by Ellery Adams
“Speculating. That’s all I’m doing,” Cooper said. “But we have to start somewhere.”
“We who?” Mindy asked
“Your soft launch guests. We’re suspects as well, and we have a right to clear our names.”
“Your group is going to investigate?” Mindy asked. “Is that even legal?”
“I wouldn’t call it investigating. More like looking at things from a different perspective. If we find a few puzzle pieces along the way, we’ll pick them up and give them to Detective Olson, because withholding evidence in an investigation is a felony. We’d never do that.” Cooper smiled. “We’re simply looking out for you and Mama and all the members of the Sunshine Bible Study who have been named persons of interest.”
Mindy blinked. “I don’t know what to say. You’ve all been so kind. With the exception of Jon, I haven’t had anyone on my side in a long time.”
“Now you have us,” Ashley said. “All of us. The Sunrise Bible Study and the Lee family. We’re all here for you. Cooper and I are officially adopting you. We always wanted another sister.”
“That’s sort of like what Cooper said the other night. That not all family is biological.”
“My big sister is much wiser than I give her credit for,” Ashley said.
“I hope I’m wise enough to catch a killer,” Cooper said. She frowned in concentration. “Let’s review the facts so far. Loretta died of a car accident brought on by anaphylactic shock.”
“And it wasn’t Magnolia’s Marvels,” Ashley said. “I’m sure the forensic report will come back negative on those treats found in Loretta’s car.”
“What about the roses in the backseat?” Cooper asked.
“Not enough allergen to have caused that reaction,” Mindy said. “I checked with a college friend who is an anesthesiologist.”
“So we have a missing painting and a dozen suspects in a murder.” Cooper downed her coffee. “Right?”
“Yes,” Mindy agreed. “Loretta left a trail of problems wherever she went, and after her death, they seem to continue.”
“Why did she spend so much time at the inn?” Cooper asked. “And what was she doing?”
“Loretta insisted on having an office at Atwood Inn,” Mindy said. “It’s next to the library. The office was for show, and so she could keep an eye on me. She didn’t manage anything at the inn, but she did frequently mismanage.”
“Excuse me for being indelicate,” Ashley said. “But were you surprised when your father married her?”
“I should have seen it coming. He’d been lonely since my mother died. I lived at home then, until I got married, that is. With my job and marriage, the last five years we’ve struggled to meet weekly for dinner. My father didn’t like my husband, which didn’t help things.”
“In walks Loretta,” Cooper said.
“Yes. They’d only been married a year when he died.” She paused. “While I don’t want to speak ill of the dead, she’s been the devil to deal with since day one. Nothing pleased her, especially me.”
“Apparently her legacy is trouble too. Someone involved my mama by putting Magnolia’s Marvels in Loretta’s purse, and they’ve put you in a suspicious light too. That just makes me so cranky,” Cooper said.
“I’m with Cooper,” Ashley said. “Both of you are strong women who have worked hard to build your businesses, and someone has cast dispersions on you both.”
“Who is the question,” Mindy said.
“It’s time to collect the facts and uncover that someone,” Cooper said.
Mindy looked at Cooper and slowly shook her head. “I’m with you, Cooper. Tell me how I can help.”
Cooper leaned forward. “Do you mind if I ask a few questions?”
“I don’t have anything to hide.”
“Do you know anything about what Loretta was holding over Alice’s head?”
Mindy’s eyes rounded. “You mean blackmailing her?”
“Maybe. I’m not sure, Mindy.” Cooper shrugged. “I overheard a conversation on Friday when we arrived that was suspicious.”
“It’s certainly possible, and it would explain the contentiousness between them. I always thought it odd that Alice came to work at the inn at her mother’s request when it was clear she didn’t want to be there.” She paused. “What you’re saying seems to describe their relationship.”
“Where is Alice right now?”
“I’ve had to furlough all my employees until the investigation is over and I’m cleared. Loretta’s assets have been frozen pending the results of the police investigation, so Alice needed a job. I heard that she’s working at a little French bistro downtown.”
