by Beth Byers
Table of Contents
Wedding Cake & Woe
Dedication
Summary
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Also By Beth Byers
Also By Amanda A. Allen
Copyright
Wedding Cake & Woe
The 2nd Chance Diner Mysteries
Book 10
By Beth Byers
For Sue.
<3 Thanks for your patience with my decades of bitchiness. <3
Rose and Simon are finally getting married! The dress is bought, the guests are coming, and a body has been found where they're supposed to say their vows!
It's a race to solve the murder before their big day is ruined. Will their joy be forever altered by what has happened? Or will they be able to find both justice and their happily ever after?
Chapter One
“Well,” I said, tucking my arm through Simon’s and kissing his cheek. We were a single day into our vacation before the wedding. So far, we’d slept in, taken the dogs for a long walk, been hissed at by our cat, and were stopping by the chapel where we’d be wed before having a lazy breakfast at The 2nd Chance Diner. “You sure you want to marry me? Because your chances of getting away are dwindling.”
Simon laughed and pulled me around, holding me against his body as he leaned down to kiss me softly on my lips. “I’m sure.”
“Did you forget the seven dogs and one cat? Because I am unable to promise you in my vows that I will not adopt another pet.”
“I remember them. I especially remember them when I’m vacuuming up their fur or cleaning the backyard.”
I laughed and he swung me around, bending me back as if we were ballroom dancing. “I’ll promise to love you despite our many dogs. But…” He let his voice trail off and then rubbed his nose against mine.
“But?”
“But I may stop shaving.”
He hadn’t, actually, shaved that morning and he rubbed the stubble over my face until I twisted to get away.
I grinned at him and then said, “I mean…I guess I’ll keep you all the same, but you’ll have to explain why you look scruffy to Zee on our wedding day.”
“You haven’t met my parents yet, Rose,” Simon said. “It’s my mom I have to worry about. Let alone my dad. I dyed my hair blue in high school for a big game…he acted like I’d started snorting cocaine and had been in a hit and run.”
I bit my lower lip and then whispered, not that anyone was even around, “Can you imagine if you walked down the aisle with blue hair on the big day?”
“The guys would love that,” Simon said, “It would be like a flash to the old days. I can’t wait to see them. Is that a little…sad? That here I am, so much older, and all I want to do is see my high school buddies?”
I lifted a brow at him, and he said, “After marrying you, of course.”
“Of course.”
“Have I told you that you’re the coolest letting me push back our honeymoon a few days to see them while they’re in town.”
“You have,” I said.
I honestly didn’t mind pushing the honeymoon back a few days, and even if I cared a little, I’d have done it anyway. One of Simon’s friends was coming from Hong Kong. Another lived by the Great Lakes. It was a big deal for them all to be here, together, for a few days. “But don’t forget. I’m sure I’ll infuriate you before long.”
“You’ve got a pretty big free pass,” Simon said. “So, my hair. Shall I dye it blue? Prompt my dad into his days of riding my behind? Fair warning: my dad might halt the wedding, take me by my ear, and shave my head at the back of the chapel.”
“He sounds terrifying,” I told Simon with a laugh.
It was hard to imagine that any man would pull such a stunt with his long-since grown son. It wasn’t like Simon and I were spring chickens getting wed just out of high school.
I leaned in as I said, “But I’ve heard all about them, and the stories aren’t terrifying. Zee doesn’t like very many people, you know. But she likes your mom.”
We were walking up the path to the little white church where we would say our vows. We’d come up to see the tent that had been placed earlier that day. I’d wanted to head straight into Silver Falls from our mountainside home since waffles were calling my name, but Simon had insisted we come up to the chapel.
The tent would be for the reception with the church for the actual wedding. It was barely spring, but the sky overhead was shockingly beautiful. With the blue skies, the puffy white clouds, the huge pine trees set against the ocean in the distance, I wasn’t sure I had ever seen anything more beautiful than the small chapel where Simon and I would officially belong to each other.
And then I noted the change.
“You scoundrel,” I whispered, knowing the desire to come see the tent was for this moment. “Oh. Oh, wow!”
Someone had filled the flowerbeds along the chapel and up the walk with daffodils and tulips. Daffodils were my favorite flower, but the tulips in an array of complementary colors just made the daffodils all the more beautiful.
“Are you crying?” Simon asked with a laugh.
“Shut up,” I told him, tangling our fingers together and squeezing tightly.
The pastor had told me that they’d wanted to plant flowers but hadn’t been able to spare the money from the small church’s budget. I’d intended to do it anyway, but with the dog shelter and the diner, I hadn’t been able to come up with the time.
I looked over at Simon who was filming my reaction.
“Was this you?”
“Zee and your crew. Az has been growing the flowers in the greenhouse on Zee’s property.”
I crossed the line from teared-up to full on weeping as I saw how many flowers they’d grown and planted for me. There were hundreds and hundreds of tulips and daffodils that had been transplanted since a month or so ago—the last time I’d been up here. There had been just enough time for them to really settle in and bloom.
