A Criminal Celebration in Hillbilly Hollow

by Blythe Baker

  “Of course,” Summer said. “I have some darling little white boxes here that I can use to combine items in. The best part? The guests’ names get added to each box. In gold. It will totally match the vibe of the church.”

  “Oh, that’s great,” I said.

  It hit me again that it was almost like Hope Community had always been meant to be, like the universe was somehow telling me that was where our wedding should be held all along.

  “We love the scrolls. We’d like them to be included, and a chocolate and salted caramel heart,” I told her.

  I could hear her tapping out the details on her tablet as I talked.

  “Okay, all taken care of,” Summer said when she had finished entering the info. “Now, don’t forget about the meeting with the florist tomorrow.”

  “I haven’t,” I said. “I can’t wait.”

  “Great. See you tomorrow, Emma. Have a fab day.”

  She cut the call off before I could respond and I laughed to myself as I went back out to the deck.

  “It’s all arranged,” I told Billy. “I love Summer. She’s so efficient.” Then I remembered one thing I didn’t love so much about her. “She treats Autumn terribly, though.”

  “Her assistant?” Billy asked.

  “Well, here’s the weird part. I thought Autumn was her assistant. That’s what Summer introduces her as. But the photographer was late this morning, like two or three minutes late, so Summer went out to have words with him, as you can imagine. So, I got to talking with Autumn. Turns out, she lets it go that Summer introduces her as her assistant just to avoid an argument, but she’s actually part owner of the business.”

  Billy raised an eye brow. “Wow. Talk about a plot twist. I definitely didn’t see that one coming. It explains why she sticks around, though, when Summer is so rude to her all the time.”

  “Yeah,” I agreed. “I always wondered about that myself. Mystery solved.”

  “Are there any mysteries left in this town that you haven’t solved?” He laughed.

  “There might be one or two around still,” I replied, grinning.

  I took a long drink of my lemonade, while Billy changed the subject. “I’m afraid I have to get back to work. You can let yourself out whenever you’re ready.”

  “I’ll come along now,” I said.

  “Emma, you’re going to live here after the wedding. You can stay here when I’m not home, you know.”

  I shrugged. “I know, but I have to get back to the farm anyway. I have a few things to do for my grandpa and then I have some design work to get to.”

  “Is your grandpa going to hire another farm hand?” Billy asked as we gathered up the jug, tray and glasses. “I mean, after Daniel’s death and everything?”

  “He already has,” I told him. “But the new hand lives off the site and only comes in for the working day. And you know grandpa. There’s so much he doesn’t trust a stranger to take care of. He barely trusts me to do half of it, he’s just too polite to say so.”

  “That sounds like Ed,” Billy agreed. “He doesn’t seem to understand the concept of retirement.”

  “True,” I agreed. “And Grandma is no better.”

  “How’s she doing?” Billy asked. “With her sleepwalking.”

  My grandma suffered episodes that we’d always referred to as her funny turns, where she would wander out of the house at night and often end up on the farmhouse roof, singing to the moon. We had recently discovered that they were a form of sleep walking and nothing to worry about.

  “Grandpa has put a bolt on the back door and a security chain on the front door. They seem to fool her so she’s not going outside anymore. But let me tell you, it’s a very rude awakening hearing her singing her heart out in the kitchen in the middle of the night.”

  “I can imagine.” Billy laughed. Then, he turned serious. “But it must be a relief for you and Ed to know she can’t get outside and hurt herself. And no more clambering around on the roof to get her down.”

  I nodded. “Oh yes. It’s much better, and Grandpa looks much less tired these days. I think he used to try and stay awake to make sure Grandma didn’t come to any harm.”

  We went back into the house and I grabbed my purse while Billy took the used lunch things through to the kitchen. We walked down the hall and out of the house.

  Billy kissed my cheek and said, “Right, back to it. I’ll call you later, okay?”

  “Okay,” I agreed. “Have fun at work.”