“Thanks, Mindy. I’ll check it out. And do you think maybe we can schedule a time for the group to have a look around the inn?”
“Anytime. What else can I do to assist you?”
“For now, your only job is to stay safe. But I do have one more question for you,” Cooper said. “Will Angela be able to hold her reception in your banquet room, even if the inn is closed to the public?”
“I can answer that,” Ashley said. “Yes. Mindy and I discussed it. We’re only renting the space and the catering has been outsourced. The catering staff will be on-site for the duration of the event instead of the Atwood Inn’s own staff.”
“I should have known you were on top of things, Ash.” Cooper stood and walked over to the buffet. “I think it’s time for Danish, don’t you?”
“I’m ready,” Ashley said. “After all, I’m eating for two.”
Cooper sighed. “I wish that was my excuse.”
Mindy stood as well and reached out to take Cooper’s hand. “I can’t thank you enough. Somehow I feel better already knowing you and the Sunrise Bible Study are checking into things.”
Cooper wished she did. The only thing she knew for certain was that the last few years had taught her that things were going to get a lot worse before they got better.
• • •
Cooper stood beneath the branches of a huge oak tree on the sidewalk of Main Street in downtown Richmond. She peeked into the storefront window of Monique Bridal, where frothy white gowns decorated the space of the exclusive wedding boutique. An ominous feeling settled over her like a dark cloud.
A murder and a bridal shop all in the last two weeks. Things were definitely going from bad to worse in her estimate. She’d rather solve a crime with the Sunrise Bible Study than step into a wedding store. How pathetic was that? Two serious relationships in her life and then . . . poof. They were over. Each time, she was certain they were “the one.”
How could she have gotten it so wrong?”
“What are you waiting for, Cooper?”
Cooper turned around at the sound of her sister’s voice. Ashley walked toward her from Thirteenth Street in a fashionable dress with heels, looking like the cover of a magazine as her glossy blonde hair bounced with each step.
“I was waiting for you,” Cooper said. She glanced down at her own clothes, black slacks, utilitarian blouse, and sensible shoes. In her defense, she had just come straight from work.
Ashley looped her arm through Cooper’s and led her into the shop. “You and I are five minutes late, and I had to call in a lot of favors to get us an appointment and fitting in this shop at such short notice.”
“Where’s Angela?” Cooper asked.
“She’s already inside being pampered. She texted me a few minutes ago.”
A perky young consultant in an elegant black suit led them through the boutique to a plush white couch, where Angela waited for them. She wore a white angora sweater, which emphasized her assets, along with a slim red skirt.
“Isn’t this place dreamy?” the bride gushed as she sipped a glass of champagne.
Cooper glanced around. It was that. Crystal chandeliers graced the ceiling. Everything in the room was white or glass, reflecting off highly polished oak floors.
“Very nice,” Ashley said.
“What do you think,
Cooper?” Angela asked.
What she thought is she could be home with her cats or out in her greenhouse. Instead, here she was. But she put on a smile for her friend. “I have a feeling this shop is going to find the perfect dress for you, Angela,” Cooper said.
Angela absolutely glowed at the words. “Oh, I hope so. This means so much to me. I’ve dreamt about looking like a princess on my wedding day for so long.” She shook her head. “I don’t know why we eloped. At the time it seemed so exciting, but this is what I’ve been waiting for.”
Another tall, young and perky woman in a black suit approached them. “Which one of you lovely ladies is our bride?”
“I am!”
The young woman bowed. “I’m your consultant, Nadine.” She smiled. “Was there a budget you’d like me to keep in mind as we select dresses for you?”
Angela batted her fake eyelashes. “None at all. I’m marrying the sweetest and kindest man in the world. He just wants me to be happy.”
“You’re a very lucky woman,” Nadine said. “I’ll be ready in a few minutes, and we can discuss your event and look at dresses.”
