Mimosa Cream & Murder: An Oceanside Cozy Mystery - Book 16

by Susan Gillard

  “Though the money aspect could be part of it,” Amy said.

  “People can see the walls if they must,” Phil said. “But that’s it. Our lives are our own. If you don’t like that, you can leave. We’re not animals on display in a cage.”

  “Did I say you were animals?” Talia asked. “Even if occasionally your manners make it seem so.”

  “We really should get going,” Heather said, hoping to diffuse the situation. “We have to go to the rehearsal dinner.”

  "That's right," Susan said with disdain. "For that ridiculous wedding."

  "That ridiculous wedding?" Mona asked.

  Heather put an arm around her friend and led her away. "Don't let her bother you. They seem like generally unhappy people, and this is a happy day for you."

  “The happiest,” Amy agreed.

  “You’re right,” Mona said, accepting their advice.

  They went down the stairs and were greeted by the sight of men and groomsmen. Mona ran over to her fiancé and hugged him.

  “Can you believe this is finally happening?” Mona asked.

  “Every day with you is like a dream,” Col said. “And sometimes I’m afraid I’m going to wake up from it.”

  "I don't want to hear any corny lines that that from you," Amy told her boyfriend, Jamie. He wasn't in the wedding party, but had an invite to the rehearsal dinner as Amy's date, seeing as he had flown all the way from Florida for the event.

  Heather smiled at her husband, Ryan. Ryan had ended up joining the wedding party when one of Col's groomsmen couldn't accommodate the date change. The rest of the groom’s side of the party was made up of two college friends, Mark and Matt, and a friend from town named Christopher Kent.

  “How was the bachelor party?” Heather asked. “Should I be concerned?”

  "Only about how much red meat we ate today," Ryan said. "We had some wonderfully grilled steaks and some beers. Then we wanted to play a sport but didn't want anything that might result in one of us getting hurt accidentally. We played some golf. We actually tied some cans to the golf cart as a joke. Instead of "Just Married" it said, "About to be Married."

  Heather laughed and then told him about the bachelorette party.

  “I had a lot of fun with the guys,” Ryan said. “But if I had known there would be Mimosa Cream Donuts at the other event, I might have switched sides.”

  Talia attracted their attention. “We’re going to begin the rehearsal now.”

  “Good,” Amy muttered. “Because I want to get to the dinner part of it.”

  Talia explained how guests would enter through the foyer and showed them to the ceremony area again. Chairs were set up in front a staircase that had a large landing on it. The wedding party would make their way through the room and stand on the stairs while the bride and groom said their vows. The couple would be on the landing with the officiant.

  Heather wasn't sure what to make of the arrangement at first but later realized how perfectly framed the ceremony would be. The décor of Hillside Hovel would on full display around the happy couple.

  Also, because it was raised, no one would be unable to see the bride and groom from their seats, even if they were seated in the last row.

  Talia applauded. “This is going to look beautiful. Now, after the ceremony, the bride and groom will walk down the stairs and through the aisle. They will lead the way to the reception. When I see that the ceremony is concluding, I will cue the band to start playing the song as they leave. And I will also alert the caterers to open the reception and to start serving champagne and, as per the bride’s request, donuts.”

  Heather smiled.

  “So, you’ll be in charge of the timing at the ending?” Mona asked.

  “Yes,” Talia said. “But you don’t have to worry about a thing. When you hear the music, you’ll know that you can lead everyone to the other room.”

  Col and Mona nodded.

  "All right. And if everyone will follow me now,” Talia continued. “We’ll have dinner in the smaller dining room. But it is provided by the same staff that will be here tomorrow so you can see how capable they are and you can probably meet the man in charge, Glenn.”

  “You had me at dinner,” Amy said. “I don’t know why weddings make me so hungry, but they do.”

  Jamie teased her. “If they still threw rice at weddings, would you end up eating that too?”

  “With some soy sauce,” Amy joked back.

  “Heather,” Mona said, catching her arm. “I need to ask you something.”

  “Of course,” Heather said.

  Mona bit her lip. "It's something that I've been thinking of, and the rehearsal just convinced me of it. I'm sorry. I know it's late notice. But I'm going to have to ask a favor."

  With only a few hours until the wedding day, what could it be? Heather gulped.

  Wedding Preparations

  “The whole family is involved now,” Lilly said happily.

  Heather resisted tousling her daughter's hair affectionately, because of the braids around her head. Mona's favor had actually only been to ask if Heather's daughter would be the flower girl in her wedding. She was afraid that Lilly might be insulted to be asked because she was twelve-years-old now, but Mona wasn't close to any other children and wanted to include her. Lilly was thrilled for the opportunity but kept teasing them that she would be practicing her walk all morning. She would take a step and stop everywhere she went.

  Luckily, Lilly knew that it was important to arrive at the bride’s room on time to help her get ready.

  "Thank goodness you're here," Amy said as she let them in.

  “What’s the matter?” Heather asked.

  "I just want some more of those Mimosa Cream Donuts,” Amy said.

  Heather let out a sigh. “You scared me. I thought something was going wrong.”

