Marriage Murder and Small Town Schemes: Katy Cross Murder Mystery, #6

By KC Hart

A wedding and a murder do not mix...

Katy Cross has worked hard to make her daughter, Eudora's wedding perfect. The church is decorated, the caterer hired, and the dress is gorgeous. Katy's even arranged for Eudora to have her bridal portraits made at the Bentley Mansion, a sprawling estate filled with beautiful flowers and stately oak trees, owned by Katy's beloved patient, Big Momma Bentley.

The nuptials are set to be the most romantic ceremony Skeeterville has ever seen. Until the photographer is found dead right in the middle of Eudora's bridal shoot, and the police rule it a homicide. When the camera holding the wedding portraits goes missing, and Big Momma Bentley passes out and ends up in the hospital on the same day as the photographer's demise, the dream wedding spirals into a nuptial nightmare.

What's a mother of the bride to do, except get the wedding back on track before the blessed union becomes a scandalous spectacle. This is easier said than done, with the wedding fast approaching and not a single suspect in sight.

Book six in the cozy mystery series by KC Hart continues to follow amateur sleuth Katy Cross, her friends, family, and her band, the Moonlighters, as they strive to keep the tiny town of Skeeterville free of crime and mayhem.

• Language: English
• Publisher: KC Hart
• Release date: May 11, 2022
• ISBN: 9798223511212

KC Hart

KC Hart is the award-winning author of best-selling Christian cozy mysteries, contemporary inspirational small-town romance, and has also dabbled in historical romance as well. KC is an independent publisher and released her first title, book one of the Katy Cross cozy mystery series, the summer of 2020. KC’s goal is to seamlessly bring entertaining stories full of small-town life to her readers that gently weave in the faith and the love of Christ. KC lives in rural Mississippi with Mr. Wonderful, her husband o forty years. When she is not writing, she is playing her piano or guitar, reading, or spending time with her family, especially the grandkids. You can keep up with KC by joining her monthly newsletter:  http://www.kchartauthor.com/newsletter.html KC is also on Good Reads, Book Bub, Amazon and Facebook: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20570083.K_C_Hart https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kc-hart?list=author_books www.amazon.com/author/kchartauthor https://www.facebook.com/KCWRITESBOOKS

Book preview

Chapter One

I ’m sure she’s going to be drop-dead gorgeous, Misty said, rubbing the tube of Nearly Nude lipstick over her bottom lip. That girl looks good in a holey t-shirt and pajama pants. She’s going to be unbelievable in her wedding dress.

You’re right. Katy pulled in a deep breath and released it slowly, trying to calm her frazzled nerves. I’m not worried about how Eudie will look anyway. I guess I’m worried about the entire wedding process in general. You know how I am around these sorts of things.

These sorts of things? Misty’s perfectly arched eyebrow rose. What sorts of things? Weddings?

Yes, weddings and rehearsal dinners and bridal photo shoots and all this other fru-fru stuff. I’m just not the fru-fru type, and you know it. Katy looked down at her unpolished nails. That was another thing she could not forget to do before the rehearsal supper, get her nails done. I’m terrible at all this stuff, and I don’t want to mess up Eudie’s day.

Girl, please, Misty said, snapping the visor down on her car mirror. You don’t need to be fru-fru. I’m fru-fru enough for the both of us. That’s why Eudie has me as the wedding planner. All you need to do is show up and smile.

And I’m so thankful for that. I thought having the bridal pictures made at the church fellowship hall would be fine until I saw the look on Eudie’s face when I mentioned it.

 Poor girl. For a minute she was kind of scared she would have to pose in that gorgeous gown between the industrial ice machine and the VBS sign-up banner. It’s a blessing that you know the Bentleys so well. Their estate is the perfect place for wedding photos.

 I never would have thought to call and ask them if you hadn’t mentioned it. Those white Grecian columns along their front porch and the hundred-year-old water oaks sprawled along their drive will make wonderful backgrounds. 

The Bentleys lived just a few miles outside of Skeeterville in the oldest estate in the county. A few years ago, Big Momma Bentley fell and broke her hip when she tripped over her great granddaughter’s remote-control Barbie car somebody left on the kitchen floor. Sissy, Big Momma’s only granddaughter, had come to town for a visit. Sh brought her own young daughter who loved to leave her toys wherever she happened to quit playing with them.

