Page 38 of Vows of Murder

I nodded. “Toby’s bringing her. She’s at the groomer.”

“You girls and your beauty appointments. You know we love you without all that stuff too.” He waved as I got into the limo. Amy and Esmeralda tucked my dress in after me.

“I feel helpless. Is this a normal reaction?” I asked after Amy, Darla, and Esmeralda had gotten into the limo. Aunt Jackie was already in Harrold’s car and Evie would be following us.

“Like leading a lamb to slaughter,” Esmeralda replied.

Amy slapped her arm. “Stop that. She’ll dive out of the car. We need to get these two married before anythingelse happens.”

Realization hit me. “I didn’t see Beth or Amandathis morning.”

“Your aunt got them through the hair and makeup first, then sent them over to be with Greg and Jim. Don’t worry about it. They’re fine.” Darla checked her makeup. “Last night was crazy, wasn’t it?”

“You don’t even know what happened after we got home,” I responded, and told the group about the attempted break-in. Esmeralda filled in partsI didn’t know.

“I was wondering why there was a police cruiser in front of your house this morning,” Amy said after we were through explaining. “I thought it was Greg’s way of keeping youfrom running.”

“All he had to do was get me in this dress and I would be trapped,” I teased, and held up the bag that had my shoes. “Add in these, and I wouldn’t get far.”

Amy pulled her phone out of her bag. “Time for candid shots. No one talk or laugh so I don’t get the ones with crazy mouthson all of you.”

Amy’s warning didn’t work. By the time we reached the mission, we were all laughing. The limo pulled up and my door suddenly opened. “Deek, how did you beat us? Did you get the house locked up?”

“Of course I did. Those people were quick to clear out. I didn’t set the living room back in order, though. Should I go back and do that?” Deek looked back toward town.

“Don’t worry about it,” I said as I took the hand he offered. “Thanks for serving as an usher. I appreciate you.”

“I write at night when it’s slow in the bookstore. I’m doing this so you’ll owe me and you don’t claim the book was a work product of the bookstore and steal all my royalties when I make it big.” Hegrinned at me.

“I didn’t know I could do that. Thanks for the tip.” I leaned in and kissed his cheek, then brushed off the lipstick. “Seriously, thank you for all you do.”

He smiled and helped Amy out. “Have you guys been doing shots in the limo? Jill’s acting weird. She’s all lovey and stuff.”

I tapped Deek on his shoulder. “Hey, I’m always like this.”

Amy laughed as she took my arm and led me to a golf cart, where she settled me on the back seat, facing the rear. My dress flowed over the entire seat. She climbed in the front and smiled at the driver. “No, no you’re not. We’re ready to go take pictures.Hold on, Jill.”

The day seemed to fly by after that. I kept looking over my shoulder. Would I see an apparition? Would a scream interrupt the ceremony? Would Emma run off barking after a deer or rabbit as she walked down the aisle in her flower collar? My worst fear was I’d fall and break something, causing one more delay inmarrying Greg.

“Don’t be nervous, dear.” My aunt kissed me on the cheek as Deek stood by, waiting to take her to her seat. She was the last to be seated. Then we’d start the ceremony. “You’ll look like you’re grimacing in your photos. You want to relax your face and smile. This is supposed to be a happy day. Please at least act likeyou’re happy.”

“Now, Jackie, you’re making it worse. Jill, you’re beautiful, and any man in his right mind would be honored to have you as his wife. Greg’s lucky to have such an outstanding life partner.” My new(ish) Uncle Harrold always knew the right things to say. He pressed a coin into my hand. “It’s an antique Greek drachma. My grandfather gave it to my mother on the day of her wedding. I haven’t had the opportunity until now to pass this on to a daughter. I hope you’ll accept it as a symbol of my confidence that you will have a long and happy marriage. Just like my parents and their parents before them.”

“Don’t you want to hold on to this for your son?” I felt the weight of the coin as well as the family heritage in my hand.

“No, dear, it doesn’t work that way. I have to pass it on to a daughter or someone I consider my daughter. I only have two. You and Lille. And you got married first.” He curled my hand around the coin. “Now you need to pass it on to your son, who will pass it again. Generation to generation. It’s the way the world works, and traditionskeep us human.”

Great, one more reason for Lille to hate me if she found out about the family tradition. But that was my issue, not Harrold’s. “Thank you for this. It means a lot.”

“The coin has a high monetary value as it represents your dowry, but what you bring as a person to your marriage is of evenmore value. You are priceless, Jill. And hopefully, Greg understands that.” He folded my fingers around the coin andkissed my hand.

Amy handed me Emma’s leash. “It’s time to send her down theaisle to Greg.”

I bent down to kiss my dog and aimed her toward Greg. She’d practiced this move several times on Friday. Hopefully, having all the people around wouldn’t freak her out. I wrapped her leash around and hooked it so she wouldn’t drag the leather. “Go get Greg, Emma.Go find Daddy.”

She woofed as I nodded to Greg, who had a treat in his hand. Emma hurried to the altar, and I heard the audience giggling at our unconventional flower girl. Then Darla and Matt walked down the aisle. Esmeralda and Toby were next. And finally, Amy and Justin. Jim was Greg’s best man, and he was already at the altar with him. Beth would join my side once Amy arrived and even out the optics. My aunt had insisted.

Finally, it was just me and Harrold standing in the walkway, waiting for the “Bridal Chorus” to sound. He kissed the top of my head, probably trying to not mess up my makeup or the veil. “Thank you for choosing me for this honor.”

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