  “Well,” Amy said as she helped herself to one of the donuts that Heather had brought. “The cousins are creating some drama.”

  "I can't get my hair right,” Monica whined.

  “You have three bags of hair supplies,” Meredith said. “How can you not figure it out?”

  “I made it too big,” Monica said. “I look like a Q-tip now.”

  “Stop worrying about your hair and help me find my lipstick,” Meredith said. “Did you put it in one of your bags?”

  “If they’re scrambling out here, who is helping the bride?” Heather asked.

  “She said she wanted a moment alone,” Amy said. “But you could check on her if you like.”

  Heather nodded and knocked on Mona’s door.

  "Come in," Mona called.

  Heather entered and asked, “Is everything all right?”

  She remembered how wedding nerves could creep up on a bride from her own special day. Even though Heather was sure that Ryan was her soulmate (and happily she’s been proven right about this countless times), she still had butterflies fluttering around her stomach that day.

  “I think,” Mona said slowly. “That everything is perfect. I needed a moment to absorb it all, but everything seems wonderful right now. I know that Col and I are going to have a very happy life together, and everything is in order for the wedding. It’s going to be picture-perfect. Part of me feels like I should be worried that something will go wrong because everything seems too right. But I don’t feel worried. I just feel full of joy.”

  “Everything will be wonderful,” Heather agreed. “And you shouldn’t have to worry about a thing. That’s why you have such capable co-Maids of Honor. In the unlikely event any troubles pop up, Amy and I will take care of them.”

  “I’m so lucky to have not just an amazing groom, but an amazing wedding party,” Mona said.

  “Hey,” Amy said, popping her head into the room. “Monica and Meredith are fighting over a hairbrush. It’s starting to get ugly.”

  Even that didn’t bring Mona down. “When we were younger, they used to do that all the time. They’ll figure it out. They both want to look nice for
pictures so they’ll figure out a way to get along. And they know how important the ceremony is for me. They won’t do anything to ruin it.”

  “I know,” Heather said. “They cornered me to pressure me and make sure I wouldn’t come across any murders today. As if I could control it.”

  “But you don’t think that you will come across any today, will you?” Mona asked, looking fearful for the first time that morning.

  “I’m sure we won’t,” Heather said.

  “Yeah,” Amy agreed. “Why would somebody want to kill someone at such a happy occasion?”

  “And now I think I’ll solve the fight with Monica and Meredith by giving them some donuts,” Heather said, trying to change the subject. “They might feel a little better with some sugar in their system, especially if they rushed through breakfast this morning.”

  “That’s a good idea,” Amy said.

  “Unless you need us to help you with something else,” Heather told the bride.

  “Only one question,” Mona said. “Do I look all right?”

  She rose from the chair she had been sitting on, and they were able to see the full effect of her wedding dress. Mona had always been a beautiful woman with dark hair and bright green eyes. Dressed for her wedding, she looked lovelier than Heather could describe.

  She tried anyway and told her that she looked beautiful. “You’re going to take Col’s breath away.”

  “In a non-murderous way,” Amy added.

  The Ceremony

  Mona did indeed take Col’s breath away when he saw her walking down the aisle. He looked like the happiest man on earth.

  Heather was all smiles too. It was a beautiful wedding. Hillside Hovel was dressed to the nines for the wedding and was practically shining.

  Lilly was an adorable flower girl who had perfect pacing in her walk. Amy had partnered with one of Col’s friends in the procession and Heather had been able to walk with Ryan. Before they parted way to go to the opposite sides of the aisle, Heather couldn’t help whispering.

  “Do you like walking down the aisle with me again?”

  “Marrying you was the best thing I ever did,” Ryan said honestly.

  Heather was so pleased that she didn't quite know what to say. Luckily, they reached the stairs and had to take their places before she had to turn her loving sentiments into words.

  Seeing Mona and Col stand together as the officiant led the ceremony, Heather knew that they would be just as happy together. They recited their vows to each other, and there was barely a dry eye in the audience. Amy stared at the ceiling to keep from tearing up. Monica and Meredith held hands.

  Heather spared a moment from watching the ceremony to look at the guests. Being on the stairs, she had a full view of the room. All the seats were filled, and it looked like everyone Col and Mona cared about were in attendance. Heather was happy to see some familiar faces that she knew in the crowd.

  Roadkill Rodney and his girlfriend were there. He was someone that she had first met in Key West and then had moved to Hillside, Texas. It was actually because she was friends with him that she had met his uncle Rudolph who was now an investor in her Florida location of Donut Delights. She guessed it was because of these business ties that Col and Mona knew him, and she looked forward to catching up with him later.

  She smiled as she saw her Donut Delights employees there as well. They had all worked hard that morning to make sure that the donuts were prepared for the reception, and then they had closed up for the day so that they could all celebrate the marriage.

  Also, sitting in the front row was Lilly’s best friend, Nicolas. He had garnered an invite so that Lilly would not be the only young person there. They were looking forward to dancing portion of the night, as well as the wedding cake and donuts.

  The only person that Heather did see was Talia, but Heather figured she must be working behind the scenes to keep things moving smoothly.

