The Bakers and Bulldogs Mysteries Collection: 20 Book Box Set

by Rosie Sams

  Alvin squeezed her hand. “Mel, it’s going to be fine. I’m sure Kim can find it in her heart to support her sister for one day, and Wilbur and I will keep a steady eye on Jared to make sure he doesn’t give her a reason to meltdown and ruin the wedding.” Alvin narrowed his eyes on the dark road ahead of them. “I can’t imagine living like Jared and Kim. That has to be… tragic.”

  Melody stared at Alvin in silence for a couple of minutes. He looked at her quickly then turned his eyes back to the road, “What is it, Mel? What are you thinking?” He figured she was thinking about Kim and Jared’s sham of a marriage, too.

  Mel smiled and leaned in toward Alvin. “I can’t wait to marry you, Alvin Hennessey,” she whispered in his ear just before pressing her lips to it.

  “That’s Sheriff Hennessey to you,” teased Alvin.

  After Alvin parked the car, he escorted his stunningly beautiful date into the inn. Coming back here, he remembered their last visit. Melody had come with Kerry to look at the inn for this very wedding, only a stabbing had occurred, and everything had to be put on hold. Of course, Smudge and Melody had helped him sniff out the clues and solve the murder.

  “Why did Kerry come back here… you know, after the stabbing in the inn?” he asked.

  “I know, I don’t think I would want that memory on my wedding day,” Melody said. “The thing is she just loves this place.”

  “I guess,” Alvin said as he pulled the car up and pushed it into park.

  Leslie and her date, Wilbur Byrd, were waiting for them. Wilbur was Alvin’s deputy and a good friend. He and Leslie had connected on a more romantic level soon after Melody and Smudge had helped Alvin and Wilbur rescue the puppies of Port Warren. The rescue had made headlines, and Wilbur adopted the two male beagle puppies while Leslie adopted the two females. Their routine puppy playdates blossomed into romantic dates, and now the two were an official “item.”

  “Hello, gorgeous people!” Leslie said. She wore a brilliant shimmering blue pantsuit with matching high heels. Wilbur wore a blue suit with brown shoes to match. The deputy sheriff cleaned up well. They exchanged greetings all around then entered the large parlor together.

  As they sipped cocktails and made small talk, Kerry and Bradford made their entrance into the engagement party. This was an intimate event for the immediate family and the bridal party. Kerry wore a soft, white shift dress. Bradford matched her with a sharp beige suit, a crisp white shirt, and brown shoes. They looked like a celebrity couple straight from the cover of an entertainment magazine. There was a rousing round of applause from their friends and family.

  Kerry blushed a deep shade of pink, but she looked so very happy. Bradford gave his future wife a tender peck, which caused the crowd to applaud again. Right on cue, Liza Summers brought over two champagne flutes on a silver platter. Melody felt her eyes narrow on Liza as Bradford picked up both flutes and handed one to Kerry. Melody had not forgotten what she witnessed earlier, and she committed to confronting Liza and Jared at some point that evening. The clock was ticking, and she wanted this event to pass smoothly before the countdown finished.

  “To all of our friends and family, joining us near and wide, we thank you for being here and supporting us through this most important milestone. It’s really a special time for us, and I’m truly the luckiest man in the world because tomorrow, Kerry Porter will finally be my wife,” Bradford said. Then, he looked to the future Mrs. Smedley inviting her to add her own words if she felt so inclined.

  The crowd cheered and tapped their utensils against their glasses, creating soft tinkling sounds that mimicked bells. Before Kerry addressed them, she cradled Bradford’s face in her hands and placed a tender kiss on his lips. It was an American custom for the happy couple to kiss when their guests made this sound.

  “Thank you all for sharing in our happiness. Tomorrow, we, along with the other guests arriving for the wedding, will meet here at two o’clock. We’ll exchange our vows just outside the Main Dining Hall, in the large English gardens. Coleman has set up a special area, that’s simply breathtaking. Thank you, Coleman.” Kerry spotted him in the crowd and blew him a kiss. For the first time in the days leading up to the wedding, Melody noticed Coleman smile.

