Charlotte Denver Cozy Mystery Box Set

by Sherri Bryan

  Garrett took her arm. “Your mum and dad are here in spirit, you know. They wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

  “I know they are.” Charlotte took a deep breath as she smiled and squeezed his hand. “Come on, we’ve got a wedding to get to!”

  Chapter 15

  It seemed like the whole of St. Eves had turned out for Charlotte and Nathan’s special day.

  The wedding was at one o’clock and Nathan had arrived at the church at just after quarter-past twelve. He was as nervous as he’d ever been, his palms damp with perspiration as he attempted to fasten the sunflower buttonhole to his lapel.

  “Here, let me do it.” Hattie Costello quickly pinned the flower in place before licking her handkerchief and wiping away a smudge of pollen from his chin.

  “Mum! For goodness’ sake!” Nathan gave an embarrassed grin as his mother affectionately patted his cheek before taking her place on the front pew at the right of the church, to the laughter and applause of the wedding guests.

  He turned to his best man and rolled his eyes and George Costello grinned back at him. Nathan was thrilled that his dad had agreed to take on the role.

  At eight years of age Nathan had been to his first family wedding, after which he had very seriously told his dad that when he got married, he wanted him to be his best man. His dad had laughed but, at Nathan’s insistence, he’d made a promise that he would be.

  Now that his son’s wedding day had arrived, George Costello was overjoyed to be fulfilling that promise.

  “I must say, you’re looking very smart, Dad.”

  When Laura and Jess had accompanied Nathan and Garrett to get the men’s wedding outfits they’d advised them on colours, but nothing else. The choice of suit had been entirely up to them.

  George and Garrett were wearing silver grey morning suits with deep rose pink waistcoats to match some of the flowers in Charlotte’s bouquet and Nathan was wearing a charcoal grey morning suit with a bright yellow waistcoat, also to match some of the flowers in Charlotte’s bouquet.

  As Nathan waited for Charlotte to arrive, a contented growling reminded him that Pippin sat obediently under the pew in a bow tie, munching on a chicken jerky chew.

  Charlotte had asked Reverend Daly if Pippin would be allowed to attend and the Reverend, an avid animal lover, had agreed in a heartbeat. “As long as he doesn’t piddle up my leg, I’d love to have him along. The more, the merrier, I say.”

  “You okay, son?” George Costello squeezed Nathan’s arm.

  “Yeah, a little nervous, that’s all. I’ll be alright when ...”

  The first notes of Gabriel’s Oboe rang out, signalling Charlotte’s arrival at the church.

  Nathan looked over to the Reverend who gave him a reassuring wink.

  “She’s here, Nathan. You ready?”

  He nodded and suddenly he wanted to turn and run down the aisle and sweep Charlotte off her feet. He couldn’t wait to see her - every second was tortuous and when he eventually turned to see her at his side, he couldn’t say a word because she took his breath away.

  “You look so handsome. I love you.” Charlotte beamed through her tears.

  Nathan took her hands in his and brought them to his lips. “I’ve never loved you more.”

  When Charlotte looked down and saw Pippin, the tears fell onto her cheeks and she didn’t care that she was going to have to reapply her makeup again straight after the service.

  “Oh, Pip!” She laughed at his bow tie as she bent to pick the little dog up and his tail wagged as he licked her nose.

  When Reverend Daly cleared his throat, she quickly handed him to Garrett for the remainder of the ceremony.

  “Sorry, Reverend. That’s the first time I’ve seen him today,” she whispered.

  “We’ll begin with hymn number 232, I Vow to Thee, My Country.” The Reverend led the congregation in the singing, his booming bass voice as clear as a bell.

  The wedding of Charlotte Denver and Nathan Costello was underway.

  ººººººº

  Forty minutes later, Mendelssohn’s Wedding March rang out as Charlotte and Nathan walked back down the aisle.

  On their way, Charlotte looked from one side of the church to the other, acknowledging well-wishers and remembering the advice of her mum to savour every minute because the day would be over before she knew it.

