
    “To answer your question, I’m fine, and I want you and Dad to know how much I appreciate your being here with me.”
    Her mother tsked her. “As if we’d have it any other way.”
    Susan put her coffee on the nightstand and slipped out of bed. Looking through the sheers toward the woods, she could tell it was going to be a beautiful day. “Are you two up for a walk about the complex?”
    “If that’s what you’d like, dear. First, let’s start the day with a good breakfast. I think your father has already gotten a jump on us. The bacon is dwindling fast.” She giggled.
    “You go ahead. I’ll be there as soon as I can throw on some clothes.”
    Halfway through breakfast, the doorbell rang.
    “I’ll get it,” her dad said.
    Susan leaned back in her chair to get a peek at the front door. “I can’t image who it could be.”
    “How’s she doing?” a familiar voice asked.
    Susan pushed away from the table and hurried into the living room. “Edward, I’m so glad you came. I missed seeing you at the hospital.”
    “You know I’m not going to let my little sister get all the attention.”
    Susan put her arms around him. “I can’t remember the last time we were all together. It’s a shame it took an accident to make it happen.”
    “Seems that’s always the way—an injury or something worse.”
    “Or worse? Don’t even go there,” Susan said. “From now on I’ll be more careful. Let’s not dwell on my carelessness.”
    She stepped back and examined her brother. “I must say, you’re looking good. Can’t imagine how you manage to stay single.”
    Edward had a boyish face and a quick smile that always put everyone at ease. He was the type of guy that, after a few minutes of conversation, you felt as if you’d known him all your life. A little over six feet and on the stocky side, he constantly fought to keep his weight down.
    “Hasn’t been easy, Sis. I’ve had to break many a heart.” Hard as he tried, he couldn’t keep a straight face.
    They all had a good laugh.
    “Speaking of the fairer sex, I enjoyed meeting your friend, A. K., at the hospital. She’s a lively one, isn’t she? And very attractive.”
    “You and A. K.? With you working in Lafayette, wouldn’t that be a problem?”
    “Heck, no. It’s a straight shoot down the Interstate, no more than an hour and a half. I was kind of