The Bakers and Bulldogs Mysteries Collection: 20 Book Box Set

by Rosie Sams

  “I don’t want to make a big fuss. I’d much rather keep things small, and have a simple, intimate gathering of friends.”

  After a long engagement, Melody and her fiancé, Sheriff Alvin Hennessey, had officially set a date. The announcement had set Kerry into a complete tizzy, up until now. Now, she stood frozen in place as she glared at Melody. It was as if Melody’s words took the wind right out of Kerry’s sails.

  “Keep things small?” Kerry narrowed her eyes and took an intimidating step closer to Melody. “Intimate gathering of friends?” She took another step closer. With each step closer, Melody moved back, keeping her distance. “Listen here, Melody Marshall. Your wedding is going to be the biggest day of your life. Your wedding cakes have been the Crown Jewels of every Port Warren brides’ reception.” She gripped Melody’s shoulders for dramatic effect. “This is your time to shine.”

  Leslie covered her mouth with her hand, stifling a laugh at Kerry’s intensity.

  Without missing a beat, Melody answered her. “Well, our reception is going to be held at Port Warren’s Evergreen Park.”

  Kerry recoiled at the thought, pulling her hands back from Melody’s shoulders as if they had been stung. Her face looked as if she’d just eaten something foul.

  “Leslie, Kerry may need medical attention,” Melody couldn’t keep the amusement out of her voice.

  “I’ll go get her a cup of coffee, so she recovers quickly from the shock,” Leslie said with a snarky tone as she left them to it.

  “A huge ceremony isn’t my idea of a dream wedding,” Melody said calmly to Kerry. “All I want is to be Alvin’s wife. I don’t need a whole lot of hoopla to do that. I only need Alvin.”

  Smudge trotted over to Melody and sat on her foot, reminding her that she had left someone out.

  “And Smudge, of course.” Melody smiled warmly at her little pup as she bent down to scratch Smudge’s ears.

  “So, you’re saying no flowers, no catering, no DJ?” With shoulders slumped, Kerry looked deflated.

  “I’m not saying that exactly. Well, no to the DJ, but I’d love to invite a few close friends to the park, and I’d love for you to help me plan it so that it’s still quite elegant.”

  Kerry’s eyes lit up as Melody requested her help. “I would love to, and I know just the place to start planning your elegant, outdoor wedding of the century!” She tore off the top sheet of her clipboard’s writing pad and quickly wrote their first task on the fresh sheet of paper. Then, she turned the clipboard around to reveal what she had written. “First things first - we’re going shopping!”

  Chapter Two Hundred Three

  “Wedding? Sweet!” Melody read the words Kerry had written on her clipboard aloud.

  “Yes! I’ll make all the arrangements,” Kerry said eagerly. “You should wear a stunning dress on your special day, and I know the best bridal boutique in the city! I got my Las Vegas wedding dress there.” Her cell phone was in her hand before she finished the sentence; her thumb swiped and tapped the screen. “I’ll call them right now. I have them on speed dial.”

  “Of course, you do.” Melody sighed as she scooped up Smudge, but before she could protest, Kerry was already speaking to the bridal boutique’s owner.

  “Yolanda! Hello, it’s Kerry Porter Smedley. No, no, I’m still happily married, hence the ‘Smedley’ addition to my last name, but I do require an appointment to view your best gowns.” Kerry paused as she listened to the voice on the other end of the phone.

  “This seems like a good time for a walk, Smudge,” Melody set the blue-gray pup down gently, then signaled for her to follow. Smudge did a happy spin before they both left Kerry to work her wedding magic. “She’s like a fairy godmother, isn’t she?”

  Smudge yipped in agreement.

  “Does that make you my trusty side-kick or the comic relief?” When she looked down at Smudge, Melody laughed. She got her answer. The pup sat there looking up at her. Her tongue lolled out the side of her open mouth. One ear pointed straight up as the other drooped down. “You’re the best of both worlds, my happy girl.”

  Smudge woofed, and both of her ears stood upright. Melody wondered how she managed to be so cute.

  “So, does she have the whole event planned yet?” Leslie asked from behind the register. She was about to take a bite of a new cupcake Melody had added to the bakery’s menu, Apple Pie a la Mode.