  Her heart was so full of joy, she felt like it might burst. As she saw the faces of the people she loved, her friends and Nathan’s family, she felt as though she was walking on air.

  “D’you know what? I can’t stop smiling - I must look ridiculous!” Looking up at Nathan, she expected to see her happiness reflected in his face but his expression was unreadable, almost apprehensive.

  “What’s wrong? Are you okay?” She clutched his hand in alarm.

  In the middle of the aisle, he stopped walking and turned to face her. “Look Charlotte, there’s something I should have told you. I wanted it to be a surprise, but the more I think about it now, the more I think it was a stupid idea. I hope to God it doesn’t upset you, today of all days.”

  “What is it? You’re not married are you?” She tried to make light of Nathan’s strange behaviour to conceal her panic. “Nathan, tell me, what is it? You’re scaring me.”

  He ran his hand through his hair and shook his head. “You’ll find out for yourself soon enough.”

  Charlotte looked around the church.

  Behind them, Garrett, Laura and Jess were huddled together, watching her closely.

  What the ...

  “Nathan, will you please tell me what’s going on, right now. Nathan! Look at me!”

  But Nathan’s eyes were fixed on someone else.

  Charlotte followed his gaze, suddenly afraid of what she might see, but nothing could have prepared her.

  Nothing.

  She gasped and her hands flew to her face.

  The woman standing just a few feet away from her at the back of the church looked so familiar it made her stomach lurch.

  It made her breathless.

  It made her head spin.

  She stumbled and felt Nathan’s strong hands catch and steady her.

  She walked towards the woman.

  So like her mother, but not. She couldn’t take her eyes off her.

  She tried to speak but her mouth was dry.

  She swallowed.

  “Aunty Lola?” Her voice was a whisper. She stopped in front of her and touched her cheek, barely daring to speak. “Aunty Lola?”

  Her aunt nodded and held out her arms. Charlotte fell into them and began to sob. Not dainty, wedding day tears but great, heaving sobs of raw emotion - a mixture of pain and love and joy.

  But most of all, of love.

  To have her aunt holding her in her arms was like a dream that she never, ever wanted to wake up from.

  To know that she still had a living bond to her mother was amazing.

  It felt incredible.

  She felt incredible.

  “Sshhh, sshhh, there, it’s okay, it’s okay.” Lola rocked her niece gently as they stood close together, Charlotte’s head on her shoulder.

  Watching from the aisle, Nathan, Garrett, Laura and Jess clung to each other and the happy tears flowed.

  ººººººº

  Nathan’s speech was going down a storm.

  In speaking from the heart and recounting real-life humorous stories from the time that he and Charlotte had been together, he’d got the balance of sincerity and comedy exactly right and the wedding guests were loving it.

  “Anyway ... this is the part where I get serious.” He took a sip of champagne and cleared his throat. “You all know Charlotte so there’s not much I can tell you about her that will come as a surprise.

  “You already know how remarkable she is. How kind and generous and loving she is. How loyal and dependable she is. How funny and cute she is.

  “So, what can I tell you that you don't already know?

  “Well, I can te
ll you how she makes me feel. How I feel when I look at her. How every day when I see her, she makes me weak at the knees and feel like a kid again. How I feel that, when she’s at my side, there is nothing I can’t do. And how I thank God, every day, for bringing us together.

  “It never once enters her head that we, every one of us, can't achieve our dreams. She always looks for the positive in every situation and the best in everyone she meets.

  “She is, quite simply, a delight to be around and knowing that I’m going to spend the rest of my life with her is the best feeling in the world.

  “Will you please, raise your glasses and join me in a toast to the woman who makes loving her with all my heart the easiest thing I’ve ever done ... to my wife, Charlotte.

  ººººººº

  The reception was in full swing.

  After Charlotte and Nathan had started off the dancing to Al Green’s Let’s Stay Together, everyone had piled onto the dance floor.

  Ava, Harriett and Betty, who had already led an enormous conga around the dance floor, were now busy demonstrating the steps for the Macarena to fellow guests.

  As the band played, Charlotte sat at a table with her Aunt Lola and her cousins, Remy and Jamie.

