Page 6 of Her Honorable Hero

Leslie gave Miranda a sisterly smile. Apparently she knew that neither Griff nor her husband were bringing home bags with their names on them. But…

“I will say, considering the bags Griff brings home, you’d think my name was Victoria,” Miranda whispered to Leslie.

“I heard that,” Susan called out. She motioned toward her breasts, “you need to have two kids, then you’ll start getting bags from Fredericks of Hollywood.”

Miranda let out a loud laugh, and for the first time that night, she thought she might get through the event without throwing up.

“I think we’re missing out on all the fun,” Griff said as he came up behind their hostess. Leslie twisted in her chair to see who was talking. “Susan was doing some interesting pantomime. Mike and I wanted to see what was going on.

Susan turned bright red.

Miranda looked over at Mike. It was fifty-fifty whether he would tease his wife or cover for her.

“Susan, care to share with the class?” Leslie asked.

“Yeah, Susan, we saw some funny hand signals going on when we were walking up. This should be fun,” Mike teased his wife.

“I was explaining how puffed up your chest got when I told you I would marry you.”

Miranda loved how quick-witted her friend was. Her ability to think on her feet made her an outstanding assistant.

Mike reached out and grabbed Susan’s hand and brought it to his lips. “You’re right about that. I still don’t think that’s what you were talking about,” his voice trailed off.

Susan gave him a smile that was the picture of innocence. “Can’t prove it.”

Watching the love between Mike and Susan made Miranda think of another man who was missing. “Did you hear from Josiah?” Miranda asked Leslie.

“Captain Hale said he couldn’t make it,” Leslie sighed. “But, Billy Anderson is here,” she smiled brightly. “I can’t believe how much he has grown up.”

“Where is he?” Mike asked.

“He’s in the game room. Drake’s showing him how to shoot pool,” she laughed.

“That should be interesting, I think I’ll go check it out.” Mike nodded and smiled before he headed toward the house.

“Tell the boys that the buffet will be ready in a half hour, will you?” she asked.

Mike gave her a wave over his head. “I’m on it.”

Betty called Griff over to show off her ring, and Leslie took the opportunity to lean. “You didn’t answer your phone tonight,” she admonished Miranda.

“What?”

“I tried to call and warn you. I wanted to keep things low-key. I noticed things got kind of dicey for you last year, so I wanted to tone it down this year. No speeches, just a little get-together, but we have a problem.” Leslie’s eyes darted over to Susan, then she lowered her voice even more.

“Susan had Mason’s wife make a cake and Hope wrote a story that she wants to read to people.”

“Hope?” Miranda said with dismay. “But she’s only five.”

“I’m pretty sure Jeremy helped. They worked on it at school.”

Miranda’s heart sank. What had that special little girl come up with? She set her glass down and pushed up from her chair.

“Where are you going?” Griff asked.

“I think I’m going to go in and check on the guys. Maybe Billy can show me his new moves.”

Her husband nodded.