  “If I were you, I’d put down that cupcake. Kerry is on the phone with a bridal shop right now, making an appointment to try on dresses.”

  “For bridesmaid dresses or bridal gowns? Answer wisely. I really want to enjoy this cupcake.”

  “Good point. Go on. Enjoy it.”

  Melody leashed Smudge, but just as she was about to lead her out the door, Kerry came bursting in from the back.

  “Wait! Leslie put down that cupcake. I was able to secure an appointment at the bridal boutique tonight,” she said.

  Defiantly, Leslie shoved the whole cupcake into her mouth before someone else could tell her to put it down.

  Kerry glared at Leslie for a moment but then continued with her announcement. “Call your loved ones. Let them know tonight is ‘Ladies Night’!” Her earlier excitement was back, made evident by her clapping wildly again and dancing on the spot.

  Later that night, the three friends entered the little boutique. As they pushed open the door, the first four bars of “Here Comes the Bride” chimed through the shop, alerting the staff to their arrival.

  “They’re here!” An energetic, boisterous woman with a mop of jet-black hair piled high on her head sang the words loudly for all to hear. Around her neck was a deep purple paisley silk scarf that looked expensive. It complimented an amethyst colored dress that hugged her voluptuous figure perfectly.

  Melody admired the flattering fit. She had hoped it was a result of the seamstress’s needlework.

  The woman advanced on Kerry with open arms.

  “Yolanda!” Kerry said as she and the boutique owner exchanged air kisses. Two other women joined them.

  “Well, hello, Mrs. Smedley,” Yolanda said. “I see marriage agrees with you. You look amazing like you could still fit into your dress. But, if you can’t, you know where to find us!” The two women laughed like old friends until Kerry made introductions.

  “Ladies, please meet Yolanda Wyatt, proprietor, and this is Tricia Dearborn, her assistant and Lollie Webber, seamstress extraordinaire. The woman is a genius with a needle.” Lollie blushed at Kerry’s compliment as Kerry continued the introductions. “This is Leslie Mathers, and Melody Marshall – the bride-to-be!”

  “How exciting!” Yolanda clasped her hands together. “Welcome to the Wedding? Sweet! Bridal Boutique! You’re in for a spectacular evening.”

  She led them to a private seating area where pristine white love seats with wood trim painted in a distressed gold texture surrounded a small stage. Sheer white curtains draped the stage, adding a dramatic, romantic effect to the visual. Melody observed how the setup was designed to make the dress shopping experience a special one and to make brides-to-be feel they were the center of attention.

  “Champagne? Sandwich?” Yolanda shoved a glass of sparkling liquid in each woman’s hand, then passed a silver tray with small triangular sandwiches stacked atop it. Each of the women took one at Yolanda’s insistence.

  “Now, Melody, tell us all about your dream dress. Don’t leave out any detail. I promise we can make your bridal dreams come true.”

  “Well, I prefer something simple-”

  “But elegant,” Kerry said quickly before taking a sip of her champagne.

  “Yes, elegant and fitted,” Melody confirmed. “But, no elaborate train, and nothing too flouncy.”

  “Tell them about the book,” Leslie said as she nibbled her sandwich. “You know, the one from when you were a little girl.”

  “Oh, a book about a fairy tale, perhaps?” Yolanda asked as she leaned in to listen carefully. Tricia took notes.

  As Melo
dy opened her mouth to explain, Kerry spoke up first. “Melody used to borrow a book from the library that was sort of a Cinderella story…”

  Leslie joined in telling the story, cutting her off. “But the heroine wasn’t being rescued. She was the one doing the rescuing,” she said. “Much like our fearless leader, Melody.”

  “Sindy Rella’s Tale of Adventure,” Lollie, the seamstress, said. All eyes turned toward her. She paused a moment, then explained. “That’s the name of the book, isn’t it?”

  “How did you know?” Melody asked, curiously.

  “I have been in love with dresses since I was a little girl. I read every princess book just to see what they were wearing. I remember your book because it was a rare instance where the main character Sindy saved a prince – in a killer dress, I might add.”