  He grinned. “I will. I have Mr. Roberts coming in later to get a boil lanced. I can hardly wait.”

  I laughed. “You sure are living the high life.”

  He headed for his car and I got into my truck. He flashed his lights and gave me a wave.

  After he left, I sat in the truck for a few moments, just looking at Billy’s beautiful house. It would be my house soon and the thought of it gave me goose bumps of excitement. I couldn’t believe how much I had gained by returning to Hillbilly Hollow last year. Although I occasionally missed my old city life, I wouldn’t swap my life here for the world.

  3

  I closed my laptop with a flourish, pleased with myself. I had managed to get a lot of my latest design project done yesterday afternoon, and having woken up early this morning, I’d gotten my chores done and then come back to my room, where I finished the design off. I hadn’t planned to have it complete until tomorrow, but it felt good to be ahead of schedule for once.

  Snowball looked up at me from her spot at the end of my bed as my laptop slammed shut. She gave a little bleat and I smiled sadly.

  “I’m going to miss you, girl,” I said.

  She shuffled closer to me, lifting her head up so I could scratch beneath her chin. I obliged and she bleated happily, her little white stub of a tail wagging. I sat for a few minutes fussing over Snowball, feeling guilty that I would soon be leaving her behind.

  I finally got off the bed and headed downstairs from my attic bedroom, the little goat following me down the steps.

  I took her through to the kitchen where my grandma stood stirring a large pot on the stove. The smell hit me immediately and made my mouth water, even though I had only had breakfast an hour ago.

  “That smells delicious, Grandma,” I said. “What is it?”

  “Lamb stew,” she replied. “For dinner tonight.”

  “Oh, I can’t wait,” I said.

  I would miss Grandma’s cooking, too. Billy was a good cook, but there was just something about Grandma’s comfort food that always made me want to come back for more.

  “Where are you off to?” Grandma asked, noting my shoes.

  “I have to meet Summer and the florist,” I explained. “Just to confirm everything for the floral arrangements. I shouldn’t be gone too long. Do you need anything while I’m out?”

  Grandma shook her head. “No thank you, dear,” she said. “I’m planning on going into town myself later on today anyway. I’m meeting Margene Huffler and the girls for a coffee afternoon.”

  “Is that what you’re calling your gossip sessions these days?” I teased her.

  “It’s not gossip, it’s exchanging information,” grandma said.

  “Ah, okay.” I smiled. “Well, I’d best get going or I’ll be in for it with Summer. Leave me a list of chores for when I get back, okay?”

  “Okay,” Grandma agreed.

  I leaned in and kissed her cheek and then I hurried out to my truck. I drove into town, lucky enough to find a parking spot close to Flower Power, the florist we were using for the wedding. I got out of the truck and made my way to the store.

  Summer was waiting out front for me and she smiled when she saw me approaching her. She was alone this time.

  She air kissed me when I reached her side. “Emma, dear, how are you? Excited? Nervous?”

  “Both,” I admitted. “It’s so close now.”

  “It is,” Summer agreed. She gestured to the store’s doorway. “Shall we?”

  I nodded.
>
  “Where’s Autumn?” I asked as Summer pulled the door to the store open and gestured for me to go in.

  I nodded my thanks to her as I stepped in. She followed me, shutting the door quietly behind her.

  “Autumn is off sorting out the favors,” she said. “Don’t you dare tell her I said this, but she’s actually quite good at making those things look stunning.”

  I smiled. I thought it was the first nice thing I had heard her say about Autumn. The nice side of Summer soon fell away, though, when we reached the counter of the store and found it unmanned. Summer banged her hand hard on the counter and I cringed.

  “Doris? Doris? Get out here,” she demanded loudly.

  Doris Young, the florist who owned Flower Power, appeared out of a side door.

  “Ah, Summer. Always a pleasure to see you,” she said.

  It was clearly a lie, a lie Doris made no attempt to make sound even vaguely true.

