Deadly Arrangements (Book Two in the Cozy Flower Shop Mystery Series) (The Flower Shop Mystery Series)

by Annie Adams

  Everyone applauded and laughed, although I don’t know if it was for the bird or because Fred and K.C. had finished their kiss and faced the guests as the new Mr. and Mrs. Carr.

  They walked back toward the visitor center where an hors d’oeuvres and drink bar had been set up. The rest of the wedding party had been instructed to stay in place so a few more pictures could be taken while the guests mingled. I stole a quick glance over to the men’s side of the archway and found Alex looking back at me. Butterflies took flight in my chest. I took a step forward to go and see him while we waited for the bride and groom to return, only to be chastised by the photographer who’d apparently graduated from the Drill Sergeant Photographers Academy. After pictures, the waiting crowd of guests returned to where we stood to offer their congratulations and I lost sight of Alex.

  I mingled and chatted, all the while searching the crowd for a handsome head of golden brown hair. I spotted the back of his head. At least ten people stood between us. With as much politeness as possible, I shoved my way through the crowd until I reached a behatted bunch of older women. I eschewed their dirty looks, keeping my eyes on the prize as I plowed through the group.

  I finally reached the brown hair, but found a nice looking man in gray slacks. The woman he was with asked me if I was the florist she’d heard so much about and started to tell me about her niece. She was supposedly really talented at making silk wreaths for the holidays and would I like her phone number?

  Suddenly a hand grabbed my wrist and pulled me out of the trap. It kept pulling, guiding me to the back of the visitor center and I followed without a word. Once behind the building he turned to face me and I backed up against the building. His eyes flashed with an intensity that made me shiver.

  He closed the space between us. The heat from his gaze seemed to fill my entire body. He cradled the back of my neck and tilted my head up, then kissed me. All the kisses we hadn’t had while he was away were made up for in that one perfect moment.

  My arms had found their way around his neck and his other hand reached around my waist and he pulled me to him. I paused for just a moment to look up at him and take in the image of the face I had been longing to see.

  I took in a sharp breath, preparing to suggest we leave immediately and finish what we had started in a more private location. As I parted my lips to speak, I was interrupted by a sound so jarring, so disturbing, so…embarrassing…the memory of it haunts me to this day.

  It was the sound of my father clearing his throat.

  Alex closed his eyes and cringed, at the same time whipping his hands off of me and clasping them behind his back.

  “Oh…did I…so sorry to interrupt,” my father said through a grin, accompanied by wickedly twinkling eyes.

  “Angus,” Alex said, then did his own throat clearing. “We, um, haven’t seen each other in a while.” His hand darted out to shake with my father’s.

  “I can see that,” Dad said as he gripped Alex’s outstretched hand. “I really didn’t mean to stop any…thing. I just came looking for you to see if you wouldn’t mind lending a hand with all the folding chairs. But you two look mighty busy.” He looked at me and winked.

  I shook my head at him. So much heat radiated off my cheeks, I might give off sparks and set the building on fire.

  “We were just…” There was no use in me trying to explain. It was quite obvious what we had been doing.

  “I’ll be right over to help,” Alex said. He and my father exchanged nods. Apparently they’d had a visit to Mantown.

  “I am so sorry,” I said. My body was sorrier.

  Alex sighed and then took my hand. He kissed the inside of my wrist and placed my palm on the side of his face with his hand resting on top. He leaned down and touched his forehead to mine. We stood there silent for a moment. He pulled away. “I’ll see you a little later. I’ve got some manly duties to perform.” He brushed a quick kiss across my lips.

  Oh, if he only knew the thoughts that entered my mind when I heard him say “manly duties.” I darn near self-combusted on the spot. He turned and I watched his kilt move back and forth as he walked a few steps. “Oh, Alex…”

  “Yeah, babe?” he said, turning to look at me.

  “I was right. You are just as hot in a dress as I thought you would be.”

  “That’s probably the most disturbing thing you’ve ever said to me.” A mischievous smile curled at the corners of his mouth. “But just wait ‘til I’m outta this dress and see what you think then.” He turned and jogged over to the seating area.

