Shear Murder (28 page)

“He's not the only one.” Marla took a sip of water. “Griff decided to go freelance. He quit his job at the magazines. This way, he won't have to worry about any noncompetition clauses.”

“How's Jill handling all this?” Tally's blond hair fell across her face like a curtain.

“Jill had a long talk with Kevin and Scott. It seems Eddy was the one who negotiated the land deals with Falcon and Philip Canfield. Kevin found the properties and Eddy did the rest. Eddy was also the one pushing for Jill and Torrie to sell their property. He had Pete Schneider lined up as a buyer. Both of them would profit from the sale.

“Kevin agreed it would be in Jill and Scott's best interest to retain a different attorney. He truly does want to help them secure a new tenant. Now that they've cleared the air, hopefully the commercial property issue can be resolved. And Kevin never was involved in mortgage fraud. That news article Kate mentioned had a quote from him on the subject, that's all. So he's clean.”

“What of the child?” Brianna asked in a small voice.

“You mean Rachel? Jill finally confessed everything to Arnie and introduced him to her former stepdaughter. Rachel is going home and agreed to keep in touch. She's relieved that Canfield was ultimately to blame for Torrie's death.”

“And Hally's,” Dalton reminded them.

“I fear my loose lips were responsible for sinking that ship.” Marla hung her head. “I'd mentioned somewhere along the way that Hally may have discovered Torrie's files on people.”

Dalton patted her arm. “You didn't know about Canfield. It's not your fault.”

“You're right.” She'd blamed herself for enough things in the past. Now it was time to embrace the future.

She smiled at Dalton, her heart swelling with love and affection. Tomorrow was the big day, one that would alter their lives forever. Like Falcon, she was ready for a change. The next phase of her life was about to begin.

“Jill was cleared of all charges by the police,” Marla concluded. “She and Arnie are looking forward to their honeymoon. So all's well that ends well.”

The next evening, Marla swallowed nervously and prayed that things would go well. She stood outside the room set up for the ceremony at the country club, clutching a traditional nosegay bouquet of roses and stephanotis in peach and white. Her ivory gown flowed to her ankles with a sweep train. With its ruched bodice and jeweled halter neckline, the slim chiffon dress had cost more than some fancier gowns with billowing skirts and beading. Her choice suited a second marriage, being simple yet elegant. Better still, she had the bust line to pull it off.

She'd borrowed her mother's cultured pearl necklace and had worn pearl and diamond earrings to match.

Her heart thumped rapidly as she waited for the catering director to signal her to proceed. Strains of violin music reached her ears from inside, where chairs were set up facing a gazebo. Decorated with white tulle and tiny lights, it would serve as the chuppah, the canopy under which a Jewish couple were wed to symbolize their new home. Although they'd mixed their religious traditions for the ceremony, this was one she'd kept. She and Dalton had also each signed the
ketubah
brought by the rabbi to their respective dressing rooms.

Waiting by the double doors, she gulped, hoping she was doing the right thing and that this marriage would be her last. Her mother and Dalton's parents had already walked down the aisle, followed by the bridesmaids and her matron of honor. Her turn came next.

Peering through a short gauzy veil, she strained to listen to the violinist for her cue. Her knees wobbled under the dress. This might be her second time, but she felt like a total novice. Maybe it always felt like this to be a bride.

She wanted more than anything to be a good wife and mother and had promised herself to focus on family hereafter. No more running around town chasing after suspects. That was Dalton's job. She had a new one now, taking care of him and Brianna.

Her thoughts evaporated when she heard the beginning of the wedding march.

“Here you go.” The director, a highlighted blonde, nudged her. She'd helped things run smoothly so far, and Marla cast her a quick grin that probably came out more like a grimace.

Freezing a smile on her face, she stepped forward onto the white carpet strewn with rose petals. At the far end, Dalton stood proudly watching her, dashingly handsome in a tuxedo. Their attendants flanked him, facing the congregants.

Marla's pulse thrummed in beat to the music. She walked slowly, letting her train trail behind, careful to step across any folds in the fabric underfoot. Nodding here and there to people she recognized, she glided as if in a dream past white columns lining the aisles. They were topped with floral bouquets and had tulle with tiny lights strung between them.

The rabbi and reverend waited under the chuppah. Marla focused on Dalton's craggy face, which split into a happy grin as she approached. As rehearsed, she paused before joining him while her mother rose from her seat in front.

“I love you,
bubula,
” Ma whispered in her ear as she folded back Marla's veil.

