Room for Murder - Tim Myers [65]
Mor said, “Have you seen his motor home? It’s a real beauty.”
Grady said, “I got more for the house than I had any right to expect, so I decided to go all out. As soon as the reception’s over, I’m hitting the road, whether you good people have a new mayor or not.”
Alex looked up at the clouds. “Are you sure you don’t want to wait this storm out? It might be better driving after this front passes through.”
Mor said, “It’s not going to rain, Alex. Emma’s been glued to the Weather Channel for the last two days. These are just the edges of the big storm south and east of us.”
Alex replied, “Yeah, but how are your knees feeling?” Mor had damaged his knees playing football, and they were a pair of the best barometers around town.
He admitted, “They’re a little shaky.”
Grady slapped him on the back. “That’s not the weather, it’s just wedding jitters.” He looked at his empty glass and said, “If you gentlemen will excuse me, I think it’s time for another drink.”
Alex said, “You’d better take it easy on those. We don’t want you stumbling down the aisle and falling over Emma’s train.”
“It’s soda, Alex,” Grady said shortly, then saw the man’s grin. “Though I might freshen it up just a bit from the bar. After all, it’s a day for celebration.”
After he was gone, Alex asked Mor, “Seriously, how are you doing?”
“Hey, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t just a little nervous. Have you seen Emma? How is she holding up?”
“The last time I saw her, she was scowling at the clouds, daring it to rain.”
Mor smiled broadly. “That sounds just like her. Alex, I can’t tell you how excited I am. I’m a lucky man.”
“You are at that. Is there anything you need?”
“Just to get this thing moving so we can get on with our lives. You know I’m not fond of crowds, and I swear, Emma has invited most of Elkton Falls.”
Alex nodded. “It won’t be long now. Remember, I’ve got your airline tickets on my dresser. You’re flying out of Charlotte tonight, but you’ll have plenty of time to get there after the reception. Did Armstrong give you any grief about going?”
Mor said, “He thought about it, but Emma put a knot in his tail about the whole thing. We’re just going to be gone a week, it’s not like we’re never coming back. You know, I never thought about taking a cruise for a honeymoon, but Emma talked me into it.”
Alex laughed. “What was it, the women in bikinis or the meals served seven times a day you were opposed to?”
Mor said, “No Bikini Barbies for me, those gals are too skinny. I like Emma, her shape’s got flair, you know what I mean?”
“So it’s the food,” Alex asked with a grin.
“Who could say no to a midnight buffet? I’m planning to gain at least ten pounds.” For the hundredth time, Mor looked at his watch. “I can’t believe the wedding’s still an hour away.”
“I’ve got an idea. Why don’t we go up to your room? I’ve got a backgammon board set up. It might take your mind off the clock.”
Mor said, “I’ll give it a shot, but I’m not making any promises about what kind of game I’ll be able to play.”
Mor normally won the lion’s share of the games they played, but this time Alex won every match.
He thought it was fair to say his best friend was more than a little distracted by the events to come.
The crowd was in place, all of Elkton Falls dressed in their finery awaiting the start of the ceremony. Alex and Mor took their spots up front, and Alex nodded to Father Gray, the local Episcopal priest. He and the padre had been friends since grade school, but Alex still couldn’t get used to seeing him dressed in his priestly robes.
Gray said softly, “Are you boys ready?”
Alex said, “I’m fine, but Mor keeps trying to make a run for it.”
Gray smiled and said, “If you do, I might just marry the gal myself.”
Mor shook his head. “You’d have to go through me, priest or no priest.”
Gray said, “That’s the spirit.”
Alex heard Irma Bean suddenly increase the volume of her organ, and his gaze went to the back of the canopy.
Elise was there, holding a bouquet of flowers, wearing an emerald dress that highlighted her green eyes. Her hair was pulled back with