Borrowed, Blue, Dead: Citrus Beach Mysteries, #7

By Victoria LK Williams

 Can you hear the wedding bells?

In the final installment of the Citrus Beach Mysteries series, Megan and Aiden's big day is almost here.

But when Megan discovers another bride lying dead on the floor of the bridal shop, wearing a bridal veil identical to hers, she becomes unwillingly involved in the investigation.

With Aiden's son Brandon as the prime suspect, their own wedding plans are put on hold until they can clear his name.

Can Megan and Aiden track down the killer before the sun sets on their happily ever after, or will their dreams of matrimony be forever dashed?

Find out in the heart-pounding conclusion to the series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sun, Sand & Stories Publishing
• Release date: Jul 12, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386992318

Victoria LK Williams

USA Today Best-Selling Author. Victoria writes what she calls Cozy Mysteries with a Tropical Twist. Her series are set in small South Florida towns, with fun characters and a dog/cat or two. She also has one series that is paranormal cozy and the plans for a second.  Victoria can often be found writing from her South Florida home, looking into her garden, watching the birds and squirrels fight over their next meal, while she writes. Her two cats, Miss Marple, and Fletch, often join her at the desk and each has their assigned spot. Victoria's not sure they are there to supervise her writing or watch the birds. Victoria and her husband of 38 years share a love of gardening, and together they have written a gardening handbook for Florida gardeners. The Williams are now empty-nesters, giving Victoria plenty of time to dream up the next story. Until then, you can read any of her current titles in the Citrus Beach Mystery series, Sister Station series, Storm Voices series, Mrs. Avery's Adventures series, Beach House Mysteries, Tattletale Cafe, and now Professor Higgins Investigates.

Book preview

Prologue

Brandon motioned for her to go on her way. Megan opened the first dressing room door, but it was empty. Moving to the only other door in the building, she reached for the doorknob. Before she could turn the knob, Barney gave a low growl. Now Megan was positive something was wrong.

Brandon also noticed the dog’s reaction and jumped to his feet. He would be the first to go in that room, or his father would never forgive him. Gently nudging Megan out of his way, Brandon opened the door and walked into the room. Megan followed closely and they both saw the white mass of lace on the floor at the same time.

Barney's pitiful wine pulled Megan’s attention away from the dreadful sight in front of her. Reassuring her dog, she glanced up into the eyes of her soon-to-be son-in-law. He appeared as confused as she did and together they look down at sight in front of them.

There lay a beautiful gown, its lace spread out across the floor like a fan and the sequins in the train glistened in the overhead light. It was a beautiful dress, but the sight was horrendous because inside that gown was a bride.

The grown was still virginal white with no signs of trauma from the body it encased. Dark hair from the woman spread across her shoulders and down her back, but Megan found it hard to see her face and identify the would-be bride.

The bridal veil she wore was pulled from her head and tied tightly around her neck with the lace hanging over her face.

A second whine her caught her attention and she looked down to reassure the little white Shih Tzu that was now standing by Barney’s side, but Barney wasn't going to just sit and stare at the dead woman. Instead he worked his way over to stand by the body, not touching it, but putting his paw on the veil as if to draw Megan's attention to it. She followed the dogs’ movement and gasped.

That's my bridal veil she's wearing!

Chapter 1

N o, no! Megan held her hand up to stop her daughter’s protest. Absolutely not, Emma. There will be no animals in my wedding. No cats, no dogs and certainly not a monkey!

Mom, we’ve been training JoJo for this. Barney and Gypsy know their parts too. It’s too cute not to include them.

I’ll tell you what, when you plan your own wedding, include your monkey.

Not bothering to argue any further, Megan turned and walked back inside to where her fiancée and friends where peering out discreetly from the window. Emma stood there with her hands on her hips, watching her mother’s retreat. When the little monkey sitting on her shoulders tugged at her dangling earring, Emma reached up and patted her head in comfort.

Not to worry, JoJo, I’m not done with this battle yet, she promised.

The little monkey chattered back at her as if giving instruction regarding the next step Emma should take. Ignoring the chatter, Emma stared at her mother’s retreating back, unaware of how similar the two women were. Twenty years ago, the younger woman could have easily passed for Megan in looks. Although the styles of the times were different, there was no mistaking the auburn hair that ran in the family. Megan’s was long and wavy, and thanks to a recent cut and style, Emma’s was short. But where they matched in looks, they varied greatly in temperament. Emma was her late father’s match here; patient and quiet, willing to wait (and plot) to reach her goals.

