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Darla had outdone herself. I wore a sash that proclaimed me The Bride and the music was all my favorites. She’d hired a perfect DJ. We were able to chat and dance and drink and eat until my eyes started closing on their own. Pizza, mozzarella sticks, and other appetizers kept coming from the kitchen. Beth had changed her mind and arrived about an hour ago. She was currently out dancing with Amy on the makeshift dance floor. The only time we ran into other people was on the way to the restroom. Everyone I saw wanted an invite to our private party, but it was a gir ls’ night only.

Deek had peeked his head in on his way to Greg’s bash. He came and hugged me. “I don’t know. Maybe I should stay here. Be the token male f or your group.”

“Toby already tried that line when he dropped off Sasha,” I told him as he grabbed a slice of pizza for the road. “I’ll see you to morrow, right?”

“I wouldn’t miss your wedding for the world. Your aura is bright silver right now. Pure happiness.” He raised the pizza in a salute and ran when Darla came to chase him out. I lo ved my friends.

A few hours later, near the end of the party, Darla sat down next to me. “Matt wanted to come party with us too. He texted me and said that Greg’s party is tame. Or lame. I couldn’t tell from th e autocorrect.”

“We always know how to have fun.” I leaned into her. “How are you? Busy chasing the facts on Kane’s murder?”

“I could ask you the same thing, but I hear you’ve been out sightseeing all week with your new mother-in-law. I’m surprised you’re not investigating.” She studied my face and must have seen something. “But you are investigating. I knew it. When did you find time?”

“I didn’t do much, just some research at the college and chatted with Doc Ames.” I glanced around the room, but Beth was still out on the dance floor. “Jim’s girlfriend did her thesis on cults, including New Hope. She’s been very interesting to talk to. Did you know there is a parents’ group against the churc h on Facebook?”

Darla slapped her forehead. “That’s what I’ve been missing. I’ve been so focused on Molly and her search, I didn’t think of other victims.”

“I think they call them converts,” I corrected. Just then, the DJ put on the Village People dance standard, “Y.M.C.A.” Beth grabbed my hand and started pulling me onto the dance floor. “Forget that until Sunday. Come dance w ith us, Darla.”

Because she was my friend, Darla joined us, and too soon the party ended. Beth took my arm. “I’m sleeping on your couch tonight.”

We said our good nights and I hugged Darla tightly. “Thank you so much for the party. I t was a blast.”

“Anything for you,” she said as she wiped her eyes.

Esmeralda hurried over, pulling on her coat. “I’m wal king with you.”

As we made our way out into the cold night, I looked up and saw the stars shining on us.

Esmeralda followed my gaze. “It’s a full moon. You have the blessing from the winter gods for your cere mony tomorrow.”

I snuck a sideways look at her. “I didn’t think you talked to mythical gods?”

“I don’t. I worship them. It’s my religion, not my pastime.” Esmeralda raised her hands to the sky. “Nature is so cool. All you have to do is look around to see all the blessings.”

“And if you believe, like I do, that there is one true God,” Beth interrupted, “then you bless Him for all the wonders He provided us on this earth.”

“As long as you don’t believe that the earth is ours to use and abuse, like some preachers say”—Esmeralda stared at Beth— “then I agree.”

“I agree. We’ve done a horrible job of taking care of what He’s given us.” Beth took Esmeralda’s arm in hers and we started walking again.

“Amen, sister.” Esmeralda leaned her head on Beth’s.

Now that my almost sister-in-law and my friend the fortune teller had found common ground and avoided a fight, I relaxed and thought about the night. Why had Roger, or more likely Maryanne, sent the flowers? Public relations? An attempt to be part of the community? They had to have asked the florist to match our wedding colors, but how did they find our florist? And was Greg’s hunch about the flowers having a bu g in them true?

There were too many questions.

I saw the blue flashing lights as we crested the hill. The police car was at our house. I took off at a run, which wasn’t easy since I was in dress shoes. Thank goodness I’d switched out of heels when we’d gone to dinner.

I didn’t recognize the officer standing at the gate when he stopped me. Then I realized he had a Bakerstown uniform. “Ma’am, you can’ t go in there.”

“I’m Jill Gardner. I own this house. What’s going on? Is Amanda all right?” Just then, I saw Amanda come out on the porch with Emma. She waved me over.

“Sorry, ma’am. I didn’t know. My partner is checking out the backyard.” He moved aside and let us through.

I hurried up the stairs and, putting my hand on Emma’s head to try to quiet her, I looked at Amanda. “Are you okay?”

“Oh my, yes. Sorry if I scared you. After Beth left, I took a long bath and was just getting into bed when Emma and I heard someone at the front door. I walked down and peeked out your office window. The man was dressed in black and was trying to open your lock with those tools. I locked myself and Emma in the office and called 911, and they s ent out a car.”

“But you’re all right?” Be th asked again.

Amanda smiled and pulled Beth into a hug. “Oh, my dear. I’m fine. The man didn’t get inside. I’m sure he was just looking to rob the place for a quick buck. I’m surprised they didn’t get that house across the street first.”

Esmeralda turned and hurried over to the officer. She spoke with him and they both went over to her house. When he came back a few minutes later, I met him at the gate. “Her house wasn’t broken into, was it?”

“How did you know?” He glanced over at Esmeralda’s house, which was now glow ing with light.

I glanced back up at my house. “Because they wanted something they thought we had. We were all supposed to be at a rehearsal dinner and party tonight. No one was suppos ed to be home.”

“What a great night to break in.” The officer—Officer Manning, based on his name tag—nodded. “I get your point. Where’s D etective King?”

“He’s at a stag party with his friends, but if I know South Cove, he’s already heard about this and should be arriving soon.”

