Now that she no longer had to worry about intruders, she slipped out the alley way and over to Dinah’s to see if the cook was ready yet or was still bossing her minions.
The cook was waiting for her, wearing a plunging Marilyn Monroe style gown and a chiffon scarf around her Adam’s apple. She held out her foot in the sparkly wedges. “I can walk in these, thank you, hon!”
“Thank magical Tullah. You look magnificent. Is everything under control? Do we go up now?” Fee nervously checked the refrigerator, now filled with salmon appetizers since the cakes were on the tables. Everything smelled fresh.
“Servers are grabbing lunch. Look out front and see if anyone else is heading up the hill.” Dinah straightened her gown in a gesture that indicated she was as nervous as Fee.
Fee peered out the front window and called back, “Walker is leaving his office, looking his usual grim self. And Amber is locking up. Let’s go!”
Wearing rainbow-hued chiffon over her ample figure, Amber hugged them both as they left the café. “This is so exciting. I’ve run the cards for Kurt and Teddy’s future together, and it’s all good!” She turned and goaded the police chief. “Aren’t you one of the groom’s men? Shouldn’t you be in your suit by now?”
Walker shrugged. “It only takes a minute to change. The photographers won’t miss me.” He fell into step beside Fee. “You did good work last night. Ramirez is wanted on half a dozen counts, including assault. We can’t prove he was with Ramon when he hit Peggy, though. Where’d you learn the head-bashing trick?”
“Self defense classes over the years.” It was hard to maintain a head-down approach in this town, where everyone knew everyone and what they’d done the night before. Besides, she was feeling pretty and flirty in her new dress, so she held her head a little higher at the chief’s approval.
That gave her a chance to notice someone had welded Peggy’s bike back in shape, painted it white, and left it in the memorial spot. Fee pressed a kiss to her fingertips and caressed the bike seat as she passed. Peggy had been one of the good social workers. Maybe only the good died young as the cliché claimed. She should take a picture of the memorial and send it to Peggy’s family. Her daughter might like to have it when she was older.
“We probably have enough charges to lock Ramirez up for a while. If you want to press more, you’ll have to testify,” Walker warned as they crossed the highway.
“I just want him off the streets so I can have my dog back. Did he admit he was after Sukey and why?” Deciding to keep her head up and watch others, she waved at the little feng shui master stepping out with the Italian grocery store owner.
“After your head-bashing, they had to leave Ramirez in the hospital for observation. I’ll go down later and question him. It’s not as if dognapping is high on the DA’s list of misdemeanors.” With a wave, the police chief loped off in the direction of his house while the rest of them continued up the hill toward the vortex and Cass’s end of town.
Fee refused to let nasty gang members ruin her day off. She joined the rest of the Lucys chatting excitedly and meandering toward the amphitheater she’d yet to see. She noticed a number of them carried their walking sticks, but she wasn’t defiling her beautiful new outfit with a stick, no matter how pretty the crystal was. She wasn’t even carrying her bag of rocks today.
The entrance to the amphitheater was unmistakable. A piano rested insanely on a platform of rocks at the edge of a natural depression. Glossy flowering shrubs lined a lane of stepping stones leading downward. Azaleas and camellias? Was that possible? Sparkling silver ribbons were woven through the shrubbery, adorned with the glittering crystals for which the area was known—an homage to the bride’s crystal shop.
While the others chattered excitedly, Fee soaked up the scents of the beautiful eccentricity of her new home. As she entered the terraced rocks of a natural amphitheater, the whirling odors nearly overwhelmed her.
“Vortex,” Amber whispered. “Mariah says there are thousands of spirits here, so it’s not just us you’re feeling. The energy is powerful.”
Fiona was too stunned to answer. She followed the others down, trying to absorb the etiquette, the surroundings, the people. . . Guests in everything from diamonds and silk to jeans and denim jackets sought places in the stadium seating of the stone theater.
Samantha had done a stunning job of decorating mostly with natural vegetation. The only cut flowers were beribboned bouquets on the platform that must serve as altar. The air was redolent of lavender and roses and more subtle floral scents that Fee had never taken the time to learn. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to learn flower scents too?
