by Amber Crewes
Meghan’s heart pounded. “David?” she asked. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? Why are you going through with an order from David, Mama?”
Rebecca narrowed her eyes. “Why would that be a problem? Do you dislike four-layer cakes, Meghan?”
She shrugged. “It isn’t about the cake itself. He seemed to be quite at odds with Thelma,” she began carefully. “And now Thelma has mysteriously died? It seems strange to me…”
“What are you implying?”
Meghan sighed. “Nothing,” she breathed. “I just don’t want to get caught up in any trouble right now, and I feel like David has something to do with Thelma’s death. That was such a strange occurrence in the bakery yesterday, and I have an odd feeling about him. Besides, we don't need to take any risks, Mama. Daddy just got out of jail earlier this year, and if David is involved in any trouble, we could be implicated. I don’t want Daddy to get into any further trouble.”
She saw her mother’s face crumple in anger. “What is the matter with you?” Rebecca hissed. “Your father’s days of trouble are over, and we do not speak of them! Your father and I are hosting you and your husband-to-be for a grand wedding, and all you’ve done is complain. You were fussy about Thelma, fussy about the wedding plans, and now, you’re projecting all of that onto a young man who has opened his own bakery and is making his way in the world? This attitude is unbecoming, Meghan. Truly.”
Meghan clenched her hands into fists, but said nothing. She forced herself to smile. “Sorry, Mama,” she apologized. “I’m glad we’re here, and I’m grateful you and Daddy are hosting our wedding. I didn’t mean to upset you, and I am sorry I was being rude and ungrateful.”
Rebecca nodded. “That’s better,” she told her daughter. “That is the attitude I like. Now that you have turned things around, would you like to play tennis with us? I am leaving in fifteen minutes.”
“No thank you,” Meghan replied. “I am going to spend the day... relaxing.”
She had better things to do; now, she not only needed to plan a wedding, but to find a killer.
That afternoon, Meghan and her younger sister sat by the Trumans’ sparkling swimming pool sipping banana smoothies and soaking up the Texas sunshine. “This is the life,” Mandy remarked happily as she settled back into the tan lounge chair. “This is the best way to discuss wedding plans. When I was a bridesmaid in my friend Jenny’s wedding last fall, it was much more stressful to plan. Your wedding has been so easy.”
Meghan scowled. “That’s because Mama planned it all.”
Before her mother had left to play tennis, she had shoved a three-ring binder into Meghan’s face. “I have some work for you to do. These are fabric samples for the napkins, table cloths, and draperies at the reception,” she explained. “I need you to review them and rank them in order of your favorites and add notes as to why you made your selections.”
Meghan had wanted to protest, but seeing the look in her mother’s eyes, she accepted the binder. She and Mandy had been by the pool for three hours now, and they were still debating the merits of brocade, silk, and wool napkins for the dessert table.
“I wish she had given us something interesting to do,” Meghan complained. She was perched on one of the lounge chairs, wearing an olive-green bikini that complimented her figure. “Picking linens is hardly something I care for.”
Mandy raised an eyebrow. “Meghy, can I say something?” she asked carefully.
“What?”
She took a deep breath. “Don’t get mad at me for saying this,” she cautioned. “But I think you need to relax. I know Mama and Daddy can be a lot, and I know they took over your wedding, but they are so happy we’re here together for your wedding, and you’ve seemed… on edge…. ever since you arrived.”
Meghan pushed her white-rimmed sunglasses onto the top of her head and stared into Mandy’s big dark eyes. “Sis, they are driving me crazy! I was only home for two seconds when they began shoving this massive wedding—which Jack and I didn’t want—down my throat! And now, one of the potential vendors is dead, we’re looking at napkins, and Mama and Mellie are out playing tennis? It all just seems ridiculous.”
“Meghan, It’s your wedding. It’s time for you to relax.”
“How can we relax when someone we met yesterday was murdered?” she said. “Doesn’t that stress you out?”
Mandy snapped her gum and reached up to pull her aviator sunglasses over her eyes. “Not really,” she told Meghan. “It isn’t my business. Your fiance is the detective, not me. I’m just a little sister who wants to see her big sister have some fun in the days leading up to her big day.”
She saw how earnest her eyes were, and she feigned a smile. “You’re right,” she told her sister, though she didn’t believe it. “I’ll back off.”
“Good,” she said. “Now, I am going to take these smoothies inside and add a little something special to them. I’m in the mood to celebrate, and I think a splash of rum would help my big sister relax. What do you think?”
“That sounds great,” she said to Mandy. “I can’t believe you’re twenty-one now. It feels like just yesterday that you were in your crib and going to preschool.”
Mandy winked at her as she stood up and sashayed away, swaying her hips as she spotted two male housekeepers round the corner. They were both holding watering cans, and Meghan saw they were taking care of the red geranium flowers planted along the side of the house.
“And Mrs. Truman went on and on about David, that baker,” the younger man said to the older as he dangled the watering can. “It seemed like she had a crush on him or something.”