  I picked my jaw up off the ground and went inside.

  ***

  K.C. and Fred rocked and rolled at their reception, along with their guests. Round tables topped with garden-style floral centerpieces, complete with miniature pumpkins and gourds, filled the edges of the room. A center square had been reserved for dancing. And dance we did. A four piece band occupied a corner providing live music the entire night. My dad even stood in for a few numbers with his banjo. At one point, Fred and K.C. unveiled a secret dance routine that they had been practicing for weeks. They stepped, clapped, sashayed, and dipped to the song “Little Bitty Pretty One,” then invited the rest of us to join in.

  I had to wait at the end of a long line for my turn to dance with Alex. It seemed like every woman in the place wanted a turn. Allie and I sat at our table and watched as he fought off Elma’s advances. After her hands wandered a little too close to the sporran on the front of his kilt I jumped up and cut in. There was an exchange of dirty looks between she and I and she muttered something that sounded like the word “banned” as she walked away. A line had been drawn in the sand and I’d crossed it. I’d chosen Alex over hot fluffy scones with honey-butter. I think I made the right decision.

  We held each other as the music played. “You look a little flushed,” I said.

  “It was like dancing with an octopus. And why does she think I would enjoy having my ass pinched like that?”

  “It is pretty irresistible.” I gave him a little pat.

  “Don’t you get started too. I won’t be able to sit down as it is.”

  Later, while Alex danced with my mom, I danced with my dad, and Allie danced with our brother-in-law Rick, K.C. took over the microphone. At the end of the song she asked for everyone’s attention.

  “Before anyone leaves, Fred and I want to thank all of you for coming. You’ve made this the most special day, and we’re so happy we got to share it with all of our friends. Those of you holding drinks can help me toast to true love.”

  Everyone sitting at the tables held their glasses aloft and toasted.

  “Now for some announcements. We’ve got this beautiful center reserved for another hour so party hardy everyone. Also, I wanted to share the good news that our wonderful friend, Gordon Hawkes, has recovered from his injuries, thank the Big Guy Upstairs. And that his daughter Stephanie just got engaged!” She pointed to Gordon and his wife, who sat next to Stephanie and her new fiancé, while the crowd applauded. “And one more piece of good news comes from my new second family—the McKays. Angus would you like to tell us what I just overheard from a little birdie?”

  My father had draped his arm across my shoulders while we listened to K.C. I looked up at him in surprise at the news I’d heard nothing about. He spoke from where we stood, his voice booming loud enough for everyone in the room to hear without a mic. “K.C., I want to congratulate you and Fred before I give our big news. This has been one heck of a shindig.” The crowd applauded in agreement. “I just learned some big news for our family.” He looked at me and squeezed my shoulders. I glanced around in excited anticipation and noticed my mother’s blank expression. Apparently it was news to her, too. “I’m going to be a proud grand pappy. My daughter is pregnant!”

  My mother’s eyes flashed open and she let out a wail I could hear above the noise of the applause.

  “Quinella McKay!” she shrieked.

  Even in the darkened room I could see her
skin turn ghostly pale…right before she collapsed. Luckily, she’d just been dancing with Alex, and he caught her before she hit the floor. He eased her to the ground and looked up at me, his brown eyes registering a look of shock. His normally tanned skin matched the gray tone of my unconscious mother’s complexion. His mouth hung agape.

  “Dad!” I shouted. I felt like I would soon be following my mother’s lead. I grew light-headed and grabbed onto my father’s arm.

  “Oh no, oh no, oh no,” Dad said as he looked around franticly. He ran up to the mic stand. “Sorry folks, I should have clarified. My daughter Sandy is pregnant.” He shot over to my mother and the group of people gathered around her. “Oh geez, Annette. I stuck my foot in that one,” he said as he kneeled. He took over supporting my mom’s head from Alex. She was already starting to come to. “I’m sorry, lad. I owe you one. Hell of a scare, wasn’t it?” They exchanged a brief visual communication of some sort. Mantown again, I supposed.

