Laina Turner - Presley Thurman 08 - Vows & Victims (3 page)

Barbara, the bridal shop employee, heard our conversation and told Katy she would be right back with her dress.

While we were waiting, we went ahead and changed back into our regular clothes.

“Now that we don’t need to worry about spilling wine on our dresses, anyone ready for a refill?” I said, walking back over to the table and pouring another glass of wine.

“You know it. Hit me,” Robin said.

We girls were chatting while Katy went into the fitting room to put her dress on. A few minutes later, she came out and stood on the podium in front of the three– way mirror.

“What do you think?” she said over her shoulder.

“You look absolutely gorgeous!” I exclaimed. “Wow, Katy. I mean wow.”

Katy beamed.

Her dress was just a hint of cream and strapless. Tight fitting to the hip and then went out in a very full traditional, I would say, bottom skirt with a lace overlay. There was a small train that Barbara was holding up. It looked perfect on her.

“You look like a princess, Katy,” I said, and she did. The other bridesmaids chimed in their agreement.

“Even though I’m an old married lady, weddings are so exciting. Seeing someone in a wedding dress is just so beautiful,” Charity said with tears in her eyes.

I had to agree. In fact, I felt a pang of jealousy. For a moment, I wanted to be up on that podium in my wedding dress. I found myself blinking back tears. My romantic life was not in a great place right now and it made me wonder for a moment if this was something I would ever have.

“Earth to Presley,” Robin said and poked me.

“Sorry. What? I was lost in thought thinking about how beautiful Katy is.”

“Thank you, Presley. The girls were asking about Cooper.”

“I still can’t believe you two are a couple,” said Shelly.

“Not that any of us expected you to stay with Brian,” Robin added and we all laughed.

“I know it’s weird to think of us back in high school and us now,” I said.

“Oh crap! I need to change,” Katy said. “We have one more stop to make. The craft store, where I ordered a few of the decorations that need to be picked up, closes at five.”

I was grateful that put a halt to any more discussion about Cooper and me, as we all started scrambling to gather our things.

“Friday lunch before rehearsal and rehearsal dinner ladies! Don’t be late,” Katy said.

After promises they would all be on time, we jumped in my car to head to the next destination.

Chapter 5

S
o what’s going on with you and Cooper?” Katy asked. “I find it odd he’s not here. And you clearly didn’t want to talk about him back there.”

I had been waiting for this question, especially since I hadn’t mentioned him at all, very atypical of me. I loved talking about him. I hadn’t this trip, mainly because I didn’t want to talk about the latest issue. But I knew Katy would eventually bring this up. She knew me all too well.

“I’m not sure,” I said honestly.

“Why not? I thought you were getting along well?”

“We were. That might be the problem,” I said.

“Presley, getting along well shouldn’t be a problem. What is it you’re not telling me?”

“He wants to get married.”

Katy looked at me speechless, for a moment anyway. “I must be really dense because I’m still not understanding. I thought you loved this guy. You two are perfect for each other. Do you not feel the same way anymore?”

“I do. I just…he brought it up and I froze. He caught me completely off guard, and I didn’t know what to say. I really hurt him and I didn’t know how to fix it. He left a couple days after that for a job, and we’ve not really spoken since. Just a few text messages. He is coming in Friday night for the wedding. He wouldn’t miss that even if he hates me.”

Katy patted my shoulder. “I don’t care about that. I care about you, and of course he doesn’t hate you. Like you said, he’s just hurt, and if you explain he will understand.”

“Thanks. I just don’t know what to do. I’m so confused. He doesn’t want to talk to me and I haven’t had that happen before.”

“You just need to tell him that. Cooper loves you, he’ll listen and understand.”

I shook my head. “I don’t know, Katy. I’ve never seen him like this. He doesn’t want to hear what I have to say.”

“He will. Just keep trying. You two are meant to be together. It will all work out, you’ll see. He just needs some time and he’ll come around.”

I certainly hoped so. I did love him and marriage was something I wanted. I wasn’t sure what my problem was. Ever since I left my corporate job I’d felt so unsettled. Nothing I tried seemed to work or had really jelled, which was an uncomfortable feeling for me. Cooper and I had been mostly in a long distance relationship because of his crazy travel schedule with Sands Security. So I wasn’t as secure in our relationship as I felt I should be. Not that I doubted his feelings or anything. Marriage was just a big step.

