“I hate to chat and run, but I’ve got work to do,” I said, taking a step backward.
“But what about the wedding?” my mother asked. “Where is it going to be? What about your dress? The catering and reception? It’s going to take an army to put this together on such short notice.”
Her spelling things out like that weren’t exactly helping my heart issues. All I cared about was being Mrs. Nick Dempsey.
“Maybe we should elope,” I said, and then immediately regretted it when everyone gasped. I had to admit, this was a lot of drama for a Monday morning. Even for me.
“I don’t think so,” my mother said, looking much too sober for my liking. “There’s already been too much publicity. They put out a special edition Sunday Gazette yesterday. It’s not every day someone from Whiskey Bayou marries a senator’s grandson.”
“Yes, that’s exactly how I describe Nick when I tell people about him. Not that he’s out working a triple homicide right now and trying to make the streets safer.”
Savage whistled. “He must’ve caught the Hayward case. You’ll be lucky to see him three weeks from now, much less Friday. From everything I’ve read, that’s a messy one.”
“Then get out there and help him,” I said, smacking Savage on the shoulder. “Because I’m getting married Friday. I don’t care who’s there or if there are hors d’oeuvres and champagne or Keystone and cake pops. Oh, and by the way, I’ve secured the Methodist church for the ceremony, and Pastor Charles said we can have the reception there too.”
“Is that why he was here this morning?” Kate asked, zeroing in on me. “I was wondering.”
It’s like Kate had these super mind powers when it came to the agency, and I could practically feel her compelling me to tell her that I’d taken a side job for Pastor Charles.
“Yep,” I said, a little too cheerfully. “He said he saw an open invitation in the newspaper this morning, and that the Korbels had cancelled their sixtieth anniversary party to go to Jamaica, so the church was free.”
Technically, I hadn’t lied. I just left out the part about the threats.
“Their poor family,” my mother said, clucking her tongue. “Their family has been looking forward to that party for months, and then they go off on their own and don’t let everyone be a part of the celebration. Those people wouldn’t even be there if the Korbels hadn’t gotten horizontal back in the day. Maybe they should’ve thought about that.” She gave a soft hiccup and picked at the rest of her cinnamon roll.
“Gross,” Phoebe said. “Nobody wants to think about that.”
“Are you having an open bar?” Scarlet asked. “Because I don’t go to weddings that don’t have an open bar. That’s just rude. Bad enough I’ve got to buy you a gift when you’ll probably end up getting divorced or one of you dying soon.”
Rosemarie came to her feet and slammed her giant binder on the table. She looked scared to death, and while I admired her guts, she had every right to be scared. She was putting herself in the middle of a Holmes family feud. People had died for less.
“Listen up, people,” she said. “I took off school today to be here, and I don’t want to hear another word about whores, seven-month babies, or micro-penises. We have five days to put on the most spectacular wedding you’ve ever seen. As friends and family of the bride, it’s our job to make sure it goes off without a hitch. And that’s exactly what we’re going to do.
“I’ve got everything itemized in this binder, along with a full itinerary. God didn’t make Nick rich for no reason, so we’re going to use his resources and pull this off. Addison, you’ve got cases to solve. Go solve them. Savage, you make sure the groom is at the church on time. Whatever you have to do. We’ve got this.”
“Umm,” I said.
I’d never seen Rosemarie like this, but she’d just given me my escape and I’d be stupid not to take it.
“Sorry, Kate,” I said. “Looks like I’ve got to run. Have fun.”
“I feel like I deserve this somehow,” she said.
“Karma’s a bitch.”
About the Author
Liliana Hart is a New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author of more than sixty titles. After starting her first novel her freshman year of college, she immediately became addicted to writing and knew she’d found what she was meant to do with her life. She has no idea why she majored in music.
Since publishing in June 2011, Liliana has sold more than six-million books. All three of her series have made multiple appearances on the New York Times list.
Liliana can almost always be found at her computer writing, hauling five kids to various activities, or spending time with her husband. She calls Texas home.
If you enjoyed reading this, I would appreciate it if you would help others enjoy this book, too.
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Also by Liliana Hart
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A Dirty Shame
Dirty Rotten Scoundrel
Down and Dirty
Dirty Deeds
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Dirty Money
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The MacKenzies of Montana
Dane’s Return
Thomas’s Vow
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Grant’s Christmas Wish
The MacKenzies Boxset
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MacKenzie Security Series
Seduction and Sapphires
Shadows and Silk
Secrets and Satin
Sins and Scarlet Lace
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MacKenzie Security Omnibus 1
MacKenzie Security Omnibus 2
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Lawmen of Surrender (MacKenzies-1001 Dark Nights)
1001 Dark Nights: Captured in Surrender
1001 Dark Nights: The Promise of Surrender
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The MacKenzie World (read in any order)
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Whiskey Sour
Whiskey For Breakfast
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The Gravediggers
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Gone to Dust
Say No More
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Also by Liliana Hart
Addison Holmes
Whiskey Rebellion
Whiskey Sour
Whiskey for Breakfast
Whiskey, You're the Devil
Whiskey on the Rocks (Novella)
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
Whiskey and Gunpowder
Dirty Money (Coming Soon)
A MacKenzie Security Novel
Seduction and Sapphires
Shadows and Silk
Secrets and Satin
Sins and Scarlet Lace
Sizzle
Crave
Scorch
A MacKenzie Security Omnibus 1
A MacKenzie Security Omnibus 2
JJ Graves
Dirty Little Secrets
A Dirty Shame
Dirty Rotten Scoundrel
Down and Dirty
Dirty Deeds (Novella)
Dirty Laundry
MacKenzie Security
Cooper: Vol 2
MacKenzies of Montana
Dane: Vol 1
Thomas: Vol 1
Riley: Vol 1
Cooper: Vol 1
A MacKenzie Christmas
Dane: Vol 2
Thomas: Vol 2
Riley: Vol 2
The MacKenzies: Happily Ever After
The MacKenzies Omnibus
Standalone
Kill Shot
Watch for more at Liliana Hart’s site.
About the Author
Liliana Hart is a New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher's Weekly Bestselling Author of more than 50 titles. After starting her first novel her freshman year of college, she immediately became addicted to writing and knew she'd found what she was meant to do with her life. She has no idea why she majored in music. Since publishing in June of 2011, Liliana has appeared at #1 on lists all over the world, and all three of her series have appeared on the New York Times list. Liliana is a sought after speaker, and she's given keynote speeches and publishing workshops to standing-room-only crowds from California to New York to London. Liliana can almost always be found at her computer writing, or hanging out with her own real-life hero, her husband, Scott Silverii. They have five children and call Texas home. Find out more about Liliana at www.lilianahart.com
Read more at Liliana Hart’s site.