A Bridal Bouquet and a Body (A Heavenly Highland Inn Cozy Mystery Book 8) Read online

  A Bridal Bouquet and a Body

  A Heavenly Highland Inn Cozy Mystery

  Cindy Bell

  Copyright © 2015 Cindy Bell

  All rights reserved.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and locations portrayed in this book and the names herein are fictitious. Any similarity to or identification with the locations, names, characters or history of any person, product or entity is entirely coincidental and unintentional.

  All trademarks and brands referred to in this book are for illustrative purposes only, are the property of their respective owners and not affiliated with this publication in any way. Any trademarks are being used without permission, and the publication of the trademark is not authorized by, associated with or sponsored by the trademark owner.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  From the Author

  About the Author

  More Books by Cindy Bell

  Chapter One

  The Heavenly Highland Inn was quiet for the moment. Vicky knew that it wouldn't last long. There were always new guests arriving, and with Aunt Ida never far away something zany was always happening. But for the moment Vicky was alone with her thoughts, which just happened to be filled with her upcoming nuptials. As Vicky thumbed through the photographs in her hand she couldn't help but smile. They were pictures of the party tent she had ordered to put up in the garden of the Heavenly Highland Inn. Her heart was so full of anticipation that she thought it might burst. Although she had been planning parties for quite some time as the event director at the Heavenly Highland Inn, this particular celebration meant the most to her. It was her very own wedding.

  Vicky closed her eyes and smiled widely as she thought of Mitchell, her soon to be husband. She could remember the first day she met him, with his fierce blue eyes and his deep southern accent. She remembered being a little unsettled by the intensity of the way he looked at her, and at the same time thrilled. As their relationship developed, she felt as if she was the luckiest woman in the world to have found him.

  Mitchell had worked hard as a deputy sheriff to earn his new title of detective, and throughout all of their ups and downs Mitchell had never once given her a reason not to trust him. She kept putting things off, kept resisting the truth that she had fallen hopelessly in love, but he never backed down. He had been determined that she would love him, what he didn't know was that he didn't have to work so hard, she knew now, looking back, that she had fallen in love with him the very first time she had looked into his eyes.

  Now, she was going to marry him in the very inn that her parents had run for so many years before their tragic deaths in a car accident. Vicky was certain that she would feel their presence all around her as she took her walk down the aisle. It gave her a slight twinge of pain to think of walking down the aisle without her father by her side. It was a truth she had faced a long time ago. Her sister, Sarah, had been able to walk down the aisle with their father, but Vicky wouldn't have that opportunity. It made her ache a little for the past, but she was so excited about the future, that she pushed it from her mind. She was just about to go through the instructions for setting up the party tent once more, when her thoughts were interrupted by the boisterous voice of her aunt.

  “What are you talking about? I said nothing about bluebirds, I want doves, at least a dozen!” Ida's shrill voice carried through the lobby of the Heavenly Highland Inn. Vicky looked up nervously as her aunt walked towards her. Ida was dressed in an outlandish outfit that incorporated an orange leather skirt and what looked like a pineapple pattern on her blouse. Vicky had to lower her eyes to keep from giggling. “Get it right,” Ida demanded before she hung up the phone. Ida was in her sixties, though she could easily be mistaken for being in her forties. She was a spry and daring woman who had never let anything in life slow her down. She had always been Vicky's role model.

  “Doves, Aunt Ida?” Vicky asked as she looked up at her with a grin.

  “Doves, of course doves,” Ida shrugged. “We can't have you getting married without doves.”

  “Oh no,” Vicky groaned and shook her head. “I don't want doves, Aunt Ida. Think of the mess!”

  “Vicky,” Ida sighed and looked her niece in the eyes. “You are going to have the most amazing wedding. I promise. But there will be doves.”

  “Fine, but only two,” Vicky relented. “We can't have a dozen doves getting loose and landing on the wedding cake, now can we?” she asked pleadingly.