  “Yes, Lollie.” Melody smiled, appreciatively. “The princess in this particular book wore a simple antique white gown with a rose trim around the neckline.” Melody suddenly realized that she did have a dream dress after all. “That’s the dress I want to wear at my wedding.”

  “I knew it! Every girl dreams of her wedding, including you, Melody.” Kerry poked her in the arm, then took another sip of her champagne.

  “I think we have just the dress,” Yolanda said confidently as she rose and disappeared into the back room. A moment later, she returned with a gorgeous off-white gown draped over one arm. Her hand held the top half of the dress up by the hanger. “Now, Melody, I have been known to be an excellent ‘picker.’ I usually get it right on the first try. I dare you to prove me wrong.” Yolanda shared a mischievous grin with the group as she hung the gown upon a presentation rack.

  “Oh, that is breathtaking,” Kerry said, her jaw dropping open with awe.

  “Wow! You would look amazing in that dress, Mel,” Leslie said, softly.

  Melody stood up and walked to the dress. Her eyes sparkled as she looked it over. The gown was a work of art, perfect in every way, except for the missing rose trim at the neckline.

  “This is the Contessa model,” Tricia said. “It’s made primarily of chiffon, which is a perfect fabric for an outdoor venue…”

  Yolanda interrupted Tricia’s overview of the dress. “Kerry mentioned you’re getting married in Port Warren’s Evergreen Park. They just remodeled the pavilion area near the pond.”

  Tricia scowled at the interruption.

  “Yes, that’s the spot,” Melody confirmed, then turned her attention back to Tricia, picking up that the woman didn’t appreciate her boss interrupting her presentation of the dress.

  “As you can see,” Tricia said, “the bodice and flowing skirt are crafted from chiffon. The minimal, yet soft, lace overlay spans the capped sleeves to just below the hips. If you look closely, you’ll see the lace is crafted in a rose pattern.”

  The women fawned over the dress’s delicate detail as Tricia’s fingers drifted along its silhouette without touching it. She spun it around slowly to show the back of the dress. “Here, you will see an alluring keyhole cutout, and the lace travels midway down the flowing skirt.”

  “It’s absolutely perfect,” Melody said, dreamily. Her fingertips brushed along one of the lace shoulder caps.

  “Except for the missing roses around the neckline,” Lollie said, “Which, I can very easily add for you.”

  “Now, go put it on. We’re all dying to see you in it!” Yolanda motioned for Tricia to bring the dress into the dressing room area. Melody followed her. Her stomach filled with butterflies at the thought of putting on what would probably be the most important dress of her life.

  “All eyes on the stage, ladies. Your bride-to-be is about to make her debut!” Yolanda instructed the small gathering, and they all settled into their seats with great anticipation.

  “C’mon, Mel! We’re dying to see it!” Kerry was bouncing in her seat with excitement.

  “Are you going to be like this for my wedding?” Leslie asked.

  “Of course! I already have your wedding planned.”

  “Somehow, I don’t doubt that.”

  “Shh, here she comes!”

  Behind the sheer white curtain that draped the stage, Melody stood poised as Tricia ensured the dress fell perfectly for its big reveal. With one final check, Tricia gave her the nod of approval, and Melody emerged from the curtains. She was beaming; a smile spanned her face as she carefully glided the few steps forward to center stage. Her friends gasped at the sight of her. It was official. Melody looked like the stunning storybook heroine she had dreamed of being as a little girl.

  “It really is perfect!” she said with a newfound excitement in her voice. Was she really buying into the fairytale wedding?

  Kerry’s eyes glittered tearily. “Our little girl is getting married!”

  Slowly, Melody turned to show them the back of the dress, which elicited more oohs and aahs from her adoring fans.

  With a warm smile, Lollie wheeled her little seamstress cart closer to the stage. Melody glanced down at it, noticing how all its items were perfectly organized, including Lollie’s empty but used coffee cup that amusingly read: Seamstresses do it with pins and needles.

  Lollie pinned a few small roses along the neckline so Melody could understand her intended alterations. “The fit is lovely. I’ll have very little work to do in that department.”

