Angora Alibi A Seaside Knitters Mystery - By Sally Goldenbaum Page 0,6

seductive smiles focused on Tyler.

“Business.” Tyler lifted one shoulder in a playful shrug, then moved back to mixing martinis and smiling his way into the women’s hearts.

“Who would have thought?” Cass said. “A nice kid with lots of visible attributes, but as his grandma Esther would say, ‘not always with the sense God gave a donkey.’”

Birdie laughed. “She didn’t say donkey, if I remember the conversation correctly. But I do remember her worries about him growing up. Everyone loves Ty. And he loves everyone back in equal measure, but not always wisely.”

Nell motioned toward a table she’d claimed nearby just as a bell tinkled in the distance and a microphone whistled to life.

Willow Adams, cochair of the event, stood as tall as her five-foot-one frame allowed and welcomed them all to the first annual charity auction. “But before you head off to the amazing food stations or to view tonight’s amazing donations, my cohost tonight, Laura Danvers, and I would like to thank a few people.”

Elliot, Laura’s banker husband, led the applause as his wife hurried over to Willow’s side. In her mid-thirties, Laura Danvers was already a well-respected leader in Sea Harbor society. It was a rare charity that didn’t have a touch of Laura in it somewhere.

“So many people to thank, so little time.” Laura laughed, then gestured to the programs scattered on all the tables and waved for those at the bar to find a place to sit. “The program lists everyone who generously supported us tonight, but there are a couple of people we want to mention because their drive and generosity are what we are all about. Dr. Lily Virgilio, please join us.”

The crowd applauded again as the attractive doctor came forward to give a brief explanation of the health program the community center was initiating for the families of Sea Harbor who couldn’t afford care.

“I wonder if Lily’s associate is as supportive of the program as she is,” Izzy whispered to Nell and Birdie. She nodded toward the table where Martin Seltzer sat, his long face solemn and pale, his eyes never leaving Lily’s face.

“Not terribly happy, is he now?” Birdie frowned at the man, as if her look could coax him into being a bit more cheery for the festive event. “Poor Martin. I think this is the last place he wants to be. He told me once that he’d rather have a root canal than attend obligatory cocktail parties.”

They watched the doctor cradle a glass of water in his long fingers, his eyes never leaving Lily as she handed the microphone back to Laura and stepped off the stage, returning to their table.

Willow picked up the praise. “And next, a huge thank-you to Franklin Danvers.” She put her palms out and shook her head. “Okay, okay, we all know he’s Laura’s uncle and there’s no way he could have turned us down when we went to him begging.”

She paused for brief laughter, then went on. “But Mr. Danvers didn’t just agree to help, he said yes in a most generous way, underwriting all the food and drink you’re enjoying tonight. And it’s my guess he’ll be reaching in his pockets again before the evening is over, once his beautiful wife sees our auction items.”

Laura looked over and encouraged her uncle to stand. He and his wife sat at the head table, along with the Drs. Virgilio and Seltzer.

“I think the new wife has definitely softened Franklin,” Ben said, laughing at Franklin’s courtly bow.

“I think it’s a bit more than that,” Birdie said. “Not only is Tamara beautiful, but she’s giving Franklin the one thing in his life that’s been missing. An heir.”

A perfectly coiffed Tamara Danvers sat with a look of pride on her face as she lifted her hands in enthusiastic applause. A diamond ring sparkled on her finger. She leaned over and said something low to Martin Seltzer, and to their surprise, the somber doctor managed a smile.

Ben lifted an eyebrow. “She’s pregnant?”

“Newly pregnant,” Izzy said. “You’re just not on the cutting edge like we are, Uncle Ben.”

“Maybe that explains Franklin’s recent largesse. He was in Europe for a few weeks a short while back looking into new business opportunities for his firm. A successful trip, I gather, but a side product was that he brought back some ideas to increase tourism for Sea Harbor. A group of us got together at the library last week to talk about it. On his way in, Franklin noticed some damage a winter