Groomed for Murder (Going to the Dogs) (2 page)

Poe Madigan rounded out their group of dog park friends. She and her precocious Jack Russell terriers, Edgar and Allan, always made for a rocking time at the park. Poe was a first-year veterinary resident after graduating from Cornell with her DVM.

“I still can’t believe you’re getting married,” Poe grinned and raised her glass to Callie.

Brooke again felt that strange pang in her heart, but continued to staunchly ignore her silly emotions.

“It’s surreal, but I love Owen so much, so it feels supremely right.”

“Yes, Mr. Wrong-for-All-The-Right Reasons turned out to be Mr. Right. Go figure.” Harper chuckled.

“We all want you to be blissfully happy, right, ladies?” Brooke said.

They all nodded.

“So it’s all about Callie for the duration.”

“Exactly,” Poe said. “There’s no excuse for tears, bloodshed or giving the silent treatment to your maid of honor, until after your honeymoon. And today is all about the dress of your dreams, no matter how opinionated some of us can be. And I’m looking right at you, Harper.”

Harper gave her a wide-eyed, innocent look. “Who, exactly, is going to be your maid of honor? I don’t believe you’ve said, Callie. I know the rest of us will be bridesmaids.”

“Well, I’ve given it a lot of thought, and I
so
don’t want you all to think I’m playing favorites.” Callie’s hands twisted nervously in her lap.

“We won’t think that,” Brooke soothed.

“Harper’s a great friend and the life of any get-together, and Poe is wonderfully loyal and giving, but…”

When Callie turned to Brooke, tears prick her eyes. They came perilously close to spilling over when Callie took her hands. The connection between them was so strong.

“It was Brooke I first met at the dog park, Brooke who’s always been there to help and give me advice—even when I didn’t want it.” She turned to Brooke with a radiant smile. “Will you be my maid of honor?”

“I would be honored.” Brooke sniffled and hugged Callie hard. She was silly to think she was losing a friend. Instead she was gaining one in Owen. She resolutely pushed away the wistful feeling. Even though dating was less than spectacular now, she would someday have her own wedding and husband. And, for now, she was accustomed to going it alone. Well, no, she wasn’t alone, she reminded herself firmly. She had her ancient, beloved bulldog, Roscoe, her loving, uncritical, steadfast companion since childhood.

The attendant entered the room beaming, followed by another woman pushing a rack of frothy white lace, buttons, and bows. “Let’s get started, shall we?”

Everyone settled themselves for the fashion show, and, in the silence, the loud
pop
as Poe uncorked the second champagne bottle made Brooke jump nervously. She shook her head and firmed her lips. The edginess she was feeling would pass. All she had to do was get out of her head and stop worrying about Pawlish. Everyone chuckled at Poe’s noisy reminder that it was time for fun, and Brooke laughed along with them. “Yes, let’s get this party started,” she said.

“Oh. My. God. Brooke! These bacon and mushroom mini-quiches are rockin’. I think bacon should be in the periodic table. It’s so good.” Poe said with a smirk.

“Like an element?” Brooke asked.

“Yes!” Poe nodded vigorously. “I can see the description now.
Bacon with the symbol Bn is a meat product derived from the back of the pig where the leaner meat is found, which gives you a slice that is 85% meat and 15% fat. Due to popular demand, it has replaced hydrogen in the number one slot on the Periodic Table. When it is cooked, it gives off a sweet, tasty aroma. The reaction to bacon is pronounced. Saliva forms and causes
Homo sapiens
to engage in ‘grabbing-the-last-piece’ syndrome.”

Mirth bubbled up from her diaphragm as all her friends, Callie’s mother, and even the attendants burst into laughter.

Poe giggled. “But instead of atomic power it would have to be pig power.”

“To what degree?” Callie asked between giggles.

“The tenth!”

“I have to agree with Poe,” Callie said, holding her sides and laughing through her tears. “Bacon is so good it should have been a subject in school.”

Poe nodded, unable to contain her enthusiasm. “I’d definitely teach that class. Bacon 101 or Baconology.”

