Miss Frost Says I Do: A Nocturne Falls Mystery (Jayne Frost Book 7)

by Kristen Painter

  “You’re welcome. Please do call the palace steward tomorrow so we can have Matilda’s information for the records. His name is Ezreal Zur’dar, and I’ll tell him to expect your call.”

  “I will, thank you. Enjoy your dinner.”

  “You too.”

  She guided her daughter off. Matilda gave us one last wave over her shoulder.

  Birdie shook her head. “Are you really going to use her cake design?”

  “You bet I am. It’s glorious. Completely over-the-top. All the designs I’ve seen so far have been beautiful, but a little too restrained. I’m going to send her a basket of goodies for her cat too.”

  Birdie put her hand over mine. “You’re good people, Jayne.”

  Sin nodded. “Yes, she is.”

  Now I was on the verge of blushing. “So are you, Birdie.”

  Jake showed up with our food.

  As he distributed it, I leaned closer to him. “There’s a table in here with a little girl about six years old, light hair in braids. She’s with her family. I’d like to pick up their check.”

  He put my plate in front of me. “The little girl who drew you a picture?”

  “You know about her?”

  “Yep. The mom asked if I thought it would be okay if she gave you the drawing. I said yes. I hope that was okay.”

  “It was more than okay. You’ll put their check on the palace account?”

  “I will.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” He stood back. “I hope you enjoy your dinners. I’ll be back to check on you in a little bit. In the meantime, is there anything else I can bring you?”

  “Not unless you have another kid out there who’s got ideas for my wedding dress.”

  “Sorry, Your Highness. Can’t help you there.”

  I shrugged. “Can’t blame a girl for trying.”

  The next morning at breakfast, we all agreed we were still full. Didn’t stop any of us from eating, though. But I noticed we all made lighter selections.

  And by lighter, I meant I had only two blueberry pancakes and not three. Also, two sausage links and a fruit cup, but then, breakfast was the most important meal of the day.

  As the meal wound down, Sin drained his coffee cup, picked up his last slice of toasted and buttered pumpkin bread, then rose from the table. “I hope you ladies have a wonderful day. I’m off to my class. Will I see you for lunch?”

  I shook my head. “I don’t think so. I want to take Birdie to the cafeteria at the factory. Hopefully, with Mamie and my uncle.”

  “Sounds like fun. Wish I could join you, but my higher education awaits.” He winked as he came around and kissed me. “I’ll see you this afternoon, then, and you can catch me up on the wedding progress you’ve made.”

  Birdie patted the notebook next to her plate. “And there will be progress.”

  He laughed. “I’ll believe it when I see it.”

  “Oooh,” Birdie said with a snicker and a wiggle of her brows. “A challenge.”

  I shooed him away. “Out with you. She’s going to work me like a dog, now.”

  He snorted. “She was already going to work you like a dog.”

  Birdie tipped her head almost apologetically. “We do have a lot to do.”

  Bread in hand, Sin headed for the door. “I’m out of here.”

  I sighed as I looked at Birdie. “Should I even ask what you’re going to make me work on today?”

  “We need to set up a few basic things. Your likes and dislikes, what vendors you’re using, a copy of the guest list, that kind of stuff. Then I can get to work.”

  “Ezreal can get you a copy of the guest list. Very little of that is up to Sin and me. A lot of it is political. That’s just how these kinds of royal events work.”

  “I understand that. But what about the rest of it?”

  “Whatever you need.”

  “Great.” She put her hand flat on the notebook. “Because I’d like to get as much of that done now. Is that possible?”

  “Sure. I do need to go over to the factory, though. Not only do I need to talk to Mamie and want to introduce you to her, but I think you’ll really enjoy seeing the place.”

  “I am definitely looking forward to it.” She smiled. “Just being here is like something out of a dream, but actually getting to see where the toys are made? And see the workers making them? I cannot wait.”

  “Then let’s get another cup of coffee and get cracking on the wedding game plan.” I couldn’t believe I was volunteering myself so freely, but the more info Birdie had, the more she could organize.

