Matrimony, Money and Murder Read online

  “Well, that's the best part about doing something that you love,” Wendy explained. “It never feels like work, it always feels like a privilege.”

  “That's a good point,” he said quietly and glanced away. “It was a privilege to work with you, Wendy,” he said.

  “Thank you for everything you did to help me,” she replied. “I never would have made it through this without you.”

  “Oh, I tend to doubt that,” he chuckled as he looked over at her again. “You seem very capable of taking care of yourself.”

  “Maybe,” she replied with a hint of sadness in her voice. “I guess this is it,” she said as she opened her car door.

  “Wendy, if you ever need anything, just call me,” he said swiftly as he reached for her hand. When he took her hand she felt that same wave rush upward through her.

  “Anything?” she asked as she looked back at him with warmth in her eyes.

  “Anything,” he nodded, still holding firmly to her hand.

  “I could use a date for the wedding,” she said with a playful smile.

  “Uh, well,” Brian flushed at that. Wendy immediately regretted asking. She was sure that any connection between them had all been in her head. “I don't usually do weddings,” he continued awkwardly.

  “Oh sure, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked,” she said and tugged her hand free of his.

  “No, wait,” he looked up at her and smiled. “Maybe it's time I saw one through your eyes. I'll meet you there?”

  “At noon,” she said with a smile.

  As Wendy walked barefoot into her condo, she didn't notice the cold of the floor beneath her feet, because she was fairly certain she was walking on air.

  Chapter Nine

  Wendy woke up in time to see the sunrise the next morning. There was something poetic about watching the colors change in the sky, as she had thought she might never see them again. The weather was perfect for the wedding. Brenda was already calling her as she drove to the resort.

  “I'm almost there, Brenda,” Wendy said cheerfully.

  “But I just heard about everything that happened on the beach last night. Is it true? Wendy, were you involved?” Brenda asked anxiously.

  “We can talk about all of that after you get back from your honeymoon,” Wendy said quickly. “The important thing is that I am fine, and it's your wedding day!”

  Brenda squealed with excitement. “I absolutely have to be the luckiest woman on earth!” she announced.

  Wendy smiled. That was exactly how she wanted Brenda to feel. When she pulled into the parking lot of the resort she could see that the archway was already being constructed out on the sand. The white chairs were being lined up, and there was already a golden runner stretched across the sand for Brenda to walk across.

  There were musicians setting up, and the catering vans were arriving. Brenda had chosen a noon wedding so they would have all afternoon to celebrate. Wendy thought it was a wonderful idea. As she walked into the resort she smiled at a few of Brenda's bridesmaids, who were attending to the groomsmen. Something about weddings made it impossible for a man to tie a tie.

  “Brenda?” Wendy called out as she stepped into the room that she was using to get ready in.

  Brenda turned around to face Wendy. She could not have looked more like a princess. She was wearing a traditional white gown with a very fluffy full skirt, and a plain silver tiara to hold her veil in place. She smiled at Wendy as Wendy gasped softly in admiration.

  “Oh Brenda, you look so beautiful,” Wendy said and offered her a very gentle hug.

  “Thanks to you I'm rested, I'm not stressed, and I feel beautiful,” Brenda said as she hugged her back. “You're a real lifesaver, Wendy.”

  Wendy grinned a little at that. She hoped that Brenda would never be faced with a real life or death situation like Wendy had the night before. It was nice to be called a lifesaver, but she had been saved by some real heroes last night.

  “Are you ready?” Wendy asked as she looked Brenda over.

  “A little too early,” Brenda admitted with a guilty smile. “I just couldn't resist putting it on.”

  “Just leave it on,” Wendy insisted. “The make-up can be done with a cape around you. Your hair is going to be wonderful.”

  As the two chatted about the wedding, Wendy felt the last traces of fear from the night before leaving her. She was in her element again, planning the perfect day for yet another amazing bride.

  “I'm going to go check on everything,” she said as the make-up artist arrived to work on Brenda.

  “Okay,” Brenda smiled. “Thanks again.”

  Wendy walked out to the beach to find that the decorations were being put in place. She checked on the roses which were beautiful and just the right shade of pink. Everything was coming together nicely. It was hard to believe that just a few miles down the beach Wendy had been facing such terror the night before. Just as a wave of fear washed over her she turned to find Brian standing at the edge of the sand. He had his shoes off, and his bare toes sunk deep.

