Pins & Needles (A Gracie Andersen Mystery Book 5)

by Wallace,Laurinda

  “Gentlemen, you all look astonishing,” she purred, resting the camera on her knee. “Let’s take some group shots near the gazebo while the ladies are putting on the finishing touches.”

  The dogs joined the all-male gang, and Adriana created a montage of groupings, before making her way upstairs. Kevin stayed on the patio, sipping another drink, and Tom ambled around the yard, while Marc and Jim secured the dogs in the back of the truck. Isabelle appeared with a tray of hors d’oeuvres, just as the trio rejoined Kevin. The men eagerly helped themselves.

  “I knew you’d be famished. Like I told the girls, no fainting during the ceremony. You need a little something to eat.” She moved to Kevin and massaged his shoulders. He smiled, looking relaxed, and allowed her to continue.

  Marc laid a slice of cheddar on a multi-grain cracker, while he took in the wedding site. Isabelle hadn’t disappointed. The white chairs were arranged in an intimate curve around the gazebo, which was now fully decorated with fall flowers of purple and gold, with creamy roses entwined in the arrangements.

  “Hello, everyone,” Reverend Minders called out, striding down the walk to the patio entrance.

  “Pastor, good to see you,” Marc said, opening the sliding door for the gray-haired man.

  “Have a little something to eat,” Isabelle offered, stooping to pick up the food tray.

  “Oh no. I never eat before a wedding. A glass of water would be good though.”

  While Isabelle fulfilled his request, he ran down the checklist with Marc. After placing the water glass on a nearby table, Isabelle disappeared into the house.

  “Ring?” the Reverend asked.

  “I’ve got it,” Tom said, drawing a simple gold band from the breast pocket of his suit.

  “Good. Now, we’ll need you and Kelly to witness the license and the certificate right after the ceremony.” He looked at his watch and out to the gazebo.

  “We’ll be there,” Tom assured him.

  “Brave men, you two,” Kevin joked, rising from his chair. “You won’t catch me in that honey trap.”

  The pastor jerked his head toward the man in surprise, as did the rest.

  “You’re missing out,” Tom responded with conviction. “Marriage with the right person is the good life.”

  “I think mine is just fine without the marital obligations.” Kevin’s face was flushed, and Marc wondered how many shots the man had consumed.

  Jim opened the door to the yard. “I’m going to let the dogs have a little exercise before they have to be on their best behavior. Okay, Marc?”

  “Sure. I’ll come and get Max though. He’s probably still amped up after that photo session.”

  Tom and the pastor went off to the gazebo, while Marc and Jim left to take care of Max and Haley.

  “He’s blasted,” Jim said, lowering the tailgate of the pickup to allow the dogs to jump out.

  “I think you’re right,” Marc agreed. “I’d also say those rumors about his having another love interest are right. Did you see the way he looked at Adriana?”

  Jim nodded. “No question in my mind.”

  The sound of vehicles coming down the street caught their attention, as family members turned into the wide, circular drive. The guitarist arrived in the midst of the procession into the Baker residence. Running late, he practically ran to the gazebo.

  Isabelle swept out of the front door, directing everyone to the backyard. Kevin straggled behind her, looking a bit rumpled. The sounds of classical guitar set the mood, while the trickle of family and friends found their places, with Isabelle’s precise and Kevin’s somewhat unsteady direction.

  The pastor rounded up Marc and Tom and herded them to the tastefully decorated shelter for last-minute instructions. Jim, meanwhile, adjusted the white satin collars on Haley and Max, beside themselves with excitement that something was, at last, afoot.

  Kelly stuck her head out of the front door.

  “Hey, Jim, here’s Marc’s ring. Are you ready for it?”

  “Sure. Just tied Gracie’s on Max.”

  She hurried across the black-topped driveway and handed him a plain gold band. “Don’t lose these whatever you do,” she warned.

  “I’ve heard that speech more than I want to over the last week,” Jim complained. “I think I can handle it from here.”

  Kelly grinned, her head bobbing in agreement. “I know. Let’s be really happy that in an hour we’re just in this thing for fun.”

