Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 97032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
“I don’t think this is going to be easy to solve, Pep,” Ian said. “We don’t have a dead body or a crime.”
“True, but we have a mystery, and I don’t think either one of us is going to rest until we find out how the guy in the mausoleum vanished.”
“The reverend can see me at eleven?” I said, nodding at Ian to see if that worked for him the next morning.
He hurried to check his daily schedule on his phone and nodded.
“That works for Ian and me, Millie,” I said, to let her know I wouldn’t be alone. “No. No. Nothing to do with wedding plans, Millie. Yes, someday. Thanks again, Millie.”
“Was that panic I heard in your voice when a wedding was mentioned?” Ian asked, walking over to me, a teasing smile on his handsome face as he slipped his arm around my waist and eased me against him.
“We haven’t even known each other a full year yet,” I said in a way of a plausible excuse.
“I agree. Our relationship has barely gotten started, but I’m wondering why you seem to panic when a wedding or marriage is mentioned.”
I shook my head. “It’s not the marriage itself. It’s wedding planning and the big day. I think my mom has been planning for the big day since I was born. I just don’t know if I could handle that much fuss and endless planning. I remember my brother Danny’s wedding,” —I shivered— “and he was the groom. I don’t know how Kelly held it together.”
“You’re a prepper and used to being prepped and prepared.”
“That’s a far cry from planning a wedding and dealing with endless problems, who to invite, who not to sit with who, picking out this and that, and—” A shudder ran through me.
“A wedding doesn’t have to be like that.”
“Tell that to my mom.”
Ian went to disagree, then stopped.
I laughed. “You have gotten to know my mom.”
“She is difficult to say no to.” He kissed me. “But we’ll manage.”
“Is that a proposal because if it is, pal, I have to say BIG failure all the way,” I teased with a laugh.
Ian grinned. “Now you’ve gone and challenged me.”
“No. No,” I said, stepping away from him shaking my head. “We should not even be discussing this. It is too early in our relationship to even give it a thought.” I shook my finger at him. “I do not like grand gestures where I’m put on the spot or in the spotlight. Simple. Simple. I like simple if the time should ever come.”
“When the time comes, I’ll make it memorable,” he said with a hint of laughter.
“When? You’re letting me know that you intend to marry me?” Okay, so my heart started beating faster.
“It’s not something I haven’t alluded to.”
“Alluded,” I said, pointing out the vast difference while my stomach fluttered like a young lass in love. Drats, there I go again sounding like one of Amy’s romance novels.
He grabbed me by the shoulders and gave me a quick kiss. “I love you, Pep, and that’s not going to change. And I know you love me though I tell you more often that I love you than you tell me.”
“Keeping count?” I accused and cringed. “You’re right. You’re much better at this romantic stuff than I am.”
“You are more romantic than you think, watching old suspense movies with me, old mystery series, discussing great mystery authors, and coming upon mysteries for us to solve together. I never expected to find a woman who enjoyed solving a mystery as much as I do. We make a good pair, Pep, and I don’t want to lose that.”
“Neither do I,” I admitted.
“I’ve got to go.”
The sound of a large truck coming up the long driveway caught our attention.
“The old deck is being ripped down today,” I reminded. “How about I pick you up to go to talk with the reverend.”
“Great. Text me when you’re on your way.” He hurried to the door.
“Ian,” I called out, meaning to halt him in his tracks. He turned, a look of concern on his face. “I love you.”
He winked at me. “How could you not? I’m irresistible.”
I couldn’t help but laugh since it was the truth. He was completely irresistible, and it wasn’t his good looks that made him irresistible to me.
The construction crew got busy working. Mo sat at the French doors watching the men begin to tear the deck apart. He cast a glance at me now and again as if wanting to know what was going on.
“We’re getting a much-needed new and larger deck. You’re going to love it.” That seemed to pacify him, and he laid down and continued to watch the men.
Roxie, with her how-dare-you-disturb-me attitude, took herself off to the library to curl herself onto one of the comfy chairs and sleep.