Anita kissed her, then took Dalton's hand and put it into hers. Anita resumed her seat while Marla and Dalton faced the clergymen together. Marla held onto him tightly, her hand trembling. He gave her a gentle squeeze and a reassuring glance. Tally came forward and took her bouquet. Marla spotted Brianna and gave the teen a wink, glad she'd consented to stand here with her. They'd come a long way together and both had benefited from their relationship.

She tried to concentrate while the rabbi greeted the guests then read some psalms and traditional blessings. The reverend led them in the Lord's Prayer and the lighting of the unity candle. Most of the prayers flew past her ears. She quaked in her ivory shoes, holding onto Dalton like a lifeline.

Before she knew it, the words “I do” came from her lips. Dalton, facing her, repeated them when it was his turn.

His eyes glowed warmly while he recited the passage he'd personally written for the ring ceremony. She thought she'd burst with joy when he slid the gold ring on her finger.

Her voice shaking, she said the words she'd memorized and slipped the ring on his sturdy finger.

With proud smiles, the rabbi and the reverend pronounced them man and wife.

Following Jewish tradition, Dalton stomped on the cloth-covered glass at his foot.

Shouts of “Mazel tov!” and “Congratulations!” rang forth. They turned in unison to face the congregation. The violinist struck up a tune and they marched down the aisle to a round of applause.

“I love you,” Marla told Dalton as soon as they passed beyond the doors.

“I love you, too.” He gave her a long lingering kiss and then they were swamped by guests.

The cocktail hour flew past while the bridal party posed for photographs and then mingled.

“Wait out here,” the hostess ordered before ushering everyone else into the ballroom.

Marla had gotten a glimpse inside. Tulle draped from the ceiling. Tiny lights shone from potted plants and the sheer fabric overhead. Crystal gleamed on tables decorated with white cloths, tall floral centerpieces, and candlelight. Ribbons circled each of the draped chairs, matching her peach and cream color scheme. Music played from the DJ set up on stage in front of a wooden dance floor.

A moment later, she and Dalton paraded into the ballroom, where floor to ceiling windows looked out on a view of the lake and golf course and stars twinkled in the night sky.

Everyone stood and clapped their hands. She beamed with joy, especially seeing everyone she loved in one place:

Her new family: Brianna and Kate and John, plus Dalton's relatives that she'd only just met.

Anita and Roger, both of them wearing broad smiles. Marla no longer begrudged her mother a beau. Maybe their nuptials would be next.

Her brother Michael, and sister-in-law, Charlene, who looked stylish in her persimmon bridesmaid dress.

Her local cousins, Cynthia and Bruce, and her out-of-town relatives.

Her friends Tally and Ken and Jill and Arnie.

Nicole, Jennifer, Luis, and the rest of their salon staff.

And not to forget her neighbors: Moss and Emma had made it, the elderly couple expectantly waiting for Marla to read aloud the poem Moss had written for the occasion. Even Goat looked spiffy in a suit. Beside him stood Marla's friend Georgia from California, who'd flown in for the occasion.

She'd take time to speak to each one of them in turn, but first she and Dalton had to begin the dancing. She swept into his arms, looking into his eyes, feeling so much in love that the rest of the world dissolved.

Held in his embrace, she was barely aware their feet were moving, barely aware of the voices around them, of dishes clattering, of music thumping from the speaker system. All she saw were Dalton's smoky gray eyes regarding her in a manner that took her breath away and filled her with rapture.

“You're mine,” he said, his voice husky. “My wife.”

“Yes, I am. Now and forever, my husband.”

Her eyes filled with tears of happiness as he lowered his head and kissed her.

They twirled around the dance floor, completing a circle.

A circle symbolizing their love, their union, and their new family.

Nancy J. Cohen
is a multi-published author who began her career writing futuristic romances. Her first title,
Circle of Light
, won the HOLT Medallion Award. After four books in this genre, she switched to writing mysteries. Her popular Bad Hair Day series features hairdresser Marla Shore, who solves crimes with wit and style under the sultry Florida sun. Several of these titles made the IMBA best-seller list.
Shear Murder
is her latest release. Active in the writing community and a featured speaker at libraries and conferences, Nancy is listed in
Contemporary Authors, Poets & Writers
, and
Who's Who in U.S. Writers, Editors & Poets
. When she's not busy writing, Nancy enjoys reading, fine dining, cruising, and outlet shopping. She likes hearing from readers. Please contact her at
[email protected]
or visit her Web site at
http://nancyjcohen.com
.