  “Amen, sista, amen,” Jim said, putting an imitation Southern drawl into action and wiping imaginary sweat from his brow.

  She laughed and disappeared inside. Adriana strolled through the front door, the shutter on her camera clicking softly.

  “Those dogs are the absolute best,” she said, walking across the grass toward Jim.

  She wore a black pullover sweater and black pants that fit her lithe form like a second skin, showing off some lovely assets. Her dark red hair (no doubt from a bottle) was shoulder length, cut in jagged layers. Jim straightened up, grasping the two leashes firmly.

  “They are characters,” Jim answered. “Let’s cross our fingers that we can pull off the ring bearer job without any incidents. Isabelle is pretty fidgety about it.”

  Adriana’s brown eyes crinkled with humor. “Her panties are always in a twist about something.” She put a hand over her mouth. “Was that out loud?”

  Jim chuckled. “I guess you have our hostess pegged.”

  “Nailed to the wall. This photo shoot at the house has been a challenge. When she was around, I hardly got any work done. Kevin was kind enough to let me come over when she was out showing houses.”

  Jim’s eyebrows raised slightly. “Really? You’re doing a magazine article or something on this house, right?”

  “Yeah. It’s finished now. The house has quite a history and should make for an interesting feature.”

  Before Jim could respond, the guitar volume rose, catching their attention.

  “That’s the signal,” Adriana said. “Show time.”

  She slipped back into the house as Jim wrangled the dogs into position.

  Haley sniffed the ground, while Max, with ears pricked forward, stood watching the cluster of people find seats.

  “Heel, dogs,” Jim commanded, taking a step forward. Haley kept sniffing, and he gave the black Lab’s leash a quick yank. “Come on now.”

  ***

  The procession had begun. Marc and the pastor were already standing in the gazebo, while Larry led his mother-in-law, Violet, on one arm with his wife, Miranda, on the other.

  Adriana was positioned at the patio door, her camera shutter whirring with each entrance. Tom, dressed in a well-tailored black suit, white shirt and gray tie, smiled down at his mother as she took his arm. He gave her a wink.

  “Nice outfit, Ma.”

  “Thanks, son,” said Theresa. “Don’t let me trip whatever you do.”

  He saluted her with a bit of flair, and she giggled nervously.

  Tom started down the grass path between the chair sections as soon as Larry sat down between the two women. He glanced over to see his wife, Kelly, standing on the patio, looking downright beautiful. Her dark blue dress accented her fair coloring and sparkling brown eyes.

  “Tom, I sit here,” his mother hissed, pulling on his arm.

  “Sorry, Mom. A little distracted,” he whispered as he bent to kiss her cheek.

  He joined the men on the platform as the guitarist began playing the familiar folk song, The Water is Wide. Jim edged closer with the dogs, making them sit, as Kelly made her way down the grassy aisle. The anxious dogs followed behind on very short leads, Jim’s face shining with perspiration. He dragged them into position, off to the right side of the gazebo steps, leaving plenty of room for the bride to make her way to the groom.

  The music transitioned to Clair de Lune, and Bob led his daughter from the shelter of the shady patio into the afternoon sunlight. Adriana’s camera captured each step as Gracie clung to her
father’s arm, smiling, her heart pounding.

  This was really it. She was about to become a wife again. The dogs whined, wriggling in the down position, and Haley tried to greet her when she approached the wedding party. Jim tossed a couple of treats onto the grass to refocus the pair. She smiled. So far, so good with the dogs. She felt Isabelle’s approving scrutiny as she took in the champagne brocade dress and jacket. Her one-rose-for-a-bouquet strategy had been replaced by one wine-colored rose and creamy jasmine, accented with ferns, which was simple, yet more sophisticated than her original intention. She must have clutched her father’s arm tighter, because he patted her hand, smiling.

  Marc greeted her with an appreciative look and a warm smile. She took his arm as the music ended. She took a deep breath, exhaling slowly, savoring the scene.

  The dogs waved their tails with enthusiasm when she and Marc bent to untie the gold bands from the ribbons. She saw relief wash over Jim’s face after the successful ring delivery. He was quick to make a hasty about-face to secure the dogs on the patio before rejoining the ceremony. A momentary flash of her first wedding came and went when Marc slipped the ring over her finger.

