The Best Man to Trust Read Free Page A

to.
    She was nervous, and was doing everything she could not to show it.
    He doubted the others would notice it. Too bad he was just a little too good at reading faces. And he couldn’t help but feel a flicker of unease in the pit of his gut in response.
    Considering what had happened here before, Meredith Sutton probably had good reason to be nervous. He just had to wonder if that was the only reason.
    He watched her start up the stairs at the other end of the space, leading the group that trailed behind her. She was thin—maybe too much so—her posture ramrod straight, her shoulder-length brown hair floating behind her slightly as she walked. She made a strangely vulnerable picture, dwarfed by the size of the space around her.
    The lights suddenly flickered again, drawing his attention back to the chandelier.
    “Come on,” Scott said, clapping him on the back. “We don’t want to get left behind.”
    “Especially if the lights do go out,” he agreed. Picking up his bags, he gave one more glance around the lush hall. He had to admit, this would be an amazing place for a wedding. His professional instincts kicking in, he could easily envision it, picturing the shots, the perfect angles to capture it all. Everyone might be a little uneasy now, but if everything went well, it would all be worth it.
    When everything went well, he corrected himself, moving to follow Scott to the stairs. They were all being ridiculous. Nothing was going to happen this weekend. Nothing but the wedding of Scott and Rachel’s dreams.
    * * *
    S UTTON H ALL CERTAINLY lived up to its reputation. It was beautiful, classical, extravagant.
    And creepy.
    It was partly due to the weather, as the lights flickered again, each flash seeming to indicate the power could go out at any moment, plunging them into darkness.
    But it was more than that. No matter how stunning the surroundings were, it was impossible to forget that someone had died here only six months ago, that a murderer had once walked these halls.
    Just as another one did now.
    Cool eyes watched as a few members of the group shuddered while they made their way up the stairs. They were nervous.
    They should be. They just didn’t know how true that was.
    But they would. Soon.
    A place like this, which had so recently served as the backdrop for death, was the perfect setting for a few more.
    Anyone would be a fool to come to a place like this for a wedding.
    And fools like that deserved whatever happened to them here.

Chapter Two
    Even before she pushed through the kitchen door and stepped into the room, Meredith was greeted by incredible aromas that immediately had her mouth watering. Based on the smells she was creating, Sutton Hall’s new cook, Ellen Barnes, had dinner well in hand. Meredith nearly let out a sigh of relief. At least one thing was going right so far this weekend.
    The cook was working at the kitchen island across from the oven as Meredith entered. A full-figured woman in her forties with reddish-blond hair, she looked up with a smile, the sight of her open, friendly face instantly lightening Meredith’s mood. “Everyone settled in all right?”
    “I think so,” Meredith said. Okay, so that was another thing that had gone well enough. Everyone seemed pleased with the rooms she’d given them. Even the few who’d looked a little uneasy about being here appeared to have been won over when they saw the accommodations, she thought with a touch of pride. Score one for Sutton Hall. “Rick’s helping them with their luggage. I’m going to go do the same but I thought I’d make sure everything was okay in here.”
    “Yep, everything’s almost ready,” Ellen said with a satisfied nod. “I hope your guests are ready to eat.”
    “Based on how they reacted when I mentioned dinner, I’d say they are. Should I tell them we’ll be ready to serve in a half an hour?”
    “Sounds about right.”
    “I’ll be back to help serve. Unless you need me to do anything