Page 12 of Vows of Murder

He sat down after throwing the bones from the chicken leg into a sack in the sink. We always took the chicken bones to the outside trash because of Emma’s magical ability to get into any indoor trash can she wanted to raid. “That’s an oddly specific question. What was the answer? Are you lonely?”

“I hadn’t thought about it before she asked. I mean, you’ve always been on the job since I met you that first time I visited South Cove.” Isipped my soda.

“I was married to Sherry back then.” He leaned back in his chair. “I hope Mom’s not trying to play that card again. Being married to Sherry was like trying to serve two masters. She didn’t care what I was doing, as long as I was at her beck and call and made enough money to support her in the way she was accustomed to being cared for. Mom was like Jim. She thought Sherry and I were perfect together. But she didn’t have to live with her, I did.”

I smiled at that image. “She said that you put her in a hotel in Santa Barbara when she’d visit back then. Maybe she’s missing the upgrade. The house is cozy, not upscale.”

“She’s fine in the guest room. And if she’s not, she can pay for the high-end hotel herself.” He rubbed the back of his neck, a sure sign he was tired. “One investigation-related question, please. Do you think Molly Cordon is telling the truth?”

“I’ve only met her twice. But the story she told me before Toby got there was the same as what she told him. I don’t have a reason to doubt her. She’s admitted to being at the mission and going to meet up with Kane. She was pretty freaked out when she came into the bookstore.” I watched Emma curl back into her kitchen bed. All was right in my dog’s world since her daddy was home and she’d had dinner. I turned back to Greg. “Please tell me that Kane’s murder isn’t going to change thewedding venue.”

“There’s my sensitive fiancée. Always worried about others,” Greg teased as he stood to stir the gravy. “But no worries. We cleared the mission site tonight. That’s why I was late. I wanted all traces of Kane’s killing to be gone before we had our rehearsal on Friday. I’m clearing my schedule from five p.m. on Friday to nine on Sunday evening. We might not be able to leave on our honeymoon when we’ve planned, but we’ve already put that off for a few days.”

“I don’t want to look for another venue, so thank you for your assistance.” I stood and got us plates. I was going to eat not only a piece of chicken but mashed potatoes as well. The dress had a little stretch in the seams. And I’d run tomorrow morning with Emma before starting my sightseeing day with Amanda.

“Anything for my girl.” He got the chicken out of the oven. “Don’t let Mom freak you out. This wedding, this marriage, is ours. No one else gets to have an opinion on what we’re going to do with the rest of our lives. Except maybe Emma. But she’s our immediate family.”

I leaned over and kissed him. “Thank you for that. I needed to hear it.”

“It’s just pre-wedding jitters. And all the juggling we have to do to get our friends and family all in the same place for a day. Jim and Beth are coming in on Wednesday, but they’re staying at the Castle. He called me and left a message. I called him back on my way home.They’re looking forward to seeing us.” Greg must have seen my face. “I thought you liked Beth.”

“I do. But I’m glad I’ve had some time alone with your mom before she gets here. I think those two are as thick as thieves since Beth helped her this last year.” I grabbed my food and sat down. “Now I sound like a jealous outsider.”

“You offered to go. Beth was just able to work remotely. You have the shop,” Greg reminded me.

“I know. But I still feel—” I paused as I saw the look on his face. “Don’t worry about it. You’ve got enough on your plate. I’m glad they’re coming in on Wednesday. We’ll have dinner here, grill steaks or something. And hopefully, you caneven be here.”

“That’s my girl. Alwaysthe optimist.”

* * * *

Monday morning, I was back from my run before Amanda came downstairs. She saw me in my running sweats and headed for the coffee. “You have way too much energy for me. I’m still in my morning slow speed.”

“Emma likes to run, and if we go early, it’s off my list. Otherwise, I always feel guilty about doing something else. Since the restructuring of the bookstore schedule, I have a few mornings at the beginning of the week where we can make sure getting her out of the house happens first. Although this week, all bets are off.” I went over and poured my own cup.

“Well, don’t worry about me being up and wanting to go anywhere before ten. Unless we need to. I like this sleeping-in idea.” Amanda rubbed Emma’s head. “Do you have wedding stuff that needs to be done or can we go exploring again today?”

“I need to check in with the florist this morning, but other than that, it’s all done.” I sat at the table. I needed to run upstairs and get in the shower before we took off for the day. “Oh, and I need to pick up my dress tomorrow.”

“What about the mission site? Are you decorating?”

I stood and grabbed my planner, just to make sure I hadn’t missed anything. “My friends Amy, Darla, and Esmeralda are doingthe decorating on Saturday morning. Then everyone’s coming here to get ready. The mission staff will have the chairs set out on Friday so wecan rehearse.”

“That’s nice of them.” Amanda sipped her coffee.

“I just added Jim and Beth coming on Wednesday. So we’ll do dinner here that night. Maybe Beth would want to go wandering with us on Thursday.” I’d taken the week off from the store, but maybe I should think about taking some shifts. My week didn’tseem that busy.

“I’d love to show her Santa Barbara. I’m always talking about the Mexican restaurant there.” Amanda looked up at me, hopeful. “After the visit to the Castle, I’d love to do some antique shopping. Maybe at that little store next to your bookstore?”

“Sure. We have to go there on Tuesday, but we can go back on Thursday, it’s not that far of a drive. Do you want to go to thebeach one day?”

Amanda nodded. “I’d love that. And this town named Solvang?It seems fun.”

“Then let’s go to Solvang today.” Greg would appreciate me being out of town. That way I couldn’t get involved in his investigation. Solvang’s bookstore had just gotten a new owner. I needed to stop by and say hello anyway. “I’ll run up and get ready and we can eat lunch there.”

Amanda pulled a notebook out of her purse. “There’s a Danish Pancake House there that Jim says is amazing. Can we go there?”

“Sure.” I’d find something there to eat that wasn’t pancakes. At least I hoped. At the Mexican restaurant, I’d call designated driver status and avoid the margaritas. Maybe I’d find a salad at both places. There was no way that dress wasn’t fitting on Saturday. My Friday rehearsal dress was a little less formfitting.Thank goodness.

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