  “Do you, Grace Marie Andersen, take Marc Jeffrey Stevens to be your lawfully wedded husband …”

  Her mind blurred as she responded, and she heard Marc promise to love, honor, and cherish her as long he lived. Tears threatened, and she blinked furiously, hoping the waterproof mascara was the real thing. The vows were spoken, and her longtime pastor pronounced her a wife for the second time. As she and Marc kissed, the tiny congregation erupted into a standing ovation. She heard Jim’s piercing whistle over the applause.

  ***

  A section of the lower dining floor of the Glen Iris Inn was walled off with accordion doors, providing the reception with some privacy. The sun filtered through the trees overlooking the Middle Falls, the multi-hued leaves catching the last of the day’s amber rays.

  “A toast, everyone,” Tom announced, clinking a table knife against his water glass. He stood and raised a champagne flute. “To my little sister, Gracie, and her very lucky husband, Marc. Much love, joy, and domestic tranquility as you begin a new adventure.”

  “Hear, hear!” the crowd agreed, glasses clinking.

  Gracie felt like her face was cracking from the amount of smiling she’d been doing. Wasn’t it a fact that smiling took fewer muscles than frowning? It didn’t feel like it at the moment. She might have a permanently upturned mouth after this. That would be weird.

  Marc turned to her and whispered, “When’s it over … the dinner and everything?”

  She giggled. “Easy, boy. Not yet. Not quite yet. We need to cut the cake.”

  “Right. There’s no time like the present.” He winked and kissed her hand.

  “Come on, give her a good one,” Larry, Marc’s brother-in-law, urged, tapping his water glass. Others immediately chimed in. Gracie and Marc happily obliged.

  The whole day had gone without a hitch. Isabelle had been tolerable and even kind to her today. The dinner had been excellent. Adriana continued to work the room, capturing candid memories of the evening. The kennel staff was all present and having a great time. Marian, the groomer, had managed to coax her husband Al into a suit. Cheryl Stone, her assistant kennel manager, had brought along her teenaged daughter. Her Aunt Marlene and Uncle Beau were in animated conversation with Cheryl and her daughter. It really had been a perfect day.

  A stifled scream came from Marc’s sister, who knocked over a candlestick as she rose from her seat. The wax splattered onto the white linen tablecloth.

  Miranda looked around at the roomful of faces and rushed from the table, her napkin sliding to the floor.

  “What’s going on?” Gracie yelped, lurching to her feet. Marc did the same.

  Larry followed after his wife, tossing his napkin on the table. Violet came to her son’s side. The rest of the crowd gaped at the dramatic exit.

  “I need to go after them and find out what happened,” Marc’s mother said quietly.

  “I do too,” Marc said. “She’s been looking at her phone ever since we got here. Is she involved in something bad or being threatened?”

  “I don’t know, but it appears to have come to a head,” Violet answered, closing her eyes and sighing. “Maybe that would explain her strange behavior and these unpredictable emotional outbursts. Miranda’s refused to talk about why she went into counseling.”

  “Go find out,” Gracie directed. “We’ll cut the cake when you come back.”

  Marc followed his mother from the room, and the party switched their gaze to Gracie.

  “Keep eating, everyone. Nothing more to see,” she said with a weak chuckle.

  “I don’t know if I believe you,” Jim said, sliding into Marc’s chair.

  “I’m lying, of course. Marc will find out what his sister’s problem is. It’s been brewing for a while.”

  “She’s a bit jumpy, that’s for sure.”

  Jim rejoined Tom and Kelly, leaning over the table to inform the Clark family, as well as Gracie’s mother’s brothers and their wives. She hadn’t seen her uncles in several years, but they’d been excited to make the trip from Ohio. Both were dairy farmers and didn’t often have the opportunity to leave their responsibilities.

