Snagged by Carol Higgins Clark

the pool, she thought. Behind her, the door opened and Nora whirled around. Luke smiled at her.
    “How did it go, dear?” Nora asked.
    “There was a little mixup with which room the coffins go in, but once we got that squared away, everything was fine. We’re all registered and now I’m free for a couple of hours.” He took off his jacket. “Have you had a relaxing morning?”
    “Relaxing, not really. Fruitful, yes. I’ve spent the whole time arranging Richie’s cocktail party. All the party rooms in the hotel were booked, so the manager offered to have it in his penthouse suite. He’s an awfully nice young fellow. Maybe Regan would like him . . .”
    “She’ll kill you,” Luke said matter-of-factly.
    “Oh, I know. It’s just that he’s being so nice and helpful. I really hope this party helps Richie out with the panty hose. It would be such a shame if Richie and his friends lost their place.”
    Luke nodded. “Stick to worthy causes like that. Not matchmaking, it never works.”
    “Are you forgetting, dear, that we met on a blind date?”
    “That was different. First of all, it wasn’t arranged by your mother . . .”
    The doorbell rang.
    Luke looked at Nora quizzically. “Did you order room service?”
    “Are you kidding? I want to go down and eat poolside if you don’t mind.”
    “I’ll be your date,” Luke said as he went over and opened the door.
    Nick Fargus stood in front of him with a stack of folded papers in his hand. “Are you Mr. Reilly?”
    “Yes, lam.”
    “Nick Fargus.” He shook Luke’s hand. “I’m the manager of the Watergreen and we’re just trying to help your wife arrange a little party for tomorrow.”
    “Come in, Nick,” Nora called.
    “I’ve got the invitations here. They’re all ready to
    go”
    “How sweet of you,” Nora said. “I just have to stuff them into the envelopes and stick them under the doors.”
    “Oh, no, we’ll take care of that,” Nick said firmly, assuming his captain’s tone. He handed Nora an invitation. “Does this look satisfactory to you?”
    Nora looked at it and smiled at the sketches of pantyhose-clad legs surrounding the border. “Luke, listen to this:
“Don’t be kept in suspense any longer. Nora Regan Reilly invites you to join her for cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and the unveiling of panty hose you could die for.
Don’t hit a snag!
Run to Penthouse A at three o’clock Saturday afternoon and you’ll never have to get a run in your stockings again.”
    Nora took off her reading glasses and looked up. “What do you think, Luke?”
    “I’d come.”
    “I appreciate your vote of confidence.”
    Nick laughed. “Well, I guess we’re all set, then. I’ll get these right out. Mr. Reilly, I know you’re here for the funeral convention. Has everything met with your satisfaction?”
    “Oh, sure. We had a little problem this morning with getting the coffins in and where they were to be displayed, but it’s all straightened out now. I guess there was a mixup with the rooms.”
    Nick laughed nervously. “Oh, yes, I got a call about that this morning. We almost ended up with mannequins in their panty hose in the same room as the coffins. Now that would have been interesting. If we had laid them down in the coffins, it would have given new meaning to the term ’good-looking stiff.’ ’’ Beads of sweat broke out on his brow. Oh, my God, Nick thought, I can’t believe I said that.
    Luke looked at him. “I suppose it would have.” “Well, I guess I’d better get going. We want to get these out.’’ Nora handed him the envelopes. Nick shook the invitations in the air and hurried out of the room.
    Luke looked at Nora incredulously. “So that’s what you’re looking for in a son-in-law?”
    Nora looked squeamish. “He means well.”
    Luke smiled. “Famous last words.” He stretched out his arms. “I’m going to get changed. Then let’s go downstairs, grab seats at the floating bar in the pool, and try one of the