The Brewing Bride (Sweet Home Mystery Series Book 8)

by Constance Barker

  Essie’s eyes grew large and Toe loved it. “During the shampoo Essie. And the smells…I love me some coconut moisturizing cream for my hair.”

  “I’ll coconut him over the head,” Essie said under her breath.

  Ignoring Essie, Toe rose up and pointed to something on the 6th page of the newspaper. “So Lily, why are you sending love notes to Eli via the paper?”

  I looked at Toe while Hildie played with my hair. Essie stood at the side giving Anne Marie the evil eye. “Huh,” I asked.

  Toe brought me the paper and pointed to a letter in the secret admirer’s column. It was a love note to Eli alright, but I didn’t write it. I read it quickly and then whispered under my breath, “Crap on a cracker.”

  I paid Anne Marie, grabbed Jules, and left Essie, Hildie and Toe at the hair salon.

  Jules was struggling to keep up with me as I hurriedly walked to the newspaper office. “What did it say Lily? You know I never would have put something in the paper without consulting you first.”

  “I know,” I said. “I’m thinking it was probably Moira.”

  Jules cringed. “Not again.”

  I shook my head as we continued at a brisk pace. “No, I don’t think she did it. She surely learned her lesson from before and you have a tighter grasp of the secret admirer’s column now. But Moira might know who did it and I already have my suspicions.”

  And I was right. Moira said she found the note on the front desk with some money and to put it in the secret admirer’s column. She assumed it was from me to Eli. She assumed wrong, but I knew who it was. Heather Ruggins…the girl we met at lunch the other day. Eli’s old flame. And I was about to extinguish that fire all over her boney butt.

  Chapter Six

  I would have rather spent the rest of the day doing bride things like going over the flowers and making the candle centerpieces for the reception in my colors of lavender and bright yellow, but it wasn’t to be. Instead, I was at the police station with my Aunts to report the stolen dragonfly jewelry. Why anyone would want it was beyond my comprehension…I just wanted to thank them with a $20 bill and a pat on the back.

  Eli was in Sabina on business and had been since yesterday. We did talk on the phone last night and I filled him in on the missing jewelry and the secret love note in the paper. He laughed them both off, which I knew he would. I told him there was no way Essie would forget it though and he said to talk to Karen Crenshaw, one of the police officers at the station. Lucky Karen.

  Essie explained in torturous detail all the facets of the dragonfly necklace and pin to Karen, making sure she took down the size, color, etc…

  “I doubt there’s too many stolen dragonfly jewelry pieces floating around Essie,” I replied as I sat in one of the rickety chairs at the police station.

  Essie ignored me and went on talking to Karen. Suddenly Hildie interrupted their conversation.

  “Don’t forget the business cards and magazines we were looking over were taken as well.”

  I lowered my head and prayed. Lord, help me get through this wedding before I crack.

  Karen looked at Hildie. “Well I don’t think we can do anything about the magazines and business cards.” Hildie looked dismayed while Karen turned back to Essie. “But we’ll be on the lookout for the jewelry.”

  Fortunately for Karen she got a phone call. I headed out the door of the police station with my Aunts.

  “When is Eli getting back from Sabina?” Essie asked as we walked back to the coffee shop.

  “Sometime later today I think,” I answered. “He had business there and then needed to get fitted for the tux. I think he was also picking up gifts for his groomsmen.”

  “He needs to get back here and find out what happened to my jewelry,” Essie muttered.

  “Eli has enough on his plate with his job and the wedding,” Hildie said. Finally, maybe Hildie was starting to see the light. “Besides, I’m going to have to go buy all those magazines and scrounge up business cards again.” Or maybe not.

  Chapter Seven

  The dress fitting day had finally arrived. The last few days I was able to decompress somewhat. Eli had made it back to Sweet Home and listened to my ramblings in person instead of on the phone. Eventually I got it out of my system and wondered if he still wanted to marry this crazy person. Fortunately for me he did.

  Eli was calm, which is good for a police detective. I’m usually not so crazy, but this wedding business and two meaning well Aunts was enough to drive me up the proverbial wall. Luckily Eli realized that. He knew before he left for Sabina that my nerves were rattled and that my Aunts were part of the problem, but after a glass of wine I simmered down and we had a nice evening.

  Today my Aunts, Jules, and my other bridesmaids went to Sabina for our final fitting. I was a nervous wreck that I’d gained too much weight and the seamstress would have to take out my dress, but fortunately I hadn’t. I knew I’d been doing more stress eating, but my nerves must have eaten the extra calories.

  Jules, my maid of honor, and the rest of the bridesmaids were gorgeous in their off the one shoulder lavender dresses. They would carry a small bouquet of yellow daises at the wedding.

  My other bridesmaids were old school chums that I’d kept in touch with since high school. Unfortunately, one of my bridesmaids, Betsy, was friends with Heather Ruggins who had accompanied her back to Sweet Home. And yes, Heather, my nemesis, was also attending the dress fitting.

