Petals on the Wind (Dollanganger 2)

hand, his lips parted wide to put at least half inside

with one bite, when the telephone in the hall rang.

Paul groaned as he put down his fork. I groaned too,

for I had made my first cheese souffle and it had to be

eaten right away. "Would you mind getting that,

Cathy?" he asked.

"I really want to dig into your souffle. It looks

delicious and it smells heavenly."

"You sit right there and eat," I said, jumping up

and hurrying to answer, "and I'll do what I can to

protect you from the pesky Mrs. Williamson. . . ." He softly laughed and flashed me an amused

look as he picked his fork up again. "It may not be my

lonely widow lady with another of her minor

afflictions." Chris went right on eating.

I picked up the phone and in my most adult and

gracious way I said, "Dr. Paul Sheffield's residence." "This is Emily Dean Dewhurst calling," said the

stern voice on the other end. "Please put Dr. Sheffield

on the phone immediately!"

"Miss Dewhurst!" I said, already alarmed. "This

is Cathy, Carrie's sister. Is Carrie all right?"

"You and Dr. Sheffield are needed here

immediately!"

"Miss Dewhurst--"

But she didn't let me finish. "It seems that your

younger sister has disappeared rather mysteriously. On

Sundays those girls who are being punished by

weekend liberty denial are required to attend chapel

services. I myself called the roll and Carrie did not

respond to her name." My heart beat faster,

apprehensive of what I was to hear next, but my finger