Marriage & Murder: Rosewood Place Mysteries, #6

Ruby Blaylock

Marriage & Murder

A Rosewood Place Mystery

Copyright © 2019 by Ruby Blaylock

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

No chess bars were harmed during the writing of this book.

First edition

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Contents

New Beginnings, Old Enemies

Well Wishes and Bad Endings

What Happens Next

Small Talk and Suspicion

Getting to Know the Guests

A Gambler, A Drinker, and A Roustabout

Hidden Evidence

Love, Laundry, and Lots of Questions

Don’t Tell Mama It Might Be Murder

Suspects and Sangria

Sleepless Nights

Return of the Prodigal Son

A Sinister Turn

Maybe Something in the Water

Secret Rendezvous

Suspects and Secrets

Pizza and Tears

A Startling Discovery

Humans Are Messy Creatures

Watches and Wedding Preparations

Special Delivery

Departures and Discoveries

Toxic Revelations

Diabolical Desserts

Uninvited Guests

Everything Falls Into Place

The End of a Long, Good Day

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New Beginnings, Old Enemies

Atingle made its way down Annie Richards’ spine as she set silverware on the long table in front of her. She could barely suppress the smile that found its way to her mouth for the hundredth time that day. It was perfect, just perfect.

She stood back and admired the table. It was just a practice run, a sort of rehearsal meal for her mother’s wedding. Although the thought of Bessie and Emmett’s impending nuptials did make Annie happy, it was the location of the wedding reception that made Annie beam with joy. It was going to be held in her barn. The barn. The place that Annie had envisioned for months and months had finally been brought to life by Rory’s hands.

She breathed in deeply. The scent of freshly cut wood, new paint, and the smell of freshly cut grass that wafted in through the open door of the barn filled Annie with excitement and hope.

Alongside the purchase of Rosewood Place, this was Annie’s greatest achievement. Annie had been determined to build a life for herself that didn’t rely on anyone else, and although she was aware that she couldn’t have done any of it without her mother or Rory, she still felt an immense sense of pride, far more than she’d ever felt during her marriage to David.

She let herself think about him for just a moment. Enough time had passed for the anger to subside, but not the pain. They’d been married for a long time, long enough for them to have Devon and for David to build himself a career in a financial firm on Wall Street. But apparently it wasn’t long enough for Annie to really get to know the real David Richards. The smiling, happy-go-lucky guy with a wife and child was also a cheating liar who liked to gamble with other people’s money. He’d lost his job, cashed in his life insurance policy, and left Annie and Devon with nothing when he died of a sudden heart attack.

It had been hard, but Annie had let her anger carry her home with a plan—she would buy a grand old dump and turn it into one of the best inns in South Carolina. Who could have known that her own hometown would be the place she’d find her future? Annie smiled again, all thoughts of David drifting out of her mind like mist on the morning air. Now, her life was good. Better than good. Her life was wonderful and filled with complex, fascinating people who treated her like an equal and not just some over-educated trophy wife.

Not that Annie had ever bought into the whole trophy wife persona. David had pushed her to go to the gym, to buy new clothes every few weeks, to spend more time in hairdressers than in Devon’s overpriced private school. But the southern girl in her liked socializing and comfort food more than she liked being admired by New York phonies, so in her early forties, Annie had a comfortable few extra pounds and a shape that wasn’t quite the hourglass of perfection it used to be, but she didn’t care one bit. She was happy, happy in her own skin, happy in her own home, and happy to be bringing happiness to others.

Annie was startled to feel a pair of arms snake around her waist, but she recognized the scent of the man she’d grown to care about very deeply.

Rory, she laughed, What are you doing?

Interrupting this hardworking woman to see if she wants to help me with something. Rory gave her a gentle squeeze and then released her so she could turn to face him. I wasn’t sure where you wanted those extra tables and chairs for the actual reception. I’d kind of like to get them set up now so we can see if there’ll be any problems with space. I think we’ll be alright, but I don’t want to leave it to the last minute.

Annie smiled. I love a man who plans ahead. She glanced at the table one more time. What do you think?

Rory nodded his head in appreciation. It looks great. I’m not too sure about the table decorations, though. What does your mom think?

Annie sighed. She could care less about the decor.. She’s too busy obsessing over the food. The woman has been to the grocery store six times this week. And it’s only going to get worse until the big day. I don’t know why she’s insisting on cooking—it’s her wedding. She should let me have it catered and take some of the stress off of her.

Rory laughed. You know Bessie. She is not going to let anyone serve food that she hasn’t personally cooked. Emmett’s going to have to watch his cholesterol with her. She’ll feed him into an early grave if he’s not careful.

Annie chuckled. I think she’s why I’ve gained ten pounds since I’ve been back here in Coopersville.

Rory raised one eyebrow. I can’t say I’ve noticed. You look amazing to me, but I may be biased. I did have a crush on you since we were in elementary school.

Annie pursed her lips. Did have? The way you snuck up on me just then makes me think you’re still crushing, Rory Jenkins. She leaned up on her tiptoes and planted a quick kiss on his lips. FYI, the feeling’s mutual.

Annie was only slightly annoyed with herself for being so coy. She’d spoken with Rory at length about why she wanted to take their relationship slow. She’d been hurt before, been devastated when she’d found out that David had been having an affair with a woman Annie had known for years. The fact that Annie had only found out at David’s funeral made it even worse. She knew she had some trust issues to overcome, but she also knew that Rory was not David. Rory was nothing like David, in fact. It was this that made him so darned attractive, from his easy going nature to the way he could talk to just about anybody at any given time. Rory was salt of the earth while David had just left a bad taste in her mouth.

