A Masquerade of Muertos (Wisteria Tearoom Mysteries Book 5) Read Online Free PDF Page B

a richer brown. I tried on a smile, then hurried downstairs.
    Nat came in the back door as I reached the hall, already wearing her dress, patterned like mine but in dark red velvet instead of blue. She took off a scarf that protected a picture-perfect hairstyle.
    “You look smashing!” I told her.
    “Thank you, darling!” she said, giving my cheek an air kiss. “Did the cake arrive?”
    “It’s in the dining parlor. Julio and Mick will put it out when the ceremony begins.”
    Claudia Pearson came in behind Nat, classy as always in a tangerine sheath and matching pillbox hat with a net veil.
    “I parked in the back,” she said. “Is that all right?”
    “Yes, that’s fine. Thanks for giving Nat a ride.”
    “My pleasure.”
    “Go on upstairs,” I told them both. “There’s a pot of tea waiting for you in the sitting area. I’ll come get you at ten minutes to one.”
    “Bless you,” Nat said, heading for the stairs.
    I found Manny out front, chatting with the minister and his best man. He grinned at me, dapper in his tuxedo.
    “Hey, chica azul! Where’s my chica rosa?”
    “Upstairs, getting zen. You look grand, Tio!” I said, giving him a hug.
    He chuckled. “You know Louie Cordova, right?”
    “Of course! Nice to see you again,” I said, shaking hands. “Can I get you gentlemen some tea or coffee?”
    They declined, so I fetched their boutonnieres from the kitchen fridge, and returned to find Kris chatting with them. She was sleek and sultry in a plum-colored satin dress and a picture hat that would have done Scarlett O’Hara proud. I was silently thankful that she hadn’t worn black.
    The mariachis were tuning up on the back portal . Rosa was at the front gate, greeting the early arrivals and directing them to the tent. Butterflies began fluttering in my stomach, though I knew everything would go fine. My watch said twenty to one.
    The roar of a motorcycle made me look up the street. The sight of a man in a suit on a bike is fairly rare; my pulse jumped a notch as I watched the black bike glide to a parking place near the corner. The rider got off, removed his helmet, and ran a hand through dark hair. Yes, it was Tony.

 
     
4
    T here’s your heartthrob,” Kris said.
    I shot her a glance, but she was already sauntering away toward the tent. Tony, helmet in hand, approached with a smile.
    “Can I stash this inside?” he asked.
    I smiled back, glad to see him. “Of course.”
    We went into the gift shop and I tucked his helmet behind the counter. His suit was the one he’d worn on our first disastrous dinner date a few months earlier. Probably the only one he owned; his regular wardrobe leaned more toward jeans and a leather jacket.
    “You look elegant,” I told him.
    “You look beautiful,” he said, sliding his arms around my waist. “Mmm, nice velvet.”
    “Thank you.” I rewarded him with a lipstick-preserving peck, and gently disengaged from his embrace. “I have to go get Nat. It’s almost time.”
    “OK. Dinner after?”
    “Um...sure, if you don’t mind waiting while I wrap up the party.”
    “I don’t mind.” He nuzzled my neck, which tickled. I pulled away with a nervous giggle.
    “Go find a seat,” I said, squeezing his hands.
    I couldn’t believe I had actually giggled.
    He went outside while I hustled to the kitchen to fetch the bouquets. Julio was moving tamales to a serving pan.
    “Are you going to watch the ceremony?” I asked him, my arms full of flowers.
    “Yeah, as soon as we have the buffet set up.”
    Upstairs, I handed Nat her bouquet of fiesta-colored roses: red, orange, and gold. “Time for a final beauty check. Do you want to use my mirror?”
    She stood and took a deep breath. “You’re my mirror. Anything out of place?”
    I smiled. “You’re perfect.”
    My watch said six minutes to one, so I ushered Nat and Claudia down to the Dahlia alcove, left my bouquet with them, and stepped outside, sidling over to where Manny and Louie were waiting