Charlotte Denver Cozy Mystery Box Set

by Sherri Bryan

  Laura was quick to take his place. She took Nathan’s hands in hers and squeezed them tightly. “Thank you, Nathan. This is such an amazing thing you’ve done. I can’t wait to see Charlotte’s reaction. You’re a good man.” She hugged him before stepping into Garrett’s arms and sobbing on his shoulder.

  “Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m all cried out.” Jess stood up to leave. “I’d better make a move. Ben’s got dinner ready.”

  Nathan put his finger to his lips. “Remember, not a word to Charlotte.”

  “Not a word.” Jess zipped her fingers across her lips. “Incidentally, when did you meet Lola?”

  “This morning. Why?”

  Everything fell into place. The secrecy, the vague answers. “Ah, so that’s where you went today? I should warn you that Charlotte thinks you’ve, a) got cold feet, b) been seeing another woman or, c) both of the above.”

  “What? Are you joking?” Nathan’s jaw dropped.

  “No, I wish I was. And she didn’t believe the police training story, by the way.”

  “Damn it!” Nathan punched his fist into his palm.

  “You’re not going to tell her where you’ve really been, are you?”

  “No way. This has got to stay a secret until she sets eyes on Lola. Don’t worry, I’ll think of something.

  “Oh, by the way ... I almost forgot. Lola gave me some things of Molly’s she thought Charlotte might like to have for the wedding day. Thing is, she won’t see her until after we’re married so I thought you could give them to her while you’re helping her get ready.”

  He took a small lacquered box from the inside pocket of his jacket and handed it to Laura. She opened it and showed the contents to Jess and they both burst into tears again.

  “Right, that’s my cue to make tracks.” Nathan put on his jacket. “Before I get swept out on a river of tears!” He shook Garrett’s hand and blew a kiss to Laura and Jess. “See you soon. And remember, not a word to Charlotte.”

  ººººººº

  All the way home, Nathan racked his brains. What could he tell Charlotte that would appease her, and convince her that he wasn’t seeing another woman, without telling her where he’d been?

  The solution suddenly came to him. It was so simple, he wondered why he hadn’t thought of if immediately.

  He would tell her the truth.

  He slid his key into the lock and the delicious aromas of roast chicken and garlic greeted him, closely followed by Pippin.

  “I’m in the kitchen,” Charlotte called out.

  He didn’t waste any time. “Hi. Look, I’m sorry to hit you with this as soon as I walk through the door, but it needs to be said.” He leaned on the breakfast bar. “I haven’t been altogether truthful with you.”

  “Oh.” Charlotte looked away.

  “This morning, when I told you I was going on a police training course. Well, I wasn’t.”

  “Okay.”

  “I didn’t want to tell you the truth, but I should have.”

  “And what is the truth?” Charlotte closed her eyes and dug her nails into her palms as she steeled herself for awful news.

  “I’ve been planning your wedding present.”

  Her eyes flew open. “What?”

  “Your wedding present. I’ve been arranging your wedding present. I didn’t want to tell you, so I made up a story about going on a training course. Sorry, that was stupid of me. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

  She spun round to face him, her grin reaching from ear to ear.

  “So that’s what you’ve been doing all day?”

  “Yep. Are you mad at me?” Nathan took a beer from the fridge.

  Charlotte burst out laughing. “Oh, thank God! No, Nathan. I’m not mad at you. I’m not mad at you at all. Get over here.”

  As they kissed, Nathan offered up a silent prayer that everything had worked out for the best.

  “I love you,” she said, when they parted.

  “I love you more,” he replied.

  They were the truest words he’d spoken all day.

  Chapter 14

  “Now, I don’t want you to worry about a thing.”

  Olivia-Floyd Martin, Head Chef at The President hotel, had stopped by the table at which Charlotte, Laura and Jess were having a quiet, pre-wedding dinner, compliments of the management. They were surprised to see the chef, who only ever emerged from the kitchen on the rarest of occasions.

  “Everything’s arranged. All you need to do is turn up and have a wonderful day. Okay? Just let us take care of everything.” She looked at her watch. “Right, well I must get off, I’ve got a restaurant to run! All the best for tomorrow.”

