by Sara Rosett
“Yes.” I dusted a speck of sand from the lapel of his tux. He extended his arm, and I linked my hand through his elbow.
We moved to the main aisle around Patricia who was inching into position, her heels sinking into the sand. “Really, this is most disappointing,” she said through gritted teeth. “Not at all what we expected.”
Mr. Markham hovered near her. “Yes, I know it’s not the original plan, but the bride and groom seem quite happy with it.”
Gus gave a final tug to his collar and stuck out his arm. “Come on, Pat, let’s get with the program. Only a few minutes, and we’ll be in that grand ballroom.”
“Yes, thank goodness. I don’t think I’ll ever get the sand out of my shoes.”
We reached the red carpet that had been laid out on the sand, creating an aisle between the two sections of chairs. “Did I tell you how amazing you look?” Mitch asked as we walked. Moving at the slow pace down the center aisle with the music playing brought back memories of our wedding. Mitch had looked dashing in his dress blues with his ornamental saber. We’d had a small church wedding, nothing like this extravaganza, but it had been just perfect for us. We arrived at an empty row, and as I slipped into the seat on the end, Mitch brushed a kiss on my cheek as he murmured, “You’re more beautiful today than the day we married.”
Mitch escorted the rest of the guests to their seats, then joined me. Yvonne surprised me by turning up in a blush-colored dress with a lace overlay. She was so subdued that I wouldn’t have known she was there except she was the first close family member escorted down the aisle to the reserved seats at the front. She sent Brian a genuine smile and turned back to wait for Summer’s entrance. Patricia somehow managed to smile and grit her teeth at the same time during her walk down the aisle. Mitch’s mom, Caroline, already looked misty-eyed when she came in, and his dad waiting at the back to come in with Summer had that set, stoic look men get when they know something emotional is coming.
The bridesmaids and groomsmen took their places and Livvy and Nathan made it down the aisle without a mishap. I breathed a sigh of relief. The music changed to the wedding march, and we all stood. Summer appeared at the end of the aisle, looking radiant. Brian beamed back at her.
Mitch leaned in and whispered, “Despite the rocky start, I think they’re going to be just fine.”
“I do too.”
I’m afraid I missed most of the ceremony because I was concentrating on sending mental vibes to the kids to stand still, which they did. Livvy’s book didn’t make an appearance—I knew she had one stashed somewhere, probably tucked away on one of the front rows—but she and Nathan stood statuelike during the vows and the ring ceremony, then they swept out along with the rest of the wedding party, and we all trooped off to the reception.
After I hugged each of the kids and told them they did a great job, they disappeared to join the other kids, and Mitch and I were left to enjoy our food completely alone. When the dancing started Mitch swept me onto the dance floor.
He swung me into a quick turn, then leaned back to look at my whole face. “So, wedding organization? What do you think?”
“Not for me. I’m leaving the bridezillas and the monsters-in-law to someone else. I’ll stick to closets. No more weddings.”
“Good plan, I think.”
“Until Livvy’s, of course,” I amended.
Mitch groaned. “Elopement. Let’s start talking it up now.”
Acknowledgments
I was in middle of this book when I got the news that my mammogram had a suspicious area, which is never news you want to hear. I had to put the book on hold while I worked doctor appointments and tests into my schedule, but I’m happy to report that all is well on the health front for me today. Thanks to Michaela for waiting for the book so patiently while I sorted everything out and for being supportive. Thanks to Faith for her encouragement and help with rescheduling everything. A big thank-you to the readers who look forward to the Ellie books. I promise the wait for the next book won’t be so long. And, as always, I’m so grateful to my family, who brainstorm plot twists and listen to me while I ramble on about title ideas. You’re the best.
About the Author
Photo by Portrait Innovations
Sara Rosett, born and raised in Amarillo, Texas, is the wife of an Air Force pilot. She and her husband recently moved to Texas with their two children and dog. Sara is the author of eight previous Ellie Avery mysteries, Moving Is Murder; Staying Home Is a Killer; Getting Away Is Deadly; Magnolias, Moonlight, and Murder; Mint Juleps, Mayhem, and Murder; Mimosas, Mischief, and Murder; Mistletoe, Merriment, and Murder; and Milkshakes, Mermaids, and Murder. Her writing has also appeared in Chicken Soup for the Military Wife’s Soul. Sara is a member of Sisters in Crime, Girlfriends Book Club blog, and the Deadly Divas, who are four nice women who happen to write about murder. Please visit her website, www.sararosett.com, or connect with Sara on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Goodreads.
KENSINGTON BOOKS are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
Copyright © 2016 by Sara Rosett
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
If you purchased this book without a cover, you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the Publisher and neither the Author nor the Publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book.”
Library of Congress Card Catalogue Number: 2016933893
Kensington and the K logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.
ISBN: 978-1-6177-3147-1
ISBN-10: 1-61773-147-1
eISBN-13: 978-1-61773-149-5
eISBN-10: 1-61773-149-8
First Kensington Electronic Edition: July 2016
Notes
1 Available from Kensington Publishing Corp.