  “It’s meant to be,” Yolanda said. “Do I know how to pick ‘em, or what?”

  “I have to admit,” Melody said, “it looks like you’ve done it again. You’ve picked the perfect dress on the first try. I’ll take it!” Everyone applauded Melody’s choice until she announced a vital condition of the sale. “I’ll need it in three weeks.”

  Both Tricia and Lollie turned their heads toward Yolanda. Concern lined their faces at Melody’s deadline as they waited for Yolanda to answer. After a few thoughtful moments, Yolanda nodded her head, offered an assuring smile, and said, “Not a problem! We can make it happen!”

  Without a hitch, Lollie resumed pinning. Her hands guided Melody in how to turn or stand while she pinned.

  Tricia, however, wasn’t so willing to continue. She pulled Yolanda to the side and cautioned her. “What are you doing? You know we can’t commit to having that dress in three weeks. We have the McGrath Dress to finish, and that’s the priority. Her dress is the single most expensive dress in the shop. She’ll flip out if we don’t finish her latest round of changes on time.”

  In return, Yolanda snapped viciously at her assistant. “That entitled brat McGrath will wait until I’m good and ready to finish her dress! Her demands are incessant, and she doesn’t even look good in it – in fact, she makes the dress look bad! Come to think of it, I may even cancel her sale!”

  Tricia’s face paled at the threat! “Her wedding is also weeks away! You can’t do that to her!” she said.

  Yolanda glared at her assistant as if they were mortal enemies. But instead of addressing Tricia about the matter further, Yolanda turned to Lollie.

  “Lollie, I want Ms. Marshall’s dress done first. Do you understand?”

  The seamstress nodded her head while she continued to pin. She had pins between her lips, so the nod of affirmation would have to do.

  “From now on, Sophia McGrath can see me about her dress, and only me,” Yolanda said as she pounded her fist on a nearby display case filled with various veils. “Her demands have caused enough backlog in this shop already. Now, she will be the one to wait.” Then, Yolanda quickly turned her attention back to Melody and her guests. “I apologize for my assistant’s lack of decorum. The dress will be ready on time, and it will be perfect in every way.” Yolanda glared at Lollie, giving her a silent warning that she better not make her a liar. Lollie nodded again. Tricia, however, stormed off, infuriated.

  “I can buy the dress without the flowers…” Melody offered. Her eyes were wide at having just witnessed a power struggle between the three women.

  Leslie’s mouth fell open mid-bite of another tea sandwich, while Kerry
drained her champagne glass awkwardly.

  “Absolutely not. Lollie will have every flower perfectly in place, on-time. There’s plenty of time for the McGrath dress to be finished, and your alterations are easy to slip in before hers.”

  Melody noticed the bags underneath Lollie’s eyes, deducing that the woman was probably burning the midnight oil to get all the jobs done on time.

  Nonetheless, Melody placed the order while Kerry and Leslie collected their things. As they were headed out the door, giddy from the excitement of buying the dress, a young woman pushed Melody aside as she entered. The door chimed the first four bars of “Here Comes the Bride,” as Melody glared back at her. The woman was petite and dressed to the nines. She had a perfect figure, perfect hair, perfect nails, and she was perfectly accessorized. Melody was about to confront her, but the woman was already barking orders at Yolanda and her staff.

  Sophia McGrath, Melody thought. She was sure of it.

  As Leslie and Kerry said their goodbyes, Melody was distracted by the scene inside the boutique. She watched as Sophia continued to yell at Yolanda, her body language was overly animated.

  “I want to see my dress right now!” the woman said with an agitated tone.

  “Sophia, we have explained before that the new alterations you requested will take a few days. Your last fitting was yesterday.” Yolanda tried to maintain her composure, but Melody could see she was struggling. She watched as Yolanda and Lollie shared an annoyed glance.

  Tricia, however, jumped obediently at the woman’s request. “I’ll get the dress for you, Ms. McGrath.” She scowled at Yolanda as she passed her.

  When Tricia brought the dress upfront, Sophia continued her tirade, pointing to, what Melody guessed, was every noticeable flaw. She even grabbed part of the dress and shoved it in Lollie’s face. Melody presumed she was upset about the needlework.