Room for Murder - Tim Myers [67]
Elise joined him and said, “Alex Winston, that was a bold move. I never would have imagined you’d go for humor.”
“I didn’t mean to,” he admitted as they walked offstage.
Elise tried to hide her smile, but couldn’t. “You were wonderful.”
And then she kissed him.
There was nothing odd or awkward about it. It was almost as if the two of them melted together for a moment, lost in each other’s arms.
Alex was jarred out of it by the mayor’s hand on his shoulder. “Hey, I thought the tradition was to kiss the bride, but if it’s the maid of honor now, I’m next in line.”
At that moment, Alex could have easily killed Grady Hatch on the spot with his bare hands.
Elise looked startled by their kiss. “I’ve got to go help Emma get ready for their getaway.”
“Hang on a second, Elise,” Alex said, wanting to hold on to the moment.
“Later, Alex. There’ll be time later.”
As she disappeared into the crowd of dancers, Grady said, “Something tells me my timing was rotten there.”
Alex said, “Don’t worry about it.”
“No, I’m sorry. Alex, I must have had too much to drink. I’m not usually this dense. Tell you what, I’m going over to my motor home and taking a nap before I hit the road. I’m not in any condition to drive.”
“You can stay at the inn. We’re just about empty right now.”
Grady said, “Thanks, but that’s why I got my new wheels. I’ve got my bed with me wherever I go now.”
As Grady teetered off to his new abode, Alex felt a meaty hand on his shoulder. Mor said, “Did I just see what I thought I did?”
Alex felt his face flush. “I don’t know, what did you see?”
“Don’t mess with me, Alex. Did you just kiss Elise?”
He shrugged. “You know how weddings affect people.”
“That wasn’t just because of the wedding, my friend. I guess you finally found a way to break the ice with her.”
Alex said, “I wouldn’t be so sure. Did you see how fast she just ran away? When Grady Hatch interrupted us, I thought she was going to run back into the inn.”
“Talk to her, Alex. Don’t let her get away again.”
Alex said, “Mor, I never had her to begin with.” He slapped his friend on the back. “Don’t you have anything better to do than worry about me? When are you’all getting out of here?”
“Trying to get rid of us already?” Mor asked with a grin. “As soon as Emma tosses her bouquet, we’re on our way. I’d better go see what’s keeping her.”
Five minutes later they were ready to go, with everyone milling around waiting for them. Emma tossed the bouquet over her shoulder, and Alex was certain it was no accident that it landed squarely in Elise’s arms.
She looked as if she’d caught a live snake, but Elise somehow managed to be gracious about it until the spotlight of attention left her.
After the newlyweds drove away in Emma’s decorated car, the reception started breaking up. There were more than a few glances at the oncoming clouds, and the planners looked anxious to break cam and get everything packed up.
It appeared that they were in for one whale of a storm.
Alex found Elise inside, staring at the bouquet in her hands.
“Nice catch,” he said as he loosened his tie.
“Alex, we’ve got to talk about what happened.”
He said, “Hey, it’s just an old wives’ tale. Nobody expects you to get married next.”
She said, “That’s not what I mean. We have to talk about that kiss.”
Alex looked steadily at her. “Why? Why can’t we just enjoy it?”
“Alex, I was swept up in the emotion of the moment. It was a mistake.”
“How can you say that?” Alex asked, fighting to keep his voice in control. “It didn’t feel like a mistake to me.”
“I’m not ready,” she said softly. “I was engaged not that long ago.”
“Elise, I’m not pushing you. We can take our time, but you can’t deny there were sparks between us.”
She said gently, “It was most likely the champagne.”
He held her gaze. “I don’t believe that for one second, and I don’t think you do either. It was us.”
“Oh, Alex,” was all she said