Read Online Wedding Day Murder by Leslie Meier - Free Book Online

those old fortunes from railroads and oil are just pennies compared to the new fortunes coming from the Internet.”
    Thelma nodded and paused for breath. Lucy knew she had to act fast.
    â€œThelma, I really have to get back in the house to wake up the kids. . . .”
    â€œOh, don’t let little me hold you up,” said Thelma, jumping to her feet. “I’ll just walk back with you, if you don’t mind. Just in case the dog comes back.”
    â€œThat’s probably wise,” said Lucy, wondering again where Kudo had gotten to.
    â€œYou know, dear, I don’t like to raise an unpleasant subject, but I couldn’t help noticing some doggy poos on the grass.”
    Lucy was mortified. “Of course, all that will be cleaned up before the wedding.”
    Thelma was looking around, a little furrow between her brows.
    â€œThere don’t seem to be very many flowers. I was hoping for apple blossoms and lilacs, you know.”
    â€œWell, it’s a little late for apple blossoms and lilacs,” said Lucy, taking a few steps toward the house in hope that Thelma would follow. “The zinnias and marigolds will be in bloom, and the dahlias. Oh, and the rose of Sharon is beautiful then. And some early mums, of course.”
    â€œThat does sound nice,” said Thelma, who seemed to have rooted herself to the ground. “You know,” she continued, “I think it’s awfully risky having an outdoor wedding.”
    â€œWell, Sue did mention a tent.” Lucy paused. “I’m afraid it’s getting awfully late. . . .”
    â€œOh, don’t let me hold you up,” said Thelma, taking a few baby steps. “What about music? Did Sue mention music?”
    â€œI think she’s thought of everything. She even gave me a list, sort of a checklist. . . .”
    â€œCould I see it?”
    Lucy’s mind was blank. She couldn’t remember what she’d done with the list, and she sure didn’t have time to look for it now.
    â€œI really have to get the kids up, they’re going to be late. . . .”
    â€œI’d really like to go over that list with you.”
    Lucy was desperate to get rid of Thelma. “I’m sorry,” she began, when inspiration struck. “How about lunch?”
    â€œFortunately, I’m free,” said Thelma, implying that this was not usually the case.
    â€œGreat. I’ll meet you at noon at . . .”
    â€œThe Greengage Inn?”
    â€œFine. I’ve got to run now,” said Lucy, backing off down the path until she reached the corner of the house and then dashing for the porch.
    In the kitchen, she was relieved to see that Bill had gotten the kids up, and breakfast, if you counted bolognaon-bagel sandwiches as breakfast, was in progress.
    â€œWho was that woman?” he asked, looking out the window at Thelma. “Is she the Avon lady or something?”
    Lucy laughed. “No, no, that’s Sidra’s mother-in-law to be. The mother of the groom.”
    â€œScary,” said Elizabeth.
    â€œOh, yes,” said Lucy, pouring herself that longdelayed cup of coffee.
    â€œWhat’s she doing here?” asked Bill, a puzzled expression on his face.
    Lucy didn’t think this was the time to explain that the wedding was going to take place in the gazebo.
    â€œShe just wanted some information about caterers and florists,” she said.
    â€œThis early in the morning?”
    â€œTell me about it,” she said, carrying the coffee upstairs to drink while she got dressed. She set the cup on her dresser and opened the closet door, looking for something to wear. She had planned on jeans and a polo shirt, but that wouldn’t do at the inn, so she flipped through the hangers looking for something that didn’t need to be ironed. She had almost reached the end of the pole when a large box tumbled down from the top shelf.
    Reflexively, Lucy put her hand up to protect her head