Read Once Bitten (A Melanie Travis Mystery) for Free Online Page A

from his hand and hauled Ping back.
    The Shar Pei was now jumping up and trying to wrap herself around Grant’s leg. To his credit, he didn’t look too perturbed about the situation.
    “Don’t worry about it,” he said. “Happens at my house all the time.”
    “Hi, Sara, Grant.” Bertie materialized behind me, leading the other half of our dynamic duo. For safekeeping, she took Ping’s leash from me and added it to the other she held in her hand.
    Grant’s brow furrowed as he studied Bertie with a slight frown. Bertie is one of the few women I know who are truly gorgeous. She has thick auburn hair, a wonderful complexion, and the kind of tall, athletic build that looks good in anything she chooses to wear.
    Most men don’t frown when they look at her. In fact, they usually fawn all over her. It’s a good thing my brother isn’t the jealous type, or he’d have to buy himself a shotgun.
    After a second, Grant’s expression cleared. “Bertie, right? I’m afraid it’s been a while.”
    “Too long,” Bertie agreed easily. “Sara and I have been out of touch, but she’s recently agreed to work on a project for me.”
    “Really?” Grant glanced at his stepdaughter with the same sort of quizzical expression he’d just trained on Bertie. “May I ask what kind?”
    “I’m getting married over Christmas. Sara’s planning my wedding for me.”
    “Then congratulations are in order. Who’s the lucky groom?”
    One look at Grant Waring and I knew he was the type of man who moved in a tightly contained social circle where everyone belonged to the same clubs, sent their children to the same private schools, and wintered at the same Florida coastal town. Good manners required him to ask after Bertie’s betrothed, though there wasn’t a hope in hell that the two of them had ever crossed paths.
    “His name is Frank Travis. He owns a small business in Stamford. In fact,” Bertie added, suddenly remembering my presence and performing an introduction, “he’s Melanie’s brother.”
    “Please pass along my best wishes,” Grant said smoothly, taking my hand in his. His eyes were a warm shade of brown. For the moment that they focused on me it was as though nothing else in the world was more important to him.
    “I’ll do that.”
    “Sara.” He turned back to his stepdaughter. “I’m sure you and your friends have a lot to talk about. I will see you at home later.”
    “Yes.” Sara didn’t look happy about it.
    “Everything okay?” Bertie asked as Grant strode off.
    “Sure, fine.” Sara glanced at me. “Don’t mind Grant. He’s always like that.”
    “I thought he was charming.”
    “He can be. That’s one of his better qualities. Don’t get me started on his bad ones.” Sara looked back at Bertie. “Were you looking for me, or is this just a coincidence?”
    “Looking,” said Bertie, glancing at her watch. “Though now I’m running out of time again. I just wanted to find out if you were making any headway with the plans.”
    “Of course. I’ve made tons of calls. What do you think of leasing one of the dining rooms at the Greenwich Country Club? Imagine the terrace that overlooks the golf course, trimmed with fairy lights and filled with flowers.”
    “It sounds wonderful. There’s only one problem. I’m not a member of the Greenwich Country Club.”
    “I am and I’ve already spoken to them about it. If it meets your approval, I’ll go ahead with the arrangements. See?” Sara patted Bertie’s arm reassuringly. “Headway. There’s more, too, but you probably don’t have to discuss it all now. You were right—I am good at this. In fact, I think I’m really going to enjoy it.”
    “Phooey,” I said as Bertie and I walked the Shar Peis back to the setup. “We forgot to ask her about that story Aunt Peg told us.”
    “That’s all right. With Grant around hassling her, this probably wasn’t the best time. Don’t worry, I’m sure I’ll be seeing plenty of Sara over the