Murder of a Wedding Belle Read Online Free PDF Page A

new restaurant in the neighboring town of Laurel. Skye was impressed with the building’s sleek design and wondered whether a rural community like Laurel, albeit the county seat, could support such an elegant and expensive place.
    Riley and her fiancé, Nick Jordan, greeted Skye and Wally just inside the door of the restaurant’s private dining room. Skye noticed that although Nick had his arm possessively around Riley’s waist, and Riley appeared to be clinging to him, her expression when Nick wasn’t looking was less than loving. Skye raised an eyebrow at Wally, who nodded imperceptibly, acknowledging that he’d also observed Riley’s behavior.
    This was the first time Skye had met Nick. In fact, no one from Scumble River had seen the groom before today. Even the photograph accompanying the engagement announcement in the Scumble River Star had been of only Riley. Looking at Nick, Skye wondered whether the omission had been deliberate. Riley and her husband-to-be reminded Skye of Beauty and the Beast.
    May had mentioned something about the difference in age, but Skye had assumed her mother meant a few years, not close to twenty. Nick was at least forty-five, balding, and several inches shorter than his five-foot-ten-inch fiancée.
    Skye had pictured Nick as a stallion, but in reality he was more like a miniature pony—a very expensive one, since everything from his diamond-studded gold Submariner Rolex watch to his Clive Christian cologne reeked of wealth and power. It was as if he wore an invisible badge with veni, VIP, vici —I came, I’m a very important person, I conquered—written on it.
    As they walked toward the bar, she wasn’t surprised to see that only two other people had already arrived. She and Wally were fifteen minutes early, which was on time by Scumble River standards but was gauchely premature for city folks.
    Leading Wally over to where the couple was sitting sipping martinis, Skye said, “Hi, I’m Skye Denison, Riley’s maid of honor, and this is my boyfriend, Wally Boyd.”
    The woman held out her hand. “I’m Paige Hathaway, matron of honor.”
    Paige wore a jade green formfitting designer minidress with zippers running up both sleeves and a pair of ultrachic matching lace gloves. In comparison, Skye felt dowdy in her simple red and black sheath, her only accessory being dangling onyx earrings.
    The matron of honor flipped a strand of waist-length copper red hair behind her shoulder and said, “This is my husband, Zach. He’s the best man.”
    Zach was an inch or two taller than Nick and had slightly more hair, but he was similar in age and appearance. He, too, was overly tanned and radiated an aura of success and new money—the garish gold chain resting on his hairy chest could pay most people’s salary for a year, not to mention that his fingernails were more nicely manicured than Skye’s.
    Skye and Wally shook hands with Paige and Zach, then sat and placed their order.
    “You’re Riley’s cousin, right?” Paige asked.
    “Yes.” Skye nodded. “I was a little surprised that she wanted to have her wedding in her hometown.”
    “Really?” Paige’s smile was sardonic. “Can’t you guess why?”
    “Well ...” Skye bit her lip. “I’m sure family was a big consideration. Despite having moved away, she’s close to her mother and grandmother.”
    “And?” Paige prompted.
    “And, I suspect, a part of her is still a small-town girl who wants everyone from her past to see how far she’s come. The wedding will certainly create a splash Scumble Riverites will never forget.”
    “True. She definitely likes to be the best.” Paige’s expression was indecipherable. “But you’re missing the most important point. Why do you think she wanted you to be her maid of honor?”
    “I’m her cousin?”
    “Guess again,” Paige ordered, then didn’t give Skye a chance to respond. “You were also her idol.”
    Skye’s heart sank. “Oh.” Being put on a pedestal was never