Page 37 of Vows of Murder

“Cool.” He filled a travel mug and grabbed a donut. “Are you ready to go?”

“Me?” I looked down at my sweats and flip-flops. I was clearly not ready. “The wedding isn’t for hours.”

“Not you. Although you do look lovely, boss.” He winked at me as he ateanother donut.

“Now you’re just sucking up. Why are you still here? Did something happen last night when you were on the couch?” A headache was threatening, so I refilled my coffee. I considered adding a shot of Kahlúa to the mix, but figured there would be too much alcohol floating around today as it was. I didn’t want to drink so much that I slurred my vows. Or worse, tripped down the aisle. There’s a reason that women traditionally have help getting to the altar.

“I’m here for our girl. Emma has a grooming appointment. She needs her hair all pretty for the event too. I’ll have her back before the pictures at ten. The florist is making her a necklace in your colors. I don’t think we can get her to drop petals, but she’ll look festive.” Toby grabbed her leash and a third donut.“See you soon.”

“Hey, has Greg heard anything about last night’s break-in? Did they find anyone?” I tried to catch him before he stepped into the madhouse that used to bemy living room.

“Not talking to you about police business, not today, Jill.” He waved and disappeared out the front door with my dog. She didn’teven look back.

“Well, isn’t that something?” I sat down and looked at the notepad in front of me. According to the schedule my aunt had made, I was already five minutes late for my shower. I grabbed my coffee cup and headed upstairs, letting my aunt deal with the setup questions.

It was probably good that Emma was off-site during this craziness anyway, I thought as I came back downstairs. My hair was still wet but I had on clean shorts and a tank. I wore socks, just in casemy feet found any speck of dirt in the living room. My aunt had laid out my clothes when I was in the shower. The wedding dress had its own set of undergarments that I’d boughtwith the dress.

Yesterday, I’d packed a suitcase for our night at the Madonna Inn, a well-known, pink hotel that catered to honeymooners and romantic weekends. I’d put the suitcase in the Jeep before I’d gone to the rehearsal. If I’d forgotten anything, the hotel wasn’t too far from civilization, so we couldrun to a store.

I kept going over items in my head, making sure I hadn’t missed anything. Like getting Emma to the groomer. Someone else had set that up, probably Greg, and I blessed him for the forethought. I packed her a travel bag with a bowl, water, treats, dog waste bags, and a small sack of food, just in case. I set it by the door, hoping I’d rememberit as we left.

Aunt Jackie stood by me and pointed back to the hairdresser’s chair. “You’re late. What’s that?”

As we walked over to the chair, I explained it was Emma’s overnight bag. Aunt Jackie nodded, then snapped her fingers and Evie appeared. “You’re driving over to the mission, correct?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Evie reached out and hugged me. “It’s your wedding day!”

The hairdresser was already putting product in my hair and held up her hands so Evie wouldn’t get stuff on her dress.

“Put this in your car and don’t forget to give it to Toby as soon as we get to the venue. Youarefollowing the limo, right?” Aunt Jackiestared at Evie.

“Of course I am. Sasha and Olivia are coming in her car.” Evie smiled at me. “I’llbe right back.”

My aunt had the power of an army behind her. My army from the bookstore. I leaned back and let the hairdresser do her work. “You know you’re not the boss of her anymore.”

“Oh, dear, I should think you’d know by now that I’m always the boss.” She squeezed my arm. “You’re going to be a beautiful bride.”

Tears started to threaten to fall, but I blinked them away. It was too soon to be crying. However, since I didn’t have makeup on yet, maybe this was the time. “Thank you for everything.”

“Oh, this was a joy, dear. A joy.” She glanced at the door. “It’s just too bad your mother couldn’t see this.”

Before I could respond, Amy, Darla, and Esmeralda surrounded me. Amy held a tray filled with mimosas. “A glass to celebrate this joyous occasion.”

“One glass,” I warned her. “I don’t want anyone throwing up during pictures.”

“We’re smarter than that, but no promises after the wedding.” Esmeralda waited for everyone, including my aunt, to take a glass. “To our dear Jill. She came to South Cove looking for a new profession and found a home. And we’re the better for the additionto our family.”

Now tears were imminent. I knew red eyes were almost impossible to cover with makeup and I wasn’t looking like a hell-spawned raccoon for my wedding pictures. We drank and I waved them all away. “Go get pretty. I want us all to look so hot we melt the camera.”

By some miracle, everyone was dressed, hair done, makeup applied and ready to go when the limo arrived. My aunt handed me a bag with my sparkly silver shoes and had Evie lean down and help me into a pair of white slippers with solid soles.

I felt like a princess. And now I knew why there were ladies-in-waiting with the princess in fairy tales. No one could do anything by themselves in these poofy dresses. We moved out to the limo, and I saw Deek coming up the path. “What are you doing here?”

“Your aunt asked me to make sure the house was locked up after everyone left. Don’t worry, I’ll be at the wedding with bells on.” He pulled out his phone and took a selfie with me. “Youlook amazing.”

“Thanks. And thanks for doing this.” I should have thought of it, especially after last night, but apparently my aunt hadthings in hand.

“No problem. Did someone already take Emma?” He paused at the gate.

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