“Thank you!” Angela cooed, happy as can be.
“May I get the rest of you ladies sparkling water, or champagne?”
Ashley put a protective hand on her abdomen. “Water, please.”
“Bubbly for you, dear?” she asked Cooper.
“No, thank you. I’m driving.”
“I’ll be back shortly,” Nadine told Angela.
“Thank you,” Angela cooed again.
“Did you bring your notebook of dress ideas that we collected?” Ashley asked.
“I did.” She reached over and pulled a huge white photo album from a leather tote bag that sat on the floor next to her red peep-toe shoes. “Thank you so much for helping me.”
“Remember. This is your wedding. Your special day. Don’t settle for anything less than what you’ve always dreamed of.”
“Yes. Yes. You’re right, Ashley,” Angela said. She nodded, her face resolute. “Only what I’ve always dreamed of.” Then she blinked. “I sure wish my own mama was here to see this. Every girl wants her mama helping her pick her wedding dress.”
Ashley took Angela’s hand and patted it. “There, there. She’s here in spirit. I just know it.”
Angela sniffed. “You’re right.” She glanced at Ashley through moist eyes. “You’re just so good at this. You should start your own business.”
A moment later, Nadine returned to collect the bride. Angela gave them a little wiggly finger wave as she followed the consultant to another room.
“She’s right, Ash. You’d make a wonderful wedding planner. You’re so organized, and you have excellent taste, and look how you knew just the right words.”
Her sister seemed to really consider the idea. “Maybe, but not right now. I have babies to think about.”
“Plenty of women work and have children. With your own business, your kids can come to work with you.”
“I don’t know about that,” Ashley said. She glanced around the beautiful space. “Hannah would have this room destroyed in ten minutes.”
Cooper chuckled. “That’s true. But don’t rule it out. If you’re the boss, anything is possible.”
“I will think about it, Cooper. Thanks for believing in me.”
“You’re welcome. Now, when are you going to show me the maid of honor dress?” Cooper asked.
“Oh, maybe when you stop looking like you’re going to your execution.”
“That’s not true.”
“It is. You’re going to have to wait a bit longer and trust me.”
Cooper checked her watch. “It sure is taking long enough.” She picked up a bridal magazine from the coffee table and flipped through the pages.
“It takes time to find the perfect dress.”
Apparently, longer than it takes to find the perfect man, Cooper mused. Maybe that’s why she never got around to buying a wedding dress when she was engaged to Nathan.
She stared at a display of bridal gowns. The year before her own wedding, she’d watched enough wedding reality television to recognize the various styles—mermaid, sweetheart neckline, and on and on and on and on. For a while, she’d been almost addicted to a particular show about finding the right dress. But she’d never gone dress shopping. She’d scheduled appointments with chain bridal shops and canceled each one, citing conflicts with her schedule.
Perhaps her subconscious somehow knew that her engagement would melt like cotton candy. The only reason she’d reserved the venue and chosen flowers and met with the caterer was because Ashley had insisted. In the end, she’d let Ashley choose everything for her. Did she know deep down inside that it wasn’t meant to be? That he wasn’t the one?
“Ta-da!” Angela called out.
Cooper and Ashley turned to see a triumphant Angela walking toward them, holding the skirts of a voluminous gown. A blissful smile filled her face as Nadine assisted her to the platform in front of a large trifold mirror.
“Oh, Angela, it’s beautiful,” Ashley said. She stood and walked back and forth, assessing the dress from all angles.
“Do you like it, Cooper?” Angela asked.
“You look like royalty, Angela.” The dress was a princess style with miles of tulle and a beaded and modest neckline that managed to contain Angela’s generous décolletage. The waist was gathered and circled with a belt of faux rhinestones. Glitter and lace. This dress said Angela.
The bride-to-be sniffed. “Thank you so much. Having you two here with me means the world.”
“Veil, Miss Angela?” Nadine asked.
“Oh, no, a tiara, please.”
