“Six weeks!” she beams as if this is the most delightful thing that’s ever happened to anyone. “Which means I need to seriously up my game before the big day. The man deserves a wife who knows her way around more than just craft supplies and scrapbooking adhesive.”
“Does Neelie know?” I ask.
Winnie’s smile flickers for just a fraction of a second. “I may have told Mom first and Neelie... second-ish.”
“Second-ish?”
“She found out when Mom called her screaming about fabric swatches.” Winnie waves a breezy hand. “She’s thrilled.”
She is absolutely not thrilled,I think to myself, because I know my younger sister, and Neelie has been planning the Valentine’s Day wedding of the century since approximately the moment she got engaged. The idea of sharing her spotlight with anyone—even her own sister—would register somewhere between a personal affront and a declaration of war.
“She said it was romantic,” Winnie adds.
“Those were her exact words?”
Winnie’s smile goes just slightly fixed. “She said, and I quote, ‘I guess that’s just so sweet,’ which I’m choosing to interpret as enthusiastic support.”
I guess that’s just so sweetis Neelie-speak forI am going to make your life very difficult for the foreseeable future.
“I’m sure she’s delighted,” I say, because some battles aren’t mine to fight.
“She’s delighted,” Winnie confirms, in the tight voice she uses when she’s deciding something is true. “Now about that naughty list…”
I wince again, trying not to picture my sweet, crafty sister doing anything that requires getting on any kind of naughty list.
“Winnie, I really don’t think I need the details of your pre-wedding educational goals.”
“Anyway,” Winnie continues, clearly enjoying my discomfort, “that’s exactly why Diva Divine Temptation is hosting a trunk show at Willoughby Hall this afternoon.”
I blink at her. “She’s what now?”
“Hosting a trunk show. You know, Fitz’s place? The hundred-and-eleven-room mansion on thirty-three acres with more money than most small countries?” Winnie’s grin widens. “I overheard Diva talking to someone on her phone last night after all the bedlam died down. Apparently, her little shop won’t be big enough to handle the demand after Seraphina’s viral posts about the event. Something about her business being ‘thrust into the spotlight’ thanks to our dearly departed social climber spitting out all the dirt she could onto every social media platform before she bit the big one.”
“I was supposed to help moderate the madness at her boutique today at two. So naturally, you offered up your future mansion as an alternative venue?”
“What can I say? I’m a supportive friend to small business owners. Plus, it gives me the perfect opportunity to do some... research for the honeymoon.” She winks with enough innuendo to make a Christmas ornament blush. “And it gives youthe perfect opportunity to interrogate Suspect Number One while pretending to shop for gifts that will make Killion forget his own name.”
“Oh, I am absolutely in,” I say, because honestly it doesn’t take much convincing when the wordsmurder suspectandinterrogationare involved. “When do we go?”
Winnie blinks. “That’s it? No hesitation?”
“Winnie. There’s a murderer on the loose and a trunk show full of potential witnesses. What’s there to hesitate about?”
She grins. “I knew there was a reason you’re my favorite sister.”
“I’m your only willing sister. Neelie would make it about herself within thirty seconds.”
“Twenty-five,” Winnie corrects generously. “Besides, what’s the worst that could happen?”
Famous last words,Cricket muses.Although I admit, I’m curious to see how this plays out.
Will there be snacks at this trunk show? Can we come?Rookie asks hopefully.I promise to be good. And by good, I mean I’ll only investigate the food situation.
“Aww,” Winnie coos at Rookie as he whines. “And you had better bring your furry brigade,” she tells me. “I’ll be sure to have plenty of snacks for them, too.”
Both Cricket and Rookie trot her way with glee and she rewards them with belly rubs.
Peyton, who’s been listening to this entire exchange with growing fascination and horror, clears her throat.