A sharp bark brought her attention back to the animals sitting at her feet, surprising her that they didn’t followed Megan inside with the others. The bark came from a little white female Shih Tzu, who was sitting next to a patient beagle, both waiting for her to act. With a smile, Emma realized that she still held the ball she’d been throwing for them a few moments before the discussion with her mother started. That explained why Barney sat in front of her instead of following his mistress into the house. As for the smaller dog, well, Gypsy always stayed with Barney. Although technically she belonged to the man marrying Megan, the puppy rarely left the beagle’s side. And now that Aiden and Megan were finally getting married, the dogs spent more time together than ever.

What do you two think? Can we change Mom’s mind?

Not expecting an answer, Emma tossed the ball as hard as she could for the dogs to run after it. But before they got started, JoJo jumped from her shoulder and clambered onto the back of the beagle, ready to join the fun. Laughing at the picture the three animals made as they raced after the ball, she wasn’t aware of the tall young man who walked up to stand next to her.

Emma, it’s a lost battle. Even if you could persuade Megan to agree, there is no way my dad would.

Hey Brandon. When did you get here? Emma smiled at him. They were close in age, each from part of a single parent household.

I’ve been inside, catching up with Dad and the others. We witnessed you plead your case, but it doesn’t look good. I probably shouldn’t tell you, but your Uncle Paul has a bet going; you can’t wear your mom down.

The two of them grinned and Emma vowed she would take that bet as a challenge. They were comfortable with each other, both thrilled with the happiness their parents found. Although Brandon had only just arrived in the small Florida town of Citrus Beach, it didn’t take long for him to see that his father was happy and content in his new home with his new life.

Hand it here, Barney. Reaching down, Brandon took the ball from the beagle’s mouth and wound-up, throwing it even farther than Emma. While they cheered the dogs on as they ran after the ball, Brandon lifted JoJo into his arms as she was demanding he do.

I have to admit, it would be cool to see this little girl go down the aisle.

I’ll make it happen, you watch me. Now catch me up on all that’s going on in St. Louis. When do your grandparents arrive?

In no time, the two of them were talking about college life, catching up on what was going on in their lives since Emma and Megan visited the family farm a few months ago.

While the two of them were talking and keeping the dogs entertained, Megan was being teased by her cousin, Paul and his wife, Lucy. Aiden stood silently at her side, knowing not to take sides in this matter.

Oh, come on, Megan. Emma’s been training those three so hard. How can you say no?

Megan raised an eyebrow at her cousin, knowing he was kidding, but still ready to argue. The two of them had been teasing and arguing with each other since they were kids, Paul being closer to Megan than any brother could be. She fully knew of the soft spot he held for Emma, who was also his Goddaughter. But even he must see this was one of her crazier ideas. Turning to Lucy, her best friend, Megan waited for support, but to her surprise, Lucy was nodding her head with her husband.

You’re all crazy, you know that? Megan threw her hands in the air and joined their laughter.

Aiden pulled her close to him, kissing her forehead. Keeping her in his embrace, he suggested they go into the living room and relax. Nodding in agreement, Lucy led the way through the old farm house to the large living room, built to hold a large family. The house was part of a legacy left to Citrus Beach by one of the founding families. Emma and her best friend Taylor lived there. The legacy was also paying for Taylor’s college education to become a vet and stay on to run the farm and accompanying zoo. The zoo was set up for old or unwanted animals to live out their life in peace. Emma and Taylor ran the zoo, which was open on the weekends, in exchange for room and board.

The farm was also where Gypsy had been found, hiding from a killer. Megan discovered the body of her friend and owner of the farm and, along with Aiden, helped to achieve justice for her friend. But now the younger girls filled the farmhouse and the property with love and laughter once again. Even on days when the zoo wasn’t officially open, there were plenty of the town’s youth out in the barns, volunteering to tend to the animals. Making the farm her official home, Emma gathered her old basset hound from her mother’s and moved him out to live with her. And now there were plans in the works for developing a summer camp for orphans to come to. A direct result of another mystery Megan had helped solve.

Megan and Aiden sank into the overstuffed couch, while Lucy and Paul each took one of the old rockers opposite the couch. They were quiet for a moment, relaxing and enjoying the silence. Lucy studied her friend, a smile growing as she pictured in her mind what Emma must have been proposing to Megan.

Having the dogs and JoJo in the wedding would be cute, you know?

Oh please, not you too, Megan groaned before picking up the pillow next to her and throwing it at Lucy.

Everyone laughed, and Aiden grabbed her hand to keep Megan from tossing another pillow. Personally, he didn’t care if the animals were included or not, his concern was only that his bride would be happy. The sound of a car driving up the gravel driveway drew their attention to the window. An old Jag parked next to Megan’s jeep, and two elderly women got out. Before they could head towards the door, they watched Emma and Brandon wave to get their attention and then hurry towards the car.

Oh, oh. Looks like your daughter is roping in reinforcements, warned Paul.