Big Momma refused to do her rehab at the nursing home. This was not a problem; however, because of her hefty resources related to the family’s ownership of several paper mills located around the state, and a few other thriving industries. Katy’s home health company happily sent their physical therapists and nurses out to the mansion to care for Big Momma in the comfort of her own home. 

Katy had visited Big Momma five days a week for six weeks to make sure she progressed as well as an eighty-five-year-old pampered lady could under such circumstances. During this time, Katy had come to know Big Momma and Poppa B quite well. When Katy, at Misty’s urging, asked the old couple about having Eudora’s wedding pictures made in their yard, they had been delighted with the idea. Big Momma had even offered to let them use the sweeping, curved staircase in the front entryway for a few shots as well. 

Misty turned her car off the highway onto the paved drive between the brick columns that led to the mansion, somewhere unseen through the thick forest of hardwood and evergreens. Look. Misty nodded toward the trees clearing to reveal a picturesque scene of the sprawling three-story home. The green hill with the one-hundred-year-old water oaks formed a canopy right up to the edge of the circular drive. The bright May sun bounced off the sparkling white brick of the stately mansion, making the place appear pristine and crisp. There’s Eudie’s car parked next to that Mustang in front of their house.

That’s the photographer. I met her this morning when she stopped by to talk about the bridal photos and the wedding photos and the rehearsal dinner photos and the reception photos.

Sounds like she’s got a nice little cash cow going on here, Misty said, easing up the driveway under the cool shade of the oak trees. Did you buy the million-dollar package?

No, you know how John is. He’s doing he same thing with Eudie and Joe that he did with Kelly Anne and Barrett. He told them how much he was spending on the wedding up front, and they have to make the wedding fit that budget. If not, they have to pay for the rest.

I guess you have to be that way when you have four daughters and don’t want to go bankrupt.

You have to if you live with John Cross.

So, how many photo shoots is this girl doing? Misty pulled her Mini Cooper in behind the Mustang and put it in park. You’ve got to get pictures of the actual wedding. That would be a crying shame to not have those.

We are. Katy unbuckled her seatbelt. We are paying for these, Eudie and Joe are paying for the ones of the wedding, and Emma Robinson is taking some at the rehearsal dinner and the reception for us free of charge.

Sweet little Emma. Misty pulled the key from the ignition and grabbed her purse from the back seat. I hope she ain’t in the hospital having that baby that week. You’re going to be cutting it close.

Hey, that’s Eudie and Emma’s deal. I just show up and smile, remember?

Katy Cross, you get over here and hug my neck, child. Big Momma Bentley waved from the front porch to Katy and Misty. I ain’t seen you in a coon’s age.

Katy walked between the Grecian columns to where Big Momma was sitting like a queen bee in one of four enormous wicker chairs spread in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows along the front porch. She leaned over and hugged Big Momma on her ample cheek. How you doing, Big Momma? You are looking good.

Fat and fine, honey, fat and fine, Big Momma laughed and waved her arm to the one remaining chair. I was telling these pretty young girls here that I just had our old barn repainted a beautiful shade of red, and I want your daughter to have some pictures made in front of it this evening when the sun is setting. She looked from Katy to Misty. I’m sure y’all know that having wedding pictures made in front of a barn or stables is all the rage right now. That’s why I had the men finish up the paint job when you called me last week.

That sounds… Katy looked from the stately old woman to her daughter, who was smiling in agreement. That sounds just fine, Big Momma. We appreciate your generosity in letting us use your home like this.

I’m thrilled to do it. Sissy, my one and only granddaughter, got married here ten years ago, and it looks like we may never get to see another wedding around this place. She picked up her sweaty tea glass from the circular glass-top table that had wicker legs matching the chairs. Neither one of them grandsons of mine don’t seem to be in any hurry to tie the knot.

How old are the twins? Misty asked, standing between the chair where Katy and Big Momma sat. They aren’t old enough to be off the marriage market yet, are they?

No. Big Momma sipped her tea and set the glass back down on the table. They’ll be thirty Christmas Eve. But to get married you have to date a good girl. We didn’t have any trouble finding Sissy a decent husband, but the boys have proven to be a little more difficult to marry off. Big Momma looked at Eudie and then Bethany, the photographer. Honey, are you seeing anybody special at the moment?

Uh, yes, ma’am. Bethany forced her lips into a smile and swallowed. I’m afraid I’m already off the marriage market.

Well, it never hurts to ask. Fanny! Big Momma yelled, turning her gaze toward the massive front door. Misty, stick your head in the door and tell Fanny to come take Eudie to one of the guest bedrooms to change. She looked at Eudora and Bethany, who stood simultaneously. You probably want to get on with this before you start sweating off that pretty makeup job.

