Page 12 of Wedding Cake Carnage
“We’ll get in touch soon,” Mayor Nash says as he bolts for the exit.
Chrissy comes over and offers me a hug. “You are and will always be a very special girl, Lottie. You know I’ve loved you as if you were one of my own for as long as I’ve known your mother. We’re family, and I’m on your side.”
“Thank you for coming. You didn’t have to do that.”
“Not a problem.” She waves to us all on her way out. “Lainey, I’m excited for the wedding!”
Lainey moans. “Wish I could say the same,” she mutters.
Finn comes over and holds his arms out once again, this time with a little less conviction, but I hug him nonetheless.
“We’ll do it again. This Saturday, Honey Lake. Take two will be miles better.”
“Sounds good. What’s Saturday?”
Noah lands a warm hand over my shoulder. “It’s the Fourth of July, Lottie. I hear there’s nothing like the Fourth in Honey Hollow.”
“It’s quite the celebration,” I say. But without Everett, I’d rather hide under my covers with my cats than join in on the fun.
Mom walks them to the door as Meg and Lainey come up.
Meg gives a wistful shake of the head. “You sure know how to clear a room, Lot. And we didn’t even get to the good part. How’s the murder investigation going?”
My eyes meet with Lainey’s, and I can hardly bring myself to hold her gaze. “It’s going. Noah and I still have to formulate a game plan.” I shrug over at Lainey. “Any idea who would want Jana dead?”
“None whatsoever. But one thing is for sure. I want in on this one.”
“What? No,” I say emphatically, rejecting her offer. “You have a wedding to take care of. And in the event you haven’t noticed, you’re down one wedding planner.”
“I have all her notes, and the venue and musicians and florists are all booked—I think.”
“But there are probably still things to do.” A thought comes to me. “Forward me her notes and I’ll take care of all the little details. I promise you, Lainey, your wedding will go off without a hitch.” Tears come to my eyes because it’s the least I could do.
Lainey bears into me with her gaze an inordinate amount of time. “Fine. But I’m recruiting Meg to work alongside you. Maybe if the two of you work together, you can make up for one professional wedding planner.”
“We will.” Meg salutes her. “In fact, we’ll do one better. I bet Jana wasn’t planning a hostile takeover of the bride the night before her wedding for a raunchy good time otherwise known as the bachelorette party.”
“Oh no,” Lainey is quick to protest. “You are not kidnapping me the night before my wedding.”
“Fine,” I say. “We’ll do it a few days out.” I wink to Meg. “And I’ll make sure a kosher time is had by all.” I turn to Noah. “Hey? Are there any male strip clubs in Leeds?”
Noah inches back. “Why in the world would you ask me that?”
Meg barks out a laugh. “I’ve got us covered, Lot. Don’t you worry about a thing.”
That ornery tiger trots back this way, and I excuse myself for a moment as I follow him out into the hall.
“Oh no, you don’t,” I say, grabbing him by the tail and I marvel at how soft and thick it feels. It never fails to amaze me at how solid the visitors from the other side can be.
The tiger turns my way and sheds and all-out grin. “Good show, Lottie,” he growls it out low and slow.
Just hearing him say my name takes my breath away. “What’s your name?”
“Beasty.”
“Beasty?” a small voice chimes from behind. I spot Lea floating forward, her dark hair still neatly pinned behind her ears. “I rather like you, Beasty. You and I will make a fine pair.”
“Well, you can’t have him,” I say. “Beasty was sent to help me solve a murder investigation.” I look to the magnificent creature. “And, in addition to catching the killer, I want you to help me find my boyfriend. His name is Everett Baxter. He’s a judge and he’s been kidnapped by an insane woman who is most likely obsessed with him.”