“Well, if you’re going to those lengths, I want an honorary degree in bacon.” Harper chimed in.

“Nice, a doctorate in bacon! And all I have is this darn DVM degree!”

“You are crazy, Poe. Are you sure you should be doing surgery on animals?” Harper said, her words rippling with laughter.

“I’m very vet-like at St. Mark’s,” she replied, struggling to keep a straight face.

“You have to be. The dogs can’t talk back,” Brooke said.

“No, but I’m sure they’re laughing inside.”

The room erupted again in peals of laughter.

“Bacon is no joke. In fact, I’m sure if a zombie was chasing you, and you had bacon on you, you could throw it like a stick and they’d chase the bacon instead of you.” Poe took another bite of the mini-quiche.

Harper raised a brow. “Poe, if a zombie was chasing me, I’d just trip you.”

“Oh, that would be okay! I would have bacon.”

Harper grabbed Poe around the neck and said, “You are such a nerd.”

Poe wrinkled up her nose, and said, “Come over to the dork side. We have Pi.”

By then Brooke was holding her sides and could barely catch her breath. Suddenly everything was all right again.

Thirty minutes into the fitting Callie had rejected every single one of the gowns the attendant had selected. Brooke hadn’t noticed that Harper had disappeared until she returned with a dress in her arms.

“Callie,” she said softly, “try this one on.”

Callie turned toward Harper, and her audible gasp as she saw the gown made everyone sit up with interest.

As the lace-covered satin slipped over her daughter’s head and flowed down her body, Kate covered her mouth, and Brooke’s heart lurched. What she wouldn’t give to have her own mother look at her like Kate was looking at Callie now. Love shone out of her eyes, glassy with tears. Brooke just knew that Callie’s mother was thinking about Callie as a little girl, her memories reflected in her eyes, Callie growing from a skinned-kneed tomboy into a beautiful woman with a spitfire edge.

And then her throat tightened and that same embarrassing well of emotion hit her so hard she had to blink rapidly to hold off the tears. Callie took her breath away. Oh, God, she wanted to get married someday and look as stunning as Callie did right this minute.

Harper just smiled and nodded.

The mermaid dress fit her to a T. An understated satin ribbon cinched the waist and ended in a simple bow that rode atop a series of buttons ending right at the flair of a short, sassy train. The square, modest neckline accentuated the off-the-shoulder chain of lace straps which added just the right touch of romance.

Brooke rose abruptly, blinking away tears as she excused herself and left the room. In the bathroom, she closed herself in the stall and leaned back against the door. Her fists clenched, her stomach in turmoil, she fought the feelings she couldn’t name. Change was good, and Owen was good for Callie. Their love shone like a beacon. It was wonderful to watch and hope that love like that would find her. It took her only a few moments to get herself under control, since she was eager to get back. This day was about Callie, not about her.

When she came out of the stall, Harper was leaning against the sink, her arms folded across her chest.

Brooke stopped and her face flamed.

“What gives?”

“What do you mean?” Brooke walked nonchalantly towards the sink and washed her hands as Harper’s eyes bored a hole in her back.

“You look exhausted and in unguarded moments…worried. You’re always the one to nurture us and be the top cheerleader.”

“I’ve had a rough week.”

“Are you sure that’s all it is? Sweetie, we want to know when something is bothering you.”

Brooke had no intention of burdening Harper with her business problems. She’d handled Kristen Wright-Davis and her spoiled dog. It was done. Resolved. “I’ll be fine after some sleep and a little TLC.”

Harper snorted. “When have you ever taken time for yourself? I swear, Brooke. You do too much for too many people.”

“Look who’s talking. You do plenty for others.”

“Yes, but I don’t own a business. I just sponge off my family’s wealth.”

Brooke laughed, warmth settling in the pit of her stomach. Thank God for Harper’s bluntness. “It’s my thing, and it makes me happy.”

“I would just like to see you taking care of yourself. Be a little selfish. It won’t be the end of the world.”

“You mean the zombie apocalypse?”