“I…” I paused and looked at Simon who still held his phone up. “Are you still filming me?”
“Just preparing you for the big day,” Simon said. “Since it’ll be recorded and then every time you’re mad at me, I’m going to make you rewatch our vows. I’ll catch you with your own promises before you decide to dump me.”
I grinned, knowing a wicked light had come into my eyes, “How do you know I’m going to promise you forever? I might just promise you a little while. Simon Banks…I’ll love you until you bore me.”
He grabbed at me and I jumped back, laughing.
“I’ll love you until someone better comes along.”
He leaped forward, but I was waiting for it and got away.
“I’ll love you until…” He got me before I could finish and the tickles stopped my threats.
“You know you’ll love me forever,” he said.
“Maybe.” Now that I’d seen the surprise, I headed back to the car. I wanted, maybe even needed, a waffle with some amazing toppings.
“You are extra playful today,” he said, tangling our fingers back together. Then he went, “Oops.” And turned his phone off, slipping it back into his pocket.
I got a text message as Simon kissed me once more. I pulled out my phone and Simon opened my car door.
Zee: Gag me.
“Did you keep recording when you were kissing me?” I asked Simon.
Simon grinned as he nodded and opened the car
door for me. I rolled my eyes at him and messaged Zee back.
Me: Jealous?
Her reply was a picture of her fiancé Carver without a shirt.
Me: Gag me back.
I showed it to Simon, and he winced at the picture. Taking my phone, with a screenshot a second later, he forwarded the picture back to Carver with a cackle.
“You cackled,” I told him. “Like Hocus Pocus style, witch-back-from-the-grave cackled. You’re even more relaxed than France.”
Simon started the car, shooting me a surprised look before he said, “You were recovering from nearly dying in France. No part of that was peaceful for me.”
I supposed I had to give him that one, but it was better to set those memories aside before they affected the happiness of our wedding. “You’re not nervous about getting married?”
“The only thing I’m nervous about,” Simon said with a wicked grin, “Is someone adding a dog to our pack while we’re gone.”
“Az could just slip a dog in,” I admitted. “It may take a while to realize there was one more wagging tail.”
Between us—or I supposed we could count them all together now—we had seven dogs. We’d met over a pile of puppies on my first day in Silver Falls with each of us adopting one nearly full-bred Basset Hound. Since then, I’d rescued four long-haired Weiner dogs from a fire and been unable to give them up when the time arrived. Someone might have assumed that we’d stop there, but when my life was saved by a kidnapped Great Dane, we’d adopted that sweet boy with the permission of his original family.
Then, I’d added a kitten more out of spite to irritate rude houseguests. The cat was probably ill-thought out given the number of dogs, but of all the animals (humans included) that lived in our house, the cat ruled. It worked out since Simon forgave me for adding the cat about 30 seconds after the kitten had wound himself around Simon’s legs.
“I don’t really want to leave the animals,” I admitted. “I know Az will spoil and love them. But…I wish it were possible to put them in our carry-ons and take them along.”
Simon laughed at me, starting the car. I guessed he didn’t feel the same. “You’re gonna be a helicopter mom when we have a kid, aren’t you?”
Maybe I would. But I would never admit it. Of the two of us, Simon was way more likely to obsess over every little thing. At least, that was the story I was going to cling to.
“Where to now?”
We had time for lunch before he needed to head into Portland to get his parents. I’d have gone along, but I didn’t want to be stuck with them in the car while they were exhausted from their trip. I wanted them to like me, and it felt a little like I should set it up for the most positive possible scenario.
We went to my dream, The 2nd Chance Diner for lunch. Az had messaged me a picture of that day’s special waffles, and I needed one. I picked my favorite booth while Roxy called a hello.
“Ya want waffles, Rosie luv?” Az asked.
I called out, “For me. Simon wants chicken fried steak with the lunch sides.”
“You got it.”
I rounded the corner of the hallway and headed into the kitchen, giving him a massive hug. “I love the flowers. So much. I cried.”
“Pretty sure you’re crying over everything lately,” Zee told me. Her brows were up and she rocked back on her feet when I threw myself at her for a second hug.
“Did you love them?” Roxy, one of diner’s waitresses asked. “I thought it turned out so pretty.”
“Yes!” I gave hugs to all of the staff. “It’s so beautiful.”
“They’ll come back for the church too,” Zee said. “Pastor John is a good fellow. He’ll make sure they get taken care of and every spring wedding from now on will have flowers in your colors.” Her smirk was a little bit evil, but she knew as well as I did, every bride would rather see flowers in the beds than bare dirt.
I joined Simon at the booth and Az delivered the food. I took a big bite of Simon’s mashed potatoes and gravy. I already knew they were good, I just wanted butter slathered waffles with an excess of syrup more than mashed potatoes. They were topped with fresh Oregon strawberries and whipped cream as well.