  “After the vows, we’ll retire to the Main Dining Hall for the big party!” continued Kerry as she threw her hands up in celebration! “We want all of you to have a great time, and we thank you again for helping Bradford and I make this an affair to remember!”

  Midway through the night, sometime after dinner was served but not dessert, Melody excused herself and headed for the ladies’ room. The restrooms were located down a narrow hallway, off the open lobby. Further down the same hallway just past the restrooms was an employee entrance to the kitchen.

  She left the large parlor, then turned right down a narrow hall. There, just outside the ladies’ room door, Emily and Liza argued.

  “I know you’re stealing my tips, Liza!” Emily said angrily.

  “I’m not stealing your tips. I’m just making more than you. I can’t help it if my pretty face and charm are worth more than whatever this… is.” Liza motioned her hand toward Emily’s face and body. “Have you ever been to a salon, or had your eyebrows waxed even once? Maybe contacts instead of glasses?” Her helpful words were delivered with a sarcastic tone.

  As Melody walked toward them. Liza stalked off in triumph, rubbing her fingertips together, indicating she was off to make money. Melody glared at her.

  “Are you all right?” Melody asked.

  “I’d feel better if Liza found another place to work. She’s been nothing but trouble since she’s been here. Between stealing tips and seducing male guests, she’s got a real racket here. Mr. Urquhart is too busy to fully grasp the devil she is.” Emily’s cell phone alerted her that she had a new text message. “Excuse me, Ms. Marshall I need to answer this – and I apologize for my outburst.” Emily headed off to the kitchen.

  Melody watched her go then entered the ladies’ room to powder her nose.

  A few minutes later, Melody emerged from the ladies’ room. The kitchen door had opened momentarily as an employee exited. The employee shot her a fretful look that caused Melody to snap her head toward the door. As it slowly swung closed, she saw Coleman berating Emily once again.

  This poor girl can’t catch a break today.

  Coleman can’t keep treating his employees this way.

  Melody was determined to say something to him.

  She headed for the door, and just as she was about to swing it open, her hand recoiled. The sounds of a loud scuffle were coming from the large parlor.

  “Oh, no. Here we go!” Melody said as she aborted her kitchen mission and raced to the parlor.

  Chapter One Hundred Sixty-Five

  The large parlor was big enough to host the small engagement party. It was a square room with some cabaret-style tables, a modest dance floor, and a small bar toward the back. A piano player played a selection of songs that held significant meaning for Bradford and Kerry. In the center of the dancefloor, Jared argued with Maxwell, who stood in between Jared and Kim. All three of them had been to the bar on several occasions throughout the night, and the mood was getting tense.

  “Hands off my wife, creep!” Jared shouted as he threw a glass at Maxwell’s feet, smashing it to pieces.

  The room gasped! Jared’s outburst interrupting their conversation, Melody inhaled sharply and rose from her seat. Alvin, Wilbur, and Leslie followed her lead.

  “It was just a dance! Like you even care!” Kim yelled from behind Maxwell. Kim was tipsy, her hand cupped around a fresh cranberry and vodka cocktail. “I’m surprised you even noticed. Your eyes have been glued to every pretty young thing in this place since we got here, especially that one!” Unaware of what she was doing, Kim lifted her hand, the cocktail still in it, and pointed it at Liza! Some of the bright reddish-pink liquid splashed toward Liza, spattering her white work shirt. Liza gasped in horror then glared between Jared and
Kim before stalking off toward the kitchen to clean herself up.

  Before Melody and the team could reach them, Bradford stepped between Jared and Maxwell while Kerry pulled Kim away from the scene. The women naturally split with Melody and Leslie helping Kerry, Alvin and Wilbur jumped in to help Bradford manage Jared and Maxwell.

  “I would focus on you if you weren’t so self-absorbed and drunk!” Jared yelled after Kim as Alvin and Wilbur yanked him toward the parlor doors.

  “Now, listen here, Jared, you shouldn’t talk about your wife like that,” Maxwell said. “Let’s all just calm down and…” But Maxwell never got to finish his sentence. In an instant, Jared broke free from Alvin and Wilbur then slugged Maxwell clumsily in the jaw! Maxwell stumbled back, knocking into Kim, who, as a result, fell into Kerry and spilled the remaining red cocktail all over Kerry’s white dress.

