Til a Death Do Us Part: A Bakery Detectives Cozy Mystery Read Free

the wedding."
    "I don't think there'll even be an opportunity to do that," I said. "We're stuck here in the reception room, remember? The ceremony is taking place two doors down." There was a bar and a kitchen area standing between us and where the ceremony was officially taking place. I wasn't sure whether I was disappointed or relieved that I wouldn't get to actually see the wedding ceremony.
    "Rachael," Pippa whispered. "Don't look now."
    "What is it?" I asked, spinning around.
    I gulped. It was Jackson, already dressed in his tux, walking towards us. I cringed at how stupid I looked in my bright pink shirt with apron and tie.
    "Hey," he said a little nervously. That was no surprise, it was his wedding day. I noticed that his eyes were a little bloodshot and there were bags under them like he hadn't slept much. Maybe a wild bachelor's party the night before?
    I straightened up. "So! It's the big day! You must be excited?" I asked.
    Jackson hesitated for a moment before he nodded a little unsurely. "Yeah," he said, still nodding. "It's a very exciting day."
    Pippa shot me a funny look. "So, as you can see," I said, waving to the table behind me. "Everything is ready to go."
    Jackson nodded. "Great," he said as he looked at the cakes with bleary eyes. "So, um, Rachael, I was meaning to ask you something. Pippa as well," he added, nodding towards her. Oh, so he wasn't going to ask me to marry him instead of Emma then. Well, unless he also wanted Pippa to be involved.
    "What's that?"
    "Well, it seems awful rude not to invite you to the actual ceremony, considering that you are here," he said with a frown. "After all, we are friends. I'm sure you can leave your station for a little while and come and join the rest of the guests."
    I stared down at my outfit. "I'm not sure I'm exactly dressed for it," I said, cringing.
    Jackson shrugged. "Don't worry about it. You can sit at the back where no one will really see you."
    Great.
    I made myself smile. "I suppose everyone will be focused on the bride, won't they?"
    Jackson nodded. "Yes, I suppose they will be."
    I looked over at Pippa for support but she just shrugged weakly and shot me a look that seemed to say are you sure this is such a good idea?
    "We'll be there," I said. "We wouldn't miss it for the world."

    * * *
    P ippa and I were crammed into the back row of the room, with me teetering on the edge of my seat so precariously that I was about to fall right off. "It sure is a packed house," I commented.
    "They're cops," Pippa said. "They're meant to be popular within the community."
    I glanced at my watch because I'd thought constantly checking my phone for the time would look unprofessional. Besides, the vineyard didn't get very good reception.
    "I bet that Emma looks beautiful in her wedding dress," Pippa whispered as the rest of the guests were beginning to stir impatiently. "She's so tall and pretty, and that long red hair is going to look amazing contrasted with the white gown."
    "What are you trying to do, Pippa?" I asked, shooting her a look.
    "What? I thought you didn't care that she was marrying Jackson?"
    I tried to get comfortable in my seat but it was difficult considering that half of my butt was hanging off the side. "Where is she?" I asked, checking the time. "The ceremony was supposed to start twenty minutes ago. Maybe we should have put the cakes in the fridge."
    In the front of the chapel, Jackson was standing with a stony expression as he gripped both hands tightly in front of him. I'd have thought he'd have looked a bit more concerned about his bride's tardiness.
    "Maybe she isn't going to show," I said suddenly, turning to Pippa. "Maybe she's had cold feet and is having second thoughts." I failed to hide the excitement in my voice by dressing it up with concern.
    "All brides are late for their wedding," Pippa said plainly.
    "Are they? Or is that just something that happens in movies and TV."
    "Well," Pippa said thoughtfully. "I wasn't late to my wedding,