  “That was nice of her.” Charlotte’s turbot flaked under her fork, perfectly complemented by a small dish of melted butter and zingy lime juice.

  “I tell you, she’s a different woman since she’s been seeing her new anger management therapist.” Jess marvelled at the ease with which her knife cut through her fillet steak.

  “Yes, I know - the change in her is incredible. You wouldn’t believe it unless you’d seen it for yourself.” Laura barely touched her knife to a piece of beautifully tender oxtail to send it slipping from the bone.

  “It’s good of the hotel to treat us to this meal, don’t you think?” Jess dipped a new potato in melted butter. “It’s a shame Hattie and George and Barbara and Brody are so jetlagged. It would have been nice to have Nathan’s Mum and sister here, too.”

  “Well, fingers crossed they’ll have slept it off by tomorrow. They’ll have had three days in bed by then, so hopefully they’ll be okay,” said Charlotte. “Although, as much as I love them to bits, I can’t think of any better way to spend the night before my wedding than having dinner with just the two of you.”

  “Well, we’re honoured to be here, love.” Laura squeezed her hand across the table. “It’s such a treat for me, I can’t tell you. I thought my Maid of Honour days were over long ago.”

  “Wonder what Garrett and Nathan are up to?” Jess grinned

  “Goodness knows but I hope they’re not leading each other astray. You know what they’re like when they get together. I only hope they remember to walk Pippin, poor little pup, or he’ll be crossing his legs.” Laura chuckled and stopped abruptly when she saw the look of mild panic on Charlotte’s face. “Oh, love, I’m only joking. Pippin will be fine.”

  “I know he will. Don’t take any notice of me, Laura. I’ve got the jitters, is all. They’ll pass soon. I hope they will, anyway.” Charlotte laughed nervously and moved her food around on her plate.

  “You not going to eat that?” It was rare that Jess missed an opportunity to finish off someone else’s food at a dinner table.

  “No, I can’t manage any more. Help yourself.”

  Jess deftly lifted the piece of turbot off Charlotte’s plate and slid the dish of potatoes and lime butter round to her side of the table.

  “No appetite, love?” asked Laura. “Don’t worry, it’ll come back. Probably by this time tomorrow!”

  “I know it will. It’s just nerves. You know, earlier today, I was remembering a conversation I had with mum. We were talking about when she and dad got married. She told me it was the best day of her life - until I was born ...” Charlotte looked away, biting her lip to stop the tears that had come from nowhere to suddenly overwhelm her.

  Laura and Jess both grabbed a hand each.

  “Sorry. Anyway, she said that the only regret she had was that the day went too quickly. She told me that when I got married, to really try to be aware of everything that happens because it’ll make the day seem longer. I’ll be thinking about that conversation all day tomorrow ... I hope I don’t get upset.”

  “Hey, a little less talk about being upset, if you don’t mind!” Laura scolded her kindly. “I remember helping your Mum get dressed for her wedding when I was one of her bridesmaids. It was the most beautiful day and she was filled with so much joy - just like you’re going to be tomorr
ow. Now come on, dry those eyes, chin up and we’ll order some dessert.”

  ººººººº

  Although sleet had been forecast for Charlotte and Nathan’s wedding day, it dawned dry and bright.

  Charlotte woke at six o’clock. It took her a split second to remember that it was her wedding day but when she did, she hugged herself with excitement.

  She ran into the spare bedroom where Jess and Laura were sleeping and jumped on both the beds. “Wake up! Wake up! I’m getting married today!”

  Jess opened an eye and flung her arm over her face. “Oh no! Laura. It’s that crazy woman from last night. The one who wouldn’t stop crying.”

  “Pretend you’re asleep, maybe she’ll go away.” Laura turned over in bed and pulled the duvet up over her shoulders.

  “Haha, very funny. Come on, get up! I’m going down to make some tea and a pot of coffee and if you’re not down in ten minutes, I’m coming up to squeeze a cold sponge over you!”

  “I think she’s serious, y’know.” Laura and Jess jumped out of bed and hugged her.