  Just as Maxwell was about to swing back, Alvin and Wilbur split up, each grabbing a stronger hold on Jared and Maxwell, respectively.

  “Break it up! That’s enough!” Alvin shouted. “If you two don’t quit it, I’ll haul both of you down to the station right now.” Alvin was so angry; Melody swore she saw steam coming from his nose and ears. Disappointed that Jared and Kim could not keep it together for the sake of Kerry, he glanced darkly toward Melody and shook his head. Melody looked equally angry.

  Maxwell pulled his arm free from Wilbur’s grip, adjusted his suit. “I don’t need this drama. I can get this kind of trouble back in Vegas… drunk husbands and wives.” Maxwell hiccupped. “Bradford, Kerry… I apologize for this disgusting display of machismo. Please excuse me.” Then, he stalked off to his room.

  “Why must you spoil everything, Kim!” Kerry said. Her hands were shaking out her wet, stained dress.

  Kim turned to face her sister; her face contorted with shock over the accusation.

  “I… I’m not trying to do anything of the sort, Kerry! I just want to be here for you! You’re my sister! I love you!” Kim reached out clumsily to help Kerry wipe her dress. Kerry quickly swatted her hands away, taking a step back from her as if she was repulsed by Kim’s presence. A look of disgust darkened her face.

  “You’re my sister, and you say you love me, yet, you can’t help from ruining my wedding? It’s my wedding, Kim! Just go,” Kerry said with tears brimming in her eyes.

  Leslie saw Kerry’s face. Quickly, she reached for Kim’s arm and pulled her away from Kerry. Melody reached for Kerry and tried to guide her away.

  “Maybe you should sleep it off, Kim,” Kerry said as she turned away from her.

  Kim pulled her arm free from Leslie and snarled at Melody, “You’re not her sister. I am!” It was clear Kim’s estrangement from her sister was taking a toll. She looked around the room. Everyone was staring at her. The embarrassment was overwhelming. She wiped her tears with the back of her hand and delicately set down her now empty glass on a nearby table as if to set herself apart from Jared’s earlier glass smash. “I’m going to my room,” she said calmly as she lifted her chin.

  Kim made every attempt to walk out of the room with her head held high, but deep inside, she knew she had destroyed her sister’s party and cast a dark shadow on tomorrow’s wedding.

  “I knew this would happen. I knew it! I should have never invited them to my wedding. This is only the rehearsal dinner, imagine what they will do tomorrow!” Kerry said as she watched Kim leave the parlor.

  “Tomorrow will be perfect.” Melody took Kerry’s hands, trying to reassure her. “Don’t worry, we will all make sure that these three behave or go home. Everyone will be watching them and trust me, no one is going to let them give a repeat performance.”

  “If I have to call in the entire Port Warren Sheriff’s Department just to manage crowd control, I’ll do it,” Alvin said, reinforcing Melody’s statement.

  “So now, our wedding is going to be a militarized occasion?” Kerry shook her head. She didn’t want that at all.

  Alvin and Melody shook their heads and tried to soothe Kerry, but it was no use. Melody understood. How could Kim do this?

  Bradford pushed through their circle of friends and took his future wife’s hand in his. “No. That’s not going to happen. Everything will be fine. I’ll talk to Maxwell and Jared tonight and make sure they fully understand that I will personally uninvite all of them. In the meantime, let’s enjoy the rest of the evening. We haven’t even had Mel’s cake yet!” His voice was calm and in control as he tried to refocus Kerry on the party.

  “But my dress… “

  “Kerry, you could make a potato sack look like a Ralph Lauren. Ignore it, and let’s dance.”

  Bradford always knew how to make Kerry smile. She took his hand as he led her to the dancefloor. The piano player played one of their favorite tunes, and they danced like they were the only two people in the room.

  The rest of the party proceeded without incident. Most of the guests were relieved that Jared and Kim didn’t return. When the event finally concluded, and all said their goodbyes, Melody and Alvin walked hand in hand out the inn’s front doors.

  “Wait here, Mel. I’ll go get the car.”

