Some Like It Lethal Read Online Free PDF

talked for an hour."
    "That was nice. Thanks."
    There must have been a time when Tim and I could make conversation. Maybe we had talked about the med school softball tournament or whether we should go sailing on the weekend or maybe run up to New York to see a play. I couldn't remember. Before Merrie was born, Caroline collected early pewter, and I occasionally tagged along with her to estate sales. We'd meet our husbands at the end of the day for cozy dinners. But eventually Todd became unreliable and Tim had checked his watch often at our restaurant tables, while Caroline talked with too much vivacity to cover my pain and embarrassment. Merrie's birth had given Caroline and Tim a graceful excuse to stop our weekend socializing altogether, and when Todd died, essentially so had our relationship.
    Now, with both our spouses gone, there seemed nothing to talk about without bleeding all over each other.
    Merrie bounded out of the stall and clipped a nylon web in place of the door. She put her bowler in her teeth and struggled to get a scrunchie around her ponytail.
    I went over and took the hat from her mouth. "Here, let me help. Did you have a great ride today?"
    "Wonderful! Genghis went over every fence, even the coop. Did you see us, Dad?"
    "Sure did, Mer. You looked like a pro."
    "All those lessons with Emma are really paying off. Do you ride, Miss Blackbird? Like your sister?"
    "Nobody rides like Emma."
    Tim laughed. "Nora was the one who fell off her pony in the middle of Orchard Pond once."
    "I'm still thawing out," I told Merrie. "Has Emma been teaching you to play poker as well as jump fences?"
    She finished her ponytail with a flourish. "No, just working on my riding. She's been great, hasn't she, Dad?"
    "Yes," said Tim.
    I said, "She hasn't made you ride Mr. Twinkles yet, has she?"
    "Oh, no, he's too wild for me. But we've been working with Genghis." She gave her horse's nose an affectionate rub. "Dad says we won't have to sell him to the glue factory after all."
    Tim smiled.
    To me, Merrie said, "Emma says he might be ready for eventing next summer. She's going to take us around in her trailer. That is, if Dad says it's okay."
    "We'll see," said Tim, making no promises. "Are you ready for some breakfast?"
    "I'm starving!"
    "Me, too," said her father. He slid his arm affectionately across Merrie's shoulders. "Finish taking care of Genghis, and we'll eat."
    Merrie looked at me. "Would you like to come with us?"
    Tim stiffened almost imperceptibly.
    "Actually, I should go talk to more people."
    "Okay, maybe we'll catch you in the tent."
    When she dashed into the box stall, I said to Tim, "She's a delightful kid."
    He didn't meet my eye, but continued to untangle a bridle. "Yeah, she's great."
    "I'm glad Emma's been able to work with her. Sounds as if they get along really well."
    "I'm just glad Merrie's learning how to ride safely. It's a dangerous sport."
    Of course Tim would be concerned about his daughter's well-being. He, more than most anyone, knew how fast life could change. "I'm sure Emma takes every precaution."
    "Emma's been wonderful," he said.
    "I hear you've been nominated for Chief of Pediatrics at your hospital. Congratulations."
    "Oh. Yes. I'm one of several nominees."
    "Good luck. I'm sure you're the man for the job."
    Neither of us had a chance to say anything more.
    We heard screaming.
    From the direction of the other stable wing came shouts for help and one long, hysterical, babbling shriek. Tim and I turned together and Spike wriggled his head out of my bag.
    He barked when he saw Libby stumble into view.
    Rushing toward us, she looked dreadful. Windblown and terrified, she'd lost her hat somewhere, but one of the pheasant feathers was sticking out of her hair. She screamed as if she'd been stabbed.
    I ran to Libby and caught her shoulders. "What's wrong? What's happened?"
    She gasped. "Come quick."
    She grabbed my arm and I went with her, my heart slamming in my chest. I heard Tim and Merrie behind