  After the fitting we all nibbled on a small buffet the shop had arranged for us that day. Cucumber and chicken salad finger sandwiches as well as croissants were offered on silver platters. Dainty pieces of cheesecake and tiny cookies, along with a fruit cocktail were served as dessert. As I walked over to grab another miniature éclair from the buffet, Heather walked up next to me.

  “Be careful Lily, you don’t want to have trouble squeezing into your wedding dress on the big day.”

  I slowly turned towards her, my eyes like slits and bit off the end of the miniscule éclair. “Don’t worry your little head about me Heather. I’ve got it all figured out.”

  Heather took one of the small paper plates from the buffet table and began fanning herself. “Oh, what do you have figured out pray tell?”

  I contemplated stuffing the rest of the éclair up her nose and decided it was too good to waste and popped the rest of it in my mouth. Through a full mouth I said, “I know it was you who submitted that note to Eli in the paper.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I have no idea what you’re talking about Lily. I don’t need to write anonymous love notes to Eli. Why I can just ring him up on the phone if I want to talk to him.”

  My eyes opened wide like laser beams ready to burn her to ashes. Who was this woman coming to my town and my dress fitting trying to ruin the most wonderful time of my life. Heck, my two Aunts were doing a fine job already. I didn’t need the prom queen coming and wrecking it when I have family to do that….bless their hearts.

  Jules suddenly walked up right before I yanked out Heather’s hair extensions. “Hey girls, how we doing?” Jules sounded extra chipper…I’m sure she heard what was going on.

  Heather turned towards Jules with her paper plate flapping in the wind. “Why Jules, don’t you look cute in your sundress and wedged sandals.”

  “Glad you approve Heather.” Jules turned to me. “Lily, the seamstress wants to ask you something about your dress…she’s right over here.”

  Jules grabbed me by the elbow and pulled me away from Heather. We walked around the corner into an empty office. “Where’s Doreen at?” I asked.

  “She doesn’t have a question about the dress. I just thought it would be best to separate you two before a brawl broke out. I can see the headline now. “Dress Fitting Turns into Free-For-All. Bride Taken to the Hoosegow.”

  I chuckled. “It would be worth it.”

  “Heather’s miserable and she wants everyone else to be too. Betsy was telling me that her last husband left her high and dry. So she�
��s spreading her cheer around.”

  I actually felt bad for Heather. Here I was about to marry the love of my life and feeling all put out by my Aunts whose hearts were in the right place. I needed to give them and myself a break. And then Heather. So what if she had written that note to Eli in the secret admirer’s column in the paper. Eli didn’t pay any mind to it so neither should I. A person can’t get under your skin unless you allow them too. I knew right then and there I needed to change my tune. Start enjoying this special time in my life. I wasn’t going to let Heather get to me and I hoped she could find happiness with someone like I had with Eli. And it was time for me to put my best foot forward.

  I marched out of the office and straight over to Heather, who was a little leery of me. “Listen Heather, I know you’re not happy and I’m sorry things have gotten you down. But it won’t help you to tear other people’s happiness away from them as well. Just be happy for me and Eli…and I think by doing so, some of that happiness will wear off on you too.”

  I didn’t wait for her to answer because I didn’t want to get into a big conversation. I thought it better if she just let my words stew for a while.

  I walked over to my Aunts and gave them each a hug. “What’s this for?” Hildie said still holding my hand.

  “I just wanted to let you both know how much I appreciate all your help in planning this wedding.”

  Essie didn’t look convinced. “You sure about that? You haven’t been carrying around a flask of vodka and spiking your punch drink?”

  I rolled my eyes. “No Essie. If I had a flask I’d be spiking your drinks.”

  We had a good laugh and headed back to Sweet Home.

  “I still wish I could get my jewelry back,” Essie mused. “I know it wasn’t something you’d want to wear on your wedding day Lily. I don’t know where my head was at. But I’d still like to have it returned.”

  I looked in the rearview mirror as I drove us back to Sweet Home with Jules in the front with me and the Aunts in the back.

  “I know Essie and I hope we can get it back for you.”

  “Do you think it was that awful Heather Ruggins that took the jewelry and the magazines Lily?” Hildie asked.

  I looked over at Jules and shook my head. “No I don’t. I’m sure she wrote that note to Eli for the paper, but I doubt she scoped out the coffee shop and ran off with the goods. I just think she wants to be noticed and just does it the wrong way.”

  “You have more restraint than I do with that girl,” Essie said looking out the window. “I heard plenty from the other bridesmaids at the dress fitting. Seems she’s a thorn in everyone’s side, even her best friend.”

  “Well, hopefully what I said to her before we left will sink in and she’ll get better control of her actions and words before she’s left with no friends.”

  It was only a few more days until the wedding and my Dad was coming in. I wanted everything to be serene from here on out. But that wasn’t to be…however, that’s not all bad either.