It sure looked like Emma was doing just that. Megan watched through the window as her daughter hooked an arm around each of the new arrivals, talking a mile a minute, while Brandon closed the car doors. Then together the four of them, followed by the three animals, started up the path to the front door of the farmhouse.

Chapter 2

When the front door opened to admit the new arrivals, Barney and Gypsy raced in ahead of the others, searching for Megan. Barney led the way, knowing his way around the house as if were his own. Reaching Megan, he accepted her pats on the head and curled up at her feet, worn out from the game of catch. Gypsy wasn’t content to lay on the floor and jumped up onto the couch to curl up between Megan and Aiden.

Charlotte Potter was the first to enter the room, waltzing in like the matriarch she was. When the two men started to politely stand, she waved their actions away.

Relax, you two. We just stopped by for a moment. How is everyone? Megan, are you getting wedding jitters yet?

Only when I talk to my daughter. She grinned as she answered.

Yes, after the conversation we just had, I imagine you would. Turning to the protesting Emma who heard her words as she walked in, Charlotte blew her a kiss.

You will sort this out. But Emma, remember this is your mother’s wedding. Now, Adele and I came out to meet Brandon, which we have. Your son is so much like you, Aiden. You must be pleased he is here.

Aiden nodded, knowing better than to try to get a word in and obeying her hand gestures, moved over on the couch for Charlotte to sit. As her friend, Adele Purdy, took a seat in the large recliner, she seemed to get swallowed up in it and he hid his grin, but not before she saw it and gave him a saucy wink.

Adele was the opposite of Charlotte, yet the two of them hit it off wonderfully when they met. Even though Adele lived an hour away, in Palm Beach, they formed a close friendship. Much of that friendship revolved around Megan and keeping up with her forays into the world of crime and crime solving. But over time, they found much in common, and enjoyed spending time with each other. Whenever Adele could get away from her high-end consignment shop on Worth Avenue in Palm Beach, she would drive north to Citrus Beach and its peaceful small-town atmosphere.

While the four of them caught up on their news, Emma and Brandon went to the kitchen to get drinks for everyone. Megan could hear them talking and laughing, and she was pleased that they were getting along so well. Both were only children and she wanted their families to be close.

Here we go, iced tea for everyone, sang out Emma as she led Brandon into the living room, letting him carry the heavy wooden tray filled with glasses of freshly brewed iced tea and a plate of homemade cookies. Motioning for him to put the tray on the large coffee table centered in the room, Emma grabbed two glasses and handed them to Adele and Charlotte. Then, figuring the rest could fend for themselves, she took her own and sat down on the floor between Paul and Lucy. Brandon took the remaining chair and in no time, they were discussing his trip. He’d surprised Aiden by insisting he drive down, rather than fly, and he had them laughing as he filled them in on some interesting people he met in his travels.

When the lull came to the conversation, as it always did, even amongst friends, Adele caught Brandon’s attention.

Would you mind getting something from the car for me? There is a gift box in the back seat, and Emma got us so distracted when we arrived, that I forgot it.

Assuring her he didn’t mind, Brandon hurried out to the car to retrieve the box. When he came back in, the young man placed it by Adele, but she quickly redirected his action.

No, no. This is for Megan. Would you mind? Pointing to the couch, she indicated he hand the box to Megan.

Puzzled, Megan accepted the box and looked over to Adele for an explanation.

I hope you don’t mind, Megan, but when this came into the shop, I knew it was meant to be yours. I know you want to have a simple wedding and you are making all your own arrangements, but I hope that you will accept this gift.

While Adele was speaking, Megan opened the box and was peeling away delicate layers of tissue paper. The treasure appeared, nestled carefully amongst the paper, and it took her breath away. With shaky fingers, she reached in and pulled out a thin layer of lace. It was obvious by the look and design it was old, and as it unfolded in her hands, she could see an intricate design of rhinestones woven throughout the lace to represent tiny flowers. There was a collective gasp from the other women in the room as she held it up out of the box. Even the men were impressed. The wedding veil was elegant in its simplicity and Megan fell instantly in love with it.

It’s beautiful, Adele. Where did you ever get it? It looks like it was made for my dress.

Adele beamed with satisfaction. She had noticed the perfect match to Megan's dress when she saw the veil come into the shop. It cried out to be a gift for her friend. She knew Megan would not be wearing a traditional wedding gown. Megan had shown Adele a picture of her tea-length dress with open cut lacework and an off-white color. The coloring of the dress matched the age of the lace in the veil, making it seem as if they were made for each other. A simple flower design perfectly represented Megan’s love of flowers. The veil never even made it onto the shelves in the shop. Adele had boxed it up and put it in the back until she could present it to Megan.

Standing up, Megan held it out in front of her for all to see. Handing it to Lucy, Megan rushed over to the older woman and gave her a fierce hug of appreciation.

"I swore I wouldn’t wear a veil because I hadn’t found the right