  ***

  Alex caught the garter and Elma caught the bouquet. No one was really surprised at that. In addition to blocking out like an NBA center, she’d threatened every eligible woman at the wedding long before the flowers were tossed. I’d tried to help clean up, but Danny insisted his crew was there to do the take-down so the rest of us could enjoy the remainder of the evening. My mother had recovered from her faint and been told which of us was really pregnant, but I still felt like she looked at me suspiciously the rest of the night.

  Now that the wedding was over I could focus on the other thing that had been occupying my thoughts. I left Zombie Sue in the competent and watchful care of Danny and rode home with Alex. I was still in my dress and he was still in his kilt.

  “That was a pretty mean trick your father played tonight,” Alex said.

  “That was no trick. I was just as surprised as you were.”

  “I don’t think that’s possible. I had to wonder what really happened while I was gone. I still don’t really believe your manure story. You were driving around naked for some other reason. Who was it? I’ll kill him.”

  “I told you what really happened. And K.C. was the one driving. And I wasn’t naked. I was in my granny panties and a bra that Danny made me burn.”

  “It’s probably better I don’t know how Danny works into all of this. You didn’t say you burned your granny’s. Are you wearing them now?”

  I laughed. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

  He didn’t say anything for a long time, then quietly said, “Oh, I intend to find out. Soon.”

  I took a big gulp of air. Heat rushed throughout my body and stayed in certain places. He turned off of the main road, away from my house, and in the direction of his. It was an unexpected change in plans.

  “I thought we were going to my house,” I said.

  “I know. So does everyone else. That’s why we’re going to my place.”

  Chills of excitement took over my insides. “You know, you played your own dirty trick on me, telling me you weren’t going to be there tonight. How long had K.C. known you were really coming?”

  I saw him smile as we passed under a streetlamp. “A day or three.”

  “Three days! That traitor. She knew for that long? And you. It was torture waiting to hear from you. Why did you do it?”

  He paused a beat. “The job in Boise was postponed and I came home as soon as I found out. I called ahead and told K.C. so she could plan on me, but I didn’t actually get here until late yesterday.”

  “So…why didn’t you call me?”

  “I guess I wanted you to have to think about things. Decide if you really wanted to be with me, without me here clouding your judgment. You jumped to a huge conclusion about me and Samantha’s son before I left. I didn’t know exactly what you thought, but I knew it probably wasn’t accurate.”

  “Well then why didn’t you just tell me? No. Wait. I already know the answer to that. I didn’t let you. I get that. See? I did think about things while you were gone. I thought about how I might have chased away the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

  “I…” He reached over to hold my hand. “I feel the same way about you, Quincy. In fact, I think I’m…in…l—”

  He couldn’t possibly be saying what I thought he was saying. But I wasn’t so scared this time. Whatever kind of “L” word he was going to use, I was pretty sure I felt the same way.

  “—like with you.”

  I was right. I did feel the same way about him and it was perfect. I didn’t know how to reply, but I felt warm all over.

  “Babe, I’m so sorry I wasn’t here for you with that crazy bride. Why didn’t John call me?”

  “I made John swear not to tell you anything about Jacqueline or Jenny. I threatened to take another ride with K.C. if he leaked even one word.”

  “Well that did the trick. He didn’t call.”

  “But seriously, I wanted to handle it myself. And Jenny took me completely by surprise. I did try to call you after they arrested her though.”

  “Sorry. I turned my phone off so I wouldn’t be tempted to call you. I wanted to surprise you today.”

  “You certainly did.”

  Neither of us said anything until he pulled into his driveway.

  “Did you think about anything…else while I was away?” he asked.

  “Oh, you have no idea,” I said in a low, breathy voice.

  “Whoa.” He parked the Scout and came around to my side and opened the door. He held his hand up for me to steady myself as I stepped out. I took his hand and he pulled me into him and kissed me. He backed me up against the car and pressed into me as we kissed some more. We gave Mrs. Bernhisel her money’s worth and then grabbed our things out of the Scout and went in the house.

