Bound for Murder, page 27
“Oh, what’s that?” Aunt Lydia asked. “I’m certainly glad to hear that anything good came out of that tragedy.”
Walt straightened, pulling his back away from the glider’s cushions. “Well, I think it’s great news. Emily Moore approached me about releasing Jeremy’s demo reel as an album. She’s willing to allow the family to use her poetry for the lyrics, and even volunteered to help raise the funds necessary for remastering and other production costs.”
“That’s wonderful,” Sunny said. “I’m sure the grands will be delighted to hear that.”
“It is a great idea,” I said. “His music is really good. It deserves to be heard.”
“Interesting.” Kurt set down his glass and turned his intense gaze on Walt. “I’d like to talk to you about contributing something to that cause, Walt.”
Walt’s eyes widened. “Why … sure.”
I stared speculatively at Kurt, wondering how much of his offer was motivated by his love of supporting the arts and how much by guilt for his former illegal activities. “You were wrong, you know, about some drug dealer or gang being behind the murders, or even being an accomplice.”
He looked me over, amusement brightening his craggy face. “Yes, I was. I admit it—sometime even I make mistakes.”
“Now there’s a first,” my aunt said under her breath.
“But, that aside, I am happy to help with any efforts to get Jeremy’s music out into the world.” Kurt pointed at Walt. “Let’s make sure to talk later.”
“Sounds good,” Walt replied.
Aunt Lydia shared a glance with Hugh. “Now, actually changing the subject—Hugh and I were talking last night, and we have a suggestion for Amy and Richard.”
“Really? What might that be?” I asked.
“Well, we know how you’ve been conflicted about where to hold your wedding and reception,” Hugh said.
“Especially with Fiona in the mix,” Aunt Lydia interjected.
Hugh nodded. “Yes, especially considering the family interference. Anyway, we were sitting out here last night, and something occurred to both of us.”
“The garden.” My aunt waved a hand toward the back windows. “It would be perfect for a reception. Especially if you’re planning on a May wedding.”
“Oh, that would be splendid,” Sunny said. “Lots of flowers in bloom then.”
Zelda jumped to her feet. “What a lovely idea. Maybe you could hold the ceremony there as well.” She caught my eye and winked. “That would avoid the problems with what church is fancy enough and all that.”
“It would be beautiful,” I said, turning my head to survey the garden, “but there isn’t room to seat a lot of people. Not in rows, anyway. You could scatter lots of tables and chairs about, which would be great for the reception, but I’m afraid that wouldn’t work for a wedding ceremony.”
My aunt rose to her feet and joined us at the windows. She cast Richard and me a sly look. “But that would solve your problem with Fiona trying to choose the venue. Just tell her that you want to hold the event at the home that’s been in your family for generations. You can’t get more genteel than that, now, can you?”
Richard slid his arm around my waist. “No, and it would be perfect. Especially since Amy does love this garden.”
“Yes, I do.”
Richard tightened his grip on my waist. “It would also mean we could avoid the pricy rental fees for some other venue.”
“It would be perfect,” Aunt Lydia agreed. “As long as it doesn’t rain.”
“That’s what tents are for,” Sunny said. “And hopefully, you’d luck out on the weather.”
“I love it!” Zelda trotted over to stand next to Aunt Lydia. “I can just picture it—the garden in bloom, with some standing urns full of flowers added for extra color.”
“Yes, it would be perfect for the reception,” I said, as I envisioned the scene Zelda had described. “But what about the ceremony?”
Richard pulled me a little closer. “My lawn?” he asked, his gray eyes sparkling. “It has plenty of room for chairs and some type of gazebo or arbor back near the trees. And with the new gate between the two yards, we could allow the ceremony to flow into the reception easily enough.”
“Now that,” Hugh said, “is the best idea yet.”
“Unless it rains,” I said, already convinced but worried about the fickleness of spring weather.
“I think I can find you some very attractive party tents to have on hand in case rain’s in the forecast,” Kurt said. “I often use similar things for parties at the house, so I have a good supplier.”
“It’s worth taking the chance,” Richard said, looking down at me with a smile. “After all, I’ve been lucky in this relationship so far.”
I wrapped my arms around him. “Me too.”
“It’s settled then,” Aunt Lydia said. “The ceremony will take place in Richard’s yard, and we’ll hold the reception here. Now all we have to decide is”—she widened her eyes—“who will inform the very opinionated Fiona Muir about this plan?”
