Nick and Don stood there in silence, listening until they heard the sound of a car engine roar to life and then the squeal of tires on the wet asphalt. It was then that Lauren collapsed into one of the brocade chairs.
“Thank goodness,” she breathed, looking limp with relief.
Nick shot Don yet another look. Now what?
“He could have at least let you keep the ring,” Don muttered.
“It was only cubic zirconia.”
“Did you know that?” Nick asked.
“Sure. It didn’t sparkle like a real diamond.”
“Did he try to pass it off as a diamond?”
“Of course,” Lauren said sadly. “That was my first clue that Jay was a cad.”
“Not to be indelicate, but … uh, are you pregnant, Lauren?” Don asked sheepishly.
“No, thank God. That would have been too much.”
Suddenly Lauren didn’t sound quite as mousy as she’d been on every other occasion they’d dealt with her.
“How long have you been planning this little performance?” Nick asked.
“Since the day my mother died.” Lauren’s expression softened. “Don’t get me wrong, I loved her dearly, but her choice of mate for me was entirely wrong.”
“What do you mean?” Don asked.
Lauren let out an exasperated breath. “From the minute Mother laid eyes on Jay at a charity luncheon, she decided he was the one for me. And let me tell you, it was an uphill battle on his part to agree with her. But then she let slip about my inheritance.”
“Inheritance?” Nick asked with a raised eyebrow.
Lauren nodded. “I don’t know if you remember, Nick, but my Dad was a stockbroker. He made a lot of very wise decisions. I’m afraid my mother wasn’t as savvy. But Daddy made sure that Mother couldn’t touch my trust fund—and neither could I … until just last week. You see, Wednesday was my thirty-fifth birthday—which, I might add, I spent alone. Jay was too busy with work to spend any time with me.”
“Ah,” Don said and nodded, then took a seat on the matching sofa where Nick joined him. “And am I to guess that things haven’t been going all that well at the award-winning Martin Integrated Marketing and Advertising?”
“You got it.” Lauren sat up straighter. “That’s why Jay has been spending so much time overseeing his accounts—at least those that he’s still got. He had to lay off more than half of his employees in the last six months. I have no doubt Jay saw my money as a way to prop up the business.”
“It must have been viable at one time,” Nick said.
“Oh, it was,” Lauren agreed. “In fact, it was the biggest PR agency in the area…until an ad campaign for his biggest client tanked. Jay lost that account, and several others because of it. That’s when things started sliding downhill.”
“It was very sneaky of you to try to pull this stunt to cut him loose,” Don chided.
“Just a little,” Lauren said with a sly smile. “But honestly, there was no way I could ever have married that awful man.”
“But you were still apparently … intimate,” Don said diplomatically.
Lauren’s smile was sly. “The only good thing about Jay Martin was that he was a good lover. Not especially thoughtful, but it seems to me there’s more to life than just….” She let the sentence hang.
“What will you do now?” Nick asked.
“I’m going on my honeymoon.”
“You are?”
“Yes, a month-long cruise from New York through the Panama Canal and straight to San Francisco. Jay hated the idea. He wanted a chintzy weekend at the big hotel in downtown Rochester. He said he had connections and could get us a cheap weekend getaway. I think he just wanted to stay close to his office and what precious few clients he still has. What he didn’t know, was that I went ahead and booked the trip anyway—for one. After all, I’m now a relatively wealthy woman. As my daddy planned, if I’m careful, I won’t have to work for the rest of my life.”
“Wow—your father must have invested very well for your future.”
“That he did.”
“What are your future plans?” Nick asked.
Lauren shrugged. “I have no idea. I guess I’ll just cast my fate to the wind,” she said and then sobered. “Now, what do I owe you guys for all the trouble you’ve gone through on my account?”
“Actually, we didn’t put too much out there. Just a couple of deposits on the photographer and cake, as we were going to cater the affair ourselves. We’ll lose them, of course, but what your mother gave us as a down payment will more than cover it and we’ll be glad to refund the rest of your money.”
Lauren shook her head. “After what I put you guys through, you’ve more than earned it.”
“Are you sure?” Don asked.
“Positive.”
Nick took a hard look at the daughter of his aunt’s best friend. Since Jay’s departure, Lauren looked at least ten years younger than she had when she’d arrived less than an hour earlier—and better yet, she looked a hundred percent happier.
“I wonder,” she said, glancing in the direction of the kitchen, “if you had a chance to buy any champagne intended for the wedding.”
“No,” Nick admitted, “but we always do keep a bottle chilled for special occasions.”
“I’d say letting Jay Martin loose qualifies,” Don said.
“Would you consider indulging a jilted bride with a glass of bubbly?”
Nicked looked at Don, who nodded.
“It would be our pleasure.”
Don’t Miss …
The first installment of Life On Victoria Square is…
Carving Out A Path
A young shoplifter not only swipes a couple of hand-carved figurines from Ray Davenport, owner of Victoria Square’s Wood U gift shop, but barrels into and injures Katie Bonner, manager of Artisans Alley. Upon his escape, the police are called, but before the ink is dry on the report, the boy’s grandmother drags the would-be thief back to return the purloined items. She’s got an agenda and great expectations. Can Ray come through in a pinch?