  Then the officiant asked, “Do you, Mona, take Col to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

  “I do,” Mona said, smiling.

  “And do you, Col, take Mona to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

  “Of course, I do,” Col answered.

  There were some chuckles among the guests. The officiant smiled and then pronounced them man and wife. Col kissed the bride.

  After the kiss, they faced their friends and family. They paused for a moment as they waited for the music to start playing so that they could lead the procession and their guests to the other room. They looked at each other and laughed, acknowledging the first thing in their marriage that didn't go according to plan.

  Then, the music began. Col and Mona joined hands and walked down the aisle, followed by the wedding party. They led everyone to the dining room and adjoining ballroom where champagne and donuts were being handed out.

  Heather wondered why the delay with the music had occurred, but since it was such a small molehill in an otherwise perfect wedding, she decided not to turn it into a mountain.

  Mona and Col left with the photographer to take some couple’s photos on the grounds while the guests enjoyed the cocktail hour.

  As Heather walked through the room with Ryan, Amy, and Lilly, she overheard the man in charge of catering that they had met in passing at dinner berating one of his employees.

  “The doors were opened too late,” the boss Glenn said.

  “But—“ the young woman began.

  “No excuses,” said Glenn. “Go serve the champagne.”

  Heather accepted a glass of champagne and one of her donuts from the distraught young caterer with a smile. However, before she could dwell on what she overheard or offer any encouragement, she was joined by Jamie and Nicolas.

  “What did you think of the show?” Amy joked.

  “It was a beautiful ceremony,” Jamie said. “Well worth going through security to get to.”

  “Through security?” Heather asked.

  "You were in the wedding party, so you didn't have to go through it," Jamie explained. "But the guests needed to prove that they were invited and show ID. Because this was the first big event here at Hillside Hovel, I think they were afraid of gate crashers."

  “It was tricky for me,” Nicolas said. “Because I didn’t have a driver’s license to prove who I was!”

  “How did you convince them?” Lilly asked.

  “Actually, I told them about the donuts that I knew they would be serving because you told me,” Nicolas said.

  “What a yummy identification,” Lilly laughed.

  “He should have recognized you and let you in,” Jamie said, frowning. “Do you know who’s working the security here today? You’ll never guess.”

  “Never guess?” Amy asked. “Then I’ll start with the most outlandish. Is it a rock star?”

  “It’s your old partner, Hoskins,” Jamie said to Ryan.

  “It must be his day off from the force,” Ryan said. “Unless…”

  “No, he wasn’t kicked off,” Jamie told him. “He liked reminding everyone that a real detective was checking their credentials.”

  “I don’t know if I’d call him a real detective,” Amy grumbled. “We solved more cases than he ever did.”

  "I'll have to say hello to him at some point," Ryan said. "I'll see how the Hillside Police are holding up without me.”

  “Mom,” Lilly asked. “Would it be okay if Nicolas and I get some more donuts?”

  “Of course,” Heather said. “Have fun, you two.”

  “No champagne though,” Amy teased.

  Lilly wrinkled her nose like she thought the taste would be gross and then she and Nicolas ran off.

  “Speaking of donuts,” Jamie said. “I can’t wait to see the special flavor you came up with to go with their wedding cake.”

  “I think they’ll like them,” Heather said, coyly.

  “If I ever get married, I’m only going to have donuts,” Amy joked. “I don’t think we’d even need dinner. Just more donuts for that course
too.”

  They all laughed, but then Ryan asked, “Has going to another wedding been giving you any ideas?”

  Amy and Jamie suddenly became awkward.

  “I don’t know what you mean,” Amy said. “That wasn’t what I meant.”

  “You don’t want to rush into these things,” Jamie said. “Even if things are rush-in-able.”

  “Did you just make up a word?” Amy asked.

  Heather wanted to watch her friend squirm for a few moments more, thinking that the couple only needed a small push to start hearing their own wedding bells, but the current bride needed Heather’s attention.

  Heather saw Mona waving and hurried over to her.

  “What can I do?” Heather asked.

  “I need everyone in the wedding party to come and take a picture,” Mona said.

  “That’s easy,” said Heather. “I gather everyone.”

  “And there’s something else,” Mona said. “I haven’t seen Talia since before the ceremony started. Do you think you could find her? I’m starting to get worried.”

  “Don’t worry about a thing,” Heather said, though truth be told she was starting to worry now herself. “I’ll take care of it.”

  Finding Talia

  After taking some wedding party photos where Heather had to force a smile because she was worried that something might have happened to ruin Mona’s perfect day, Heather began to search for Talia. The others helped her as well.

  Amy and Jamie offered to search the ground floor. Heather was certain that they would do some searching, but was suspicious about their reasons for picking that level. She suspected it was because they didn’t want to be far away from the food while they looked around.

  Monica and Meredith were no help in this regard. After taking the group pictures with the groomsmen, they were flirting with two of Col’s friends.

  Heather and Ryan began by checking the second floor. Heather could have sworn that the vase that matched Mrs. Greyander’s in the painting was in a different location, but she found no sign of Talia Pinster.

  "Where could she have gone?" Heather asked.