Wedding Day of Murder Read Online Free

though, she really hated
his job.
    “And I’m still taking you to the
dentist tomorrow,” Jason added.
    “You’re a good boyfriend,” Lacy
said. “Maybe the best ever.”
    “Definitely,” Jason agreed. “Tell
me again why I get the privilege of driving you to the doctor.”
    “Grandma is having cataract
surgery, so Grandpa is going with her. Mom and Riley are going shopping.”
    His fingers tensed on her head.
Lacy smiled. The fact that Jason was always on her side was more heartening
than she could convey. “I have to say something,” he began. “I cannot believe
your mother is going shopping with Riley instead of being there for you when
you’re having surgery.”
    “In Mom’s defense, it’s just my
wisdom teeth,” Lacy said. “It’s not that big of a deal. I’m the last in my
family to have them removed.”
    “When your kid is having surgery,
it’s always a big deal. Or it should be.” His vehement tone bore testimony to
his bitterness; his parents hadn’t been there for him through much of his
growing up years. He had practically raised himself, and though they had
apologized and received help for their alcoholism, Jason retained more than his
share of painful memories.
    Lacy moved into his lap and hugged
his neck, resting her cheek comfortingly against his. They sat that way for a
few minutes until she felt him relax, and then she spoke. “I don’t disagree
with you, but you can see that this is sort of a relief for me. Mom and I can
use as much time apart as possible.”
    “I suppose,” he grudgingly agreed.
“And since I would want to be there anyway, I might as well be the one who
takes you.”
    “You would come to my tooth surgery
even if you weren’t driving me?” Lacy asked.
    “Of course I would,” Jason said.
“Surgery is scary. Anytime you have general anesthetic, your risk of death is…”
He stopped talking when she tensed and clutched his shoulders. “Nominal. You’ll
be fine.” He rubbed a slow circle at the base of her spine until she relaxed.
    “I’m glad you’ll be there,” Lacy
said. She pressed her face to his neck, inhaling. Jason had become synonymous
with security. She never felt safer or more loved than when she was with him. Love. The word rose up to accuse her.
She still hadn’t said it, the three words. What was wrong with her? Why was it so
hard? Sayitsayitsayit. She took a
breath.
    “I should work on your hair some
more before it dries,” Jason said.
    “All right,” Lacy said, thankful
for a reprieve. Coward. She slid back
to the floor. Jason worked on her hair for a long time in silence. Lacy closed
her eyes and enjoyed the relaxing feel of his fingers in her hair. She was
nearly asleep when someone tapped on her door. Without waiting for an answer,
her mother pushed open the door and poked her head inside, followed by Riley
who waddled slowly by and sat down.
    “Riley and I came to take you to
lunch,” her mother said. “Lacy, what happened to you?”
    “Paint,” Lacy said.
    Frannie stepped all the way inside
and put her hands on her hips. “How could you do this so closely to Riley’s
wedding? There is no way you can be the maid of honor with white,
paint-streaked hair.”
    “Mom, Riley’s already married,”
Lacy said for the umpteenth time. “She’s four months pregnant.”
    “It doesn’t count until she has a
real wedding,” Frannie said. “Stop changing the subject. Why would you do this?
I realize a lot of attention has been on Riley lately, but this is no way to
take some of the limelight for yourself.”
    Jason’s fingers dug into Lacy’s
scalp. She removed them and gave his hands a squeeze. So far, he had avoided
voicing his opinion in her mother’s presence. She had no idea how long that
would last. Long experience with her mother had taught her that no good was
gained by arguing. Her mother lived in her own world with her own warped
reality, one that often cast Lacy as the villain. To make matters worse,
Frannie was