  “Speaking of the wedding cake,” Ida pressed forward without actually answering her question. “Is it ready yet?”

  “Chef Henry is working on it,” Vicky assured her.

  “I hope he remembered to add the musical element before he began layering it,” Ida said with a cluck of her tongue.

  “Musical element, what musical element?” Vicky asked as she narrowed her eyes.

  “Well, you said no to the fountain in the middle, so I decided it would be nice if we had a musical cake,” Ida explained. “I saw one on this show I was watching the other day. The moment the cake is cut into, a lovely melody begins to play. How delightful, hmm?”

  “Oh Aunt Ida, I don't know,” Vicky sighed. She made a mental note to discuss the cake with Chef Henry and make sure that there was no musical element involved. “I really want to keep this fairly simple,” Vicky explained.

  “Sorry sweetie, but there isn't going to be anything simple about this wedding,” Ida insisted. “You only get married once, and I'm here to make sure it goes off with a bang!”

  “Aunt Ida,” Vicky tried again in a rational tone. “What exactly do you mean by bang?” she asked as she narrowed her eyes.

  “Relax Vicky, Ida is doing a wonderful job,” Mitchell said as he stepped up beside Ida. Vicky hadn't even noticed him come through the entrance of the lobby. As a detective he could be like that, quiet as a ninja.

  “Mitchell,” Vicky smiled. “I was just trying to tell Aunt Ida that we are interested in keeping things simple.”

  “Simple?” he said as he wrapped an arm around Ida’s shoulders. He pretended to look very confused. “But there will be doves, right?” he asked.

  “Yes,” Ida said quickly and giggled. “At least twenty.”

  “Twenty?” Mitchell grimaced and looked from Vicky back to Ida again. “Are you sure that will be enough?”

  “Oh, you two,” Vicky said with a roll of her eyes and a shake of her head.

  “Well, I'm off to finalize some plans,” Ida said as she waved to the couple.

  “Aunt Ida, I mean it, no fireworks!” Vicky called after her. Ida hurried off. Vicky knew she was likely to claim that she hadn't heard a word that Vicky said. She sighed and turned back to Mitchell.

  “Mitchell, did you get the flight numbers for your family?” she asked, hoping to change the subject.

  “Yes, I did,” Mitchell replied. “They will be here by eight o'clock tonight.”

  “So, we could have a late dinner?” Vicky suggested anxiously. S
he had never met Mitchell's family before. She knew that his mother and father were very traditional, and his sister and brother were accustomed to a southern lifestyle. Vicky wasn't sure whether any of them would be accepting of her. Mitchell didn't have to worry, as he already knew Vicky's entire family, which was very small. Her older sister, Sarah, was the co-owner of the inn. Her husband and two sons were always around. Then there was Ida, who had practically taken over as a parent to Sarah and Vicky after their parents passed away. They all loved Mitchell. Vicky wondered if it would be the same way with Mitchell's family.

  “Maybe,” Mitchell said with a slight frown. “It might be too late, I'll let you know for sure one way or the other once they land,” he offered.

  “Okay,” Vicky nodded. “I already asked Chef Henry to prepare something.”

  “Thank you,” he smiled and leaned across the desk to kiss her gently. When he pulled away he was still grinning. “Don't worry, Vicky, they're going to love you,” Mitchell assured her fondly.

  “Easy for you to say,” she pouted. “You already love me.”

  “You're easy to love,” he smiled at her. “So, you're sure that you're okay with the bachelor party being so far away?”

  “I think it's perfect,” Vicky nodded. “It will give Aunt Ida, Sarah, and me time to set up for the wedding.”

  “Doesn't seem fair that I get to have fun, and you'll be working,” Mitchell pointed out.

  “Planning our wedding is fun to me,” Vicky smiled at him. “I couldn't think of anything I'd rather do.”

