Talk of the Town (18 page)

The woman put her finger to her lips, gesturing Kelly to be silent. Her black garments floated around her. Kelly’s throat constricted as a sound tried to escape. She stared in fascination and fear, backing herself into the far corner of the dining room.

The dark-cloaked figure moved silently through the room. Kelly slid herself behind one end of a huge china hutch. Fear coursed through her like an electric shock. What if Raymond’s killer found her?

The hood fell away. It was Lynnette. Lynnette, for crying out loud. She kept moving toward Kelly. Lynnette’s face looked twisted in the light of the flickering fake candles.

“Trick or treat, Kelly, what a fun little event you’ve cooked up.”

“You startled me.” Kelly regained an ounce of her senses. She wasn’t going to let this bitch scare her. She was a city kid, after all. A tough city kid.

“Quite the masquerade. Love your new hair.” Lynnette’s voice sounded odd.

“Thanks.” Kelly put a hard edge on her own voice. What did this woman want from her life, besides Sam? She stepped out of the corner and straightened herself up.

Lynnette had been walking toward Kelly one step at a time. “Congratulations on your engagement. Enjoy it while you can,
Kelly.
”

“Thank you.” Sam’s voice came from the far doorway, strong and loud. He strode over to Kelly. “The Millers will have the generator going in a few minutes. Everyone’s fine. They all think it’s a great lark.” Sam took Kelly’s arm and stood firmly beside her.

Lynnette looked like she had something to say but changed her mind. “Good night, Sam,” she said, then turned quickly and made her exit.

“Sam, Sam, I-I thought she was someone else.”

“She is someone else. A woman who needs a new hobby. You’re freezing.” Sam took off his brown wool cowboy jacket and wrapped her up in it. “Damn, this room is cold.”

“Thanks, Sam. You’re my hero anyhow. Thanks for chasing off the spookiest guest of all.”

“You’re cute when you’re scared out of your wits.”

“Oh, thanks. Let’s go see to scaring our other guests a few more times, then we’ll talk about that string-tie boot thing again.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Sam took Kelly’s hand and led her through the dining room. The generator kicked in and the house lights dimly lit up. Kelly went ahead to waft up and down the stairs, which left Sam to brood. He’d talked to Tom already, but Tom couldn’t watch Lynnette all the time. She was getting out of hand. Maybe she really wasn’t so harmless. He’d have to keep an eye on his fiancée. A very close eye.

She was a country bride this time. A November country bride. She stood in front of the full-length mirror in the bride’s room downstairs from the sanctuary. Who would have ever figured her for a church wedding? They’d chosen the Presbyterian church, where Sam had danced with her for the very first time.

Myrtle set a circle of daisies and tiny white roses on her head and fluffed her hair up around it.

“It’s a damn masterpiece, if I do say so myself,” she said with a mouthful of bobby pins. Myrtle stuck them in randomly around Kelly’s headpiece.

Kelly giggled when she noticed the turquoise
cowboy boots under Myrtle’s completely creative pretty-much-the-mother-of-the-bride dress. It was a Western-style suit of beige wool with turquoise braid trim. Her daisy and rose corsage was fastened in her red hair, and she had turquoise jewelry stacked around her neck.

“Hey, isn’t that the jewelry Sam sent over for our rodeo date?”

“Yep—it’s symbolic, ya see. I knew the moment I laid eyes on you in that Greyhound bus that you were Sam’s bride. I knew you wouldn’t mind if I borrowed it.”

“You are a meddling old woman, and I love you for it.”

“I do it so good, don’t I?” Myrtle puffed up Kelly’s skirt and stood back. “You look like a regular princess.”

Kelly gazed at the reflection of herself. Her now-blonde curly hair made beautiful waves under her veil. The dress was a confection she and Myrtle and Dottie had created out of a
Vogue
pattern. Damn, they’d done good. The pure white organza had reembroidered cutwork lace daisies overlaid on every edge and layer. The full, transparent sleeves gathered at her wrists in a smooth flip-back French cuff.

