Angel's Rest(29)

“The time period this journal covers is January first to June first, 1892. Elizabeth and Harry are engaged. The wedding is set for August. It’s fascinating reading, and I’m only through the first three months.”

Sage handed the journal to Nic, who said, “That’s after he’d built this house, though. I don’t suppose you read anything about the mystery bride?”

“Not yet, but that thought occurred to me, too. Also, it reads as if she kept a journal by habit, so we might find more diaries as we go through all these boxes.”

Sarah tucked a short dark curl behind her ear as she said, “Zach Turner told me he heard back from the vintage wedding-gown expert. Judging by the lace on the train and the unique design of the embroidery around the neckline, she dates that gown as late nineteenth century. This is cool!” Her eyes sparkled. “We might solve the mystery before the sheriff’s department does. Hmm … wonder if I could get Zach to bet me?”

Nic snorted. “Shoot, I’ll bet you could get Zach Turner to do anything your heart desires. I saw his car at your house again last night.”

“Why won’t you believe that Zach is simply my friend? Nothing romantic going on there. Besides, he didn’t come to see me last night. He brought Lori home.” Sarah hesitated, then confessed, “She and Andrew had a fight, and he left her without a ride.”

Sage folded her arms. “That weasel. I hope she finally dumped him.”

“She’s okay?” Nic asked as she sank into an overstuffed easy chair.

“Yes. Angry, but okay. She finally came out and admitted what I’ve suspected for a while now. He’s pressuring her for sex.”

Nic scowled. “I hope she told him to tie a knot in it. She’s been nothing but clear about her views on that subject since she turned fifteen.”

“Fourteen. She asked me to buy her the promise ring on my thirtieth birthday. Nothing like being illegitimate to know for a fact you don’t want to repeat the mistake.”

“Don’t talk that way. You’ve never said that Lori was a mistake!” Nic jabbed a finger at the on button on the laptop she’d left on the chair’s ottoman the previous day. “I agree with Sage. I hope Lori broke up with that little slimeball. He knew her stance when he started dating her.”

“She’s thinking about it.” Sarah glanced up at the mantel clock and frowned. “I think she’s torn because she’s afraid she won’t have a date to the Christmas dance and she doesn’t want to miss it.”

“She should go alone or with a group of girls,” Sage suggested. “Girls do that in other parts of the country. They usually have more fun that way because girls actually like to dance.”

“I’m afraid Eternity is still behind on that trend,” Nic said as the Westminster chimes of the grandfather clock in the entry hall rang out the hour.

“Enough of reality.” Sarah said, standing. She grabbed the TV remote from the mantel and pointed it toward the small flat-screen Celeste had provided for entertainment while they labored. “It’s fantasy time. The game is on. Buffs versus OU. College basketball at its finest.”

“That’s why I smell popcorn.” Nic propped her legs on the ottoman, her computer in her lap, and settled in for the show. “Excellent. I’d forgotten we had a game today.”

“Not me.” Sage tossed her a bag of popcorn, still warm from the microwave. “I came prepared.”

As Nic tore open her bag, her gaze focused on the television. Thirty seconds later, the three women sighed as one. “Coach Romano.”

“Be still my heart,” Sage declared.

Nic clicked her tongue. “Slam-dunk.”

“Put me in, Coach,” Sarah said. “I’m ready to play.”

Standing a muscular six foot five, Coach Anthony Romano had wavy back hair, luscious brown eyes, and a perpetual five o’clock shadow. He was in his second season as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for CU, and according to his bio on the athletics department website, Coach Romano was a bachelor.

The most devoted sports fan of the three of them, Sarah had been the one to bring the coach to their attention after a three-margarita discussion led to an extended search for the perfect fantasy man. Coach Romano was the only man all three agreed on, and he’d become the focus of their tongue-in-cheek fangirls’ club.

It was silly, slightly embarrassing, and fun.