  An hour and a half later, my brain felt like it had been wrung out. Birdie had asked me more questions than I could count. She’d filled I didn’t know how many pages in her notebook. At this point, she probably knew more about my wedding preferences than I did.

  Our breakfast plates had been cleared a while ago, which was good because I needed the space in front of me to rest my head. I even closed my eyes. Possibly groaned a little. “Birdie, I know you need all this information, but I can’t take anymore.”

  “That’s okay, you did great. I’ve got lots to work with. We can be done for now.”

  “Thank you. My brain hurts,” I mumbled into the tablecloth.

  “Hush now. You’re fine. You want a nice wedding? This is what it takes. Information, planning, organization, and action.” I heard her close the notebook. “This is enough to get me started.”

  I finally looked up at her. “Started? You mean there will be more?”

  “Of course. There will be selections to make as things come up. You’ll see.”

  I sighed. Then I smiled as I rested my head in my hands. “Thank you for doing all this. I really do appreciate it.”

  She smiled back. “I know you do. And it’s going to be fun. I promise.” Then her brows lifted. “Can we go to the toy factory now?”

  I sat up, renewed by the thought of a nonwedding activity. And a chance to dig deeper into the mysterious skeleton incident. “Let’s roll.”

  I used one of the housephones to tell the valets we’d need a crawler ready, then Birdie and I went back to our rooms to get our jackets. I needed to give Spider some extra loves too. With Birdie being here and all the wedding stuff and the remains-in-the-carriage stuff, I’d been busy. I didn’t want him to feel like he wasn’t getting enough attention.

  “Spider?” I called out as I entered my apartment. “Mama’s back from breakfast. Come here, baby.”

  He came trotting in from the other room and sat down in front of me, then meticulously licked one paw like it was super important. “Spider bored.”

  “I know, baby. I haven’t been here much to play with you. And I’m heading out again now. You want to hang out with Sugar today?”

  He stopped licking his foot. “Spider likes Sugar.”

  “I know you do, sweet boy. Come on, let’s go across the hall.”

  He stood up, clearly excited. “Mama, Spider likes boo mouse.”

  Boo mouse was what Spider called the little catnip-stuffed ghost toy I’d gotten him for Halloween. “Okay, we’ll take boo mouse with us. Except I don’t know where it is.”

  “Spider get.” He scampered off and came back a minute later with the toy in his mouth.

  “Great. Let’s go see what Sugar is up to.” I took the ghost from him, then scooped him up in my arms. He butted his head against my chin. I kissed his furry head.

  A knock sounded at my door. “Jayne? It’s me.”

  Birdie. “Come in, it’s open.”

  She walked through and smiled at the sight of Spider. “Hello there, you handsome little man.”

  “Spider loves Birdie.”

  That got a shocked look from both of us. Birdie knew Spider could talk, but for him to say he loved her? I gave Birdie a look. “I see you’ve made a big impression on him.”

  I turned him a little so I could see his face. “That’s so sweet, baby. You must remember Birdie from when she c
atsat you.”

  “Spider remember. Birdie nice.”

  She scratched his head. “You’re nice too, Spider.”

  That earned her a little trill of affection.

  “I’m taking him to Sinclair’s to spend the day over there,” I told Birdie. “Sin’s cat, Sugar, and Spider are best buds.”

  “Sugar nice,” Spider said. Then his little nose twitched. “Sugar pretty.”

  “Yes, she is. And I bet she thinks you’re very handsome too. Just like Mama does.”

  He pushed his head against my face again.

  I laughed, petting him some more. “Funny boy.”

  Birdie shook her head. “That is the most adorable thing.”

  “Which reminds me. Spider and Sugar are going to ride in the carriage with me to the ceremony, then back with Sin and me. They have special collars they’re going to wear too.”

  Her brows went skyward. “You’re sure about this?”

  “Yes.” I put a little firmness in the word. “They’re very important to us, and we want them included.”

  “You know that phrase herding cats?”