“After that nasty Thelma made eyes at her husband, I don’t blame her for fawning over the baker,” the older man murmured.
Meghan pretended to be asleep, eager to hear what they had to say. She controlled her breathing, moving her chest up and down in a rhythmic motion as they passed her chair.
“Why do you think Mrs. Truman is so keen on using David as the baker for her daughter’s wedding cake?” the older man asked. “There are a number of well-known bakers in the area. It seems odd that she would be so fixated on this guy.”
“I heard that they’d met before,” the younger man informed him, and Meghan’s ears perked up. “Mrs. Truman hired him for an event last year. He was still working for Thelma, but Thelma backed out at the last minute and sent David instead. Mrs. Truman was very upset that Thelma canceled at the last second, but she was very taken with David, or at least that’s what Shelly, the maid who organizes Mrs. Truman’s closet, says.”
Meghan’s heart beat furiously as the two housekeepers trudged away, still gossiping about her mother, David, and Thelma. Her mother had acted like she had never met David before, and now, she was learning that Rebecca Truman had already used his services. Was there something more to the story? What was Rebecca hiding?
Mandy emerged from the house, an impish grin on her face as she handed her a smoothie. “I made them strong,” she warned her with a look of mischief in her eyes. “Don’t drink it too fast.”
She took a sip and sputtered. “Mandy! This tastes like gasoline!”
She chuckled. “I thought you needed to relax. You’ve been so quiet today, and I thought a good drink would bring my big sister back to life.”
Her mind raced. Meghan wasn’t the only Truman who had some things on her mind, and she was eager to find out what her mother was hiding and why she was acting so strange about Thelma Barrington’s murder.
6
T hat evening, as the Truman family enjoyed apéritifs on the expansive outdoor patio, Meghan could not get over the conversation she had overheard between the housekeepers.
The sun was setting, and the Texas sky glowed with the colors of pale orange, pink, and blood-red. “What time is it?” Henry asked as he sipped an old-fashioned, his favorite cocktail.
Mandy checked her watch, a gold antique from Rebecca’s grandmother. “It’s eight, Daddy.”
“Where is
dinner? The cook is taking her time,” he complained. “I will go check on things. I am hungry, and the cook is making steak tonight.”
“I’m going inside, too,” Mellie announced as she tugged at the lace wrap around her thin shoulders. “It’s too drafty out here.”
Meghan’s younger sisters followed suit, and soon, it was only Meghan and Rebecca outside.
“Mama?” Meghan asked. “Can we talk more about yesterday? About David?”
Rebecca looked at her sharply, a deep line appearing between her brows. “What is there to talk about?”
Meghan nervously folded her hands in her lap. “Why do you want to use him for my wedding cake?” she asked.
“You should know the answer to that,” Rebecca scoffed. “David’s business is new, and it is important to support new businesses. I’m shocked that you even have to ask. Every new business needs the patronage of locals to get it off its feet, and David’s bakery is no different.”
Meghan shrugged. “It just seems strange to me that Thelma would burst into the bakery, yell at David, and then turn up dead hours later. Do you think he had anything to do with it?”
“Meghan!” Rebecca gasped. “What a terrible question! Of course, I don’t! Thelma Barrington was a wild card. She had wonderful talent, but a terrible spirit, and many people around here agreed. Anyone could have killed her; she frequently went off on people around town.”
“But what about David? They worked together in the past.”
“Why are you so fixated on David?” Rebecca demanded. “Is it because his bakery was featured in a prominent magazine, or because his business is so stylish? Are you jealous, Meghan?”
Meghan shook her head. “What? No, Mama! I have my own bakery, and it’s doing well. I’m not jealous of him at all.”
Rebecca pursed her lips. “Is it because he is so handsome?” she asked. “He is quite the opposite of Jack; David’s dark eyes and complexion are gorgeous, while Jack is a more All-American kind of good looking. Is that your issue, my dear? Are you not used to being around handsome, confident, successful men like David? Is that making you act so strangely?”
Meghan’s eyes widened. “No,” she insisted. “That is not it. I just have a weird feeling about him, and I want to know more…”
Rebecca rose to her feet. “Enough,” she ordered. “I am going inside to enjoy a delightful family meal. I suggest you adjust your attitude and check your manners before coming inside.”
Rebecca stormed away, and Meghan sighed. She had not wanted to anger her mother, and now she knew that if she wanted more information about David, she would need to go about getting it a different way.
She joined her family for dinner, and after, it was time to pick up Karen, her dear friend from Sandy Bay, from the airport. “Do you want me to go with you?” Mandy asked as Meghan reminded her. “I can drive.”
She eyed the half-finished drink in her hand. “Stay,” she urged her. “Spend some time with the family. I want to have some girl talk with Karen on the drive back.”
