Page 31 of Vows of Murder

I smiled, trying to get them to relax. “No, I was thinking about Toby and wondering if he was going to be off duty. I should have asked Greg, but I guess he’s handling it. Sasha’s in town for the wedding. I hope the girls invited her to theparty tonight.”

“Well, Toby is one of Greg’s groomsmen, so I’m sure Greg adjusted his work schedule. Besides, Toby let me know that he might bring Sasha and Olivia to the rehearsal.” My aunt finished my thoughts. “Why are you worrying about all this? You’re getting married tomorrow. You need to be thinking of the ceremony. Do you have yourvows written?”

“Yes, I’ve finished my vows,” I grumbled. My aunt could find the one weak point in Hoover Dam. I hadn’t finished, but I had a rough draft. I needed to finish them up and print them off so I could have them for tomorrow. I needed to pack for Saturday night. Toby was babysitting Emma, so she needed a go bag in case he decided to take her somewhere. I grabbed a notebook. “But I do have a few things to finish up. Maybe I should call Judith and make sure she’s set for Saturday atthe bookstore.”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll stop in before the rehearsal and make sure they have checklists for the shifts.” My aunt opened her purse and made a note in a small blue notebook. She glanced at the page. “Oh, and Harrold wants to make sure you still want him to walk you down the aisle. That you haven’t changed your mind.”

“Harrold’s the only older male role model I have in my life now. I didn’t know my father, and Uncle Ted got the joy of raising my cheerful teenage self. And he’s gone.” I shook my head. “No, please let Harrold know I still want him to do me this favor. I’dappreciate it.”

“He just wanted to make sure your day was perfect and you’d chosen him out of love, and not some obligation to me.” My aunt squeezed my arm. “I know you don’t like to talk aboutyour parents.”

“And I’m not going there today.” I closed my eyes and imagined the wall in my mind that I’d built around any memories I’d had of my parents. “I’m sorry, Aunt Jackie,I just can’t.”

She pulled me into a hug. “I’m sorry I brought it up. Harrold just wanted to make sure you had an out if you didn’t want him to walk you down the aisle. For any reason.”

I finally had some semblance of a normal family. I didn’t want to question it now. “I’m thankful to have both of you in my life.”

My aunt stepped back and felt my forehead.

“What is that for?”

“Just checking to see if you are sick. You’re being very sentimental.” My aunt winked at Amanda.

“I learned from the best.” I ducked as my aunt playfully tried to swat at me. “Seriously, I’m glad the people I love are going to be here for methis weekend.”

Chapter 13

By the time everyone arrived at the mission for the rehearsal, it was about ten minutes past three. The afternoon had turned warm, and the sundress I’d chosen for the event felt perfect. I’d even taken off the sweater I’d brought just in case. It felt like the nature gods were blessing our wedding. Or at least our practice wedding. Emma rubbed against my hand. I swear she could tell what I was feeling most of the time. Today, it was just pure happiness and joy. It was finally happening. I was going to be Mrs. Greg King. Or Jill Gardner King. Or maybe Jill Gardner-King. Amy used the hyphenated form. It seemed modern. I also needed to make that decision before I signed the marriage license tomorrow. Or did I sign Jill Gardner one more time? I neededto ask my aunt.

We were just about ready to start the first walk-through for tomorrow’s ceremony when a scream came from the building behind us. Greg met my gaze and took off from where he, Jim, and Toby were standing by Pastor Bill atthe stone arch.

He touched my arm as he ran by. “Get ready to call 911, but stay here until Icall you over.”

“Okay.” I wanted to see who had screamed. I glanced around at the people near me. Aunt Jackie was standing next to Deek, who was serving as an usher. Harrold walked over and led her to a chair, then they sat, waiting. Amy, Darla, and Esmeralda were all standing next to me. Justin followed Greg and Toby toward the building. Jim gathered Beth as he came back to stand with Amanda. Matt followed them from where he’d been sitting.

“What’s going on?” Matt put an arm around Darla, looking around the circle.

“I’m not sure. Did everyone hear a scream? It’s not like it’s a bobcat or a mountain lion, right?” I clicked Emma’s leash on her collar. We’d brought her to the rehearsal since she was going to be our flower girl. Maybe we should have chosen Olivia, the human child at the rehearsal, but I hadn’t known that Sasha was coming until it was too late to get her a dress.

Evie had come to the rehearsal to hang out with her cousin, Sasha. Now, she sat on one of the white chairs, looking worried.

Maybe this wedding wasn’t meant to happen. Wait, where were Sasha and Olivia? They weren’t sitting in thechairs by Evie.

Soon, Toby came back up the path with a shaken-looking Sasha and a confused Olivia. Toby carried the little girl. “Stand down, Jill. There’snothing to do.”

I put the phone back in my pocket.“Where’s Greg?”

“He’s walking through the building, just to make sure there’s not someone pulling a prank.” He handed Olivia to Evie, who took her to a chair. Sasha followed them. Then he came back to me. “Sasha says she was playing hide-and-seek with Olivia and saw a man in a priest’s robe dissolve into a wall.”

Sasha must have heard him. “I did see him. He even looked at me, made the sign of the cross, then turned and walked right into a wall. I swear. I saw him.”

“Okay, honey. I believe you.” Toby smiled at Sasha, then pulled me farther away. Emma followed us since I still had her on a leash. “There are rumors about a ghostly priest who hangs out at the chapel. I guess anything’s possible.”

“But you, and Greg, think that maybe someone was trying to scare her.” I glanced back at Sasha, who was telling her story to a small crowd gathered around her. “He’s looking for what? A fake wall?”

“Or a spot someone could hide. Sorry to interrupt your rehearsal with this. As soon as Greg gets back, we’ll get started.” We walked back to where Pastor Bill was now talking to Sasha.

He looked up at me. “Are we ready to getstarted again?”

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