But there were so many people. . . She couldn’t sort through them all.
Photographers snapped pictures of the flowers and anything that moved—Teddy’s publicity department probably. The town would benefit from photographs of this splendid setting.
Fee had never attended a wedding before, other than from a kitchen, so she didn’t know the protocol. She supposed the bridal party must be at Cass’s or nearby, waiting for guests to settle in.
Harvey waited on the steps. She hardly recognized the itinerant musician in a spectacular tux that made him look like a dark-eyed Spanish billionaire. He still wore his long shiny hair in a ponytail, though, so she didn’t feel too awkward greeting him.
“Your seats are waiting, ladies.” He addressed all of them, gesturing toward a row of rocks lined with cushioned seats. “And Miss Fiona, Cass has sent over a tote bag for you. It’s waiting by your chair.”
“Sukey?” Spying the cream leather bag Cass had been using to tote the dog, Fee raced ahead of the others.
The Yorkie yipped happily, and her waggling tail nearly tilted the heavy bag when Fee reached to pull her out. It was a good thing she didn’t wear make-up or it would be licked off as she joyously hugged her pet.
Sukey wore silk flowers around her neck today, and Cass had supplied her with a cream leather leash, presumably in honor of the wedding. A little crystal dangled from her new collar. Fee fastened the end of the leash to her arm—just in case.
Harvey’s music began to play, and a selection of Hillvale residents guided guests to their seats.
“He has so much musical talent,” Fee whispered to Amber, settling into her stadium chair. “It’s like listening to a concert!”
“Wait until you hear Val. There won’t be a dry eye in the place. A lot of us have roots in Hillvale, and they’re creative, spiritual roots, so giving up the real world to live here is not as odd as it seems. Like finds like.” Amber leaned over to pat Sukey in her tote.
Like finds like. Fee gnawed on the notion while the wealthy guests filled the arena. She detected the occasional whiff of fish, but with so many people, it was scarcely noticeable. Still, she kept Sukey in the tote at her feet, out of sight.
More photographers arrived, positioning themselves along the aisle roped off in ribbons, roses, and baby’s breath.
“It’s almost time,” Amber whispered excitedly. “The bridal party must be almost ready. I love weddings!”
Fee wiggled in expectation as Kurt and his groomsmen entered in their tailored blue suits. She was glad they hadn’t gone with gloomy black on a sunny day like this one. It was a bit chilly, and she had to tug her shawl around her bare arms. But she warmed up nicely at spotting Monty. His shoulders and wide chest filled out his suit, although once he arrived at the platform in front, he looked uncomfortable, tugging at his tie and fidgeting with the buttons of his vest. She had a flashing image of undoing all that finery until he was naked. . . and dismissed that impossible thought to watch for the bride’s entrance.
The music rose in a complex symphony of notes, and a voice with the power of a choir of angels filled the amphitheater.
Feeling safe now that all attention was on the center aisle, Fee lifted Sukey from her tote and cuddled her in her lap. The dog happily settled in to watch.
The bridesmaids entered in silk gowns of knee-length silver
with blue trim. Fiona didn’t recognize the matron of honor, presumably Teddy’s taller sister, but Samantha and Mariah looked radiant. Fee thought they might be carrying lavender and lilacs in their bouquets. Even though she scarcely knew these people, she was sucked into the glamor and excitement as she eagerly awaited Teddy’s arrival. The flower girl and ring bearer solemnly advanced down the aisle after the bridesmaids.
“Teddy’s niece and nephew,” Amber whispered. “Her sister is an interior designer who helped Kurt design Delphines. We’re hoping they’ll move up here someday.”
The children flashed grins at their audience, and Fee cast a quick glance to the groom’s men to see how they were doing. Monty looked like a bronzed fashion model in his tailored suit coat, with one hand in his trouser pocket, probably jingling his keys. She caught her breath as she realized he was looking at her.
She clutched Sukey tighter, and Monty smiled—just for her.
