Read Online The Walleld Flower by Lorraine Bartlett - Free Book Online

to me.”
    She was right, although the man in the newspaper photo was twenty years older, with a neatly trimmed salt-and-pepper beard. Still, there was no mistaking the sharp cheekbones and piercing blue eyes. Rick Jeremy was Jeremy Richards.
    Katie remembered what she’d read earlier that day, and an idea blossomed in her mind. “The article says he’s holding a press conference tomorrow afternoon in downtown Rochester. We’re going to be there, too.”
    “Do you think he’d admit to knowing Heather?” Rose asked.
    “It can’t hurt to ask,” Katie said.
    “What about Artisans Alley?” Edie asked. “We need you here.”
    “Vance can babysit, right?” Rose asked.
    “Well, if he can’t…” Katie’s gaze slid to Edie, who blanched.
    “Me?”
    “Sure. You can fix a tape jam in the register. You’re practically a fixture here. You pretty much know how everything runs.”
    Edie seemed to think it over, and then straightened with pride. “I’d be glad to help out.”
    “Great. And as long as I’m asking for favors… Gilda Ringwald from Gilda’s Gourmet Baskets is getting married next week. She’s asked me stand up for her.”
    “Oh, so that’s why she brought over that dreadful purple nightmare,” Edie mused. “Why is it brides choose the ugliest dresses for their wedding party?”
    Katie forced a smile. “I have no idea. And it’s miles too long for me. I was wondering if I could pay you to adjust the hem.”
    “I mostly work with terrycloth and cotton, but I’d be willing to give it a try.”
    Uh-oh. Had she made a mistake trusting Edie with the dress? Katie’s forced smile resurfaced.
    “And you don’t need to pay me,” Edie said. “When do you want to have me work on it?”
    “Whenever it’s convenient. The wedding isn’t until next Saturday.”
    Edie nodded. “We’ve still got plenty of time.”
    “Thanks. And since we’re on the subject, do you know anything about making wedding favors?”
    “Are you kidding? I’ve made so many over the years, I could probably write a book on it, why?”
    “Gilda left a box of stuff. Apparently I’m in charge of making them, and I have no idea where to start.”
    “Leave it to me,” Edie said with a nod.
    “Thanks.” She was starting to sound like a broken record. “The box is in my office. I’ll be more than happy to turn it over to you.”
    “How many do you need?”
    Katie took a wild guess. “Fifty.”
    “That won’t take long.”
    “Great.” Katie glanced at the clock on the wall. “It’s time we locked up for the night.”
    “Maybe I should practice closing down the register.” Smiling broadly, Edie bustled from the cloakroom.
    Katie glanced back at Rose, who’d been silent during the last exchange. Her lips were pursed, and Katie could see she looked hurt. “I’m surprised at your insensitivity, Katie. You were the one who found Heather’s remains right here on Victoria Square, and now you’re going to participate in a wedding?”
    “It’s not until a week from Saturday. And believe me, it wasn’t
my
idea,” Katie muttered. “But, Rose, would you deny Gilda and Conrad the chance to celebrate what could be the happiest day of their lives?”
    Rose seemed unmoved by her words.
    She tried again. “You’ve told me how much you loved your husband, Howard. Well, Gilda loves Conrad. It’s taken them decades to come to this point in their lives.”
    “I know,” Rose said, defeat coloring her voice, “but did they have to do it
now
?”
    “A week from now,” Katie reminded her. “Were you invited to the wedding?”
    Rose shook her head. “Why would I? I don’t know them.”
    “But
I
do. As the leader of the Merchants Association, I work with Gilda and Conrad and the rest of the merchants on a regular basis. We’ve all gotten to be friends.” Okay,that was stretching the truth just a bit. “Please don’t ask me to choose.”
    Rose hung her head. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. Of course you should