  “Spider and Sugar will be perfectly behaved.” I looked at Spider. “Won’t you? You’re going to do a good job at the wedding, aren’t you?”

  “Spider gets a bow tie?”

  “Yes, Spider gets a bow tie, and Sugar gets a ruffle.” I glanced at Birdie. “They aren’t going to do anything but ride in the carriage and let people see them. And they’ll be in the pictures.”

  “Well, it’ll be cuter than a June bug in a jumpsuit if they can behave themselves.”

  “They will.” I gestured with my elbow. “Birdie, can you get my leather jacket out of the closet there?” I still hadn’t grabbed it, and our badges to get into the factory were in the pocket.

  “Sure thing.”

  “Great, thanks. We’ll get Spider settled in, and then we’re off.”

  Which was exactly what we did before heading to the south exit.

  “Before I forget…” I pulled the two badges out of my jacket pocket as we walked down the hall. Ezreal had messengered hers to me via footman first thing this morning. I’d returned the footman to him with a note about Matilda’s mother calling. I held out the laminated rectangle. “You’ll need this to get in.”

  “A badge? Cool. Hey, it has my picture on it.”

  “Yeah, I told Ezreal to swipe the one from your Facebook profile. I hope that was okay.”

  “Sure.” She grinned. “Except I gave myself a little Photoshop help on this picture. If they look too closely, they might think it’s my younger sister.”

  I laughed. “I promise they’ll recognize you.”

  We exited the palace, jumped into the waiting crawler, and took off. The sky was blue, the sun was shining, and the snow sparkled like diamonds. It was a glorious day in the NP. I pointed out a few interesting places as I drove, taking my time so Birdie could see everything, but we still arrived at the factory within fifteen minutes.

  The guard at the factory gate greeted me with a kind smile. “Morning, Your Highness.”

  We flashed our badges as I greeted him. “Good morning.”

  He lifted the gate. “Have a good day.”

  “You too.”

  I parked in the designated royal reserved space, mostly to impress Birdie, and we got out. My uncle’s cherry-red crawler was two spots over. “Don’t put your badge away yet. You’ll need it at this entrance too.”

  But we didn’t make it beyond the sidewalk when Birdie stopped.

  Hands on hips, she tilted her head back to get a better look at the building. “It’s shaped like a Christmas tree.”

  “That, it is.”

  “So cool.” She grinned as we started walking again. “I have a feeling this is going to be good.”

  “I certainly hope it lives up to your expectations.”

  “It will. It already has.”

  “Don’t expect too much at first. This entrance isn’t as fancy as the main one, but that’s because it’s more utilitarian. This one gets us onto the express elevator that goes straight to the top and my uncle’s office.” We entered the small steel and glass foyer. Beyond that was a locked metal door leading to the rest of the building. A guard sat inside a booth behind an open sliding glass window.

  He stood as soon as I entered. “Good morning, Your Highness. And visitor.”

  “Good morning. We’re here to see my uncle.” I showed my badge to the guard, then Birdie held hers up too.

  “Of course.” The guard inspected them, then nodded. “Thank you.” He hit a button on the desk, a chime sounded, and the metal door slid back. The hall was as simple and austere as the foyer, but that décor would change as we got deeper into the building.

  “You’re right,” Birdie said. “This isn’t what I expected after the building’s exterior.”

  “Just wait,” I said as we reached the elevators. I pushed the Up button.

  The doors opened to reveal the plush interior that hinted at what was to come.

  Birdie touched the gold trim and tufted burgundy velvet paneled walls as we walked in. “This is fancy. And more in keeping with what I expected.”

  With the fabric walls and the dark wood panels on the lower half, the space had a warm, cozy vibe. I tapped the S button, then tilted my head toward the back wall of glass. “You might want to watch.”

  “In the mirror?”

  “It’s not a mirror.”

  Birdie looked closer, and as the elevator rose and the first level of the factory floor came into view, a happy little gasp slipped from her lips.

  “Wow.”