Oh damn, how much longer could she resist that level of charm?
And then he caught sight of something over her shoulder and his smile vanished.
Nineteen
Saturday, afternoon
Monty clenched his fingers around his car keys. Shadowy figures lurked in the lacy trees between the lane and the amphitheater. It was an open wedding. No one had reason for furtiveness. These last stressed days had him imagining boogeymen.
And now he had Fiona worrying too. Her enrapt smile faded to cautious worry as she followed his gaze. He ought to kick himself three times for diluting her happiness.
“Did you plant security in the bushes?” he asked Walker, keeping his voice low so the mesmerized bridegroom wouldn’t hear him. Poor old Kurt wore a glazed look as he waited impatiently for his bride to follow her procession.
“Didn’t think we needed it.” Walker studied the bushes. “Could be some of the caterers. Or maybe a couple of drivers. Your mother’s weird chauffeur is probably at a loss with her out of commission. He may have brought a few guests up.”
Monty nodded, somewhat reassured. He shook his head and smiled again at Fee as the processional music reached its peak. She watched him skeptically, but her face lit as she caught sight of the bride descending the aisle.
Teddy’s fidgety nephew batted the pillow with the fake rings against his sister’s dress. Monty double-checked to see that he still had the real rings in his pocket. Over the kid’s head, he watched Fiona and whoever lurked in the shrubbery. It gave him something to do as the bride in her floaty gown took her place, Kurt glowed, and the preacher and Cass did their things.
Perched on her seat, the new cook looked like a pristine doll on a toy shelf. Her russet hair was too short to wear up the way Teddy and the bridesmaids had done, but she’d pinned it back with sparkly ribbons that dangled about her face like pricey earrings. The gown Tullah had provided offered tempting glimpses of slender curves, but the shawl concealed the really interesting bits.
Once Fee raised her head so he could see her wide eyes and excitement, he almost lost track of the ceremony. Walker had to nudge him into producing the rings.
As they got through the final vows and the music began again, Monty cast another look to the shrubbery. The shadowy figures were gone. With a sigh of relief, he offered his arm to Teddy’s sister for the procession following the bride and groom out.
Monty knew the wedding photo shoot could take forever. He cast an anxious glance toward the gaggle of Lucys. To his relief, Cass and Tullah had taken positions near Fee.
His relief faded when he realized they were the town’s psychics—which meant they were guarding Fiona from some danger only they perceived.
Fee floated on air as she entered Delphines through the front door. As a guest. It wasn’t quite the same as entering on the arm of a date and being shown to a private table, but it was far more than she’d ever dared dream. And in her pretty blue dress, she actually felt as if she almost belonged. Almost. She didn’t have jewels and her hair wasn’t styled and lipstick was the best she could do in the cosmetics department, but she didn’t think she looked too shabby strolling among the linen-draped tables.
“Sam says our table is the big round one in the corner,” Amber whispered, limping toward the front window.
Afraid there wouldn’t be room for her, Fee held back. She excused herself, telling them she needed to check on the caterers. Sukey poked from the tote, and Fee scratched her silky head. She supposed she ought to take the Yorkie to her room or leash her outdoors, but there were simply too many strangers she didn’t trust.
Clapping along in her wedges, Dinah followed Fee. “They need more ice on that shrimp,” she scolded. “I’m a gonna talk to the caterer. Why don’t you put that pooch back here in the pantry? Then we can come check the kitchen and the doggie at the same time.”
“That’s allowed?” Fee whispered, watching the caterers filling trays of appetizers and champagne.
“My kitchen, my rules,” Dinah declared. “We’ll make her a nice bed, leash her good so she can’t escape, give her some treats, and she’ll be safe and sound.”
It was ridiculous worrying about a mutt being snatched at a society wedding, but Fee had seen those furtive figures. With too many people around for her sensitivities to detect one from another, she was off balance.
If there were thieves, they were most likely after the flashy jewels on the guests. Almost relieved at that dreadful thought, Fee prepared a puppy nest in the pantry. Sukey happily settled down with a ham bone to gnaw on. With the leash secured to a ring in back, she wouldn’t be escaping any time soon. Fee shut the door and Dinah locked it.
