Reservations for Murder - Tim Myers [47]
Buck put a meaty paw on Alex’s shoulder. “He’s a strong man. Sally Anne, there’s no need to tiptoe around him. Go on, ask him now.”
Sally Anne said, “We were wondering if we could get married at the inn. Alex, it’s such a beautiful place, and you know how much I’ve always loved the lighthouse. You don’t have to decide now; the wedding’s not for another six months. I just wanted to ask,” she tapered her words down to a near whisper at the end.
“I don’t need to think about it. I’d be delighted to have your wedding at Hatteras West.”
Buck lightly slapped his daughter with the towel that was always parked over his shoulder. “See? I told you there was nothing to worry about. I’ve got to get back to the kitchen.” He patted Alex’s arm again. “Thanks. This means a lot to us.”
“Happy to do it,” Alex said as he turned back to his sandwich. The Hatteras West Inn was a perfect place for a wedding, and several townspeople had held their nuptials there. His own mother and father had even married on the grounds, though they’d exchanged their vows from the very top of the lighthouse, something that hadn’t been repeated since. It had severely limited the number of invited guests, and Alex’s mother had always said that had been his father’s main reason for making the request. Alex knew the truth, though. The lighthouse had been as much a part of his dad as it was of him. The Winston men were part of a long line of hopeless romantics, from the lighthouse’s builder all the way down to Alex.
Yes, another wedding would be perfect for Hatteras
West. Alex would never have admitted it to anyone else, but he was already looking forward to it.
He was just finishing his meal when Sandra walked in, a harried look on her face.
Sandra smiled quickly the moment she saw Alex. “Hey there, stranger. How are things at the inn?”
“With the fair over, I’m expecting things to finally slow down.”
She put her briefcase down on the counter, then slipped onto the stool beside him. Whatever her faults, Sandra almost always found a way to make him smile. “Please tell me you’re at least having a piece of pie for dessert. I hate to eat alone.”
“Sandra, I left Mor in charge of the inn three hours ago. I really should be getting back.”
“Come on, Alex,” she said, touching his arm lightly. “Your guests are all gone, and you’ve got to be done with your cleaning for the day. I know you too well. Keep me company. I hate to eat alone.”
Sally Anne was watching the exchange with interest, standing just close enough not to miss a word.
Alex nodded as he finished another fry. “Okay, on one condition. I need a ride to the hospital after we’re done here.”
“Oh, Alex, what’s wrong?”
“I’m fine,” he said, “but I left my truck in the parking lot.”
Clearly she wanted to know why he’d done that, but remarkably, Sandra didn’t ask. “It’s a deal.”
Sally Anne stepped forward, and Sandra said, “I’ll have my regular salad and an iced tea. And bring Alex a piece of apple pie.”
Sally Anne took the order without a word, and Alex wondered if she approved entirely of his sharing counter space with his ex-girlfriend.
Sandra took a long drink of tea, then asked, “So tell me, Alex, how’s your impromptu investigation doing? Have you uncovered the killer yet?”
Alex said, “What makes you think I’m trying to do anything about the murder?”
She laughed brightly. “Oh, come on, Alex, don’t forget who you’re talking to. I know how much you love a good mystery.”
“Right now I’m just trying to keep my head above water. I don’t have much time for sleuthing.”
Sally Anne quietly slipped their food in front of them, and Sandra took a few bites of her salad before replying. “Well, I don’t think Bill Yadkin did it, for what it’s worth, though Armstrong appears to be favoring him. That boy’s temper is going to get him into some serious trouble if he’s not careful. He fired me, you know.”
“Why in the world did he do that?” Alex asked.
“I have no idea, but he’d better hire someone else fast; Armstrong’s baying at the door.”
Alex