Dead in the Daisies (A Heavenly Highland Inn Cozy Mystery) Read Online Free Page B

a laugh. “What are you doing with that ridiculous jacket?”
    “ Let me explain,” Ida said with that same devastated tone. “Never in my life have I experienced such a terrible hairdo,” she sighed and then shook her head. “All I asked for were a few blonde highlights, just to give me a splash of youth, and what a mistake that was.”
    “ Why?” Vicky asked suspiciously and reached up in an attempt to pull the hood back from her head.
    “ No!” Ida gasped and clung to the hood, holding it down as if her life depended on it. “No, don't let anyone see,” she insisted desperately. “If it were not for the fact that she promised me that the color would fade, I would have had her shave it all off!”
    “ It can't be that bad,” Vicky laughed and reached again for the hood.
    “ No!” she gasped and Vicky saw real tears rise in her aunt's eyes. “It's, it's,” she sniffled a little and finally released the hood. “Purple,” she whispered as the hood fell away revealing the bright purple tresses beneath.
    “ Oh my,” Vicky covered her mouth to try to suppress a laugh, but she couldn't hold back. Aunt Ida looked a bit like a troll with the shock of purple hair, and she just couldn't get that image out of her mind. “It's not that bad,” Vicky squeaked out. “It's a lovely shade, really.” Aunt Ida yanked the hood back up over her hair and glowered at Vicky.
    “ It's not that bad?” she hissed in return. “I look like a grape, seriously Vicky, don't lie to me! If you want to laugh, laugh,” she huffed and blinked to hide the tears that were forming in her eyes.
    Vicky did want to laugh, very badly, but sh e resisted for the sake of her aunt's feelings. She didn't want to make her feel worse than she already did.
    “ What's going on ladies?” Sarah asked as she stepped out of her office and joined them in the lobby. She looked perky enough, but Vicky could detect the worry lines at the corners of her eyes. She was already anticipating the worst with the upcoming wedding.
    “ Aunt Ida got a new 'do,” Vicky declared, knowing that she needed a little cheering up. She reached up and tugged the hood back from Aunt Ida's head.
    “ Vicky!” she shrieked and tried to cover her hair with her long thin fingers. Sarah's eyes grew as large as saucers as she looked at the brightly colored hair.
    “ Aunt Ida, what were you thinking?” she groaned and shook her head. “Purple is not the new blonde, no matter what anyone tells you!” she paused a moment and then looked at the woman suspiciously. “You didn't get anything pierced, did you?”
    “ No,” Aunt Ida groaned with embarrassment. “It wasn't supposed to be purple,” she growled with annoyance. “All I wanted were a few little highlights and look at what it has turned into. Sandra’s new assistant used the wrong liquid and if they dye over it, it will dry it out too much and it will break and probably fall out.”
    “ Oh well,” Sarah hesitated a moment and reached out to lightly touch her aunt's fried hair. “It's not so bad really,” she attempted to sound positive. “At least you won't be easy to overlook,” Sarah pointed out, hoping to brighten her aunt's mood.
    Aunt Ida sighed heavily and then nodded. “I guess you're right about that. I'm going to go and shampoo it a million times and hope it washes out,” she huffed as she headed for the elevator that would take her back up to her room.
    “ Poor Aunt Ida,” Vicky said quietly as the sisters stood beside each other, waiting for the elevator doors to slide shut. As soon as they did, they both burst out laughing so loudly that they had to lean on one another for support.

Chapter Three
    The next two days flew by as everything was prepared and carefully planned out. Sarah had a lot to handle on the business end, and Vicky was overwhelmed with trying to secure the wedding cake, the catering, and the photographers.
    The day before the wedding was buzzing with activity. All the