  “I'm sure it will be amazing,” Mitchell nodded.

  A man walked into the lobby of the inn and Mitchell waved to him. “I wanted to introduce you to someone,” Mitchell said as he stepped to the side. “This is the new deputy sheriff. I'm showing him the ropes. Arthur, this is my fiancée, Vicky.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Arthur said stiffly. His eyes were flicking in all directions around the inn. Vicky watched him for a moment, and then began to get a little dizzy from how fast he shifted his gaze.

  “Nice to meet you as well, Arthur,” she said. “I'm glad you will be here to keep us all safe while Mitchell is away partying.”

  Mitchell smiled and adjusted his hat on top of his sandy brown hair. “Just a little send off,” he said.

  “Sure,” Arthur nodded without looking at him. “But with the Sheriff, a detective, and two other officers from the town's police force going, it will be prime time for crime in Highland,” he crossed his arms. “Don't worry, nothing is going to get past me,” he said sternly.

  Mitchell clapped Arthur lightly on the shoulder. “He's a bit, enthusiastic,” he stated with a chuckle.

  “Never a bad idea to stay aware of your surroundings,” Arthur pointed out, still in a very serious tone. Vicky raised an eyebrow at Mitchell and then smiled at Arthur.

  “So, what brings you to Highland, Arthur?” Vicky asked casually.

  “My wife,” Arthur said glumly. Vicky was a little startled by his response. “She inherited a house,” he explained. “A big old place with plenty of land. So, here I am,” he flashed a strained smile.

  “Not a happy move, I take it,” Vicky said slowly as she studied him.

  “Not exactly but we have to stay for the moment,” he replied. “No offense, but I'm used to a city with a larger population than Highland.”

  “I understand,” Vicky nodded. “I’d imagine it would be difficult to adjust to the country lifestyle around here when you’re used to a bigger place,” she smiled. “But I’m sure that once you get used to it, you won't want to trade it.” Vicky had grown up in Highland and she had always loved the place. When she was away at college or travelled she always appreciated Highland more when she returned. “Just give it a little time,” she suggested.

  “I think it would take more time than I have left on this earth,” Arthur countered with a shake of his head. “I think that there are more cows than people in this place.”

  Vicky smiled. “Trust me, there's more action in this sleepy little town than you realize.”

  “I guess I'll have to take your word for it,” Arthur sighed.

  “You’ve already made an arrest,” Mitchell reminded him.

  “Just one, and I’ve already been here a couple of weeks,” Arthur said with a sigh.

  “Let's go get you more familiar with some of the hot spots around town, Arthur,” Mitchell suggested. “Vicky, I'll call you as soon as my family lands, okay?”

  “Please do,” Vicky smiled at him. As she watched the two walk out of the inn she was still surprised by the knowledge that she would soon be Mrs. Slate. She hadn't expected to like the sound of it so much. With Ida's hand in every little detail about the wedding, Vicky decided that she better check in with Chef Henry before her wedding cake ended up like a three story erupting volcano, or worse.

  ***

  When Vicky stepped into the kitchen she was greeted by the lovely scent of vanilla. Chef Henry was bent over a sketch book on the butcher's block in the center of the large kitchen. He was an amazing chef, and Vicky had never come across anything he made that didn't taste delicious. She felt lucky that he was the one creating her wedding cake. Henry looked up at the sound of her footsteps on the tiled floor.

  “Don't worry, Vicky,” he said before she could even speak. “I'm not making a musical cake.”

  “Oh good,” she laughed and leaned against the counter. “I know Aunt Ida can get a little over the top with these things.”

  “Only because she loves you,” he pointed out with a warm smile. “Here, this is what I'm doing,” he said as he pushed a sketch book towards Vicky.

  “Henry,” Vicky gasped as she looked at the tiered cake. It had three layers. On each layer a different flower from the garden was featured. On the very top of the cake there was a heart shaped cake topper. It was the perfect classic cake with amazing decorations. “It's beautiful,” she sighed.