Whoever said that slow wasn’t a good thing? After all, it wasn’t like they were two hormonal teenagers who were desperate to run away together. Annie sighed inwardly. Time had a way of slowing some things down, allowing the head to overrule the heart, and for that, Annie was glad. No, she wasn’t going to rush her relationship with Rory, but she wasn’t going to let it die of a lack of interest, either.

What time is the actual dinner? Rory checked his watch. I promised Emmett I’d take a look at his fishing boat later. He says there’s something wrong with the motor and I think I can fix it for him. Sounds like the starter, but I won’t know until I look at it.

We’ll be eating at five. That’s not going to give you enough time to look at the boat before then.

Rory nodded in agreement. Might just take a peek after dinner. Should still be enough daylight out there. And Em’s bringing the boat here, so that’ll save me time.

Annie rolled her eyes. Trust Emmett to be more concerned with his fishing boat than his rehearsal dinner for his wedding. Mama’s not going to be too happy if he blows off their honeymoon to go fishing.

Rory laughed. She’d go with him, I’m sure. As long as Bessie has a book in her hand and a gallon of sweet tea to sip, she’ll follow Emmett anywhere, I’m sure.

Annie grinned. They do make the sweetest couple. I’m so happy for her. My father was her life and since he died, well, she just hasn’t been the same. She needs somebody to dote on, to look after. I’ve been happy enough to be her focus since I’ve moved back home, but it’s time for her to have her own life again.

Well, she certainly seems happy playing hostess at the house, Rory replied. She’s got a full house.

Annie’s expression changed. What? Who? We didn’t have any bookings except for that Hicks woman who’s staying with us this week. Annie scowled. I tried to keep the entire house empty so any wedding guests who wanted to stay with us could, but Mama took her reservation anyway. She had the audacity to lecture me about not turning away a stranger in need after refusing to rent a room to those college kids last month.

Rory crossed his arms. That, he said drily, was a good call on your mother’s part. They came in a beat up old van, only one of them had an ID, and they smelled like they’d been smoking something that wasn’t cigarettes. I don’t think they had any intentions of paying for their stay, either.

How can you say that and be sure? Annie knew he was probably right, but she couldn’t help but argue. Her mother shouldn’t have rented a room to Charity Hicks, and if Miss Hicks had any sort of decency, she wouldn’t have taken the room once she knew there was going to be a wedding reception held at Rosewood Place while she was staying there.

Rory sighed. Just call it a hunch. Besides, we can’t afford to take any risks. We don’t want to get a reputation as the sort of place that caters to college kids, not if you want to really put this place on the map as a premier destination for weddings, anniversaries, that sort of thing.

She knew he was right, but it still irked her. With a sigh, she turned back to the table. What’s wrong with the table decorations? I copied them from a magazine article that said mason jars filled with lights are all the rage in wedding decor.

You need different lights. The voice wasn’t Rory’s, but Devon’s. Annie’s son appeared beside her and scooped up the half-pint glass jar from the table. He unscrewed the lid, removed the string of anemic looking battery powered lights from inside, and dropped in a battery powered tea light instead. Returning the lid to the jar, he sat the thing back on the table in a sightly different spot than it had previously inhabited. There. See the difference?

The light from the fake candle now flickered gently, creating a romantic, gauzy glow that made the center of the table look ethereal.

How did you know that would work better? Annie asked, her mouth still hanging slightly agape at her son’s newfound decorating skills. He’d never shown the least bit of interest in helping with the wedding, and he certainly hadn’t ever been the type of teen to care about table decor.

Devon shrugged. I was bored the other day and Grandma Bessie had one of those home makeover shows on. I wasn’t really doing anything so I watched it for a little while. It gave me some good ideas about this place, he said, gesturing around the renovated barn.

You could help me out with this wedding, Annie said, putting her arm around her son’s neck. I really could use your help with this. I suck at event planning.

Devon laughed. Yeah, you do, but thankfully I’m here all summer so maybe we can keep the customers happy. He scratched behind his ear. Did I tell you I think I’ve settled on my major for college?

Annie’s face brightened. Oh?

Devon nodded. Business, specifically hospitality. I’m going to learn how to run this place so when Grandma Bessie retires, I can help you and Rory.

Rory nodded his approval. Good choice. I’ve heard the community college has an excellent business program. You won’t even have to go to a bigger college for that, he added, giving Annie a sly look. She grinned back at him.

That is a wonderful idea! And you’ll be good at whatever you study. She reached up and ruffled her son’s dark hair, then pulled him into a hug. We’ve got to get a move on. It’s almost time to start this shindig and I’m sure your grandmother is stressing about the food and trying to keep everybody entertained.

Devon shook his head. Nope. I told her to take it easy. She said she has the food ready for the most part. I told her I’d take care of plating and serving, though it would be a lot easier if there was a working kitchen out here in the barn.

Rory held his hands up in a mock gesture of defense. Don’t blame me—the boss was too impatient to wait for a kitchen. We could put a small one in here before the end of the summer, but not before the wedding. It might set back the official opening of this beautiful building by a few months, though…

Oh, no. We’re opening as is. We can add a kitchen area later, Annie said, a blush creeping into her cheeks. The truth was, her budget just hadn’t gone as far as she’d wanted. But she was confident that the kitchen would come to fruition, just like the barn renovation had. It would just take time, and she was good at being patient. "It’s not