It had a fifties feel. Pretty appropriate for a town that had stopped in time about then.

“Hey, Myrtle, check this out.” Kelly lifted up
the multi-layered skirt enough to let her shoes show. “Something borrowed.”

“My stars! You’re a chip off the old block!” Myrtle chuckled and gazed at the white and yellow satin strappy sandals, each with a bunch of fake silk daisies stuck on the top.

There was a knock on the door. Evelyn Grayson poked her stylish head through the crack.

“Knock knock, can I come in? Oh, my heavens, you are a vision. You look like Grace Kelly.”

“Come in, come in.” Kelly lowered her skirts and turned to get a hug from Sam’s mom. Evelyn looked simply elegant in a navy blue and white linen suit. Her short blonde hair was tucked under a beautiful blue straw hat Kelly pegged for French. It had a narrow white ribbon, and a corsage of daisies and roses tucked in the band. She had navy and white spectator pumps on and a mysterious white box in her hands.

Kelly had met Evelyn Grayson for the first time at Thanksgiving dinner with the family. She’d never forget their open arms and loving hearts as Sam introduced her.

“I have a little something for you, dear.” She held out the box and let Kelly open it. “This was my grandmother’s, and all of the women in this family have worn it on their wedding day.”

Kelly pulled out a luminous strand of pearls. Attached to the center was a small gold locket shaped like a heart. She opened it and saw a tiny picture of a man on one side and a woman on the other, in 1920s wedding clothes.

“She was a regular flapper, my grandma. And my grandpa had the best still in his county during Prohibition.” They all laughed, which helped push off the waves of tears that were gaining on Kelly.
I deserve this family, I do
, she told herself, while Evelyn fastened the pearls around her neck. She looked in the mirror and touched the long strand. They were perfect.

“Thank you so much, Evelyn, I can’t tell you how much it means to me to have you all as family. I promise to be a good wife to Sam.”

“Well, we will get you some staff, dear.” Evelyn laughed, and elbowed Myrtle in the side gently. Myrtle disappeared into the corner for a minute and brought out a bottle of champagne. She popped the cork in one swift twisting thumb movement, and headed for a set of glasses set out on a table.

“Here’s to the bride. May she grow big, fat, and wide with grandchildren for us!”

“Hey!” Kelly put her hands on her hips, then reached for the glass and shrugged

“Here, here!” chimed in Evelyn. The sound of
laughter wafted in from the hallway and joined theirs. There was a knock on the door. Sam’s two sisters peeked in.

“Are you decent? Oh, wow.” Anne and Emily stared at Kelly from the door.

“Come on in, ladies. We’re having a toast.”

They gave the sisters a bubbling glass and clinked their champagne flutes together, coming up with more absurd toasts each time.

“Here’s to the bride, for not picking the ugliest dresses ever,” Anne chimed in.

The dark olive green velvet and satin dresses were lovely on the beautiful Grayson sisters. Both Sam’s two sisters had his dark hair and blue eyes.

Ginny Palmer came in. “Here’s the matron of honor. Cheers to you, Ginny.” Kelly hiccupped. “Every one of you is married; I should just say the matrons of Paradise.”

The champagne was beginning to kick in. They all linked arms, dancing in a circle and singing “Bicycle Built for Two.”

Virginia Redfield, the wedding coordinator for the church, knocked on the door, but no one heard her, so she walked in to see the dancing drunken bridal party.

“Ah-hem, they are ready for you, dear.”

“Oh, gosh. Somebody point me in the right di
rection. Evelyn and Myrtle, you have to go first, you’re the mothers, right?” Kelly blithered.

“Yes, dear, don’t you worry, we’ll shove you down the aisle when it’s time.” Virginia was used to nervous brides.