  Summer rolled her eyes. “I wish I could say the same thing, but as always, you are inefficient.”

  “Excuse me?” Doris said, raising an eyebrow.

  “You knew what time we’d be here. Why weren’t you waiting for us?”

  “Because some of us have real jobs and we can’t just stand around looking pretty all day.”

  Doris turned away from Summer before she could respond and smiled at me, a genuine smile this time. “How are you, Emma?”

  “Good, thank you. And you?”

  “Great,” Doris said. “I can’t wait to show you the final plans for your arrangements. Come on through.”

  I’d only met Doris once before today, but she greeted me like an old friend. I liked her. She was friendly, and her arrangements were always stunning. It said a lot about her skills as a florist that Summer used her services, even though the two women clearly didn’t like each other.

  I followed Doris through to the back of the store with Summer behind me. The back room was cold, refrigerated to keep the flowers cool and fresh. Doris led me through the room, weaving between shelves and stands loaded down with beautiful flowers of every color of the rainbow. She headed towards a table adorned with a lovely yellow and pink bouquet.

  She glanced back at me and I tried to smile, but she instantly saw something was wrong.

  “What is it?” she asked.

  “I … they’re beautiful,” I said, nodding towards the bouquet. “But they’re not the colors we talked about.”

  Summer instantly bristled, moving to step around me, but before she could intervene, Doris laughed softly.

  “Good thing they’re not for you then, isn’t it?” she said.

  I felt my cheeks blush, embarrassed at my mistake.

  Doris saw my embarrassment and brushed off my apology before I could get it out.

  “It’s fine,” she said. “I get it. We were heading towards them, and I know a lot of the less conscientious florists would have your arrangements made up by now. But I don’t work that way, honey. When I say fresh flowers, I mean fresh flowers. I’ve put together a mock up to show you, but your real arrangements will be put together the night before your wedding and taken to your venue first thing.”

  I nodded. “Thank you,” I said.

  Doris turned to Summer then. “That reminds me, Summer. I need you to find out what time I can get into Hope Community on the day.”

  Summer instantly pulled out her tablet and touched the screen a few times.

  “Any time after nine. Will that give you enough time, or do you need me to put pressure on them to let you in earlier?”

  “Nine is fine,” Doris said.

  She led me past the yellow and pink bouquet and through another door.

  “Here we are,” she announced.

  She was pointing to a beautiful arrangement of white roses with a green and white spray. Two large red roses where set in the arrangement, complementing the white and really bringing the whole thing to life.

  I gasped and my hands went to my mouth. “It’s absolutely perfect,” I said.

  “Don’t sound so surprised.” Doris laughed.

  “Right,” Summer snapped, her tablet out again. “We’ll need everything we talked about last time, plus an extra twelve pew toppers due to the change of location, and a floral archway.”

  She turned her tablet around and showed it to Doris.

  “This is the arch. It needs to match the others. Plenty of red but not enough to be gaudy. Mostly white with some cherry blossoms and some greenery. And we need the bride’s bouquet and one for her matron of honor. Is that clear? Do you think you can manage it?”

  I could see Doris was offended at Summer’s abrupt manner.

  “Of course I can manage that,” she snapped. “Do you think I’m totally incompetent?”

  Summer opened her mouth to reply and I knew the answer wouldn’t be complimentary and would only make the atmosphere in here even more awkward.

  “Doris, do you have a bouquet of a similar size to mine?” I cut in quickly. “I’d just like to hold it and feel the weight so I can see how it will feel on the day.”

  Summer’s cell phone rang. She snatched it from her pocket and checked the screen.

  “It’s the caterer. I have to take this. Would you excuse me, Emma?”

  “Of course,” I said.

  Summer hurried away, already taking the call. I waited until she was out of earshot.

  “I’m sorry about that,” I said.

  Doris laughed. “Don’t worry, it’s not your fault. I pay her no mind. She’s always like that. Between you and me, I think she’s watched too many of those wedding movies where the wedding planner is always a brat.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh although I did feel kind of guilty for laughing at Summer. She was mean, there was no question about that, but she got things done, and she’d never been anything but pleasant to me and Billy.