  Isabelle left Kevin, who looked like he was dozing. How much liquor had the man swilled? He’d been wobbly at the wedding. Now he was almost, if not already, passed out. Isabelle better be prepared to dump him in the backseat. Some boyfriend. She actually felt sorry for her cousin today. This was something the late Tim Baker would have done. Izzy might want to reconsider her co-habitation arrangement after Kevin’s performance today.

  Gracie was about to check on the Stevens family disappearance when Marc strode through the door, his face dark with anger. She met him in a corner of the room, afraid of what he’d say. Maybe Miranda had had a psychotic break or something. They’d need to call an ambulance, and that would be a mess.

  “Is Miranda all right?” Gracie asked, grabbing her husband’s arm.

  “No. She’s not.”

  “Do we need to call an ambulance or take her to the hospital?”

  Marc closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

  “No. I need to talk to you outside though.”

  The side exit from the room led them onto the Glen Iris’ lawn. The roar of the falls seemed amplified in the twilight. Mist from the water rose from the river gorge, keeping the observation area by the fieldstone wall wet.

  “Okay, what’s the deal, Marc?”

  “I should have known everything was going too well,” he said, loosening his silver necktie. “Miranda’s been threatened by some associate of Jeremy’s for the last several months. Apparently, Jeremy tried to start a correspondence with her. When she didn’t reply to his first two letters, he sent another that blamed her—all of us actually—for his miserable existence. She did respond to that one, telling him to stop writing. That’s when someone named Adam started stalking her and sending threatening texts … all sorts of things.”

  “Hasn’t she told the police?” Gracie asked.

  “No. My sister is a private person. She’s never been one to let others be involved in her life.”

  “But what about Larry? Does he know about it?”

  “A surprise to him too. She’s internalized the whole thing, hoping it would go away if she ignored it.”

  “This is why she’s on meds?”

  Marc nodded. He took a few steps closer to the old-fashioned wrought iron light near the walkway. Gracie followed, feeling a touch shaky and chilly. The night air was quickly cooling off after a warm day.

  “What happened tonight?”

  Marc stopped and turned to her. “This guy has threatened her again. He said he’d burn down the house with her and Larry in it.”

  Gracie gasped, feeling sick.

  “Oh my gosh! No wonder she reacted that way.”

  “I know. I’ve contacted the state
troopers. They’ll call anybody else necessary to investigate.”

  Gracie took a step back, looking into the darkness falling over the gorge. Shadows were beginning to stretch out over the lawn from the lights along the sidewalks.

  “Will she be safe?”

  Marc wrapped his new wife in his arms. “She will and so will the rest of us. This guy will be caught. He’s left a big trail to his door.”

  Gracie snuggled into the warmth of Marc’s shoulder, hoping his words were true.

  CHAPTER 23

  Gracie squeezed her mother’s hand as she accepted Theresa’s kiss on the cheek.

  “Well, Mrs. Stevens, it’s time for everyone to leave you two on your own.”

  Gracie gave her mother a wry smile. “It’s about time, Mom. I thought you’d never go. Everyone else has.”

  The reception’s celebratory atmosphere had deflated somewhat after Miranda’s emotional departure. Everything had smoothed out though when they’d cut the cake, except when she’d tried to plate a piece for them to share. The slice of white cake had flipped off the knife, landing on her shoe. Marc had gallantly removed it with a dramatic swipe of a napkin. Her second try was successful, and Adriana snapped the traditional shot of the cake feeding for posterity.

  “It was a beautiful wedding, Gracie,” Theresa said.

  “I think it was,” she agreed. “And, before you say anything else, Isabelle was fine. I’m glad we moved it to her house. My backyard really wasn’t ready for primetime.”

  “I may faint,” Theresa said, fanning her face dramatically with her hand.

  “Come on, enough chit-chat,” Bob urged his wife.

  “Yes, dear,” Theresa agreed, grabbing her purse from the table.

  Gracie turned to find Marc on the phone. “What’s going on?” she asked.

  He held up a finger before ending the call. “I had a call back from the FBI. They’re locating this Adam character right now. Miranda’s nightmare should be over.”

  “Good. I hope we can focus on other things now.”

  “I’m focused,” he answered, putting his arm around her waist, leading her upstairs to their room.