The second installment of Life On Victoria Square!
A Basket Full of Bargains
Iris Drake is an odd duck. She knows everyone at Artisans Alley arts-and-crafts arcade, but nobody knows her. When she walks into Gilda’s Gourmet Basket on Victoria Square, she’s a stranger there, too—but not for long. Yet she hasn’t to come to Gilda to buy her wares—she’s there to sell some of her own. All goes well until Iris’s secret is exposed. Should Gilda step in to make things right, or walk away from an unpleasant situation?
Order: A Basket Full of Bargains
The third installment of Life On Victoria Square is…
The Broken Teacup
Katie Bonner needs a pick-me-up one cold and gloomy fall day, and the US Mail delivers—literally. A mysterious package arrives at Artisans Alley with her name on it, but the return address is obscured and the treasure inside, a beautiful bone china teacup, is broken. Before Katie can open the accompanying card, she’s called away and one of the vendors mistakes the package for trash. Katie makes a quick rescue, but the card is gone. Who sent the cup? What is its significance? Can Katie solve this mini mystery?
The fourth installment of Life On Victoria Square is…
It’s Tutu Much
Bullies come in all shapes, sizes, and ages. Dana Milton finally opens her own dance studio on Victoria Square and one of her Broadway Babies (age 8) is a classic tyrant. Can Dana teach her students about respect for one another—and when it’s time to stand up for oneself, or is it all tutu much?
Dana Milton opens a dance studio on Victoria Square. Can she teach her students kindness, respect, and shuffling off to Buffalo, or is it all tutu much?
The fifth installment of Life On Victoria Square is…
The Reluctant Bride
Don Parsons and Nick Ferrell bought a ramshackle Victoria spinster and plan to transform her into a Painted Lady. Weddings and o
ther parties are a part of their business plan. They’ll be hosting a small ceremony and reception for bride-to-be Lauren Washborne … except she doesn’t seem all that enthusiastic about her upcoming nuptials. Don wants to know why—but Nick is against the idea. Will Lauren have a chance to live happily ever after, or will her suitor be left at the altar?
About the Author
The immensely popular Booktown Mystery series is what put Lorraine Bartlett’s pen name Lorna Barrett on the New York Times Bestseller list, but it’s her talent--whether writing as Lorna, or L.L. Bartlett, or Lorraine Bartlett—that keeps her in the hearts of her readers. This multi-published, Agatha-nominated author pens the exciting Jeff Resnick Mysteries as well as the acclaimed Victoria Square Mystery series, the Tales of Telenia adventure-fantasy saga, and now the Lotus Bay Mysteries, and has many short stories and novellas to her name(s). Check out the descriptions and links to all her works, and sign up for her emailed newsletter here: http://oi.vresp.com/?fid=aee11a8d64
If you enjoyed THE RELUCTANT BRIDE, please consider reviewing it on your favorite online review site. Thank you!
Find Lorraine on Social Media
www.LorraineBartlett.com
Also by Lorraine Bartlett
The Lotus Bay Mysteries
Panty Raid (A Tori Cannon-Kathy Grant mini mystery)
With Baited Breath
Christmas At Swans Nest
A Reel Catch
* * *
The Victoria Square Mysteries
A Crafty Killing
The Walled Flower
One Hot Murder
Dead, Bath and Beyond (with Laurie Cass)
Yule Be Dead (with Gayle Leeson)
Murder, Ink (with Gayle Leeson)
Recipes To Die For: A Victoria Square Cookbooks
* * *
Life On Victoria SquareCarving Out A Path
Carving Out A Path
A Basket Full of Bargains
The Broken Teacup
It’s Tutu Much
The Reluctant Bride
* * *
Tales From Blythe Cove Manor
A Dream Weekend
A Final Gift
An Unexpected Visitor
Grape Expectations
* * *
Tales of Telenia
(adventure-fantasy)
THRESHOLD
JOURNEY
TREACHERY (2019)
* * *
Short Stories
Love & Murder: A Bargain-Priced Collection of Short Stories
Happy Holidays? (A Collection of Christmas Stories)
An Unconditional Love
Love Heals
Blue Christmas
Prisoner of Love
We’re So Sorry, Uncle Albert
* * *
Writing as L.L. Bartlett
The Jeff Resnick Mysteries
Murder On The Mind
Dead In Red
Room At The Inn
Cheated By Death
Bound By Suggestion
Dark Waters
Shattered Spirits
* * *
Jeff Resnick’s Personal Files
Evolution: Jeff Resnick’s Backstory
A Jeff Resnick Six Pack
When The Spirit Moves You
Bah! Humbug
Cold Case
Spooked!
Crybaby
Eyewitness
A Part of The Pattern
* * *
Abused: A Daughter’s Story
Off Script
* * *
Writing as Lorna Barrett
The Booktown Mysteries
Murder Is Binding
Bookmarked For Death
Bookplate Special
Chapter & Hearse
Sentenced To Death
Murder On The Half Shelf
Not The Killing Type
Book Clubbed
A Fatal Chapter
Title Wave
Poisoned Pages
A Killer Edition
* * *
With The Cozy Chicks
The Cozy Chicks Kitchen
Tea Time With The Cozy Chicks
The Reluctant Bride Page 3