  “Hi, Brian,” Wendy said as she walked up to him.

  “Hi,” he replied shyly. Now that Wendy wasn't his client, his confidence level seemed to have been knocked down a notch. He was dressed in a black suit with an off-white button down shirt. His dark hair was combed carefully, and his hazel eyes were drinking in the sight of her.

  “You look lovely,” she said before realizing how silly that might sound to a man.

  “Uh, thank you,” Brian blushed and smiled. “So do you.”

  Wendy grinned as she knew that her simple summer sundress was pretty but nothing exquisite. She had to wear something she could be comfortable in, and get dirty in if necessary. She never knew what might happen at a wedding.

  She and Brian shared a quick coffee while Wendy supervised the last minute issues of the wedding. Soon the guests had arrived and everyone was seated on the beach. Wendy and Brian sat towards the back. Brian was shifting a little uncomfortably. Wendy pretended not to notice, but she was having to hold back her laughter. She could see that he really was not comfortable at weddings. Then the music started playing. Wendy opened her purse and pulled out a packet of tissues.

  “What's wrong?” Brian asked in a whisper.

  “Oh, I always cry at weddings,” Wendy said with a smile. “If they're done right, that is,” she winked at him. He looked a little confused at why she would be so emotional, but she ignored it. The bride walking down the aisle was her favorite part. The music swelled, and Brenda began walking down the aisle towards John. John looked so proud, and eager as he watched her approach. Brenda was gazing lovingly in his direction. Despite picking out all the decorations, all the special details that seemed so important at the time, neither John or Brenda were looking at any of them. They couldn't take their eyes off each other.

  Wendy wiped lightly at a tear that slid down her cheek. She sniffled as Brenda reached John. Just as the ceremony was about to begin, she felt that sensation of a wave again as Brian's hand brushed over hers. She glanced in his direction and could see a slight smile on his face.

  Wendy grinned to herself as she was sure that despite all that had gone wrong, Brenda and John's wedding was one thing that had gone perfectly right.

  The End

  ***

  If you are ready for the next book in the Wendy the Wedding Planner Cozy Mystery Series, Chefs, Ceremonies and Crimes, it is available now;

  Click here to view a sample or order Chefs, Ceremonies and Crimes

  From the Author

  Thank you very much for reading Matrimony, Money and Murder, the first book in the Wendy the Wedding Planner Cozy Mystery Series. If you enjoyed the book and would like to be updated when I release a new one you can sign up for email updates at http://www.cindybellbooks.com/newsletter. I will never share your email and you will only receive emails from me when I have released a new book, am offering a discount or when I have giveaways.

  If you did enjoy the book a
nd would like to leave a review at Amazon I would appreciate it. Reviews help other readers who might be interested in the book.

  About the Author

  Cindy Bell is the author of the cozy mystery series Bekki the Beautician, Dune House, Heavenly Highland Inn and Wendy the Wedding Planner.

  Cindy has always loved reading, but it is only recently that she has discovered her passion for writing romantic cozy mysteries. She loves walking along the beach thinking of the next adventure her characters can embark on.

  You can sign up for her newsletter so you are notified of her latest releases at http://www.cindybellbooks.com/newsletter.

  More Books by Cindy Bell

  Wendy the Wedding Planner Cozy Mysteries

  Matrimony, Money and Murder

  Chefs, Ceremonies and Crimes

  Knives and Nuptials

  Bekki the Beautician Cozy Mysteries

  Hairspray and Homicide

  A Dyed Blonde and a Dead Body

  Mascara and Murder

  Pageant and Poison

  Conditioner and a Corpse

  Mistletoe, Makeup and Murder

  Hairpin, Hair Dryer and Homicide

  Blush, a Bride and a Body

  Shampoo and a Stiff

  Cosmetics, a Cruise and a Killer

  Lipstick, a Long Iron and Lifeless

  Camping, Concealer and Criminals

  Dune House Cozy Mystery Series

  Seaside Secrets

  Boats and Bad Guys

  Treasured History

  Hidden Hideaways

  Dodgy Dealings

  Heavenly Highland Inn Cozy Mysteries

  Murdering the Roses

  Dead in the Daisies

  Killing the Carnations

  Drowning the Daffodils

  Suffocating the Sunflowers

  Books, Bullets and Blooms

  A Deadly Serious Gardening Contest

  A Bridal Bouquet and a Body