The Brewing Bride (Sweet Home Mystery Series Book 8) Read online

  I gave her a hug. “Thank you Heather. I accept your apology and I’m sorry you’re going through a rough time. But just remember, good times are around the corner. We just have to be sure that our hurt and pain doesn’t blind us to them.”

  We chatted a bit more and I believe both of us left in a much better place than when we had met a few days earlier.

  We joined the rest of the party and the gifts were unwrapped. Eli and I didn’t need much since we each had a household and I would be moving in with him. In fact, I could see a garage sale in our near future. But I was pleasantly surprised at some of the gifts. Jules bought me one of those high-powered juicers I’d been eyeing, while my Aunts bought Eli and me a covered swing to put out in his backyard. I even got my garlic press.

  After opening the gifts I spotted Hildie on her cell phone. After hanging up she whispered something in Essie’s ear, then they came over to me.

  “We just got a big order for cupcakes for the charity event at the Country Club,” Hildie announced. “But don’t worry Lily; we can do them and your cake as well.”

  I was hoping she’d say they’d just do all cupcakes for the charity event and my wedding, but I knew they had their heart set on making that huge wedding cake. Besides, butterflies were starting to take over as my wedding day fast approached.

  Chapter Ten

  The day was finally here. I was so full of various emotions I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. I’d had a nice time with my Dad the previous day. We don’t get to see each other much so it was nice to catch up, even though we talk once a week on the phone. We looked over old photo albums that had us in tears and laughing hysterically. Those moments are fleeting and I’m so glad we had some of those precious times recorded with photos.

  We talked about Mom and how much she would have loved to have been here and witness my wedding. In that way my wedding to Eli was bittersweet. Bitter because my Mom couldn’t see it and sweet because she would have loved him so. But my Dad reminded me that she’s always with us in spirit and that she’d want me to be happy not sad on this important day. So we shed a few more tears and then enjoyed a bottle of wine, which helped settle my nerves.

  That morning Dad drove me to the salon where I’d meet my Aunts, Jules and the bridesmaids as we had our hair and nails done. Everyone was a twitter and I secretly wished I had a flask of vodka stashed in my purse. But knowing me I’d drink too much and end up on my hind side as I walked down the aisle.

  After we were finished at the salon we all walked down to the Coffee Cabana, which I had closed for the day. We were going to all get ready there since the shop was big enough and Essie and Hildie set up a makeshift curtain to go across the front plate glass window so we could change in privacy.

  We had plenty of time so Essie and Hildie pulled me away from the group and we sat at one of the tables.

  “We wanted to give you something before the wedding Lily,” Hildie said as she handed me a small gift box. I opened it and gasped. It was a beautiful heart shaped necklace with two diamonds.”

  “It’s beautiful,” I exclaimed as I took it out of the box.

  “If you want you can wear it today, but if you don’t, that’s fine too,” Essie said as I admired it.

  I gave them each a hug. “Of course I want to wear it today…it’s lovely. Thank you so much.”

  Essie fastened the clasp and the heart hung just below my collarbone. It was perfect.

  Hildie handed me something wrapped in tissue. I took it and removed the tissue paper. It was a blue handkerchief. “You’re mother tucked that into her dress at her own wedding to your father. It was our Mother’s hanky. So now you have something old, new, borrowed and blue.”

  “But now you keep the hanky Lily,” Essie said. “It’s your’s now.”

  How in the world was I going to keep my makeup and mascara from becoming a puddle on the floor with all this nostalgia? It was a difficult task. Then came Jules.

  My Aunts took off so Jules and I could have a moment alone before we started putting on our dresses. She grabbed both my hands.

  “I can’t tell you how happy I am for you and for Eli. He’s your perfect soul mate.” She reached into her pocket and brought out small gift box. “This is for you.”

  “Jules, you shouldn’t have. What is with all these gifts. You already got me a juicer.”

  She waved her hand. “This is more personal.”

  I opened the box to find a pair of earrings in my birthstone…garnet red. They shimmered in the light and would look gorgeous next to my white dress and head piece. “They beautiful…thank you,” I exclaimed.

  I put them on and then gave her a hug. “This has been the best day ever.”

  “And it’s only going to get better.”

  We all finished dressing and the bridesmaids took off for the Senior Center in their own vehicles. Toe and Harvey picked up Essie and Hildie, while Jules and I were to take a limo. After everyone left, the limo pulled up to the curb outside the Coffee Cabana.

  I turned and looked at my little shop. “I can’t believe when I come back here I’ll be Mrs. Eli Davis.”

  The driver came around and opened the door for us and Jules shooed me inside. “Not if you don’t get your booty movin sister.”

  She and the driver helped me with my train and stuffed me into the back. Jules piled in and the driver shut the door. I was on way to my wedding. My heart pounded. I looked around for a bottle of champagne that limos usually carry but unfortunately this one didn’t.

  “I know what you’re looking for,” Jules said as reached into her small purse and pulled out a tiny airport like bottle of gin. “Now you can only take one swallow, just to settle your nerves.”