The shimmering tiara that perched on her platinum hair was the finishing touch.
“Perfect, Angela,” Ashley said. “You’ll look lovely with your bouquet of pink roses.”
“I agree,” Nadine said. “Come, we will visit with the seamstress, and then you will be done.”
“Oh, thank you.” Angela carefully stepped down from the pedestal and followed the consultant to the dressing room.
Cooper paced around the room, first examining a collection of tiaras on a glass shelf, then strolling to look at a row of colorful bridesmaid dresses. “Ashley, are you going to tell me about my dress?”
“What fun would that be, Cooper?” She smiled. “I told you, you’re just going to have to trust me.”
“I’ll trust you until it’s me and that gown alone in the fitting room.”
“Ms. Lee?”
“That’s me.”
“I’m Tasha. We’re ready for you. Step this way.”
Cooper glared at her sister, but Ashley simply offered a serene smile.
Tasha opened the door to a room with two velvet chairs and a tall mirror. “If you’ll wait here, I’ll be right back with your dress.”
Cooper’s stomach growled, and she glanced at her watch. It had been a long time since lunch. A moment later, Tasha came back in with a garment bag in her hands. She unzipped it and removed a gown in the perfect shade of teal that matched the colors of both of her eyes. After hanging it on the door hook, she turned to Cooper.
“Would you like assistance?”
“No. I’ve got this, thank you.”
“All right, then. I’ll be right outside.”
Cooper slipped off her clothes and stepped into the dress. She cracked open the door of the dressing room. “Um, could you zip me?”
“Of course.” Tasha smiled. “I love this dress. If you notice, it even has a pocket hidden in the beautiful pleating.”
Cooper thought the floor-length chiffon dress with a sweetheart neckline made her look like someone else. Like a beautiful woman. She stared at herself in the mirror.
“The dress fits like it was made for you.” She adjusted the straps and smiled. “Turn around and look at the back.
Cooper complied and grinned. The back had a heart-shaped cutout. “But what about undergarments?”
“We have that covered as well. No worries.” She looked at Cooper and smiled with approval. “Don’t go on any of those crazy diets before the wedding. This dress fits your curves like a lover. You are perfect just the way you are.”
“I’ve never been called a perfect anything.”
“Today, you are. We’ll pin the hem, but that’s all the alterations that are needed.” She eyed Cooper. “You’ll wear heels?”
Cooper grimaced.
“Ballet flats then. They’re comfortable. I have a pair you may try on.” She looked at Cooper’s feet. “Size eight?”
“Yes.”
She came back with satin ballet slippers with crystal embellishments. “We will send these out to be dyed to match the dress. You can pick them up when you pick up the dress.”
Cooper slid her feet into the shoes. “Oh, they’re as comfortable as my tennis shoes.”
“You can dance the night away.”
She doubted that she’d be dancing, but it was nice to consider that she could if she wanted to. Cooper turned to see herself in the mirror, still amazed.
“You look so beautiful, Cooper.”
She met Ashley’s gaze in the mirror. Her sister stood at the edge of the dressing room peeking in.
“This gown. It’s all this amazing gown. Thank you for finding the perfect dress, Ashley.”
“You thought I was going to put you in a Bo Peep outfit again, didn’t you?”
“I might have had a fleeting thought after your wedding.” Cooper chucked. That was exactly what she’d thought.
“I’ve learned a thing or two since then. You aren’t frou-frou like me. You’re a classic, Cooper. I should have played to your strengths back then. I’m so sorry for putting you in frills.”
Cooper laughed remembering the itchy dress.
“This dress is you.”
“It’s not me. But it is the ‘me’ that I’ve always dreamed of being.”
“I think you’re wrong. Someone will make you believe that, soon enough.” Ashley smiled. “What about your hair?”
Cooper glanced in the mirror at her wheat-colored blonde hair and bangs.
“Just the way it is,” Tasha said from the doorway. “This one needs no adornment. She’s a natural beauty.”