Page 39 of Vows of Murder

“Thank you for accepting.” I leaned my head toward his and hoped I wasn’t crying, yet. I didn’t want to test my mascara’s waterproof claim. The music started and I whispered, “Just don’t let me trip.”

The squeeze of my hand and a chuckle let me know he’d heard me. And then the music started andI blacked out.

The next thing I remember was walking back down the aisle getting pelted with birdseed. So I’d said all the right things at the right time. I just wished I could remember the ceremony. As we moved to the reception line that would lead people into the area with the food, an open bar, a dance floor, and lots of tables, I saw him.

A shimmery outline of a padre. The one who guarded the mission and blessed the couples who chose to be married there. The ghost smiled and I gasped. I felt Greg’s arm around my waist.

“Are you okay? Too much input today? Did you eat anything?” Greg peppered questions at me as the ghost slowly disappeared. I didn’t turn to look at Greg, I didn’t want to break the spell.

I smiled as he vanished. Only then did I turn to my new husband. “Did I eat? Do you even know me at all?”

He chuckled and leaned down to kiss me. “It was a dumb question. Sorry.”

My feet were killing me by the time the reception line was finished. My high heels were sinking into the grass where we stood. Greg had been informed more than once that he’d finally bought the cow, and I was told that I looked beautiful for aball and chain.

As the last couple left to find the champagne, I turned to Greg. “After that line, I’m sure you’re regretting this whole thing.”

He pulled me into a full-blown kiss. One that in cartoon land would have blown off my shoes and made my eyes pop out. In our world, it reminded me that we weren’t just best friends. We were soulmates. His eyes were smiling when he let me loose.“I think not.”

“Good, because I’m so glad we’re finally married.” I glanced at the tent where the reception was being held. “Would they notice if we left now?”

Greg put his arm around my waist and pulled me close. “I’m afraid so. Let’s go party with our friends for a bit, then we’ll head off to the hotel. I hear the Madonna Inn has a unique restroom in the restaurant.”

“That’s what you’re looking forward to? The men’s room urinal?” I followed him into the tent. I knew he was teasingme, but still.

He turned and took my hand, leading me to the head table. “Oh, that’s just the beginning, dear wife. The beginning of our adventure-filled life.”

Chapter 16

Of course, our adventures couldn’t start until after Greg closed the murder investigation on Kane Matthews. As we drove back to South Cove on Sunday afternoon, I could tell his mind was on work. And what had happened in South Cove since we’d been gone. Twenty-four hours away and then we were back in the fray. Life as normal. Except now I wore two rings on my left hand, and I couldn’t kick him out of the house without filing all the legal papers around a divorce. Maybe it was too soon to be thinking aboutan escape plan.

“It was a beautiful wedding. I’m so glad we found that mission. Or more accurately, you found that mission.” I leaned back and let the sun shine on my face.

“Everyone seemed to love it, even Mom and Jim.” He glanced over at me. “Thanks for including Beth in the wedding party. I know it was last-minute.”

“If Jim had mentioned she was coming, it wouldn’t have been…” I paused. No use getting mad about something that was done and over with. “Anyway, it was nice getting to know hera little more.”

“So you saw the mission ghost, huh?”

The quick change of subject made me sit up and open my eyes. “Why wouldyou ask that?”

“Now I know you did. You always answer a question with a question when you don’t want to answer the first question. What did he look like?” Greg slowed down for a squirrel who couldn’t decide if he was going to dash out on the road or not.

“Just like the story. He was over by the old chapel and dressed in a friar’s robe. He seemed happy about the wedding.” I leaned backagain. “I guess I should have expected some sort of event like that during our wedding. We’re justthosepeople.”

“I’m sorry we have to go back to normal life so soon. As soon as this case is wrapped up, I’ve told Marvin I’m gone for two weeks—no questions asked.”

“Two weeks?” I opened my eyes again and looked at him. “We’re leavingfor two weeks?”

Greg laughed. “You didn’t expectthat, did you?”

No, I hadn’t. I still didn’t know where we were going on our honeymoon. My aunt knew because Greg had worked with her to set up the arrangements. The only thing she’d said was to make sure I didn’t update my driver’s license with my new name until after the honeymoon. I’d kind of expected that to bea false trail.

Now I wondered.

“Anyway, I’m sorry about having to work. If this Matthews thing hadn’t happened, we’dbe on our way.”

“On our way where?” I tried to make the question sound casual.

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