For the next several hours, Bethany placed Eudora in one pose after another and snapped away while Katy and Misty did the grunt work. They spread out the veil as Bethany instructed or fixed the flowers at Eudie’s feet or blew wind in Eudie’s face with little battery-operated fans. The whole shindig started out in the foyer, then they made their way to the front porch with the artful Grecian columns. Barry, Big Momma’s driver and all around general gopher, brought around a golf cart, and she followed the group down the drive to watch them take pictures in front of the water oaks and the gazebo. 

Momma, I wish we would have brought Belinda and let her be in a couple of pictures, Eudora said, fanning her face with the back of her hand while Bethany decided on the next pose.

Who’s Belinda? Big Momma asked. Is she your flower girl?

No, ma’am, Katy said, stepping over to the golf cart. She’s our blood hound.

That would be just precious. Big Momma’s plump fingers came up and tapped the side of her face. Why don’t you bring her this afternoon when you come back to do the sunset shots at the barn?

I don’t know, Katy said, her lips puckering into a frown. She would need a bath and a good brushing before then. I’m not sure I have enough time to get her ready.

Yeah. Eudora’s eyebrows pulled in over her nose. I guess we’ll have to skip that.

Katy looked at Eudora and thought about how much work it would require to bathe the hundred-pound dog, especially when the hundred-pound dog didn’t enjoy taking a bath. Okay. She stepped back over to where Misty was straightening the edge of the veil over the thick carpet of grass. I’ll do my best to get her all cleaned up and looking pretty, but I’ll have to see if your daddy can bring her in the truck. You know she doesn’t mind me well enough to get her to cooperate to have her pictures made.

Thank you, Momma, Eudora said, leaning over and kissing Katy on the cheek. I would help you, but I don’t want to mess up my hair and makeup. I’m sure I can’t get it to look like this on my own, and the beauty shop is packed this afternoon with girls getting ready for that school dance.

It’s fine, honey. I’ll get it done. She looked down at Misty, who continued to straighten the veil and pretend that her hearing had suddenly gone bad. Maybe somebody will take pity on me and help me get it done.

Joe is at the sale barn, but I can call him and see if he can come home early and help, as long as we make sure he doesn’t see me in my wedding dress, Eudora said.

No. Katy continued to stare at the back of Misty’s head. I’ll figure something out.

Okay, ladies, Bethany said, walking all the way around Eudora and the tree she was leaning against. I believe when we get these last few shots, we can take a break and meet back here this afternoon. Bethany stepped back and held up her camera, waiting for Katy and Misty to move out of the shot. Mrs. Bentley, if you don’t mind, I may get here a few minutes early this evening and look at the area around the barn to see where the light will be best to get the pictures made.

That will be fine, honey, Big Momma said, dabbing a tissue on her neck and down between her sweaty bosom. I’ll tell Ross to make sure all the paint cans and stuff are put up and everything is spick-and-span. And Katy, don’t let your dog wander around on his own. I would hate for her to get into something and get hurt or sick. She turned the key and cranked the golf cart. If y’all are about done, I believe I’ll go on in and get out of this heat. If I’m not down at the barn this evening, Katy, you make sure you stop by the house and let me know how everything went. I’m sure Poppa B wants to see you anyway. He should be free by then.

Once she completed the shot, Bethany left, but Katy and Misty helped Eudora change out of the wedding gown and put it in her car. They didn’t see Big Momma again, and Fanny showed them out when they finished. 

What do you have planned for this afternoon? Katy asked. She looked through the windshield of Misty’s car as they returned down the long, paved drive to the main road. Anything special?

No, Misty cut her eyes across the car. I guess I’ll be in your backyard wrestling with a water hose and a bloodhound.

I owe you one.

Don’t you always?

Chapter Two

Misty dropped Katy at her house, then ran home to change clothes. While she was gone, Katy toted the foot tub to the patio, added a few squirts of Eudie’s honeysuckle shampoo, and filled it with water. She spent the next thirty minutes chasing the usually languid Belinda around the yard in a game of tackle tag. Moose, their massive black German shepherd, ran interference for Belinda, tackling and licking Katy like she was covered in his favorite flavor of dog treat every time she would get close to the bloodhound. 