We picked up the few items we needed at the craft store and headed back to the salon to pick up Katy’s car.

“Ugh, this just looks horrible and I feel horrible. Here I am running around, doing errands for my wedding, and someone just died. It feels wrong.”

“I know,” I said, looking at the crime scene tape around the entrance of the salon. I could imagine how bad this was for Katy. “But it’s not your fault this happened. The police will find out who did this.”

“You’re right. I just can’t help it.” She sighed and grabbed her purse from where it was sitting on the floor.

“Are you heading right to the restaurant?” I asked.

“I’m going to swing by the house and pick up Chris first and then we’ll be there. Probably fifteen minutes.”

“OK I ‘ll head right there and get us a table,” I said.

“And a pitcher of margaritas!”

“That’s a given. See you in a few.”

I drove off and headed to the restaurant, grateful that the curiosity over wondering why someone was killed and left in Katy’s salon was keeping me from thinking about Cooper, which was all I had been doing since our fight.

I pulled up to the restaurant and got a table for four and a pitcher of margaritas.

I had taken my first sip when Tobey joined me.

Grabbing the pitcher and pouring his own, he said, “Good thinking.”

“You know Katy and I couldn’t come here without ordering a pitcher. Speaking of Katy, she and Chris just walked in.”

I raised my hand and waved to get their attention. They quickly joined us and each poured glasses.

Katy held her glass up in the form of a toast and we all followed suit.

“To good friends, good food, and good drinks,” she said.

“Here, here!” I seconded, and we all clinked glasses. “Congrats to Chris and Katy!”

We clinked again and then all took drinks.

“Did you ladies get a lot done today?” Chris asked.

“If it was wedding related, we did it, didn’t we Katy,” I joked.

“Yeah. We did get all the main stuff handled. Now it’s the waiting game until Friday. Nothing else can really be done before then. My biggest challenge the next few days will be rescheduling salon appointments. I personally have the week off, but my employees are booked and I feel bad they have to lose out on their money. I’m not sure what to do. Missing a few days pay is bad for some of them.”

“Did they give you any indication of when you could re–open?” Chris asked.

“No.” She shook her head. “When Officer Schultz called today he just said it looked like a homicide and it would at least be a few days. And then what if our clients don’t want to come back to a salon where there was a dead body?” Katy said, starting to get upset again. I couldn’t help but think I wouldn’t want to be in her position.

“Katy, your clients love you. They will stand by you. Don’t worry,” I said.

“Presley’s right, honey. We can get through this,” Chris said and again impressed me with his level of caring.

“Let’s just focus this week on making this the best wedding ever!” I said.

“I like the sound of that. Now let’s order some food.”

We ordered and I felt proud of myself for choosing a salad and resisting the chips, but tried not to think of how many calories were in the margaritas. The bridesmaid dress had fit, but it wouldn’t if I gained one more ounce.

We chatted about mutual friends and things going on as we were eating, keeping the topic light. When we had finished and I was enjoying an after dinner cup of black coffee, again proud of the fact I said no to dessert, I couldn’t help but bring up the subject of Bethany Granville.

“Did any of you know her?” I asked.

“Not personally,” Katy said. “I just saw her face plastered all over town. Like I said, she got her hair done somewhere else and I can’t afford houses in the price point she sells, so our paths never crossed.”

Tobey and Chris basically said the same thing.

“I don’t think she had lived here that long,” Tobey said. “Maybe a few months.”

“That’s unusual, isn’t it? To be so successful in real estate that quickly if you’re new in town. I thought it took time to build up.”

“She was a realtor somewhere before here so she’s just probably that good,” Tobey said.

“I guess,” I said, then glanced at my watch. “Crap. It’s almost nine and I told my parents I would be home by nine. ”

“You’d better go then. You don’t want to get grounded for missing curfew,” Katy teased.