Harper laughed. Then sobered. “No joke. I mean it.”

“I’ll think about it. Enough about me. Now let’s get back to Callie. And that dress is sensational. You just know what works best, don’t you?”

“It’s a gift,” came the smug—and oh, so correct!—reply.

Back in the salon with her emotions firmly in check, Brooke ooohed and aaahhhhed over Callie’s dress. It was simply gorgeous. She also participated in chatter about what would fit best for a headdress. They left Stunning to continue the conversation over lunch at one of their favorite places, a quaint bistro named Habit, which happened to be directly across the street. After they pulled two tables together, the women settled down on the wooden chairs.

Judging it the perfect moment, Brooke produced Callie’s gift and, with a flourish, presented it to her.

“Prezzies! After all you’ve done today, I don’t need gifts, but it’s much appreciated. Thank you, Brooke.”

“Open it. The suspense is killing me,” Brooke said.

Callie carefully removed the ribbon, placed it aside, and tore into the paper. She gasped when she pulled out the book. “Oh, my God. This is just what I needed! I’m so lost when it comes to wedding planning. Look at all the great stuff in here. This must have taken you forever. No wonder you look so tired. Oh, shoot, I mean, you look great as always, so pulled together…but…you know, you
do
look a bit tired, and frayed around the edges.”

“All I need is a good night’s sleep,” Brooke dismissed Callie’s worry with a shrug. “And I was having so much fun putting this together last night I almost forgot to sleep. I pulled pictures from bridal, lifestyle, fashion, gardening, design, and food magazines and also found a great app we can all use to link up our ideas. All the information I gathered is in the app, too, so you can make a decision on the spot. Just let me know if you like it. I even found a great travel agent on Times Square that we can visit for honeymoon ideas. I made an appointment for two o’clock in case you like the idea.”

“That’s a good place to start. I can get some brochures. Although I think Owen wants to surprise me.”

“Now, about the headpiece,” Harper said. “I think a veil would detract from the simple, clean style of the gown.”

Callie’s mother nodded. “I totally agree.”

“I have a hairdresser who is phenomenal and can weave real flowers into your hair. You can pick what you personally like along with either lace or ribbon for a stunning look. What do you think?”

Callie sighed with relief. “That’s perfect, Harper. I can’t see myself in a veil or tiara. It’s just not me, but flowers would fit perfectly.”

“Good. Let’s eat.”

They ordered food and passed it around, although once it arrived, Brooke discovered that she lacked an appetite. After paying the bill, Callie touched Brooke’s shoulder while the party started to break up. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

Brooke flashed a smile to hide her sudden sense of disconnection from her best friends. “Of course I’m fine. One of my best friends is getting married to the man of her dreams. My business is evolving into a one-stop spa for pets
and
their owners to make my clients feel even more pampered.”

“I’m more interested in how you
feel
, Brooke. You do too much for people, and I can see it’s taking its toll. I think you need to change some things in your life so you can have more time for yourself. Have the courage to change.”

“She doesn’t want to change,” Poe said, “or she’s too afraid to.”

Dismissing Poe’s very astute observation, Brooke insisted, “I told you. I’m just fine.”

Harper, Poe, and Callie’s mother had to run, so Brooke and Callie hailed a cab to Times Square.

“Thank you for the wedding planning ideas. You did that for my mom, right?” Callie said.

“Yes, actually. I knew you would love the app, but your mom is more old-fashioned.”

“You’re so thoughtful.”

At Times Square Brooke paid the fare, but when she stepped out of the cab, she collided with Callie. “Callie, what…” Callie was looking up and Brooke followed the direction of her gaze. Suddenly dizzy, she stared in shock at one of the huge Times Square digital screens. It was broadcasting a local pet psychic show featuring none other than her nemesis.

Kristen Wright-Davis sat next to Trudy Sommers, and her teary voice wobbled out of the loudspeakers. Mimi reclined in her lap, all the worst parts of the poodle’s cut emphasized on a grand scale. “I’m so distraught for my baby,” Kristen sniffled theatrically.