Silent Night 3(2)

“What is it?” Reva asked impatiently. Was Grace going to totally fall apart, just because a little kid had scared her?

“Someone’s at the door!” Grace cried.

The front door opened and Reva spun around. One of the maids entered, carrying two of the girls’ duffel bags. Behind her, carrying two more bags, came a trim, handsome man with silver-flecked black hair.

“Daddy!” Reva cried. Brushing past the maid, she ran to her father and hugged him tightly.

“When I drove up and saw the suitcases outside, I knew my college girl was home!” Robert Dalby said. He dropped the luggage and hugged Reva back. “And you must be Grace,” he added, spotting Grace over Reva’s shoulder. “Welcome to the Dalby house.”

Grace smiled and shook his hand. Reva kept her arm around his waist as they all walked into the living room. “Daddy, you don’t know how glad I am to be home!” She kissed his cheek, then collapsed onto one of the soft velvet couches. “I thought the first term would never end!”

Mr. Dalby chuckled and sat in one of the easy chairs. “Are they working you pretty hard there, girls?”

“It’s a lot harder than I expected,” Grace replied, sitting next to Reva. “Don’t you think so, Reva?”

Reva yawned. “The classes are mainly boring. And the girls are so tacky and immature. I’d be embarrassed to bring any of them home. Except for Grace, I mean.”

“Maybe you should send them to Dalby’s for a makeover,” her father suggested, chuckling again. Robert Dalby was the owner of Dalby’s, an expensive, upscale department store in Shadyside and other cities around the country. “Speaking of the store,” he added to Reva. “I don’t suppose you’d be interested in working there this Christmas?”

“No way,” Reva replied.

“I could really use the help, and you could pick up a little extra spending money,” her father pleaded.

“I don’t need any extra spending money,” Reva told him. She sighed and leaned her head against the back of the couch. “I couldn’t take another season of those tacky women bursting out of their stretch pants. It’s too hard not to laugh in their faces.”

“They’re our bread and butter, honey,” Mr. Dalby pointed out.

“Sure, but I don’t have to like them, do I?” Laughing, Reva jumped up. “Come on, Grace, I’ll show you to your room. It has a private bath, with a Jacuzzi. You’ll love it.”

Reva planted a kiss on her father’s cheek, then took Grace upstairs to one of the guest rooms. Grace’s bags were already set neatly by the four-poster bed. “The maid must be unpacking my stuff,” Reva commented. “I’ll send her in to you after she’s finished.”

“Don’t bother,” Grace told her. “I’d feel funny having somebody unpack my clothes for me.”

Reva shrugged. “Suit yourself. I’ll see you in a little while for dinner.” Closing the door, she strode down the hall to her own room.

The maid stood in front of the big, walk-in closet, putting a blue silk blouse on a padded hanger.

“Do you need glasses? Didn’t you see the stain on the front of that?” Reva snapped. “It needs to be cleaned.”

“Sorry, Miss,” the maid gulped. She took the blouse off the hanger and draped it over her arm. “I didn’t notice.”

“Obviously.” Reva frowned, then went to her dresser and began to brush her hair. She smiled at her reflection. Wavy red hair, creamy white skin, and ice-blue eyes.

The frown returned as she noticed the maid behind her, going back and forth between the closet and the bed. Honestly, couldn’t Daddy get someone with a little bit of style? This one slumped, and her hair looked like gray straw.

“Ever hear of conditioner?” Reva muttered.

“Excuse me?” the maid replied. “I didn’t hear you.”

“Never mind. Just talking to myself,” Reva said.

“If you don’t need me any more, Miss, I’ll go help with dinner,” the maid said.

“Be my guest.” When the maid had left, Reva showered quickly. She changed into black wool pants and a burgundy satin blouse. She fluffed her hair with her fingers, then went back to Grace’s room.

Reva rapped once with her knuckles, then opened the door.

Grace sat on the bed, holding the telephone so tightly her knuckles were white.

Seeing Reva, she glanced up.

Reva gasped.

Terror filled Grace’s brown eyes.

“Grace, what is it?” Reva asked. “What’s wrong?”

Grace put her hand over the mouthpiece. “It’s Rory,” she whispered in a shaky voice. “He—he knows I’m here! I’m so scared, Reva! How did he find me?”