Evelyn and Myrtle gave Kelly a kiss on the cheek and disappeared. Kelly, Ginny, and the sisters picked up their bouquets—daisies and tiny white roses for the girls, and a beautiful bunch of white roses, daisies, stephanotis, and variegated ivy for Kelly. The ribbons trailed around them all as they rustled through the hallways toward the sanctuary.

The front door of the church was open. A rare November sun streamed in on them as they came from the hallway into the sanctuary entrance. Huge bouquets of daisies were everywhere—on the church steps, decorating the pews, and up front—where Kelly caught a glimpse of the most beautiful sight of all: Sam in his gray morning suit standing next to the minister, waiting for her.

She suddenly remembered her bad dream from a month ago—her hair turning into crow feathers, Sam turning into Raymond. Her stomach knotted up. Sam had moved forward with this wedding very quickly. It had been such a short time since they’d become officially en
gaged. He’d assured her that going through with the marriage would be a positive move in regard to the small matter of her being wanted for murder.

Fortunately for her, the entire town seemed to be determined to get them down the aisle. She’d put herself in their hands and shelled out quite a bit of her savings, but it was beautiful, and nothing was going to spoil this day.

Lynnette sat in the front seat of Tom’s squad car, smug as a cat that ate the canary and got away with it. She clutched that damn computer printout in one hand and had her other hand tucked under her left armpit. She was strung tight as a wire. Tom could see that.

Tom had his hat pulled low on his forehead as they pulled up to the church. He had called in Gary Reese, his deputy, for backup. Probably for moral support more than anything.

Lynnette tapped her foot under the dash nervously. “Let’s go, Tom, before he actually marries that husband-killer.” Tom sighed, parked the car, opened his door, and got out, then adjusted his gun belt. Gary stepped up beside him in seconds, and they started up the church stairs. He must be crazy to do this. But there was no denying the truth of the matter.

Lynnette skipped up behind them. Tom was sure she was getting some kind of warped satisfaction out of the whole thing.

“I hate to do this, Gary, but suppose she really did kill this guy? I hope we are doing Sam a favor in the long run.”

“Nice timing—did your girlfriend think of that? Probably didn’t get an invitation.” Gary glanced sideways and caught Lynnette’s eye.

“I can hear you boys. Just do your job.” Lynnette marched behind them like a storm trooper, clutching the wanted notice.

Cora finished singing “I Love You, for Sentimental Reasons,” to Lydia Peterson’s piano accompaniment, and something surprising happened. Red Miller and his trio stepped up to the front, pulled out their instruments, and Henry Samuel Grayson Sr., stepped up beside Cora.

Sam was going to do Kelly in. He’d picked all the music and kept it a secret from her. Now she’d be crying for sure. Not only that, Red had a suit on.

The incredible voice of Sam’s father filled the church as he sang “Our Love Is Here To Stay.” Cora joined him on the chorus.

Kelly watched her bridesmaids go down the aisle in front of her, moving to the music.

She fairly floated on the arm of Walt William
son. Dottie’s husband had volunteered to give her away.

It felt so different this time. So special. She and Raymond were married in a civil ceremony. They’d both been so unemotional about it. Like a business deal.

It was an odd thought at the moment, but it struck her hard halfway down the aisle. She truly loved Sam. For the first time in her whole life she truly loved and was loved in return.

She passed Eleanor Palmer, who put a lace hankie to her eye. There was Cora’s extremely good-looking husband and several of her grown children.

There was Faith Gallagher and her husband, and so many familiar faces smiling at her she felt overwhelmed.

Dottie sat next to Myrtle on the bride’s side. She just beamed at Kelly. Will Palmer stood at the front of the church.

She could feel her heart pounding against her lace bodice until Sam stepped over and took her hand, and she lost herself in his consuming blue eyes.

A wonderful calm fell over her as they stood together in front of the entire town of Paradise. Reverend Evans began to speak in his deep, soothing voice:

“Dear friends, we are gathered here today to
witness the marriage of Sam and Kelly. While the marriage ceremony creates a sacred and solemn bond, it is also a joyous occasion, and I hope that you, Sam and Kelly, will remember this day as the highlight of your life together.