  Elves by the thousands labored at their workstations, all of them building the toys that my uncle would place under Christmas trees around the world on the night of December twenty-fourth. The workers moved with such deft speed that shimmering remnants of magic spiraled into the air.

  Eyes wide, Birdie braced herself on the railing in front of the glass and leaned in. “This is remarkable. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

  “You never will anywhere else either. Elf magic is what makes such production possible.”

  As we went higher, more levels came into view. Robots were being assembled on one. Stuffed animals were sewn on another. Puzzles and games were boxed on a third.

  Farther and farther up we went. Birdie stayed glued to the windows, then her eyes narrowed. “Do I hear singing?”

  “You do. It’s kind of a thing we do while we work.”

  She looked at me. “So that’s not just a made-up thing in fairy tales?”

  “Not at all. Singing keeps spirits light, makes the time go by, and keeps all the workers connected to each other. And it’s fun.”

  She looked skeptical. “Do you do it?”

  I knew where this was headed. “Sometimes.”

  “So you can sing?”

  That was the question I’d been expecting. “All elves can sing. Some better than others, but all generally well. You’ll see. There will be singing at the wedding.” Which reminded me that Sin and I hadn’t picked our official song yet.

  Birdie’s mouth bent in obvious amusement. I raised my brows at her expression. “Excuse me, don’t all you werewolves howl at the moon?”

  She barked out a laugh. “I suppose we do.”

  I jerked my thumb toward the window. “There’s more to see.”

  She turned back. And blinked as she peered closer. “Are those slides?”

  I nodded. “Quickest way to get down from the upper floors.”

  “I have got to try that. Can I?”

  “Absolutely.” I grinned. I was so happy she was enjoying herself.

  The elevator stopped, and we got off at my uncle’s office. I held my hand out. “Welcome to Santa Claus’s office.”

  Mamie looked up from her desk as we walked in. “Hello, Princess Jayne.”

  “Hi there, Mamie. How are you?”

  “Just fine.” She put down the paper she’d been holding
and got to her feet. Today’s outfit was a celadon-green twinset with a navy pencil skirt. As always, a slim strand of North Pole crystal beads, a gift from Uncle Kris on her fiftieth anniversary of employment, glittered at her throat. “What brings you by today?”

  “I have a guest in town, and I wanted to introduce you.” I put my hand on Birdie’s arm. “This is Birdie Caruthers from Nocturne Falls. She’s the same kind of amazingly resourceful woman that you are and has helped me out many times in Nocturne Falls, so I thought you two ought to know each other. Birdie, this is Mamie Wynters.”

  Mamie smiled and came out from behind the desk, hand extended. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Birdie.”

  Birdie took her hand. “And you, Mamie. What an amazing job it must be to work here. I bet you have stories to tell.”

  Mamie laughed. “Oh, do I. What do you do in Nocturne Falls?”

  “I handle the front desk at the sheriff’s department. My nephew is the sheriff.”

  “How about that?” Mamie exclaimed. “You must be so proud. And talk about stories to tell. We should do lunch sometime while you’re here.”

  “That would be great.”

  I was reluctant to interrupt the blossoming new friendship, but the timing was too good. “I was actually hoping we could have lunch today. The four of us. At the cafeteria.”

  Mamie nodded. “We should do that. Your uncle would love to spend some time with you. Unfortunately, he’s reviewing some new go-kart designs at the test track right now and will probably be there all day.”

  “Rats. I really was hoping we could all go.”

  Mamie clasped her hands in front of her. “We could still go. The three of us.”

  “That would be great. Since we’ve got some time before lunch, why don’t I give Birdie a tour of the factory? Then we’ll be back, and we can all head to the cafeteria.”

  “Perfect. That will let me get this paperwork done.” Then she hesitated. “There’s something else, though, isn’t there? Another reason you came by?”

  “Well…” I explained about the female skeleton in the carriage and the search for a matching missing person and the chance the school superintendent was somehow involved, then took a breath. “With everything you know about this town and the people who live here, what do you think?”