The Guest List Read Online Free PDF

days of rain,” Carol said as she climbed into Donovan’s car. “I’m sick of it.”
    “It’s sunny in South Carolina. I saw it on the news this morning,” Donovan said inanely, water dripping down his face. He wiped it away, then reached for Abby and set her on the seat beside him.
    “How long do you think the reception will last?”
    “An hour or so. Everyone will have a little something to eat and drink, they’ll say nice things about John and Harriet, then leave. I don’t expect more than a dozen people to show up. Everything is ready. We really don’t have to do anything but circulate,” Carol said. “Then, when everybody is gone, we’re going to talk about why you did what you just did.”
    Donovan nodded. He could tell Carol didn’t approve of his sudden change in plans. Probably because of the added expense. To hell with the expense, he thought.
    He looked in the rear view mirror at Mallory. She looked lost, forlorn. In spite of what she’d done at the gravesite, he felt as sorry for her as he did for Abby.
    “We’re going to drop the girls off at the Barkers’ house,” Carol said a moment later. “Mrs. Lascaris is sick. The Barkers’ daughter, Marie, is going to watch them until … until it’s time to … to bring them back. Oh, and don’t forget, you still have to talk to Harriet’s aunt and fill her in on the details.”
    “Until you told me you found her name in Harriet’s address book, I didn’t even know she had an aunt. Emma never mentioned her to me, and neither did John.”
    “She sounded elderly but sharp. I think she said she was eighty-six. She wanted to know how much insurance there was and if she’s mentioned in the will. She said she doesn’t want … any responsibility.”
    “When can we go home?” Mallory whined.
    “We don’t have a home anymore,” Abby informed her sister. “Isn’t that right, Uncle Donovan? We’re going to live with you now, aren’t we?” Abby said, throwing herself sideways against Donovan.
    “I want to go home,” Mallory whined again. “All my stuff is there. I want my stuff.”
    Carol glanced behind her. “We have to wait for the police to tell us we can get your things from the house, Mallory. I’m sorry, honey, but there’s nothing we can do until then.”
    “I’ll share the toys I have at Uncle Donovan’s,” Abby generously offered.
    “I don’t want your toys! I want mine. They’re way better than yours.”
    “Mallory!” Donovan said in a stern voice. “That’s enough of that. You girls are going to have to get used to sharing for a while.”
    “I don’t want to share with Abby.”
    “Oh. yes you will, young lady, and I don’t want to hear another word about it. You will both be responsible for makingyour own bed, putting your clothes in the hamper, and picking up your toys. That’s the way it’s going to be. Crying and whining will not make me change my mind,” Donovan said in his new parental voice.
    “Mama always made my bed and picked up my clothes and toys,” Mallory said, starting to cry.
    Donovan didn’t want to hurt Mallory more than she was already hurting, so he chose his words carefully. “I know, honey. But your mama is in heaven now with your daddy. Abby will show you how to do it. Abby makes her own bed when she sleeps over.” Donovan glanced at Carol and saw her staring at him in a way that said, “this is not going to be easy.”
    “Mama said I was a princess and princesses don’t do chores.”
    Donovan didn’t know what to say to that. Mallory was a brat, but this wasn’t the time to discipline her. “We’ll talk about it later, all right?” he said, tight-lipped. His hold on Abby was fierce. The rest of the drive to the Barkers’ was made in silence, as Donovan squirmed in his soaking-wet clothes.
    “I feel so sorry for those girls, Donovan,” Carol said after the girls had gotten out of the car. “What in the world are you going to do?”
    “John’s will appointed me