“Sam and Kelly, your marriage is intended to join you for life in a relationship so intimate and personal that it will change your whole being. It offers you the hope, and indeed the promise, of a love that is true and mature. To attain such love you will have to commit yourselves to each other freely and gladly for the sake of a richer and deeper life together.

“You have made it known that you want to be joined in marriage, and no one has shown any valid reason why you may not. If either of you know any lawful impediment why you should not be married, you are now to declare it.”

“Hold your horses there, Reverend.” Lynnette’s shrill voice echoed through the church. Kelly turned to take in the sight of not only Sam’s old girlfriend waving a piece of paper, stomping toward them, but the sheriff and his deputy right behind her.

A strange rush of fear tingled from her toes to her head, and the room seemed to darken. She felt herself weave, but Sam caught her arm. He looked in her eyes, and she saw pain.

“Lynnette Stivers, what in the hell are you doing?” Reverend Evans spoke out, and no one even looked shocked at his language.

“Saving Sam from marrying this black widow spider from L.A. that
MURDERED
her last husband!” Lynnette was shrieking like a banshee, and her long blonde hair had gone wild on her.

“Lynnette, you are out of your mind.” Sam was trying to keep his voice calm, but Kelly could see the veins in his neck throbbing. “Tom, I hope you’re here to stop her. Could you put her in lockup for the rest of the wedding? I’ll send you a sympathy note every week for the rest of my life.”

“Lynnette Stivers, you stop dead in your tracks, or I’ll yank that over-processed hair of yours out by its black roots!” Myrtle jumped up and placed herself in the aisle between Lynnette and Kelly, with her fists up in a boxing stance. Sam’s father Hank took one broad step out into the aisle and grabbed Lynnette firmly by the upper arm. “Tom, let’s take this outside,” Hank said.

“Hank, I would love to oblige you, but for once Lynnette has the law on her side.” Tom cleared his throat with a cough and read the war-rent. “Kelly Atwood, you are under arrest for the
murder of Raymond Bianchi.” A horrible sound rippled through the church as everyone gasped at once. Then there was dead silence.

“I’m so sorry, Sam.” Kelly wanted to kill someone, all right: Lynnette Stivers.

“I’m sorry, too, Sam, but Lynnette’s got the notice,” Tom said.

Hank grabbed the paper out of Lynnette’s hand and handed it to Sam.

“I don’t have to read it. I know. I’m her attorney.”

“She’s innocent!” Myrtle yelled.

Kelly thought she would die right there, watching Sam’s pain. His public humiliation. What had she done? It cut her like glass, and she shattered. She bowed her head and let out a small, horrible cry.

“That’s not gonna do you any good now, you murdering, drug-dealing witch! You lied to every person in this town. You were just using the whole town of Paradise to hide from your drug ring friends!” Lynnette tried to get closer to her, and Kelly looked up just in time to see Myrtle land a right hook on Lynnette’s jaw.

Lynnette went down hard. Deputy Reese was behind her and took a small step back, hooking his arms behind him in a stance of innocence as she thumped on her butt in front of him.

It seemed to quiet Lynnette some, and she sat
on the floor, stunned. Kelly saw a tiny smirk cross Gary’s face. It made her almost laugh through her tears for one second. Tom turned and gave Myrtle a sharp look, but didn’t move.

“She didn’t lie to us, you crazy bitch, we all knew. We all knew she was innocent,” Myrtle yelled at Lynnette.

Something snapped in Kelly. As she looked around at the scene, the sick humor of it caught up with her.

Here she was, happy at last, and the past just jerked all that away from her like a magician’s trick. She had been assaulted with Lynnette’s poisonous words, her wedding was spoiled, Sam was humiliated, and the whole town probably hated her. She looked around through her tears and saw her beloved Paradise, every pair of eyes upon her. Judgment day. Just like in her dream. Raymond’s ghost come back to destroy her.