  “I’m so excited, I hardly slept!” Jess pulled on jogging bottoms over her pyjamas. “I feel sick, I’m so excited!”

  “You’re not getting married, you know!” Laura laughed as she tied her dressing gown and put her hair up with a clip.

  “I know, I know, I just can’t help it! Eeeek! Come on Charlotte, me and Laura are making breakfast today.”

  They ran downstairs, chatting nineteen to the dozen, switched on the coffee machine, ground some beans, boiled the kettle and made a pot of tea.

  Charlotte had said that she wanted to watch the sunrise on her wedding day so after Jess and Laura had made a breakfast of smoked salmon and scrambled eggs with granary toast, the friends wrapped up in warm clothes and went out to walk along the beach.

  They watched the horizon change from pitch black to deepest blue, to dark orange and pale peach. As the sun changed the sky from lilac to the most brilliant turquoise, Charlotte remembered her Mum’s words to make the day last as long as possible. As her eyes stared unblinkingly at the sunrise, she felt a wave of emotions wash over her.

  This was the most important day of her life and she didn’t want to miss a thing.

  Turning away from the sunrise she linked her arms through her friends’. “Come on, let’s go and get ready.”

  ººººººº

  With slightly shaky hands, Charlotte put on the simple solitaire earrings which had been an 18th birthday present from her parents and a teardrop diamond necklace which had been the first real piece of jewellery she’d bought for herself from the money she’d earned from her job in Spain.

  With a simple comb of gypsophila in her hair and her minimal makeup completed, it was time to get into her dress but, before that she wanted to see Laura and Jess in theirs.

  “Okay, come on then, let’s have a look at you!” she called, and when she saw them in their dresses, the first tears of the day pricked the back of her eyelids.

  Dark rose pink and fitted to the waist, the dresses flared out into flowing skirts that stopped just above the knee. Laura and Jess wore their hair loose and their smiles wide.

  “Oh my gosh, you look beautiful. Just stunning. It’s a good thing I’m not wearing a lot of makeup - I can see me having to reapply this a few times today.” Charlotte grinned as she reached for a tissue. “What’s that you’ve got there, Laura?”

  Laura opened the small lacquered box she was holding. “Charlotte, I’d like to give you something to wear, if that’s okay?” She took out a delicate pale blue garter with an antique lace trim.

  “Oh, Laura, it’s gorgeous! Thank you ... it’s much better than the one I bought.” She carefully pulled it up her stockinged leg to a few inches above her knee. “That’s my something borrowed and blue sorted out. Is it yours?”

  “Er, no ... but it belonged to someone very special to me.” Laura stole a glance at Jess whose face was becoming pinker by the second.

  “And, um, you might want to wear this, too.” She handed Charlotte a delicate silver bracelet with a solitary charm hanging from it.

  “Ooh, that’s lovely.” Charlotte held the bracelet up to examine it closely and saw that the charm was a locket. “Anything inside it?”

  “Have a look, Charlotte.” Jess grabbed Laura’s hand as they waited for her reaction.

  She opened the locket and instantly burst into tears.

  The picture inside was of Molly Denver holding Charlotte close to her cheek, evidently very shortly after she’d been born. The look on her face was one of absolute joy and serenity and it was the most beautiful picture of her that Charlotte had ever seen.

  “Oh, Laura, it’s beautiful! It’ll be like having Mum right here with me! Where did you get it?” She blubbed uncontrollably.

  “Er, it was amongst some old photos and I thought you’d like it for today,” Laura said, as she held a tissue under her eyes to stop her mascara from running.

  In doing her best not to give the game away Laura had desperately tried not to tell Charlotte any lies, but it had been so difficult. She was glad there were no more to tell.

  “Can you put it on for me, please. My hands are shaking so much.” Charlotte handed the bracelet to Jess and grimaced as she caught sight of her blotchy reflection in the mirror. “Oh, good grief! How many times d’you reckon our makeup’s going to need touching-up today? Or in my case, reapplying completely!”

  She quickly freshened up her face and put in some eye drops. “Okay, I’m ready to get dressed.”

  Fifteen minutes later, they were all fighting back the tears again.