“Fill up a couple of them platters for our table,” Dinah whispered, grabbing a tray. “It’s gonna be a while before dinner is served.”
That was a familiar task Fee knew how to perform. With Dinah as her guide, she filled up trays with delicacies and delivered them to the Lucy table, feeling right at home.
To her surprise, Harvey and Aaron had actually joined the women, although they hadn’t taken seats yet. Xavier, the lanky rental agent hovered with them, as did another man with the same elegant bones as Carmel and her sons.
“This is Lance Brooks, Kurt’s uncle,” Amber said, always the more social of the group. “He was telling us that they’re still running diagnostics on Carmel, but she seems in fine fettle.”
“It’s such a shame she had to miss the wedding.” Val, the operatic singer who’d had the wedding audience weeping, spoke with an edge of sarcasm. She’d changed out of her widow’s weeds into floor-length gray in respect for the occasion, but she looked like a forties movie star wearing a short gray veil to conceal her face.
“Carmel thinks the wedding was cancelled and that she’ll be planning a more suitable one,” Lance offered with deprecating shrug. “She’s looking through her calendar for a good date.”
Fee let go of a little more guilt. Carmel really was as putrid as she smelled. She set the tray of appetizers down and took the tray of champagne from Dinah. “Sit, rest that ankle for the dancing. I need to move around a bit.”
Feeling more comfortable in the role of server, she offered the glasses to the various occupants of the table. She noticed her name dangling from a silver ribbon on the dogwood branch table sign along with the others, and she felt a little less like an impostor.
“C’mon, let’s liven up the music until the bridal party arrives. This isn’t a chamber music crowd.” Harvey took Fee’s elbow once the tray was empty.
“I don’t know anything about music,” she protested as he dragged her toward the back corner where the musicians had set up.
“But you’re restless and don’t want to hear the old hens cackle either. Let’s see if they have a keyboard.”
“Amber’s not an old hen.” Fee glanced nervously at the stylish crowd filtering in, chatting—what would it be like to know so many people? “I should get to know her better.”
“Believe me, no, you shouldn’t. That girl gives off enigma vibrations.” He pou
nced on the keyboard hidden behind the violinist. “Karaoke time!”
The small orchestra hesitated, then picked up his lead, following the keyboard with Some Enchanted Evening. Val drifted up to join them, leading the audience into singing along with her commanding voice. By the time the bridal party arrived, everyone was singing and clapping.
Fee kept busy doing what she did best—serving others. She brought drinks and food to the musicians and carried the microphone to anyone requesting it. She halted to admire the excited wedding party pushing through the restaurant doors, laughing. It was as if she’d stepped through a dream into a fairy tale where she actually knew the royals.
She knew better than to think like that, to allow confidence to build to the point where she did one too many stupid things and got noticed. But Teddy and Kurt and their party were magically irresistible. Fee didn’t know much about wedding gowns, but Teddy’s looked satiny smooth, with lovely lace arms and just the hint of a train. The simple gown emphasized Teddy’s voluptuous figure and gorgeous auburn hair.
Fee escaped to the pantry to check on Sukey. She took the dog for a quick walk in the woods behind the café, debated escaping to her own quiet room, and steeled herself to return. This was her life now. She must learn to live it on the terms best for her survival.
Which meant staying far away from privileged mayors and most of the city men at the party.
She locked Sukey in the pantry and turned toward the reception, nearly bumping into a portly older gentleman blocking the kitchen exit. She thought he had been introduced once as an investment broker. His surreptitious glance over her shoulder warned her as much as his slightly fishy smell. She wouldn’t invest any money with this guy, and she’d better find help with Sukey.
She tried to skirt around him, but he held up his hand in a gesture of authority.
“You’re the girl who held the dog during the ceremony, aren’t you? My wife just lost a dog like that one, and she’s dying to see it. Could you introduce us to the owner?”
Azure Secrets Page 15