She bid farewell to her family and drove to the airport, enjoying the smooth ride as she navigated her mother’s silver BMW along the interstate. Meghan loved spending time with her family, but she had been craving time alone, and she was grateful Karen was flying in.
Karen Denton was one of the most interesting people Meghan had ever known. Karen was in her early seventies, was active, and had an unmatched zest for life. She and Meghan had met in Los Angeles, where they had been neighbors, and after becoming close, Karen had convinced Meghan to move to Sandy Bay, her hometown.
Meghan maneuvered her mother’s luxury vehicle into the parking lot of the airport. “Are you here?” she texted Karen, and she smiled as Karen quickly replied.
“Walking off the plane now. I didn’t check any bags, so I should be out in just a few minutes.”
Meghan grinned. Unlike her mother, who required at least five suitcases for a week away from home, Karen was low-maintenance; she was happy to only travel with a small suitcase.
A few minutes later, Karen appeared outside, and Meghan rolled down the window and waved a hand. “Hey! Over here!”
Karen beamed as she climbed into the BMW. “Meghan! How are you, sweetheart? You look fabulous.”
Meghan hugged her friend. “Thank you for coming,” she murmured as she breathed in the familiar floral scent of Karen. “It means so much to me that you came all the way to Texas.”
“I wouldn’t miss seeing you get married for the world.” Karen declared. “And it’s so nice of your folks to let me stay at your house.”
“They’re happy to have you,” Meghan lied, thinking back to when she first asked her mother if Karen could stay.
“Why can’t she get a hotel room?” Rebecca had sniffed. “She’s older than I am, isn’t she? Surely she doesn’t want to share a room like a teenager.”
“She wants to spend time with our family,” Meghan had told her. “She won’t be in the way, I promise.”
Rebecca had agreed, and now Meghan drove them back toward the Truman house.
“I’ve only been to Texas a few times,” Karen commented as they headed down the street. “I’m excited to do some runs here. The climate will be much more humid than I am used to, and I think it will be good training for my lungs.”
“I bet,” Meghan agreed. Karen was training for a marathon, and Meghan knew how important it was to her. “We also have a home gym at my parents’, and you are more than welcome to use it. Mama only uses the treadmill, and Daddy doesn’t get in there much. You could do your Pilates and weight lifting in there.”
Karen’s eyes sparkled. “You know me too well.”
They chatted as they made their way to Meghan’s parents’, and Meghan finally felt at ease for the first time since arriving. Karen’s presence was calming, and she was grateful her friend had made the trip.
“How has it been with your family?” Karen asked as she turned down the air-conditioning. “Is your mother being nice to dear Jack?”
Meghan’s stomach churned. “Jack isn’t here,” she told her.
Karen wrinkled her nose. “What do you mean?”
“He had to stay behind for work. I am so disappointed. He’s been busy, and we haven’t even gotten to speak on the phone since I arrived. He’s sent a few texts here and there, but we haven’t communicated much.”
“I’m so sorry,” Karen told her. “You must be so disappointed.”
“I am, and my mother is losing her mind. It all began a few weeks ago,” she told her friend as she drove down the interstate. “Jack and I called Mama and Daddy, and we told them that we would prefer a simple wedding.”
Karen cackled. “I’m sure that went well,” she joked as Meghan frowned.
“It seemed to,” Meghan insisted. “Until I showed up at the house. When I arrived, things were out of control, and Mama and Daddy told me that the wedding would be a huge event. They were being sarcastic when they told us that we could tone things down, and they thought it was funny that I misunderstood.”
Karen grimaced. “Yikes.”
Meghan told her about the visit with Thelma Barrington. “She was rude and standoffish, but she kept flirting with Daddy,” she explained. “It was weird. Mama was set on having her make the cake, but once she started flirting with Daddy, it was all over.”
“She flirted with him in front of his wife?” Karen asked incredulously.
“Yes! It was so awkward. Anyway, after she left, Mama packed us all up in the car, and we went to another bakery. She insisted on getting a cake there. Thelma showed up in the middle of our visit, and she and the bakery owner had a confrontation.”
“Wait, what?”
Meghan nodded. “The other bakery was this chic place a few towns away. The owner, David, is around my age. He was really well-dressed and handsome, and Thelma said he had been her protégé.”
“That sounds like quite the confrontation,” Karen exclaimed. “So, Thelma followed you guys ther
e like some stalker? That’s crazy.”
“Yes!” Meghan said. “And Mama seems infatuated by David. She kept staring at him, and her voice changed when she was around him... I’ve never seen her act like that.”
Meghan’s phone rang, and she ignored it, and it rang again immediately. “You can answer that,” Karen told her. “No problem, sweetie.”
Meghan looked at the phone. It was her dad. “We’ll see him in a bit,” she said. “I’ll just talk to him then.”
“So then what happened next with Thelma?”
Meghan sighed. “Thelma stormed out of the bakery after David threatened to call the police,” she told her friend. “And that night, Mama got a call from a friend in town. She found out that Thelma had been murdered that very evening.”