  After her walk back down the aisle had been brought to such an abrupt halt, the shock was only just starting to wear off.

  “I still can’t believe it.” Charlotte held onto Lola’s hand tightly. “And I can’t believe they all kept it a secret for so long. It must have been torture for them!”

  “I bet it wasn’t as bad for them as it was for me, waiting to see you again after all these years!” Lola laughed. “Honestly, Charlotte, I couldn’t have dreamed of a better early Christmas present.”

  “Y’know, it’s the next best thing to having Mum and Dad here, it really is.” Charlotte gave her aunt another hug. “And don’t think you’re getting away easily, either, because I’m never losing touch with you again!”

  “There’s no chance of that happening, love, but we can talk more tomorrow. I can’t wait - we’ve got so much to catch up on. And it’s so nice of Nathan to have arranged for us to stay at your house tonight. I can’t believe that Tom and Rosemary’s cottage is your home now - such a beautiful place.

  “Oh, and before I forget ... that garter you’re wearing - it was your Mum’s. She wore it at her wedding and she gave it to me to wear at mine. And now you’ve worn it at yours. I want you to keep it, Charlotte, and the bracelet, too. I want you to have them both.”

  Charlotte hugged her aunt tightly and grinned at her cousins over her shoulder.

  My family, my real family.

  ººººººº

  “It’s nice to see Ava’s husband, isn’t it? We hardly ever see them together,” said Laura as the band took a break and the DJ faded out Frank Sinatra’s Come Fly with Me and faded in Lady Gaga’s Born this Way.

  “Yes, she often says that the reason she and Derek get on so well is because they only see each other twice a week,” said Jess. “She says it’s the secret of a happy marriage, but don’t tell Charlotte, for goodness’ sake!”

  “Why do they only see each other twice a week?”

  “Because he’s a ballroom dancing judge and he’s always at some competition or other. They’re very happy together, though.”

  At that moment, Ava and Derek whizzed past them in a faultless tango, leaving Betty and Harry in their wake at the side of the dance floor, treading on each other’s toes and giggling like a couple of school children.

  “Here, have you seen Harriett and Leo?” Laura nudged Jess as she stared at the couple who, despite the upbeat music, were slow dancing, her head on his shoulder, a faint smile playing on her lips. “Is that all out in the open now, then?”

  “Well it wasn’t, but it certainly looks that way now. I could always ask them, I suppose.” Jess grinned and danced over to the couple. “Hello, you two. Sorry to disturb. So, it’s all official now, is it?” she asked as the couple spun slowly round and round in circles

  Harriett raised her head from Leo’s shoulder to look him in the eye.

  “Is it official?” she asked, the faint smile turning broader.

  He returned her gaze and her smile. “Yes, I suppose it is,” he said, before pulling her close and kissing her gently on the lips.

  “About blooming time!” said Ava as she and Derek twirled past, her thumb in the air to show her delight.

  Over on the other side of the dance floor, Charlotte pulled Nathan to one side before flopping onto a chair. “I need a drink. Something to gulp, I’m so thirsty.”

  “Would you like me to get it for you, Mrs. Costello?”

  Charlotte laughed. “That sounds so weird ... nice weird, I mean.”

  “You know, I don’t mind if you want to keep Denver as part of your surname. I know how much the name means to you. You could be Charlotte Denver-Costello. Or Costello-Denver. It doesn’t matter to me - I just want you to be happy.”

  Charlotte leaned forward and put her arms around his neck. “Nathan, I am happy. It doesn’t matter what my name is - as long as we’re together, I’ll always be happy.”

  Nathan kissed her on the nose. “And there is nothing on this earth that could possibly make me happier than I am right now.”

  Charlotte leaned against him and closed her eyes.

  Oh Nathan, I hope you’re wrong about that.

  Chapter 16

  At last, everyone had left and it was just the two of them.

  Nathan carried Charlotte all the way to the bridal suite. She leaned down and slid the key card into the lock, pushing the door open with her foot.

