Page 31 of Kiss Marry Kill

“That’s a horrible thought. Thank goodness she got away from him and met Archie.”

“Yes.” I searched the room, still unable to locate Archie or Janelle.

In the corner of the room, the wedding coordinator looked frazzled as the mother of the bride, Angela, screeched at her. I felt for that poor woman. No amount of planning could take into account drunken ex-boyfriends.

At one point, Royce went outside with Kobe. Feeling uneasy, I sat at our table, waiting for him to return. I sipped champagne, watching as the room began to clear. People were saying their goodbyes and looking around nervously. After the unpleasant scene Kobe had created, there would be no way to go back to a normal party atmosphere. The wedding reception was toast.

Eventually, Royce returned, and with a weary grunt, he sat down beside me.

I filled his champagne flute with some bubbly. “Did you arrest Kobe?” I asked.

He shook his head. “No.”

“No? What did you do with him?”

Exhaling, he said, “I called him a cab and told him to go home to sleep it off.”

“You’re too nice,” I murmured. “He made a mockery of the wedding.”

“He behaved like an idiot, but he didn’t actually break the law.”

I arched one brow. “What about being drunken and disorderly?”

Royce’s cheek curved in a smile. “Okay, you got me there. Truth be told, I didn’t really want to end my night at the station filling out paperwork.”

“Fair enough.” I sighed and leaned against the back of my chair. “Do we have to stay longer? Haven’t we done our duty? I think Janelle and Archie made a break for it.”

“Really?”

“Well, Janelle ran out in hysterics, and I haven’t seen her since.” I studied the thinning crowd. “I think Archie went after her, but neither of them have returned.”

“Huh.” Royce frowned.

“I must say, this was the weirdest wedding I’ve ever been to.”

“I agree.” He set his empty glass down and stood. “What do you say we go home, Max? I think I’ve had enough frivolity for one day.”

“I’ve had enough for a month.” I got up and slipped my arm through his.

Royce scanned the room. “Let’s say goodbye to our hosts. If we can find them.”

“They have to be around here somewhere,” I murmured.

As we made our way across the empty dance floor, I noticed River in one corner of the room with Lucas. They looked like they were arguing. Lucas’s expression was dark, and River was leaning into him, speaking angrily. I felt a nudge of satisfaction that River’s evening was ending on a bad note.

Royce and I managed to track down the parents of the bride. We thanked them for inviting us and made our way outside. The sun was close to setting in the west, and the sky was the color of rainbow sherbet. I’d hoped maybe Janelle and Archie would be out front saying goodbye to their guests, but I didn’t see them anywhere.

“I feel bad just leaving without saying goodbye to Janelle,” I said.

Royce nodded. “Yeah, same. Especially since she’s had such a rough day of it.”

I craned my neck, searching the property where the Dusty Steer was located. “Where could they have gone?” The Dusty Steer was built on a large corner lot. There were mature oak trees and a rose garden in the front surrounded by a white picket fence. The paved parking area was to the side of the sprawling building.

“If they’re smart, they’re on their way to the airport for their honeymoon,” Royce said. “The best thing for them will be to get away from Rainy Dale. The gossipmongers will be out in full force after Kobe’s little performance.”

“Most definitely.” Movement toward the back of the property caught my eye. At the far end of the lot, someone appeared to be sitting on the curb. Squinting, I said, “I think I see Janelle.”

Royce followed my gaze. “Shall we go talk to her?”