As I watched, Toby’s truck pulled into the driveway. Jim parked his rental car right behind him. Toby and Deek got out of the truck and joined us, followed quickly b y Jim and Greg.

I went to Greg. “Everything’s fine. Your mom called the cops before the guy could break in. Not hing happened.”

Greg hugged me, then went over to talk to the officers. Toby met my gaze, nodded, then followed him. Deek stayed with me and Jim hurried over to Amanda and Beth. The guys were all here, but there was nothing they could do. Unless the intruder had left prints or dro pped something.

The second Bakerstown cop, who had gone out back, came through the back gate into the front yard. He held up a black ski mask and a black jacket. “There’s a chance we can trace him from these. But that’s all I found. H e’s long gone.”

We gathered in the kitchen, with Toby and Greg staying out and talking to the Bakerstown officers. Deek headed back into town to his apartment over the bookstore. I made a pot of coffe e as we waited.

“So, girls, how was your party?” Amanda asked as we sat down ar ound the table.

Beth spoke first. “It was so much fun. We danced and ate and danced more. Darla made these mocktails that were fruity and icy. Everyone wanted to be with us, but Darla kept kicking out the guys.”

“Well, that’s a relief.” Jim put an arm around Beth. “I was worried you might find a new soulmate.”

“Not likely.” She leaned into him and he kissed the top of her head. “But I did learn the electric slide. We should go line dancing when we get home. I hear they have classes. It would be fun.”

I tried to hide my giggle when I saw the look on Jim’s face. Thankfully, Greg and Toby came in at that moment. “So what’s t he conclusion?”

“Officer Manning, Tom, thinks that someone knew we were out at a party to celebrate the wedding and hit our house. Or tried to.” Greg poured a cup of coffee and held it out to Toby. He took it and went to lean against the wall where Emma was sitti ng and waiting.

“Odd coincidence.” I tried to read his face. “I guess it could be true.”

“I think they waited for Beth’s car to leave. If it was a random robbery or one that targeted the people at the party, they would have hit Esmeralda’s house first while they were waiting for Beth to leave. No, this has to be something related to the murder investigation. I just don’t know what they were looking for.” Greg looked at me. “You think so too. Have you taken any candy from str angers lately?”

I thought about the last week and places I’d run up against members of the New Hope organization. Kane had been at the business-to-business meeting. Then I’d met Molly. Then Amanda and I had gone to the open house, where I’d talked to Kane about their library. Then we’d seen the women at the fabric store. I shook my head. “Nothing stands o ut. I’m sorry.”

“Well, I’m hiring security to watch the house tomorrow until we get home on Sunday.” Greg looked at Jim. “And I’m not coming back to the Castle with you. I’ll reimburse you the cost of the room, but I’m not leaving Jill and M om here alone.”

Jim scowled at his brother. “There’s a reason the couple separates before the wedding. It gives them both time to think about what they’re doing the next day. It’s the last time you’ll be an individual. After you take your vows and kiss, you’ll be one.”

“I’m not leaving them alone.” Greg shook his head. “Period.”

“What if you sleep on the couch tonight?” I suggested. If something happened in the future to break us apart, I didn’t want Jim to be able to rub in Greg’s face how he set up the end of our relationship by not staying away from me for this one night. I didn’t believe in superstitions, but Jim did. “That way we have the separation, but you’ re still here.”

“Or you can have my bed,” Toby offered. “I’ll sleep on the couch with my Emma girl. No one’s getting past the dynamic duo. And I have clean sheets.”

Greg looked at Jim, who nodded. “Fine. I’ll sleep at Toby’s tonight, then after I check in with him tomorrow, I’ll run over to the Castle and get ready there. Will that make you h appy, brother?”

“Ecstatic.” Jim stood and helped Beth up as well. He kissed Amanda on the cheek. “We’re heading back to the hotel. I need my beauty sleep. Mom, don’t stay up too late reading. We’ve got a wedding to celeb rate tomorrow.”

“I’ll run upstairs and grab some clean clothes.” Greg leaned down and kissed me. “You’re going to b e okay, right?”

“Toby will be downstairs. I think if they get past him, you’ll hear the commotion out in the shed.” I rubbed his face. “I’ll see you tomorrow a t the mission.”

“Just don’t be late. The ceremony starts at eleven. You’re supposed to be there earlier,” he reminded me as he walked over to hug his mom.

“Believe me, I’ll have plenty of people making sure I get there on time. We’re doing hair and makeup here at the house. Aunt Jackie should be here right at eight. Then Darla, Amy, and Esmeralda will be here shortly after.”

Greg groaned. “I’ll be out of here before eight, then. I’ll take the Jeep and drive it to the mission. That way we have an escape vehicle close by if the reception get s out of hand.”

Greg mentioning the Jeep reminded me of something. “Toby, no shaving cream on my paint. You can use soap, but shaving cream hu rts the paint.”

“That’s an old wives’ tale. Besides, I’m not sure why you’re telling me this,” Toby said from the door, where he stood waiting for Greg. When I didn’t say anything, he caved. “Fine, I’ll make sure no one does anything permanen t to the Jeep.”

“That’s comforting.” I watched as Greg m et up with him.

“I live to serve,” Toby quipped. “I’ll be right back, so don’t lock t he door on me.”

“No promises,” I ca lled after him.

Amanda and I were alone in the kitchen. Well, alone with Emma. Amanda stood and walked to the stairwell. “You have good friends here. I can see why you and Greg love South Cove. I’m h eading to bed.”

We did have solid friends. I thought about the dance party Darla had put on for me and the girls to celebrate my wedding. They’d known just what to do. I let Emma out and stared at the night sky. I thought about meeting Maryanne at the fabric store. Did the women at the New Hope compound feel the same way? Supported?

Or did they have an entirely dif ferent feeling?