were ready to get on with our lives. Besides, I can’t be living with a man without being married to him. It would be scandalous.”
Greg reached out and slapped Harrold on the back. “Congratulations. If you’d told me last night, I would have bought you a shot.”
“I had enough liquor last night. Besides, that was Justin’s party. He needs the courage to get through all of Amy’s planning. He’s going to be one relieved man when they finally get to the honeymoon.” Harrold greeted Bill and Mary.
Aunt Jackie pulled me aside. “Did you open that box I left for you at the shop?”
I’d actually forgotten about it. She must have seen the answer on my face. She took my hand.
“It’s just a few things I thought you might like. I didn’t want to carry the physical memories of my first marriage into my second. I loved your Uncle Ted. And I love your new Uncle Harrold. Love isn’t stingy that way. And there are a few things you might want for when you make it official with that guy.” She pointed to Greg. “I’ve never seen you so happy. Don’t waste this time.”
I hugged her and promised I’d retrieve the box as soon as we got back to town. A man dressed as Elvis came out of the chapel. “I take it we’re all here? Who’s the lucky bride and groom?”
Harrold took my aunt’s arm in his and stepped toward Elvis. “We are.”
“Then let’s get this party rocking!” He froze in a position that appeared to be Elvis playing a guitar, then popped up. “Thank you, thank you very much for choosing our chapel.”
Greg took my arm, and we followed Mary and Bill into the flower-covered chapel. Toby and Herman showed up just before the ceremony started.
The chapel and the ceremony were beautiful, and we stood with the others as Aunt Jackie and Harrold took their vows. To love, to honor, and I noticed the Elvis preacher dude took out the word “obey.” Which was probably for the best. My aunt didn’t obey anyone. She did anything she wanted, and always out of love.
During lunch, Bill pulled me aside. “I didn’t want to bring this up before the festivities, but I want you to know the Council is sending out a revision letter about the fee increases and apologizing if the last letter made it seem like we blamed you or your shop.”
A wave of relief ran through me. I couldn’t believe how much this had been affecting me. “Alice Carroll is a menace. She tried to close me down.”
“I believe she was acting under the impression that she’d get the commissions from the land sales if the water park went through. Your house was a kingpin piece for the whole development. Your property provided the access to the road. So, if you didn’t sell, the project wouldn’t go through.” He pointed at Greg. “And I have it on good authority that she might just be charged in some form for Frank’s death. Accessory after the fact, I think it’s called.”
“She needs to go to jail. I wouldn’t have sold the house even if my business had gone down.” I glanced around at my friends and family. Amy and Justin had joined us for the celebration lunch, which was being held in a banquet room at the Venetian. Not the famous chef I’d been expecting, but the food was amazing. “That’s my home. You don’t walk away from home.”
Bill must have heard my subtext, because he hugged me. “And that’s why people like Alice and this developer guy will never win. They don’t get that one statement.”
Chapter 24
The staff meeting was scheduled for Tuesday at seven in the morning. I’d already had most of my commuters, and I’d serve them as the rest came in. My aunt was directing Deek on how to set up the tables. And Toby was getting the treats set up. Today, we also had orange juice and a bottle of champagne to celebrate my aunt’s impromptu wedding. We had just all sat down and were chatting about the weekend when a woman came in the front door.
“I’ll be right back.” I stood and started to go to the counter.
My aunt touched my arm. “Sit down, Jill. That’s not a customer.”
The woman walked over and took the empty seat. It was the woman who’d been hanging out at the shop the last few weeks. “Sorry I’m late. I brought a load of stuff to start