Midnight Wedding Murder: Rosie Reynolds Paranormal Mysteries, #3

By Ron Tucker

You can't have a paranormal wedding without a murder!

 

After Rosie's best friend ties the knot and heads off to her honeymoon, friends and family are left in a murderous situation. A regular human is dead and everyone is a suspect. When a hot shot detective shows up, Rosie and friends are all under suspicion of being the murderer. Before the crime can be solved, a second body turns up, and every suspect has something to hide.

 

Can Rosie figure out who the culprit is before they strike again?

 

Rosie Reynolds Paranormal Mysteries are filled with cozy settings, charming hometown friends, and a dash of magic.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ron Tucker
• Release date: Mar 21, 2022
• ISBN: 9798223387466

Book preview

Chapter

One

Most people think when you move to a small town that life starts to slow down. That might be true for some, but I’d been busier than ever since officially returning to Greylock Cove.

Hey, Rosie! Harry called out to me as I cruised down Main Street in my convertible, trying to keep to the speed limit.

I gave him a quick wave before turning left toward my bakery. I was already three hours later than when I wanted to show up. There was a car accident as I traveled through San Francisco that backed up traffic for miles. I was hoping to get to the shop around eleven this morning. Maybe twelve. It was now half past three, and I’d lost a whole day at the bakery. Traveling back and forth between Greylock Cove and Los Angeles was taking its toll.

After parking in front of the shop, I hurried inside to see Dasha behind the counter. Sorry, Dasha.

It’s okay, she replied.

I felt horrible. In the two months that Greylock Cove Bakery had been open, I’d been able to teach Dasha quite a few recipes. However, school recently started back up for her. She was a junior in high school now.

I still hadn’t hired someone to help out during the week, so if I needed to return to Southern California to check on my other bakery, I had to shut down Greylock Bakery for a few days, unless it was the weekend. Dasha was a great pastry chef for her age, but she was still learning.

How’s it been today? I asked.

Kinda slow. Oh, Mrs. Donaldson stopped by this morning and asked if you could make a batch of lemon tarts for Greylock Inn. She said she would pick them up tomorrow.

Great. Anything else?

Unfortunately not. I’ve been stuck working on chemistry homework.

I giggled. All right.

Oh, Hillary came in a little bit ago.

I tied my apron around my waist as I walked over to Dasha. Staring at her in confusion for a moment, I tried to place the name. Hillary?

Yeah, you remember … my friend who graduated last year and moved to New Orleans.

That’s right. I pulled out an empty tray that held my dragonfly cupcakes and set it aside. She come to Greylock to visit?

Actually, she’s moving back. Dasha paused for a minute, looking a little uncertain. She asked if you were hiring.

Really? Does she have any baking experience?

Dasha grimaced. Not really, but she’s really nice, and she always got good grades.

I enjoyed having Dasha in the shop, but in the last two months, I came to realize I definitely needed another person around. While Dasha had been excited about baking, she did have a little experience when I asked her to work for me. Plus, I didn’t think she’d recommend someone who wouldn’t be able to learn the ropes.

Okay, see when she can come by, and I’ll talk to her.

Yay! Dasha jumped up and down, clapping her hands. I think she’ll be great, Rosie.

I nodded with a smile. Going down to LA at least once a month, sometimes for a whole week, was becoming a bit much. Not only on my resolve to keep my LA bakery but on business in Greylock. I didn’t think any resident would ever say anything, but I knew it didn’t help when the bakery was closed for nearly a week each time I left. My trips weren’t the only things that had been keeping me busy, though.

In the last two months, I also had a baking trade show I needed to attend to make sure I was up to date with any new products and trends. I needed to go to Cookie Expo—yes, there are cookie conventions—because I was asked months ago to be a guest speaker. Plus, I had three book signings my publisher had scheduled for my recipe book. Yes, to say my life had been hectic would be an understatement.

Then there was my best friend’s wedding.

Bonnie and Maxel were getting married in one week, and I was helping Bonnie plan the event. I knew I was already stretched thin when she asked, but I couldn’t say no to my best friend.

When she told me a week after Maxel proposed to her that they were getting married as soon as they were, I was a little surprised. She said they’d been dating so long that they didn’t want the engagement to last for a long time. Especially after Maxel was nearly charged for a murder he didn’t commit.

They were determined to take advantage of every minute and wanted to get married as soon as possible. Maxel even suggested they elope, but Bonnie wanted to have a wedding where her friends and family got to come. They set the date, and Maxel purchased their honeymoon cruise.

Now Bonnie was busy planning everything she wanted for her wedding, and I was dragged into it as her wedding planning assistant. I say dragged mostly as a joke. I was truly happy for her and wanted to help as much as I could, but life was not slowing down.

A loud honk sounded outside of the shop. As I looked up, I saw Miles’ massive truck driving by and caught him waving at me. I waved back, watching him drive away. Wondering if we’d ever get a second coffee date, I pinched my lips to the side.

