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butler, too, examined her quizzically as he opened the door for her.
    “I’m sorry, I have the wrong house,” Jennifer said, exiting.
    She descended the stairs and waved for the parking attendant.
    Mrs. Wintergreen had been watching her. She saw Jennifer leave. She followed.

CHAPTER 4
     
    Jennifer stood at the foot of the stairs, waiting anxiously for the car attendant to fetch her car, regretting her decision to come. She felt exposed and vulnerable. She didn’t belong with those people—with any people. She wanted to be alone.
    A brand-new dark SUV rolled into the circular driveway and stopped at the edge of the walkway, where she was standing.
    Richard Steady, her insurance agent, sprang out. Jennifer cringed. She’d almost escaped without seeing anyone. Richard was a talker.
    “Hi there, Jennifer,” he said, all bubbly and smiles.
    Richard was shorter than Jennifer. He was stocky and square, dressed in his usual dark suit, red business tie and cashmere overcoat. His dark eyes were earnest; his thin, arching eyebrows raised; his voice always low and instructive, as if he were teaching a seminar.
    “Snow, snow and more snow is what they’re forecasting,” he said rubbing his leather gloved hands together.
    A second attendant, loose-limbed and anxious, hurried over and took Richard’s car keys. He dropped behind the wheel, slammed the door and raced away.
    “You coming or going?” Richard asked, his breath puffing white gusts of vapor.
    “I’m…I have to leave. You know, business things.”
    At 42, married and childless, it seemed that Richard played the role of father to nearly everyone in town, offering advice on everything from dating to hair styles to diets. Many people felt that Richard was more of a father confessor than the local priest, Father Abernathy, the only problem being that during the course of listening to one’s confession, Richard was apt to, and indeed often did, try to sell one an insurance policy.
    “How’s the party?” Richard asked.
    “Nice…real nice…festive,” Jennifer said, standing on tiptoes, looking for her car.
    “How’s your business doing?” Richard asked.
    “Incredibly busy.”
    Richard gave her one of his fatherly looks. “Have you been getting to know any of the young men in our town, Jennifer?”
    “I’ve been busy.”
    “All work and no play is not good, Jennifer. You must have balance in your life. Balanced relationships, balanced diet and balanced work habits. These are all very important for a truly happy life. It’s the key to everything.”
    “How is your wife?” Jennifer asked, quickly changing the subject.
    “Oh, Molly is fine. Probably in the Hartman kitchen, getting in everyone’s way. But she just loves Christmas. She helped decorate the place. Hope it looks good. What do you think?” “Yes. Looks real…well like Christmas.”
    Richard clasped his hands at his waist, shaking his head a little as a preamble to a serious subject. “Jennifer, I’ve been meaning to come by and talk to you about your insurance coverage. I was looking over your policy the other day and I’m a little concerned that you may not have all the coverage you need.”
    “That’s nice of you, Richard, but I think I’m in pretty good shape right now.”
    “Freezing temperatures, blustery winds, ice, sleet and snow can cause severe damage to your building and property, Jennifer. Consider the blizzard of 2009, which was the fifth most costly in the history of the United States. Did you know that?”
    “No, Richard, I didn’t.”
    “It caused an estimated $1.75 billion in damage.”
    “That much?”
    “Yes, that much. And then there was the storm of the century in 1993. Northern locations, like ours, are most likely to be hard-hit on a regular basis, so don’t underestimate our winter storms. I know you’re from Tennessee where you get the occasional storm, but nothing like the kind of devastating storm that can strike us.”
    “So you want me to expand my