  “This is a very special day for you, Vicky,” Henry said with warmth in his eyes as he looked at her. “Nothing will ruin it.”

  “Nothing,” Vicky agreed. She wanted to believe it. But there was a nagging in the back of her mind. She was so excited about the ceremony, and the life she would begin with Mitchell after, that it was hard not to be a little nervous that something could go wrong.

  The biggest thing she had to be concerned about at the moment was how she would get along with Mitchell's family. She knew they had a very different lifestyle than she was accustomed to. They were more traditional in belief and in life choices. Mitchell's mother was a stay-at-home mom, his father worked as a carpenter. Vicky wasn't sure how they'd react to their son marrying a woman who didn't even think she wanted to get married not long before. She wasn't exactly traditional. Though she loved her nephews, she wasn't sure if she wanted children of her own. Though she loved Mitchell, she valued her time and the parts of her life that were separate from him. She was proud of her event planning, and of her role in running the inn. She wasn't sure if that was something that the rest of Mitchell's family would understand.

  “Nothing,” Henry repeated and reached out to ruffle Vicky's brown hair lightly. “So, get that worry out of your eyes before you make wrinkles.”

  “Oh no, wrinkles?” Vicky laughed. “Now, I really am worried.”

  Henry chuckled at her sarcasm. “Seriously though, Vicky, this is your time to enjoy yourself. Don't get caught up in the little things, just remember that when all of this is over, you get Mitchell for life!”

  “Oh yes, that is a nice take-home gift,” Vicky giggled. “Thanks Henry, I needed this chat.”

  “That's what I'm here for,” he winked at her and turned back to his plans for the cake. “A few final details to smooth out, but I’ve already started it and it will be ready to go in plenty of time for the ceremony.”

  “Thanks again, Henry,” Vicky said before she walked out of the kitchen. She took a deep breath and did her best to take Henry's advice. She didn't want to miss o
ut on such a wonderful experience.

  As she walked towards the lobby she ran into Sarah who had a concerned look on her face,

  “There you are?” Sarah said.

  “Is something wrong,” Vicky asked with concern.

  “Not really. I was just hoping you had some time to help me with the centerpieces,” Sarah said with a sweet smile.

  “I thought those were done!” Vicky said with surprise.

  “I thought they were, too. But apparently three year olds like to unravel ribbons,” she grimaced. “I think that we need to touch them up a bit.”

  “Oh, Rory just wanted to add his touch to the wedding,” Vicky laughed. “We'll make sure we put them in a high place when we're done with them.”

  “Like that will stop him,” Sarah said with a roll of her eyes. As the sisters walked to the lobby of the inn, Vicky felt her excitement growing. By the time they finished with the centerpieces it was time for Sarah to head home to her husband, Phil. He took care of the kids most weekends while she ran the inn, but it was his turn for a break as he was going on the bachelor trip tomorrow.

  “I'll be back in a few hours,” Sarah said. “With the kids of course. I'm going to feed them first and I'll have to make sure that Phil remembered to pack everything he needs for when they leave tomorrow.”

  “It's only an overnight trip,” Vicky reminded her.

  “You'd be surprised how high maintenance that man is,” Sarah laughed and waved to her sister as she walked towards the door. “Good luck with Mitchell’s family,” she said over her shoulder. “Not that you need it, they’ll love you.” Vicky sighed. She hoped that would prove to be true.

  Chapter Two

  Vicky tried to keep herself busy by double checking the seating chart so she wouldn’t get nervous thinking about Mitchell’s family. When she finished going through the chart she glanced at her watch. It was a little after eight and she still hadn't heard from Mitchell. She decided to check on the rooms that his family would be staying in one last time. Once she was sure they were perfect, she returned to the lobby. Her phone began to ring. Vicky picked it up as soon as she saw that it was Mitchell.