  As Melody waited for Alvin, she noticed two shadowy figures locked in an embrace. They were kissing with passion and abandonment while she tried to identify them. Alvin pulled up and ushered her in the passenger seat.

  As he drove past, Liza stepped out of the shadows and into the moonlight. Whomever she was with pulled her playfully back into the shadows for another kiss.

  I hope that’s not Jared, Melody thought.

  Chapter One Hundred Sixty-Six

  The wedding day had finally arrived! The sun was shining with clear blue skies. The gardens were vibrant with color. The fresh day wiped the slate clean on the previous night’s drama.

  “We’re going to be late! Alvin, are you ready?” Melody was slipping into her blush-colored bridesmaid dress. With the back open, she hurried into the bathroom, where Alvin was patting aftershave on his face and neck.

  “Mmhmm, you smell good, Al. Zip me, please,” Melody said as she spun around, offering him her back.

  “Thank you. And if you keep getting dressed up like this, I’m going to have to marry you.” Alvin wiped his hands before he zipped up Melody’s dress.

  “You have to marry me anyway. You already said yes.” Melody saw that twinkle in Alvin’s eye. She knew he was remembering the moment when she, unconventionally, proposed to him. He had had every intention of proposing to Melody, but she beat him to it, and he loved her for it.

  “Saying yes to you was the smartest thing I’ve ever done.”

  Melody gave him a quick peck before heading down the steps. There would be plenty of time to reminisce after Kerry and Bradford were married and off honeymooning. Once this wedding was past them, Melody vowed to plan hers with Alvin. It was time.

  “Smudge!”

  Smudge trotted to Melody from the kitchen. Fresh from the groomer, her blue-gray coat shined and smelled of Juniper Breeze, a conditioning spray Smudge particularly liked. Smudge had a lifetime supply of it thanks to her part in solving a case involving the puppies of Port Warren. Being a hot news story, it earned media coverage for the product’s manufacturer.

  “This color really highlights your eyes, Smudge.” Melody tied a large, pretty pink bow around Smudge’s neck. The soft pale pink complimented her unique blue-gray fur. “You’re going to be the prettiest flower pup ever.”

  Without hesitation, the trio drove out to Bronwyn’s Country Inn. Once inside, Melody and Smudge parted ways with Alvin and headed toward Kerry’s bridal suite. Alvin joined the other groomsmen in the parlor.

  “It’s finally here, Mel! After today, I will officially be Mrs. Bradford Smedley, the First!” Kerry grinned as Melody opened the door to the suite.

  “The first, huh?” teased Leslie as she zipped up the back of Kerry’s white wedding gown.

  “Well, I think it has a nice ring to it, don’t you?” Kerry asked.

  “
Indeed, it does. I love it, and I’m so happy for you both,” Leslie said with a bright smile. She knew how important this day was for Kerry, and Kerry looked like a bride right out of a magazine.

  Kim emerged from the bathroom. Melody glanced at her. She was a bit surprised to see her. Kim offered her a polite smile. Thankfully, Kim was dressed, and if it weren’t for her puffy eyes, indicating that she’d had a rough night, it was almost as if the fight didn’t happen. None of the women spoke of it, and Kerry seemed to be in good spirits.

  “Kerry, let’s get your veil on. The photographer should be here shortly.” Leslie guided Kerry to the full-length mirror. Seeing the beautiful bride, Smudge barked happily.

  “I’d like to touch up her eye makeup before you do that, Leslie. I have this deep shade of blue that I think would make her eyes pop,” Kim said.

  “I don’t want to look like a clown, Kim.” Kerry didn’t look too happy.

  “No, no – just a smudge to create a little contrast.”

  “Oh – speaking of Smudge! Doesn’t she look pretty? Mel, that bow is perfect for her. Thank you both for doing this. Thank you all!” Kerry was beaming with excitement, just the way it should be.

  While Leslie helped Kerry with her veil, Melody pulled Kim aside. “Have you spoken with your husband since last night?”

  Kim’s puffy eyes with dark circles under them narrowed at the mention of her husband.

  “Let me tell you about my good for nothing, carousing husband…” Kim said as she started to bring Melody up to speed. But, as Melody hushed her to keep her voice down, a blood-curdling scream suddenly pierced the air!