  “Right, let’s find you a bouquet,” Doris said.

  “Actually, it’s fine. I’m pretty sure I can hold a bunch of flowers without practising it. I just wanted to stop you and Summer from killing each other.”

  “Oh, I see,” Doris laughed. “One day it might just come to that. That’s the only problem with small towns. You can’t be picky about who you do business with.”

  Summer came marching back, her heels clacking.

  “Did you manage okay, Emma?” she asked.

  I nodded. “Yes. Is everything alright with the caterer?”

  “Of course,” Summer said. “Everything’s fine with everyone. That’s what I’m here for. Now don’t you go worrying about that or anything else, okay? The only thing I want you focusing on now is getting a good night’s sleep each night between now and the wedding.”

  That could be easier said than done with my work and Grandma’s singing, but I nodded anyway.

  “Are we all clear here then or is there anything else you need to show us or ask Emma about?” Summer asked Doris.

  “No, all good,” Doris replied. She turned to me. “Emma? Do you have any questions or is there anything you want to see?”

  I shook my head. “I don’t think so.”

  “Well, if you think of anything you can give me a call. Or Summer can advise you, I’m sure.”

  As we left the store, Summer said, “Now, I meant what I said in there. I don’t want you to worry about anything, Emma. Everything will be perfect on the day, but if you do think of anything that concerns you, I’m available twenty-four seven. Don’t be afraid to call me.”

  “Thank you,” I said.

  It was still a shock to my system the way Summer switched between her two personalities, the nasty one she seemed to save for everyone she worked with, and the nice one she reserved for clients only.

  She hugged me and sauntered off towards her car, her hips swishing in her tight pencil skirt.

  I texted Billy as I walked back to my truck.

  ME: The flowers R beautiful and Summer has arranged for us 2 have extra pew toppers because the church is so
much bigger.

  BILLY: Perfect. I can’t wait 2 marry U.

  ME: I can’t wait either. Everything is set. Just fingers crossed nothing goes wrong.

  BILLY: It won’t.

  I hoped he was right. He would be I was sure. As if Summer would allow anything to go wrong.

  I felt good as I got back into my truck and headed for the farm.

  After arriving at home, I parked my truck and headed inside. I entered through the front door into a house that had that empty feeling you always get when no one is home.

  “Grandma? Grandpa?” I called as I walked through the living room towards the kitchen, checking to make sure I had been right. I didn’t want to march into the kitchen and scare one of my grandparents half to death if they hadn’t heard me coming in.

  The only answer I got to my shout was an excited bleat as Snowball came trotting out of the kitchen to greet me. I hadn’t really expected an answer from either of my grandparents. Grandma would still be in town, and Grandpa would be out in the fields somewhere tending to the farm, but it was always best to double-check these things.

  I dropped to a crouch and scratched behind Snowball’s ears and underneath her chin. Her little white fluff ball of a tail wagged excitedly and I laughed, struck once more by how much like a dog she was. She was loyal, always sticking by my side, and she loved attention and treats. Everything I associated with a dog.

  “Looks like it’s just me and you, girl,” I said to her, straightening up and wincing when my back cracked loudly.

  Snowball gave an alarmed bleat and I couldn’t help but laugh at her reaction. It had definitely been a loud crack and I couldn’t blame her for being a little alarmed by it.

  “Let’s go and see what jobs Grandma has left me,” I added.

  I went to the fridge, Snowball hot on my heels. It was all I could do to avoid tripping over her. I was really going to miss her when I moved into Billy’s place. I hoped she wouldn’t miss me too much. She would still have Grandma, of course, who fed her treats constantly. All the same, it was a shame that Grandma had never managed to tame Molly, the barn owl who lived in our barn. It would have been nice for Snowball to have a friend around the place when my grandparents were busy.