“Does your mom like waffles?” I asked Simon. A sudden flash of nerves was hitting me. I’d talked to his parents many times both on the phone and through video chats, but in person…without being able to step out for a second…it would be different. Oh man, what if she hated me? What if she met me and hated me and told Simon to escape? Better the mayor—his ex—than some diner owner who didn’t even work full-time.
“She doesn’t actually.”
Oh my heavens, he didn’t even realize that I was starting to freak out. Zee met my gaze, her lips twitched.
“Are you seeing this?” I asked her, referring to my panic.
“Oh, I’m seeing it,” she said and laughed.
“I hate you,” I told her.
“What?” Simon asked, setting his fork down. His utter obliviousness left Zee laughing so hard that she seemed in pain which made it slightly better for me. But only slightly.
Chapter Two
By the time Simon left to drive to the Portland Airport to get his parents, I was pacing the diner. The idea of his parents, meeting them and hoping they didn’t hate me was terrifying. I knew this was one of those things I had to go through in becoming official family with Simon, but my nerves were attacking me.
“Calm down, Rosie luv. They’re gonna love you.”
“Az,” I told him, “I love you to pieces, but if you don’t leave me alone, I’m going to let Zee punch you right in the throat.”
Usually the diner gave me a sense of happiness. It was my long-time dream come to life with funky cake plates, a long counter of bakery goods, and specials of my perfected home-style cooking. The fact that the diner was filled with my friends usually made it safe and secure—comforting.
Az’s dark-honeyed laugh filled the diner which irritated me even more. The door of the diner opened and I spun, trying to hide my anxiety. The person who filled the doorway was massive. He glanced around the diner, laughed in a hearty sort of way and said, “I can just see, Si eating breakfast here every day. Does he eat lunch too? I bet he does. Boring food, daily.”
First of all, the food at the diner wasn’t boring. But Simon did eat the plainest versions possible.
The guy just kept going, “Look at this place. It’s amazing.”
He wasn’t wrong, but before I could introduce myself he picked up Zee and swung her around.
“What the front door?” I asked Az, but he didn’t seem to know what was happening either. I took a picture of the hugging couple and shot it to Carver. I knew she wasn’t cheating on him, but I also knew she’d do the same to me.
“Bobby!” Zee said laughing like a little girl.
“Did she just giggle?” I asked Az.
“I believe she did,” he said calmly, placing an order up in the window. I grabbed and delivered them and then paused to hear Zee full-on gush. She was gushing over this random guy.
“Rose! It’s Bobby!”
Was I supposed to know who that was? I glanced at Az again, but he shrugged. I felt like I should know, but I was in panic mode and being quizzed on whoever this was wasn’t something I was prepared for.
“Hi,” I said, lamely.
Zee laughed and gave one of her signature snorts. “She doesn’t know who you are.”
“I know who she is,” Bobby laughed. He picked me up and hugged me tightly. I noticed Zee taking my picture and shot her a nasty look. “I’m Simon’s friend, Bobby.”
“Oh yeah,” I said. I shook my head and said, “I’m having a little bit of a panic attack here.”
“You getting cold feet? We gotta run away bride? Should I tackle her for Si and have him talk her down?”
“She’s not freaking out over marrying Simon, she’s freaking out over meeting his parents.” Zee patted me lightly, but her movement wasn’t so much comforting as mocking.
“Here’s the thing,” Bobby said, “She’s not going to love you all that much. She’s always going to think she could be taking better care of him. There’s a reason that Simon didn’t get to the point of marriage until after they moved away.”
“Bobby,” Zee moaned. “Shut your stupid trap.”
“His dad will like you though. Si and his dad both really like hips and boobs.”
“Oh my gosh,” I said. “Oh my gosh. I’m going to the kitchen. Make him go away.”
Bobby’s laughter chased me back into the kitchen where I helped Az to try to keep myself from totally losing my mind while I waited for Simon to get back with his parents.
Once I’d met them, the worst of this weekend would be over, and it would be all fun and games until the wedding and then tropical days ahead from there.
“Simon’s buddies are coming here for lunch,” Zee told me through the window. “You’re gonna need to flee if you don’t want to deal with that and his parents in the same day. Or you can decide to woman up and come meet the boys.”
“Why am I losing my mind?”
“Because it’s important to you, Rosie,” Az said. He filled a plate and then turned to look at me as though he were trying to push into my brain his support.
“Do you think that if it blows up, Simon will leave me?”
Az’s expression was unimpressed.
“Ok, he won’t. I know this.”
“And why will Simon not leave you, even if his mom despises you?” Az asked me, raising his brow, and making me meet his gaze and acknowledge what I knew to be true. Simon wouldn’t leave me because he loved me.
I rolled my eyes at Az. He grinned and bumped me and then started cooking up a series of burgers. I jumped down to start cutting the fries and helped him process orders while Az randomly talked.
It wasn’t random, though, it was just the way he spoke that made it seem random. He talked about Simon’s reaction when I nearly died in that house fire. Then he talked about how many times Simon had come into the diner, looked for me, and not found me there versus his reaction when he did find me. Or the times when I’d figured out who had killed someone and he’d been both terrified and proud.