  “Oh my gosh ... what’s wrong with us?! Anyone would think we’d never been to a wedding before.” Charlotte was taking deep breaths and doing her best to stay in control.

  “It’s because we’ve never been to your wedding before. And because we’ve never seen you looking like this.” Jess gave her a hug.

  “Oh, love, you look like an angel. I thought the dress looked great in the shop but it looks a million times better today.” Laura grabbed another tissue to hold under her eyelid.

  The doorbell rang and, glad of a break from the high emotion, Laura and Jess both ran downstairs to answer it.

  Standing on the doorstep, resplendent in his silver grey morning suit was Garrett. Laura took one look at him and burst into tears again.

  “Hey, no tears. This is a happy day, remember?” Garrett kissed his wife and gave Jess a hug.

  “Charlotte, Garrett’s here.” Laura called up the stairs

  As Charlotte walked down the stairs, Garret felt the lump in his throat. By the time she put her foot on the bottom step, he too was a blubbering wreck.

  “Hey, no tears. This is a happy day. Remember?” Laura grinned as she handed her husband a tissue.

  The doorbell rang again and Jess looked through the curtain.

  “Right, come on Laura. Our car’s here. We’ll see you at the church later, you two.”

  They both shared an emotional hug with Charlotte before leaving and the squeals of excitement, the laughter and the tears that had filled the house for the last six and a half hours left with them.

  Rather than feeling sad, Charlotte felt strangely peaceful and calm.

  Garrett turned to her. “Your car will be here soon,” he said, “but before it arrives, there are a few things I need to say.”

  “Oh no, please Garrett, don’t start me off again!” Charlotte’s eyes welled up in anticipation of his speech. He was a tough, streetwise, hard as nails, no-nonsense fisherman but when it came to the people he loved, he was as soft as a kitten.

  “Charlotte.” He cleared his throat and took her hands in his. “From the very first day I saw you, I loved you. And when your mum and dad asked me to be your godfather, I vowed to protect you with my life. That vow still stands today - I hope you know that.” He sniffed and cleared his throat.

  “I’m so proud of you, Charlotte. I couldn’t be prouder if you were my own fl
esh and blood. You’ve given us, me and Laura, so much joy and we will always love and support you, no matter what.” He fumbled in his pocket.

  “This was your Dad’s. When he went to Spain I gave him my St. Christopher - you know - to keep him safe on his travels, and he gave me his crucifix to keep me safe at sea”. His voice broke as he handed it to Charlotte. “And now I want to give it to you.”

  Charlotte took the small cross on its thin chain and gulped back the tears.

  Now I’ve got Mum and Dad with me today.

  “I want to wear it.” She quickly removed her diamond necklace and replaced it with the crucifix. “Just knowing that Dad wore this makes me feel close to him. Thank you so much, Garrett.”

  He nodded as he blew his nose and was thankful that a knock on the door created a diversion from the high sentiments of the day.

  “Charlotte, there’s someone here to see you!”

  Charlotte went to the door to see an ivory, open-topped Volkswagen Beetle outside the house and a smiling Ryan Benson standing on the doorstep in a chauffeur’s uniform. “Morning madam, did someone order a wedding car?”

  Her mouth fell open and, although she did her best, she couldn’t quite manage to stop the tears from spilling over again.

  “Ryan! I can’t believe you’re here! Oh, I’m so happy to see you!”

  Ryan had claimed a special place in her heart ever since he’d saved her life a couple of years before.

  “Why are you driving my wedding car? And what are you doing away from college?” she asked as she clung to him.

  “Well, Nathan called me and asked if I’d be up for it as a surprise for you. Which, of course, I was. And you didn’t think the small matter of college was going to stop me from being here, did you?” he replied, grinning all over his face. “Charlotte, you’re like a sister to me and I will always be here for you. The only problem you’ll have is getting rid of me!”

  “Well, I’ll never have a problem, then, because I’ll never want to! And thanks to you and my darling godfather, I’m going to have to do my makeup yet again! Come in, Ryan, I won’t be long.”

  Five minutes later, she was ready. “Right. Let’s get this show on the road.”