  The bed was strewn with red, white and pink rose petals, there was a bottle of champagne on ice and two L-Plates dangled from the headboard.

  Charlotte giggled into Nathans shoulder. “This looks very much like the work of a certain bridesmaid and Matron of Honour.”

  “Hmmm, I would say so.” Nathan leaned forward to put Charlotte on the bed but she shook her head.

  “No, let’s go and sit on the balcony for a while.”

  “What? Are you mad, woman? It’s freezing out there!”

  “Then we’ll cover up with a blanket. Come on, it’ll be romantic.”

  “Honestly, the things I do for you ...”

  Nathan grabbed a blanket from the wardrobe and followed Charlotte outside. The sky was clear and as black as pitch, the moon and the stars providing the only light they needed.

  They wrapped themselves up together in the blanket and she snuggled up against his chest.

  “You know what, I’ve smiled so much today, my cheeks are aching! It’s been a fantastic, day, hasn’t it?” Nathan pulled his new bride closer to him and kissed the top of her head.

  She nodded. “I couldn’t have dreamed of a better day. Or a better present. But it’s not over yet. It’s time for me to give you your present.”

  She leaned forward and felt under the chair, hoping that Jess had remembered to put the package there as she’d asked her to. Thank you, Jess. She brought out a small gift-wrapped package and put it in his hand.

  “Happy wedding day.”

  “Thank you. This is a surprise.” Nathan took the package and shook it, soundlessly. “Not the key to a Ferrari, then?” He grinned.

  He tore off the wrapping paper to reveal a silver box with a piece of folded fabric inside. He looked at Charlotte, quizzically.

  She said nothing, just watched his face intently for his reaction.

  He unfolded the soft fabric and his breath caught in his throat.

  It was the tiniest romper suit with the words “World’s Best Daddy” embroidered on the front.

  He stared at the tiny garment, running his thumb over the words, and his tears spilled out onto it.

  “Are they happy tears?” Charlotte’s voice quavered.

  Not trusting himself to speak, he nodded.

  “I only found out for sure a few days ago but I didn’t want to tell you before the wedding. I w
anted to tell you today, when we were on our own. I wanted it to be our special moment.”

  Nathan pulled her into his arms and held her close. He couldn’t believe how much, in just a few seconds, his love for Charlotte had grown.

  “I didn’t think I could love you any more than I did, but I do and I didn’t think you could make me any happier than I was, but you have.”

  She pushed him away gently and they kissed, the taste of their tears mingling on their lips.

  “I love you so much, Nathan.”

  “And I love you so much ... both of you.”

  The End

  Hamburgers, Homicide and a Honeymoon – Book 5

  Cast of Characters

  Charlotte Costello (née Denver) - Owner of Charlotte’s Plaice café on the marina in St. Eves. Our heroine.

  Nathan Costello - Detective Chief Inspector at the St. Eves police department. Also Charlotte’s husband.

  Jess Beddington - Jess’s closest friend and co-worker at Charlotte’s Plaice.

  Detective Sergeant Ben Dillon - Also Jess’s boyfriend.

  Detective Sergeant Fiona Farrell – DS in the St. Eves police force.

  Amanda – Nathan’s assistant

  Ava Whittington - Lifelong resident of St. Eves. Has known Charlotte since she was born.

  Harriett Lawley - as above.

  Betty Tubbs - as above.

  Leo Reeves - lifelong resident of St. Eves.

  Harry Jenkins - lifelong resident of St. Eves.

  Garrett Walton - Lifelong resident of St. Eves and skipper of one of St. Eves fishing boat fleet. Also Charlotte’s godfather.

  Laura Walton - Garrett’s wife and Charlotte’s godmother.

  Yolanda - Owner of the Mini-Mart on the marina.

  Adam Pitt – Ex-TV financial advice expert and entrepreneur

  Ruby Pitt – Adam’s wife

  Frankie Ingram – Local tattooist

  Amy Baker – St. Eves resident

  Penny Baker – St. Eves resident and Owen’s girlfriend

  Owen Fisher – St. Eves resident Penny’s boyfriend

  Zac – Penny and Owen’s son