Murder of a Wedding Belle Read Online Free PDF Page B

small-town life,” Skye said. “I was wondering what you all would do with yourself for a week in Scumble River. I was afraid you’d be bored out of your minds.”
    “I’m looking forward to a little downtime.” Paige laid her head on her husband’s shoulder. “Zach’s business is so hectic, we hardly ever get to spend time with just each other.”
    “The real estate bubble is going to burst someday, so, as my grandfather used to say, I’ve got to make hay while the sun shines,” Zach said.
    “Mine used to say that, too.” Skye raised her glass. “Here’s to a sunny 2005.”
    Riley walked up as they finished the toast and pulled Skye away. “I want you to meet the rest of the wedding party.” Once they were out of earshot of the bar, she wrinkled her nose at Skye. “I thought your mother said you were going to lose some weight before the wedding.”
    Skye opened her mouth to make a scathing reply but decided humor would annoy her cousin more. “Sorry, but every time I say the word diet , I have to eat a piece of chocolate to get the awful taste out of my mouth.”
    “Well.” Two red circles formed on Riley’s cheeks, and she huffed, “Your dress better fit.” Not waiting for Skye to answer, Riley led her to another couple and said, “This is my cousin, Skye Denison. Skye, this is Nick’s daughter, Hallie, and his son, Hale. They’re twins.”
    “Good to meet you.” Skye examined the two young people, who looked remarkably alike. Both were about five-six and slender, with baby-fine brown hair and doelike brown eyes. But while Hallie wore little makeup and no jewelry, her twin had multiple piercings and a scraggily beard and mustache.
    “Nice to meet you, ma’am,” the twins said in unison.
    “It’s great you’re able to spend the week with us here in Scumble River. Are you in college?” She guessed they were nineteen or twenty.
    “Yes, ma’am,” they both replied.
    Skye wondered whether one could speak without the other. Their unity was a little creepy.
    Before Skye could ask anything more, two men and a woman joined them, and Riley said, “This is one of my business partners, Tabitha Urick. Tab, this is my cousin, Skye.”
    “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Skye held out her hand.
    The striking ebony-skinned woman smiled and shook it. “Good to meet you, too. Riley’s talked about you a lot.” Her voice had a slight island lilt. “You are like us, leaving your home to seek your destiny. But you returned. Riley and I are still among the Lotus Eaters.”
    Skye couldn’t tell whether Tabitha thought that was a good or bad thing. “I was gone for twelve years, but it’s been nice to be back.” Most of the time, Skye added silently. “You two own an interior design firm, right?” She remembered her grandmother mentioning Riley’s business.
    “Yes.” Tabitha added, “Paige is our partner as well.”
    Riley gestured to the two men standing nearby. “And this is Gus Zeitler and Liam Murphy, golfing buddies of Nick’s.” After Skye and the men exchanged greetings, Riley continued, “Gus is in construction, and Liam is our attorney.”
    Liam, a tall, ascetic-looking man, frowned. “That reminds me, did you get your marriage license yesterday?”
    “Yes.” Riley nodded. “We flew into O’Hare yesterday morning and swung by the Stanley County courthouse on our way to Scumble River.”
    “Good.” The lawyer took a BlackBerry out of his pocket and made an entry. “Then all that’s left is for us to get together tomorrow so we can finish the prenup.”
    “I don’t know when we’ll have time,” Riley said. “We’re having brunch in Oakbrook tomorrow, then shopping for my wedding jewelry. I doubt we’ll be back much before six. Maybe we could wait until we get back from our honeymoon.”
    “I’ll put you down for seven.” Liam’s expression was unbending. “Excuse me. I need to check my messages.”
    Skye wondered whether she and Wally would need a prenuptial