“Oh, let me,” I said, tipping my head to meet Richard’s warm gaze. “I can pour on the family heritage theme thick as honey. That should do the trick.”
“Brave as well as beautiful,” Richard said, before kissing me.
When we separated, Kurt handed both of us a full glass of wine. “Not champagne, but it will have to do.”
“Thanks,” I said, meeting his sardonic gaze. “And you are invited, in case you wondered.”
“I should hope so,” he said as he refilled Hugh and Aunt Lydia’s wineglasses. “I’ll let the rest of you get your own, but fill up. I want to share a little surprise before I propose a toast.”
Richard raised his eyebrows. “Surprise? Why does that make me nervous?”
“It’s a good surprise, for once,” Kurt said, as Sunny carried two glasses to Zelda and Walt. He waited for her to refill her own glass before dramatically clearing his throat. “Amy, one question—have you two planned your honeymoon yet?”
I studied his face, noting the unusual glee in his expression. “No. We were thinking we’d keep it simple. Neither of us has the money to spend on anything too elaborate.”
“Good. Don’t plan anything. I actually have something I’m arranging for you. Consider it my wedding gift.”
“Wait, what’s this?” Richard asked. “We can’t accept anything too pricy …”
Kurt waved his free hand through the air like an orchestra conductor. “Nonsense. You’re family, after all. And it isn’t costing me that much. As it turns out, I have a friend who owns a place in Tuscany.”
“In Italy?” I managed to squeak out.
“Yes, of course.” Kurt winked at me. “Is there any other? Anyway, it’s a lovely little villa, which he hardly ever visits. He’s allowed me to stay there from time to time, so I thought I’d ask him if you two could spend your honeymoon there, and he was delighted to offer it to you. Two weeks, whenever you want it in May or June,” Kurt added, as I sputtered something that sounded like thank you.
“I”—Richard rubbed at his jaw with his free hand—“I don’t know what to say.”
Kurt grinned. “Say yes. And don’t worry about the airfare. Since the villa really doesn’t cost me anything, I’ll provide that, along with a little spending money.”
Aunt Lydia stood up and gave Kurt a nod of approval. “It is incredibly generous of you.”
“Yes, very nice,” Hugh said, as he rose to stand beside her.
“Not at all. I’m delighted to be able to offer an appropriate gift,” Kurt said. “Now—shall we toast the lucky couple?” He saluted Richard and me with his glass before turning to face Sunny. “As well as our new mayor?”
“I’ll drink to that,” Walt said, raising his glass, while Zelda did the same.
“To three delightful, brave, and talented young people,” Hugh said, lifting his glass and clinking it against Aunt Lydia’s. “Long may they enjoy happiness.”
Kurt tapped my glass with his. “And may you never get dragged into another criminal investigation.”
“Hear, hear,” my aunt said, raising her voice as well as her glass.
“That would be nice.” Richard looked down at me with love. “But sadly, I wouldn’t bet on it.”
I grabbed his glass and set it down on the side table along with mine before standing on tiptoe to kiss him. “You have my word that I won’t try to get involved with anything like that again. Not unless I literally stumble over another dead body.”
“That doesn’t exactly reassure me, but maybe if I keep you preoccupied with other things …” Richard said, before returning my kiss with a passion that made our guests break into spontaneous applause.
Also available by Victoria Gilbert
Blue Ridge Library Mysteries
Past Due for Murder
Shelved Under Murder
A Murder for the Books
Author Biography
Victoria Gilbert, raised in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, turned her early obsession with reading into a dual career as an author and librarian. Victoria has worked as a reference librarian, research librarian, and library director. When not writing or reading, she likes to spend her time watching films, gardening, or traveling. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and International Thriller Writers and lives in North Carolina. This is her fourth Blue Ridge Library mystery.
This is a work of fiction. All of the names, characters, organizations, places and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to real or actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2020 by Vicki Lemp Weavil
All rights reserved.
Published in the United States by Crooked Lane Books, an imprint of The Quick Brown Fox & Company LLC.
Crooked Lane Books and its logo are trademarks of The Quick Brown Fox & Company LLC.
Library of Congress Catalog-in-Publication data available upon request.
ISBN (hardcover): 978-1-64385-243-0
ISBN (ePub): 978-1-64385-244-7
Cover illustration by Griesbach/Martucci
Book design by Jennifer Canzone
Printed in the United States.
www.crookedlanebooks.com
Crooked Lane Books
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First Edition: January 2020
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Victoria Gilbert, Bound for Murder