When Misty returned, she found Moose in the kitchen with his nose plastered to the patio door, whining like he was missing out on a steak dinner. Katy sat in a patio chair, hair dripping wet with sweat and her face a turbulent shade of red. Belinda lay at her feet near the foot tub, her leash secured to the corner patio post, looking as innocent as a newborn babe. Katy glanced at the clock on her phone, grabbed the water hose and pointed Misty toward the foamy water in the tub. Between the two of them, they managed to wrangle the animal into the water without too much trouble.

That’s a good girl. See, this ain’t all that bad, Katy said, letting the water from the garden hose trickle over Belinda’s back while Misty rubbed the shampoo into her fur with John’s back brush. Katy made a mental note to pick up a new brush from Friend’s Pharmacy before John showered again in the morning. 

You’re such a sweet girl, Misty cooed, scrubbing the dog’s underbelly with the brush. I don’t know why you thought this would be a big deal, she said, not looking up. She’s not giving us a lick of trouble.

Not a lick, Katy said, rolling her eyes. She dropped the hose and grabbed the soapy rag in the tub to work on Belinda’s other side. I hope the photographer can get Belinda to act right for the pictures. I sure would hate for her to get over there and show out.

You wouldn’t do that, would you, sweet girl? Misty said, in a voice reserved for babies and dogs. Belinda leaned forward and licked Misty in the eyes. That’s right, you’re a good girl. Misty scooped up some bubbles and piled them behind the dog’s floppy ears. Do Ross and Nathan live at the mansion with Big Momma and Poppa B? I figured when they graduated from college they would have moved out.

Yeah, they’re still there. Their parents died in that crash on New Year’s Eve when they were babies. Big Momma and Poppa B are the only real parents they’ve ever had. That mansion is their home. Katy lifted Belinda’s front leg on her side and washed the hound’s armpit area. From the way Big Momma was talking today, it sounds like they ain’t going anywhere any time soon. 

They must be fraternal, because they don’t look alike at all. I remember when they were in high school a few years ago and Ross was quarterback of the football team. Mike said that a university scout was in the stands watching him and trying to recruit him. He’s handsome with all that dark hair, but I tend to think Nathan is the better looking one. You know I prefer blondes.

Well, if they take after Poppa B, all their hair will be falling out pretty soon anyway. Back when I was taking care of her broken hip, Big Momma showed me pictures from when she and Poppa B were young. He’s been bald since he was in his thirties.

That’s probably why she’s worried about the twins getting married, Misty said, laying down the back brush. They won’t be quite so eligible without their hair. Hand me that water hose. My side is ready to be rinsed.

With their money, they could be slick as a cue ball, missing their front teeth, and have a wooden leg, and women would still swoon over them. Katy passed the hose over to the other side of the foot tub. For most women, money in the pocket trumps a pretty face and nice hair. 

They rinsed the dog and dried her with a couple of old towels. Katy called John, who was out at his brother’s, and arranged for him to pick her and Belinda up in an hour to return to the mansion for the last pictures. Misty let Moose out of his kitchen prison and gave him some much needed attention. Katy dumped the bath water in the edge of the yard and rolled up the hose. 

Should I let her off the leash? Katy asked, staring as Belinda shook herself vigorously from one end to the other.

That depends, Misty said, picking up her car keys from the patio table. Do you want her to be clean for the pictures or not?

You’re right. The first thing she’ll do is go roll around in the dust in front of her doghouse. I’ll move her water bowl over here where she can reach it while I go jump in the shower.

She’s in the shade. She’ll be fine for an hour. Misty followed Katy through the patio door into the kitchen. Besides, that’s the exact place she lays ninety-nine percent of the time, anyway.

True.

What are those? John clung to the leash as Belinda pulled to the side of the gravel path toward a row of hot pink flowers. I recognize the azaleas, but what are the other flowers in the front? He tugged at Belinda’s leash as she tried to cut through the middle of one of the beds.

I’m not a flower person, but those look like cone flowers and black-eyed Susans. Those are redbud trees over there beside that oleander bush, and I think that’s called a hummingbird bush. Katy pointed further down the path to a tall bush that had fuzzy red flowers which resembled bottle brushes. And, of course, that’s wisteria dripping off of that redbud, like clusters of beautiful blue grapes. She looked at both sides of the path filled with different kinds of shrubs and wildflowers and inhaled a deep breath of the sweetly-scented aroma. How come our yard doesn’t look and smell like this?

I can give you three excellent reasons. John tugged again on the leash to keep Belinda out of the flowers and on the gravel path. One is right in front of you, and the other is sitting in the backyard with a broken heart because he’s being left out of this family trip.

