A MATCH MADE IN MURDER (The Wedding Planner Mysteries Book 5) Read Online Free Page B

leaned forward and mused, “Grady Slaughter... Penny, have we read any of his books?”
                  “He sounds familiar.”
                  “You might have,” Sterling said proudly. “He wrote Time and its Patterns, and The Road to Randomness.”
                  “Yes!” exclaimed Ernie. “The Road to Randomness! I read it last year! Wonderful, wonderful writing, so unique. He really got me thinking.”
                  Sterling smiled and nodded. “Grady’ll do that. He’s the best.”
                  “And he’s your brother?” Ernie asked Steve as though it shocked him.
                  “Indeed,” said Steve, looking around for the next bottle of champagne. “One hell of a nerd, but I love the guy. That’s how it is with family.”
                  It was the most encouraging statement Steve had made all night, and as if Ernie’s thrill to meet the wordsmith couldn’t rise any higher, Grady sauntered through the French doors and eyed the crowd.
                  “Uncle Grady!” Sterling called out, drawing everyone’s attention to the tall man in his early sixties who was the spitting image of Steve, but couldn’t have carried himself more differently.
                  Grady was equally tall, equally bald, equally confident, yet dressed in a modest suit, wore wire frame glasses, and was holding a book under his arm, which Kitty recognized as Nietzsche as soon as he came close enough.
                  Sterling rose to greet him, but Grady kept his gaze on Kitty, as she smiled up at him then got to her feet.
                  “This must be your beautiful bride,” he said, taking Kitty’s hand between his.
                  “It’s so nice to meet you, Uncle Grady!”
                  He could hardly tear himself away, but did to shake hands with his brother and then make formal introductions around the table.
                  “I trust my brother wasn’t behaving himself?” He chortled, as they all took their seats.
                  No one laughed harder than Ernie.
                  Then Grady turned to Sterling and asked, “How did you meet this fine woman? Tell me everything.”

Chapter Three
                  “Thank God for Uncle Grady,” Sterling sighed as he collapsed to the couch beside Kitty. “I’m not going to lie, I was seriously nervous for awhile there.”
                  Kitty laughed. “Your dad is great!”
                  Sterling looked at her as if she were insane. “Hey, I love my dad, but he has his flaws. He rubs people the wrong way. That whole mess with your father in the men’s room? That was my worst nightmare coming to life.”
                  “Oh, Daddy didn’t mind.”
                  “Uh, yeah, your dad definitely minded. I’m just glad he didn’t opt for a restraining order.”
                  Kitty kicked off her heels and tucked her feet under her so that she was leaning into Sterling’s shoulder.
                  “If I hadn’t stopped him, he would’ve talked about my mother, you know.”
                  Kitty fell somber then defended Steve. “Maybe he needs to talk about it.”
                  “Not on an occasion like tonight, he doesn’t.” Sterling seemed put off. He tensed at the thought of Steve elaborating on the horror he’d survived growing up. “He’s not a classy guy. He has no sense of etiquette.”
                  “He respected you, wouldn’t you say?” She stared at him until he looked at her. “When you indicated he shouldn’t go into all that, he didn’t. He’s a good guy.”
                  “Yeah, I know he’s a good guy,” he sighed. “I also know I’m going to be on edge with him