  Chapter Eight

  I had hired a few ladies around town, including Karen Baumgardner, to take care of the Coffee Cabana in the days leading up to the wedding so my Aunts and I would have free time for the wedding shower and last minute items we needed to wrap up before the wedding. It seemed like the list was endless and some things could only be done the day before or the day of the wedding. At this point I was ready for it to be over. Which was sad in a way. I’d looked forward to this day since I was a little girl, but the stress and finally the acceptance of things of certain things had made me weary.

  Jules noticed that and decided to give me a reprieve from bride duties.

  “I want you to leave everything up to me,” she said as I sipped on double espresso. Normally I didn’t drink espresso, but my nights had become more tossing and turning than sleeping so I needed the extra kick.

  “Jules that’s sweet of you but I can’t ask you to do that.”

  Jules blew on her cup of hot citrus tea. “You didn’t ask, I offered. Besides, you know I have to be busy to be happy, and it will allow you to relax. You know you can count on me.”

  And that was true. I could count on Jules. She was my special friend, through thick and thin she’d always been there for me. I hoped I was as good a friend to her.

  “Well, it would be a relief to have some of these last minute items off my shoulders,” I conceded. “At least the Senior Center has that nice little park setting off the back for the wedding, although the Country Club would have had a more spectacular setting down by the lake.”

  “I know hon,” Jules said. “But at least you don’t have to worry about being hit with a golf ball.”

  We chuckled at the thought of being beaned with a golf ball right at the moment of saying our ‘I do’s’. She had a point, and I was getting use to the thought of having my wedding and reception at the Senior Center. It would work out.

  At that moment my Aunts came into the shop along with Toe and Harvey. We were all going down to my Mother’s grave today. At first I was going to visit her grave by myself, but then I thought better of it. My Mom’s sisters, my Aunts, were just as close to my Mom as I was and we always visited her grave together, so today shouldn’t be any different. I told them to invite Toe and Harvey along as well. Toe was a lifelong bachelor, but Harvey’s wife and Eli’s Mom was buried at the same town cemetery. Jules came along with us.

  My Aunts and I brought flowers to replace those in the stone urn that was attached to her grave stone. I also brought a shepherd’s hook and a wind chime to place next to her grave. However, when we arrived, we discovered someone else had been there first. Lying on top of Mom’s monument was Essie’s jewelry. Then from behind one of the trees in the cemetery Eli came forward.

  “Found your jewelry Essie,” he said with a big grin.

  “Eli Davis…what on earth?” Essie stammered. “Did you take my jewelry?”

  Eli put a hand over his chest. “I must confess to this crime. Yes I did, but I had it cleaned and also added a few tiny diamonds to the necklace to make it sparkle.”

  Essie grabbed the necklace. “Oh my…it sparkles in the sunlight.”

  “The dragonfly pin has a few added diamonds to it as well. I thought you wouldn’t mind if Hildie had it.”

  Hildie blushed, took the pin, and gave Eli a kiss on the cheek. Essie gave him a hug and I thought I saw her brush a tear away.

  “I also took the magazines and business cards.” Eli walked over to me and put an arm around my shoulders. “My bride was becoming way too stressed and I thought removing those items might help. I’m sorry it stirred you gals up, but my priority is Lily and making sure she doesn’t collapse before she says ‘I do.’”

  Eli backed away from me and pointed to another large tree. “And I have another surprise for you Lily.”

  From behind the tree came my Dad. He’d arrived a few days early and I rushed to meet him. It was so good to see him. I hadn’t seen him since the engagement and it would be good to spend time with him before the wedding.

  “Hello my Tiger Lily,” he said with his arms outstretched. I ran into them and gave him a big hug.

  “Daddy, I’m so glad you came early. Now we can spend some quality time together.”

  “That’s what I planned,” he said looking at me with pride in his eyes. Larry Parker, my Dad, was a tall man and I looked up at him just like when I was a little girl. We walked over to Mom’s grave where he placed several red roses.

  Dad and I planned on having dinner that night at Reva’s. But the rest of today I had a wedding shower to attend.

  Chapter Nine

  The wedding shower was hosted by Jules and my Aunts and held in a little room at Reva’s café that she reserved for special events. Jules had made cute tea candle gifts for each guest and Reva provided the food, including my favorites…fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans and apple pie for dessert. I was glad the wedding was only a couple of days away. Surely I wouldn’
t put on too much weight in that time frame and still eat my favorites.

  My bridesmaids, including some of my Aunts’ friends. were also in attendance. That also included Heather Ruggins who accompanied Betsy, one of my bridesmaids. I stayed clear of her during the shower games and while eating, but before the gifts were opened she took me by the arm and led me away from the others to a corner of the room.

  “I want to apologize for my atrocious behavior the last few days Lily. I don’t want to be that kind of person. Sometimes grief turns to anger and I lashed out at people who had no hand in my feelings of despair. But that’s no excuse and I’m so sorry for saying the things I did and for writing that note to Eli. It was jealousy plain and simple and I’m ashamed at my actions.”