That’s true. The dogs keep knocking over those pots on the patio and dumping the dirt out. But what’s the third reason?

Right over there. John tilted his head in the direction of the backyard of the mansion. Barry, the yardman and gopher, dressed in a pair of cutoff blue jean shorts and flip-flops and nothing else, was riding a zero-turn mower across the lawn. You don’t have your own personal Fabio to keep everything weeded and watered.

You can be my Fabio if you want to. Katy looked away from the tanned, shirtless man and back at her husband. I can cut off a pair of your old work jeans with my kitchen shears.

I can manage the short-shorts and the tan, but I don’t think I can wear a mullet as well as that guy does. They both observed the young man as he turned the mower and started back toward the mansion, curly blond hair blowing behind him. But you can call me Fabio if you want to.

They both turned to the sound of a golf cart crunching on the gravel. Eudora, decked out in her wedding dress, was driving, with Big Momma in the seat beside her and Misty in the back holding the train. They waved as they came around the curve and continued the few yards to where the road ended at the newly painted red barn. Belinda let out a long, woeful bay and pulled against her leash, trying to pursue. 

By the time Katy and John reached the barn, the three women were out of the golf cart and waiting for them to catch up. Katy looked around and noticed the photographer’s Mustang parked at the corner of the barn and an old work truck sitting on the other side of it.

I didn’t think to tell y’all that you could have driven down here, Big Momma said as they walked up. That sure is a fine-looking dog. She chuckled as Belinda put her nose to the ground and strained against the leash. Poppa B would love to have an animal like that.

Thank you, ma’am. John stuck his hand out toward Big Momma while holding firm to the leash. I’m John, Katy’s husband. We appreciate you letting our daughter use your place for her pictures. Belinda continued to sniff the ground and ignore the conversation around her.

We’re happy to do it, Big Momma said, shaking his hand. We used to have all kinds of big shindigs out here when I was young, but we haven’t even had our yearly egg hunt since I got off the hospitality committee at the church a few years ago. She looked around at the flowers, shrubs, and manicured lawn. It’s really a crying shame that we don’t do that anymore.

Have you seen Bethany? Eudora asked, looking toward the Mustang. She left us about thirty minutes ago when I was getting in my dress and said she was going to come and see where to get the best shots.

No. Katy shook her head. Y’all were the only ones on the road. We parked out at the servant’s entrance and started walking this way about ten minutes ago. She shook her head as Belinda leaned away from John and tried to go toward the barn. She sure is wanting to sniff around. Why don’t you let her explore a minute while they set everything up? Maybe she’ll calm down and cooperate better once she checks things out. 

John let a little slack in the leash and followed as Belinda pulled him out of sight to the other side of the barn. 

I’m thinking that posing right there with your back leaning against the barn door with the old tractor in the background would be just as cute as a bug, Big Momma said, looking into the shadowy barn door opening. What do you think?

I think that would be - Eudora’s words were cut short by the sudden urgent barking and baying of the bloodhound.

Katy! Call an ambulance! John yelled from the back of the barn. 

Katy looked at Eudora, who was already throwing the skirt and train of her wedding dress over her shoulder and going toward the sound of her daddy’s voice. Stay here with Big Momma and call the ambulance. I’ll see what’s going on. Misty was on the other side of the golf cart, eyes stretched wide. Come on, Katy said, just as John called her name again.

Katy ran around the corner of the barn and almost tripped over a stack of paint cans, a wadded-up plastic tarp and some rollers and brushes piled against a wheelbarrow that was leaning against the barn wall. She grabbed John’s shoulder to steady herself, then let out a gasp as her eyes followed the direction of his stare. Bethany... Katy didn’t even know the girl’s last name. Her body lay on the ground in the dust, her head turned facing the barn and her eyes bulging wide, an expression of pain and panic frozen on her face. Blood was smeared on both cheeks, her neck, and neckline of her t-shirt. 

Katy’s head jerked away from the scene to the sound of a scream. Misty shoved her knuckles into her mouth and looked the other way, trying to keep a second scream from escaping. Belinda let out another bark and pulled hard against the leash as John struggled to keep the bloodhound away from the dead woman’s body. Katy squatted down and felt for a pulse on the young woman’s wrist, then stood back up.

Katy, I’ve got to do something with this dog, John said, watching as Katy leaned down again over the body. Did you call the ambulance?

Eudora is, Katy said, looking over her