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ask me whatever he had wanted to say in the hotel lobby.
    Inside the barn, padded folding chairs twenty rows deep were set up for the audience. The hand-built stage was at the far end of the barn. Blue velvet curtains had been installed and the stage floor polished. It seemed Mimi had spared no expense on the new business venture.
    High above, three ceiling fans turned lazily, pushing the warm air from the central heating back down ontothe onlookers. The place was packed. Attendees who weren’t part of the dinner were already seated, but there were two rows in the middle and front that remained open. I knew those were reserved for the progressive diners.
    Just inside the barn door, my mother brushed snow off her coat with her gloves. “I forgot how cold it is here. Maybe my blood has thinned since I’ve lived in a warmer climate. I saw a special on one of those science programs on television about that. People who live in extreme heat often can’t stand polar temperatures.”
    My father chuckled as he removed his own gloves. “Daphne, you don’t live in extreme heat. Ninety-nine percent of your time is spent in air-conditioning.”
    â€œYou never take my ideas seriously.”
    My father smiled. “I take all of your ideas seriously.”
    Willow pushed her way through the crowd toward me. She was hard to miss because she had styled her supershort hair into tiny spikes for opening night. Despite her looks, everyone in Holmes County accepted Willow, even the Amish. I suspected that they just found her to be eccentric. She was one of the longest-
standing township trustees. I partially had her to blame for my post on the board.
    Willow’s gauzy blouse ballooned around her as her blouses always did. “Angie, thank goodness you’re here. One of the ushers called in sick, and I need someone to pass out programs.” She shoved a stack of glossy programs into my hands. “If you run out, there are more of those behind the hay bale there in a cardboard box.” She pointed at the hay bale.
    â€œSure,” I said. “I’m happy to help.”
    My mother gave a tense smile. “My daughter is a township trustee. Isn’t there someone else who can pass out the programs?”
    Willow held out her hand to shake my mother’s. “Of course, I know she is. That’s exactly why I asked her. Willow Moon. I’m a trustee too. It’s all hands on deck for such a little township when it comes to events.”
    Reluctantly, Mom took it.
    â€œYou must be Angie’s parents. I can’t tell you what a ray of sunshine your daughter is to this township. She’s smart too. Without Angie, a few mur—ouch!”
    I stepped on Willow’s foot because I knew she was about to talk about the recent deaths in Holmes County and my part in their investigations. My parents didn’t need to know more than what I had told them about that.
    Willow stepped away from me and twirled her crystal.
    â€œReally, I don’t mind. The house is almost full,” I said. “It won’t take long to hand out these last few programs.”
    Willow’s smile widened. “You must be Ryan. I’ve heard
all
about you.”
    The corners of Ryan’s full lips turned up. “All good things, I hope.”
    â€œNone at all,” Willow said.
    My father covered his laugh with a cough. I winced.
    â€œYou had better get to your seats.” I handed them each a program.
    Ryan’s fingers brushed my wrist as he took the paper. I blushed and felt my face heat up even more as I wasangry at my body for betraying me. Ryan shouldn’t make me blush. I prayed Sheriff Mitchell had been called away and wasn’t within the viewing area.
    Ryan smiled at me, and I scowled back. Any sympathy I had for him evaporated.
    I pointed down the aisle. “Your seats are in the middle section, down in front. They are the best seats in the house.”
    My parents