We finally went out for a cup of coffee that wasn’t just him stopping by and making small talk, and it was nice. We didn’t get into very much detailed conversation, mostly because we’d already learned some of the basics about one another. Unfortunately, that coffee connection was over a month ago.

Since then, I’d run around doing everything I needed to do, and then he went back to New Mexico to help with something with his family. I asked him if everything was okay when he told me he was going to be out of town for a while, and he said it was fine. Just some family stuff, he said, and he didn’t explain further. Ever since I met him, there was this mysteriousness about his life before he moved to Greylock Cove that intrigued me.

Still no second date? Dasha asked.

I chuckled to myself. I was practically twice her age, but since she was around me so often, and I continued to tease her with her own boyfriend, William, we’d developed a kinship with one another. I didn’t mind talking to her about it.

No, I answered. And now with one week left before Bonnie’s wedding, I doubt we’ll reconnect this week either. The door to the bakery chimed, and in walked Bonnie. Speak of the devil.

What? she asked with a grin.

Nothing, I replied, and Dasha tried to hide her giggle. How’s your day going, Bon?

She shook her head, her short dark hair waving back and forth, as she walked over to the counter. We’re being charged for ice.

Um … what?

She was holding a small tablet and turned it around, showing me an invoice. I went with this company for the drinks at the wedding, and they gave me a great quote. So we took it. Now, I get the invoice, and we’re being charged for ice. Not to mention, our caterer said they won’t have a fish option, after they promised me they would.

Well, maybe you can get a vegetarian choice on the menu. At least it’s something for people who don’t want chicken or beef.

Ugh! She tossed the tablet on the counter then leaned over it, putting her head down. This is crazy. Thankfully, the hotel in Brook Harbor hasn’t tried to pull a fast one on us.

Bonnie, it’s going to be okay, I tried to reassure her. It felt like half of the time I was helping her make decisions, and the other half I was talking her off a ledge. Did your dress come in?

She paused for a moment, her face still down on the counter, and I feared the worst. That maybe something had happened to it, or that it might’ve even been delayed. But when she lifted her head, she had a wide smile across her face.

It’s perfect. It came in two days ago.

See? I reached over, giving her hand a squeeze. In one week, you’re going to be Mrs. Bonnie Howard.

"Bonnie Sinclair-Howard," she corrected me.

I giggled. That’s right. Try to remember that instead of worrying about ice. I’ll cover the ice charge.

No, I can’t ask you to do that.

You’re not asking. I’m offering.

You’re the best.

The door chimed, and I looked over to greet a customer when my eyes widened in surprise. Standing in the doorway was a tall man, dressed in a light gray suit, collared shirt unbuttoned at the top, and a neatly trimmed haircut that was parted to the side. He wore aviator sunglasses, but I knew there were crystal blue eyes underneath the reflective surface of the lenses.

It’s true, he said in a deep voice with a smile across his lips. Rosie Reynolds, back in Greylock Cove. And reopening the bakery, no less.

What the? Bonnie asked, stunned.

Don’t look so shocked, Bonnie, he said, taking off his sunglasses. I heard you were getting married and figured it was as good a time as any to revisit the old stomping grounds.

Bobby Hunter, I said, mostly to myself.

He flashed a grin that was bordering on cocky. I’m glad you remember the man who was once your fiancé.

Through the corner of my eye, I saw Dasha looking at me, perplexed.

We were six, I shot back at Bobby.

He chuckled. Well, you’ll always be the one that got away.

Bonnie flashed a sneaky smile in my direction that I tried to ignore. Thank you very much, I said. I’m not sure if all my suitors would be so kind. I’ve been sort of laser focused on my career for the past few years.

I can tell. He took a step into the bakery, scanning the surroundings. The marble floors sparkled, and the fuchsia drapes popped a little brighter in the middle of the day, with the sun beaming through the front window. It really looks terrific, Rosie. Your mother would love it.

Thank you.

Well, I’m staying at Greylock Inn with my business partner. I should head back. I just wanted to stop by and say hi. I’ll probably be seeing you more throughout the week.

How come you’re staying a whole week? Bonnie asked. Then she shrank back a little. Not that I’m not happy to have you.

He chuckled. "Well, not that I’m not happy to be here for your big day, but I’m actually working on a couple of deals."

Cocking my head to the side, I studied him. What do you do now?

Commercial real estate, he answered. My partner and I started a company around the Bay Area, and we’ve been branching out farther. We’re actually working on a deal in Brook Harbor. I figured, why not grace my dear old friend’s wedding with my presence?

Bonnie chuckled, shaking her head. Still the ever-confident wizard, I see.

Some things never change. As he said the words, his eyes landed back on me. A sly but charming smirk fell over him. It brought up memories of us when we were kids and all the silly thoughts I used to have.

Anyway, I’ll let you two get back to work. I’ve got a few calls I need to make when I get back to the inn. But you’ll probably see me a few more times before the wedding.

Bye, Bobby. I waved to him.

He waved back and left the bakery.

Bonnie