  Once inside, he threw the locks on the doorknob and the deadbolt, and then checked the back door. He took his landline phone off the hook and held up his cell phone as he switched it off. I fished for my phone in my bag, saw that I had a text from my mother and gladly turned it off. I gave it to Alex, covered my eyes and told him to hide it wherever he wanted. He went through every room making sure the windows and blinds were closed. He clearly did not want to be disturbed this time and I was in full agreement.

  We sat on his sleek, black sofa. He kicked off his shoes and socks, then scooped up my legs and dress and crossed them over his lap so we could sit closer. He let out a sigh, “Finally.” He slid his left hand behind my neck and up to the French twist pinned into my hair. His right hand brushed the side of my breast and continued on to my back. He leaned in and barely brushed my lips with his. I leaned forward for more, but he backed away, teasing.

  He pulled at the bobby pins that fastened my hair, and it fell down over my shoulders. His hand returned to the back of my neck then tangled through my hair as he pulled me to him again and kissed me, this time deeply.

  I put my hands on his hard chest and grasped at the lapels of his Prince Charlie Jacket. Then I unbuttoned the jacket and slid the lapels up and over his shoulders.

  “Quincy?” he said as he shrugged out of his jacket.

  “Hmm?”

  “Are you really wearing granny panties?”

  I stood up. “You’ll just have to find out for yourself.”

  He stood up too. “Challenge accepted. Take off your dress.”

  “You first,” I said with a giggle.

  He grinned and I took his hands and put them around my waist. Then I unbuttoned his tuxedo shirt and pulled the tails up and out from the kilt. I did a sharp intake of breath as I stood there looking at his muscled chest and abdomen. I ran my hands up along his chest and onto his back and he dipped down for another kiss. I pressed into him with my body and felt the electricity that seemed to pass between us. He trailed kisses down my neck, and onto my chest, then stopped where he was, his hot breath burning directly over my heart. I let out a little moan.

  “I can’t take it anymore. I’ve got to see what’s under there.” He took my hand and pulled me in
to the hallway toward his bedroom. We stopped halfway there and kissed again, his hands traveling and exploring my body.

  Eventually, we made it to his bedroom. The Iron Maiden made her appearance, and while she was a tough opponent, she was no match for the man in the kilt. There was no hesitation from either of us. In fact, quite the opposite. And much to my pleasure and surprise that evening, I found out it’s true what they say about what goes on beneath those kilts.

  EPILOGUE

  The next morning I woke up in Alex’s bed to the smell of coffee brewing and bacon cooking. I slipped into his tuxedo shirt, which hung just barely to my mid-thigh, and tip-toed into the kitchen. He stood at the counter in a gray t-shirt and jeans, his back to me.

  I snuck up, reached around his waist, and hugged him from behind. “What, no more kilt?” I felt his deep laugh echo through his chest.

  “The kilt is retiring. He’s worn out,” he said and turned to look at me. “Oh man, what are you wearing?”

  “You like it?”

  “I love it.” He wrapped his arms around me. “But a man’s gotta eat sometime. Are you hungry?”

  I was. He dished out the food and we sat together at the table and ate. We talked about everything that had happened while he was gone and he told me about his family back home.

  “They all want to meet you,” he said.

  “Really? Why?”

  He chuckled. “Apparently I mentioned you a few hundred times.”

  I couldn’t help but grin. “Awww. You missed me.”

  He came over and tugged me out of my chair, pulling me into him. “Oh, I missed you, Miss McKay.” He flashed a look at me with those deep pools of melting chocolate as his hands began to wander. “A lot.”

  I started to tell him how much I’d missed him, but he covered my mouth with his, so I decided to show him instead. I grabbed the bottom of his shirt and he lifted his arms, so I could rip it up and over his head. I slowly ran my hands down over his tight pectorals then onto his hard abs, which made me shudder inside.

  He held my head, both hands tangled in my hair, and looked into my eyes for a couple of beats before he kissed me again.