“Ha! Joke all you want, but you know my mother. She’s going to make sure I know how my lack of punctuality affected her.” I loved my mother and she loved me, but we didn’t always get along very well. She always seemed disappointed in my choices, yet my younger brother Jesse could do no wrong. The wonderful dynamic of siblings.

I took some money from my wallet and set it on the table for my bill.

“I’ll call you in the morning, Katy, for an update to my maid of honor duties.”

“Sounds good.”

After the goodbyes, I jumped in my car and headed to my parents’ house. It was only about a ten–minute drive, so I wouldn’t be too late. Crazy how at my age my mother still made me nervous and feel like a little kid.

I finally made it to their house, grabbed my things out of the car, and just as I made it to the front porch, the door swung open.

“It’s about time,” my mother said.

“It’s lovely to see you too, Mother,” I said, kissing her on the cheek.

“King, sweetheart, you made it.”

“Dad! Good to see you, too,” letting the nickname he called me (that I hated) pass by without a word.

I was named Presley for Elvis Presley. My mom had been in love with him back in the day. My dad had always called me King as a nickname, for King of rock ‘n’ roll, and I had tried for years unsuccessfully to break that habit. Cooper had also called me that, but I had been more successful in breaking him from doing it. Thank goodness.

“Let me take your things,” he said, reaching for my suitcase and computer bag, which he took to my room.

We were soon sitting in the kitchen. The normal gathering place of our family.

“I like what you’ve done with the kitchen, Mom,” I said as she sat a glass of iced tea in front of me.

“I thought it was time for an update.”

She had recently updated from more of a country look to more modern. Gone were the red checked curtains and all the oak cabinets and table. They were replaced with a darker cherry wood and cooler colors, not what I would have expected her to pick, but I really liked it.

“Didn’t it cost a fortune to rip out the old cabinets?”

“Your dad did it,” she said proudly.

“Wow, Dad, you’ve got skills I didn’t know about.”

“YouTube. I just watched some videos,” he said in a nonchalant tone.

When I looked at him in disbelief, he burst out laughing.

“Kidding! Not that YouTube isn’t a great resource, but Henry helped me.”

“That makes more sense. I couldn’t imagine Mom letting you rip apart her kitchen while watching How To videos on how to do it.”

“So, fill me in. How’s Katy and the wedding planning?”

“Aside from the unfortunate start to the morning, things are great.”

My dad grimaced. “I heard about that girl’s murder on the police scanner. Poor Katy. Do they know what happened?”

“All we’ve heard is it was a homicide. The police obviously have made the salon a crime scene, which shuts down operations at the salon for however long it takes. She’s stressed about it affecting her employees and all, but other than that, wedding plans are falling into place.”

“And Chris?” my mom asked. I’d had lengthy phone conversations with her about this, since she knew the history here and had known both Katy and Chris forever. If you asked her, she would say I didn’t call nearly enough, but I had gotten better at it and we talked almost weekly for at least thirty or forty minutes. Though, I had yet to tell her about Cooper. She and my dad really liked him, and I didn’t want a lecture. I just couldn’t take that right now.

“Where’s the dog?” I asked suddenly, realizing the absence of the black lab named Jake. I had found him wandering on the side of the road one time on my way down here and after stopping at the farms nearby to see if anyone claimed him, which they hadn’t, I brought him home. I was never one to be able to resist animals. But I also couldn’t take a dog back to my Chicago condo, so after much grumbling, mostly for show, my parents said they’d keep him for a while. And a while had pretty much turned into permanent. My mom would never admit it, but she really liked the dog.

“He’s having a sleepover,” my mother said.

“The dog is having a sleepover?” I asked, confused.

“Yep. Neighbor has a grandson visiting. He’s nine and has taken a real liking to Jake. Every time he visits, he spends his time over here with the dog. His grandparents are watching him this week while his parents are on vacation, and so he wanted Jake for a sleepover,” my dad explained.

“OK, that seems odd, but I guess if it makes them both happy.”

“It does. That boy loves Jake, and that mutt just follows him around,” my mother said, and I could tell by the sound in her voice she thought it was adorable. I was waiting for her to comment on wanting grandkids of her own or about me not being married yet or another one of her similar Mom type comments, but nothing. Strange, very strange, but I was going to be thankful and not question it.