The Walleld Flower Read Online Free Page A

friends.”
    Katie nodded. “I understand completely.” But what kind of favor could Gilda have in mind that involved Katie—or did she want Artisans Alley to play a part in the proceedings?
    Gilda continued to smile, looking somewhat dreamy.
    “You said you needed a favor?” Katie prompted.
    Gilda shook her head as though to clear her mind, and giggled. “I’m sorry, I just never thought I’d get to be a bride. I’ve had so much fun this past week making plans.”
    “What have you done so far?”
    “I’ve settled on a dress, and called Judge Hart—she’s a dear, isn’t she? And we’re making the final arrangements for the reception at Madison’s on the Canal in Spencerport.”
    Swank!
    “When
is
the wedding?” Katie asked.
    “A week from Saturday.”
    Whoa! That was sudden.
    “Oh, my,” Katie said, taken aback.
    “I know it’s rather short notice, but I was wondering… that is, if you had the time…”
    “Do you need a place to have the actual wedding?” Katie asked, thinking of Artisans Alley’s large, and frequently empty, lobby. It could probably hold fifty people and had served as a gathering place after Ezra Hilton’sfuneral service back in October. Of course, for a wedding it would need to be repainted, but that could happen before the big day.
    “Actually, we’re planning on getting married at the restaurant with the reception immediately afterward. It’s just so much easier to do on such short notice.”
    “I see.”
    “But if you’re not doing anything—”
    “I would
love
to attend,” Katie said, genuinely pleased.
    Gilda gave an embarrassed laugh. “I was hoping you’d do more than just attend. I wondered—would you be my matron of honor?”
    Katie’s jaw dropped.
Matron of honor?
Was she kidding?
    She closed her mouth, unsure what to say. “I’m—I’m—flattered,” she finally came up with.
Matron of honor?
she thought again with dread. The timing was not good. She had to be out of her apartment the day
before
the wedding. There was no way she could move
and
participate.
    Gilda didn’t give her a chance to speak. She clasped her hands together. “Oh, good. Then it’s all settled.”
    “But, Gilda,” Katie protested, thinking of her promise to Rose to help find Heather’s killer and the rest of the things on her list of things to do during the coming week. But Gilda seemed so excited about the impending nuptials. Could Katie dash her hopes? Surely she could take off one evening from work and packing to devote to helping out a friend—well, a business acquaintance—on her special day.
    “I-I,” Katie stammered again. “I guess so.”
    It wasn’t exactly an enthusiastic acceptance, but Gilda hardly seemed to notice.
    “Wonderful. I already have the dress—”
    “Dress?” Katie asked with trepidation.
    “Yes.” Gilda’s blush deepened. “My best friend, Cindy Marie, was all set to fly up from Brooklyn for the wedding. We picked out the dress from a catalog and she had it shipped here. But then two days ago, Cindy tripped overher dachshund, Daisy, and broke her leg. It took the surgeon three hours and several pins to put it back together again. It broke Cindy’s heart to tell me she couldn’t participate in the wedding, but she can hardly navigate with a hip-to-ankle cast.”
    “No, I don’t imagine she can,” Katie said, perturbed that she was second (or worse—third or fourth?) choice for the honor. Or was it just that she would more or less fit the dress already bought for the occasion?
    As though reading her mind, Gilda said, “I’ll bring the dress over later today. You might want to have the hem taken up before the ceremony.”
    “Okay,” Katie agreed, disconcerted she’d have to wear something that might not be to her taste.
    Gilda stood. “I’ll be in touch with things as they develop. And thank you for letting me count on you.”
    “Oh, you’re welcome,” Katie said, but without much enthusiasm.
    “And I’ll drop off the