A Fatal Chapter

“I will,” she said, and braved a smile, knowing she wouldn’t.

She stepped out into the hall as Angelica made another round of good-byes.

All around Tricia nurses, aides, and technicians scurried. All around were the sounds of new life—of hope and promise.

Her life was about to start another chapter, too, and it would not include Christopher. She hadn’t wanted him to be a strong presence in her future, but she had at least expected him to be part of the landscape. That he wouldn’t brought her great sadness.

Angelica appeared, all smiles, and wrapped her free arm around Tricia’s. “Ready to go see Janet?”

Tricia nodded. “Although I haven’t any idea of what I’m going to tell her.”

“I’ll tell her, if you like.”

“Thank you. I don’t think I’m quite yet ready to be able to talk about it, but I do want her to know that she’s now safe—all of Stoneham is.”

“Yes, we are, but at a terrible cost. For what it’s worth, I think Christopher is the bravest man I’ve ever known. He gave me my life, and I’m going to make sure every day counts for something. To honor him, you should, too.”

“I will.”

They paused at the elevators. “I’d like to do something else to honor Christopher. What do you think about a scholarship? Or maybe Nigela Ricita Associates could buy a piece of land and make another park for the citizens of Stoneham?”

“Why don’t we talk about it some other day?” Tricia suggested.

“Of course. I’m sorry I bought it up now,” Angelica apologized.

Tricia managed a smile. “I’m glad you were fond of him. He had his failings, but overall he really was a great guy.”

“Of course he was, and you brought out the best in him.”

Tricia didn’t believe that for a moment, but she didn’t see any point in arguing.

They took the elevator to the fourth floor, but as they approached Janet’s room, Tricia halted. “I don’t think I can do this.”

“You don’t have to, sweetie. Why don’t you go down to the lobby and wait for me. I’ll only be a few minutes.”

“Tell Janet . . .” But Tricia couldn’t think of a thing to say.

“I will,” Angelica promised, squeezed her hand and then forged ahead.

Tricia turned, but instead of heading for the elevator, she took the stairs and made her way back to the lobby. Never had she felt so alone. She supposed her parents had at one time liked Christopher—after all, he’d taken her off their hands. That must have made her mother feel infinitely grateful. But even if her parents had never really been there for her, she counted Angelica as her staunchest ally. And now she had a new co

As Tricia was about to take a seat, she noticed the automatic doors slide open and Grace and Mr. Everett enter the hospital’s lobby.

“Tricia, darling girl,” Grace said as she approached with her arms held wide. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am to hear about . . .” But she didn’t say his name.

“Thank you,” Tricia said, and embraced her friend. Grace was older than Tricia’s mother. She’d had her share of tragedies, but she had bounced back and found a new zest for life. Tricia hoped she would one day find that same resolve. She looked over Grace’s shoulder and saw dear Mr. Everett, her employee and, if truth be told, someone she’d come to think of as her surrogate father. His eyes were shiny with unshed tears. She pulled back away from Grace and practically fell into Mr. Everett’s waiting arms. And then the tears came once again.

Eventually, Tricia realized she was sitting on a couch, her head still buried in Mr. Everett’s shoulder, sobbing as he patted her back murmuring, “Dear girl, dear girl.”

Grace pressed a tissue into Tricia’s hand, and she wiped her eyes and eventually managed to get her emotions under control enough to sit up straight. “I’m so embarrassed,” she murmured, and didn’t dare look at her friends.

“But why?” Grace asked, patting Tricia’s hand. “We’re family. We love you. You, Angelica, Gi

“Family?” Tricia asked, her throat so tight she felt like choking.

“Not by blood, but by circumstance,” Mr. Everett said.

Tricia stared into the elderly man’s wrinkled face as a wellspring of love gushed through her.

“And don’t forget Miss Marple, too,” he added, and smiled.

Tricia felt new tears spring to her eyes. “Yes, we are family.”

“We were thinking,” Grace began, “that we’d like to host a picnic for our little family. Maybe a potluck next weekend. And maybe we’ll invite a few friends, too. Like Pixie and her new gentleman friend, Fra

“I think that would be lovely,” Tricia said, wondering what she could contribute. Then she remembered the deviled eggs Angelica had made for Pete’s wake. They seemed simple enough. Maybe she could bring something like that, and she would enjoy making them to share with her friends—her family.

“There you are,” Angelica said, arriving on the scene. Her smile wavered, however, when she took in Tricia’s tear-streaked face. “Is everything okay?”

“We were just talking about hosting a picnic next weekend for our little Stoneham family. You, included,” Grace said.

“That sounds wonderful. What can I bring?” Angelica said, taking a seat next to Tricia.

Grace gri

Angelica’s smile was wide. “You got it.”

“I’ll mention it to Gi

“You already know her name?” Angelica asked.

“Gi

“Isn’t she a dear?” Angelica asked with a sappy look that could only be described as motherly pride—despite the fact that she had no claim on Gi

“She’s as special to us as our darling Tricia—and you, too,” Mr. Everett said.

“Aw, thank you,” Angelica said, her smile wavering as her eyes welled.

“We’re family,” Tricia offered, unsure what Angelica’s reaction would be.

“Well, of course we are,” Angelica said, and reached over to squeeze Tricia’s hand.

In that moment, Tricia realized she had never felt so loved and accepted. “Yes, we are,” she reaffirmed, and smiled.

ANGELICA’S FAMILY RECIPES

GRANDMA MILES’S SNICKERDOODLE COOKIES

1½ cups granulated sugar

1 cup shortening

2 eggs

2¾ cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ cup salt

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

2 teaspoons ci