  I looked at her. “Am I becoming an alcoholic?”

  Jules put a finger to the side of her mouth. “Well let’s see. You’ve talked about hiding a flask of vodka on your person, which I don’t think you’ve done. And you shared a bottle of wine with your Dad the other night. Nope, don’t think that adds up to being an alcoholic so you’re safe with one swig.”

  I grabbed the tiny bottle and took one drink. I felt the warmth slide down my throat and instantly felt calmer. Jules grabbed the bottle back from me. “That’s it until the reception. I don’t want you to go tripping down the aisle.”

  I looked out the window and all of a sudden I was a washed in nerves again. We just drove right past the Senior Center without stopping.

  I called to the driver to stop, but he had the glass partition raised and I didn’t know what to click to talk to him.

  “Jules, he just drove past the Senior Center! Does he not know that’s where we’re going?”

  Jules smiled at me. “Oh he knows where he’s going alright.”

  I still didn’t get it.

  “Honey, we’re headed to the Country Club. That’s where your wedding is.”

  I was at a loss for words again. All I could get out was. “How?”

  Jules explained that she and Essie and Hilde had spoken to the head of the charity committee who had booked the Country Club, explaining to her about the wedding. Evidently the charity hadn’t been told that the Country Club double booked and Essie and Hilde had conceded the location before the lady was aware of the wedding. So she talked to the committee and they decided the Senior Center was better suited for their needs and willingly agreed to switch locations. And with that Essie and Hildie also got the extra order for cupcakes for the charity event.

  So, Jules, Eli, Toe, Harvey and my bridesmaids had decorated the Country Club and the gazebo overlooking the lake with all of the wedding decorations.

  “And you’ll be glad to know,” Jules said as she leaned over to me. “You have both a wedding cake and cupcakes for the reception.”

  I laughed. “So my Aunts and I both got what we wanted, at least where the bakery items are concerned.”

  “They knew how much it meant to you to have the wedding and reception at the Country Club instead of the Senior Center and
I think they would have moved heaven and earth to get it for you.”

  My Aunties had come through. I had a wonderful family and friends. And soon a fantastic husband in Eli.

  As the limo pulled up I could see a trail of red and white rose petals along the winding walkway down to the gazebo. My Dad was there and I took his arm as Jules walked in front of us. In the distance I could see the white chairs lined up in front of the gazebo and my handsome Eli waiting for me. I couldn’t wait for the rest of my life to begin.

  *****

  Thanks for reading!

  You can find all of my books by visiting my Author Page.

  Sign up for Constance Barker’s New Releases Newsletter where you can find out when my next book is coming out and for special discounted pricing.

  Sign up to be a part of my ARC Team. You’ll recieve a free copy of my newest release in exchange for a review on Amazon.

  I never share or sell your email.

  Visit me on Facebook and give me feedback on the characters and their stories.

  You can read Constance Barker’s books for free with Kindle Unlimited.

  These books are all from my Caesars Creek Series

  A Frozen Scoop of Murder (Caesars Creek Mystery Series Book One)

  Death by Chocolate Sundae (Caesars Creek Mystery Series Book Two)

  Soft Serve Secrets (Caesars Creek Mystery Series Book Three)

  Ice Cream You Scream (Caesars Creek Mystery Series Book Four)

  Double Dip Dilemma (Caesars Creek Mystery Series Book Five)

  Melted Memories (Caesars Creek Mystery Series Book Six)

  Triple Dip Debacle(Caesars Creek Mystery Series Book Seven)

  Whipped Wedding Woes(Caesars Creek Mystery Series Book Eight)

  A Sprinkle of Tropical Trouble(Caesars Creek Mystery Series Book Nine)

  A Drizzle of Deception(Caesars Creek Mystery Series Book Ten)

  Sweet Home Mystery Series

  Creamed at the Coffee Cabana (Sweet Home Mystery Series Book One)

  A Caffeinated Crunch (Sweet Home Mystery Series Book Two)

  A Frothy Fiasco (Sweet Home Mystery Series Book Three)

  Punked by the Pumpkin(Sweet Home Mystery Series Book Four)

  Peppermint Pandemonium(Sweet Home Mystery Series Book Five)

  Expresso Messo(Sweet Home Mystery Series Book Six)

  Whispering Pines Mystery Series

  A Sinister Slice of Murder (Whispering Pines Mystery Series Book One)

  Sanctum of Shadows (Whispering Pines Mystery Series Book Two)

  Curse of the Bloodstone Arrow (Whispering Pines Mystery Series Book Three)

  Mad River Mystery Series

  A Wicked Whack

  A Prickly Predicament

  Eden Patterson: Ghost Whisper Series

  The Mystery of the Courthouse Calamity

  The Mystery of the Screaming Elms

  The Mystery of the Morbid Moans

  The Mystery of the Ominous Opera House

  Witchy Women of Coven Grove

  The Witching on the Wall

  A Witching Well of Magic