Southern Sass and a Battered Bride

Book 3: Marygene Brown Mystery

by Kate Young

Genres: Amateur Sleuth; Cozy Mystery; Female Sleuths

Synopsis

At a murder mystery–themed wedding reception on Georgia's picturesque Peach Cove Island, the bride is doing an awfully good job playing dead . . .



Marygene Brown always figured she'd marry her childhood sweetheart, Alex Myers, not cater his wedding. But the Peach Diner could use the exposure. Most of the island is showing up—although more for the role-playing murder game at the reception than for the widely loathed bridezilla, Lucy Carmichael. Marygene may have to smile through the festivities, but Mama doesn't have to hold her peace—especially since only Marygene can hear her mother's ghost. Mama says she sees an aura of darkness around the wedding.



So when Marygene finds Lucy lying beside the wedding cake, buried in batter, with no pulse, it looks like Mama called it. This is no game. And when the bride's body simply vanishes, it's up to Marygene and her best friend Betsy (cousin to the groom and no fan of the bride) to solve a real-life mystery—with a little help from Mama's sassy spirit . . .

Release date: April 27, 2021

Publisher: Kensington Books

Print pages: 304

Sample

The temperature hovered around a near-perfect eighty degrees as the sun began to set over the ocean, and I watched the bride walk down the aisle. My childhood sweetheart, Deputy Alex Myers, stood at the front under a beautiful arch of flowing white fabric, and from my vantage point in the reception tent, he looked dashing. He wore linen pants rolled up at the ankles and a white button-down shirt rolled up at the sleeves. Soft music and murmurs of the wedding rehearsal mingled with the light breeze. The wide expanse of the Atlantic Ocean lapping the shore was their backdrop. It viewed like a scene out of a Hallmark movie.

It appears perceivably untamable Alex Myers can be tamed.

The groom lifted his bride in the air and spun her around, their laughter traveled, and my chest constricted. With a deep breath of salty air in my lungs, I turned away.

“You okay?” My best friend and coworker, Betsy, continued to smooth out and adjust the tablecloths.

“Yep. Perfectly fine.” I glanced around the large tent, with lovely cream silk drapings from the tent peaks, lit with elegant string lights and strategically placed chandeliers over the twenty-five round tables covered with champagne-colored tablecloths. Faux bamboo chairs painted gold reflected in the light. The tables being set up around the whitewash dance floor must have cost them a fortune. Lucy must have a trust fund or a nest egg she’s been saving for her big day, because Alex surely didn’t have that kind of money. Oh well, not my business. I was paid to do a job, and I’d do it and do it well.

“You’re not perfectly fine and you know it.” Betsy tightened the tie over her fire-red mane. “And how could you be? Y’all have history.”

With a sigh, I moved one of the centerpieces adorned with dripping candles closer to the center of the table. Betsy was right, we had significant history. Her cousin, Alex, had been my first love and on-again, off-again boyfriend since high school, except for the two-year period when I’d been married to the jerk of the century. Alex and I sort of picked up where we left off shortly after I moved back home. Enter Lucy.

“I want Alex to be happy, I really do. I just hate he chose her.” That woman and I started out on the wrong foot from day one. She being the reason he and I were no longer together. Or at least they shared a pivotal moment in our relationship’s downward spiral. I’ll never forget the onslaught of emotions I felt when my brother told me he’d spied Alex at the Beach Bum Bar getting cozy with a tourist. And though Alex vehemently denied Sam’s account and any wrongdoing, he later went on to secure said tourist a receptionist job with Peach Cove Sheriff’s Department, and I’d later found out that the two had been spending a lot of time together. Innocent or not, he’d lied to me, and we’d never recovered after that. And though I made attempts to remain civil when they became a couple, Lucy belittled me at every turn. The woman was a total nightmare. Honestly, for catering her wedding, I deserved a peace prize.

“I hear ya. My cousin is an idiot. And his bridezilla is even worse.” She let out a long, noisy breath full of frustration, and gazed out of the tent, where the rehearsal was in full swing. The small group appeared to be going through the ceremony all over again. “I just always thought the two of you would get married and we’d be family for real.” Betsy gave me a sad smile, and I returned it before reaching out and taking her hand.

I gave her fingers a squeeze. “We are a real family. And, Bets, he’s your relative. Don’t let our friendship and your hatred for the bridezilla cause more problems. I’m good. See?” I beamed. Or tried to. I really was okay. Still, it was hard to see Alex moving on in the fashion he had before I did. Not that I was ready to say I do to anyone. It simply stirred up all sorts of emotions.

“Uh-huh. You look like you’re good.” Betsy put her hands on her hips. “And I know you aren’t inferring I’m the one causing the rift in the Myers family.”

I pursed my lips.

“What are you sayin’? It’s my fault?”

I gave my head a shake. “I’m saying that what happened at the bridal shower can’t happen again. He’s marrying her now.” Seeing her on the verge of a hissy fit brought back the encounter and caused my shoulders to knot up. I took my part of the blame. It had been a mistake for me to attend the shower. Lucy thought I’d shown up to monopolize the family, which wasn’t the case. She’d invited me, a gesture that had shocked me to my core, and initially, I’d planned to politely decline. Then Betsy pleaded for me to go and stupidly, I had. Attempting to be the bigger person had backfired. After a plethora of hateful scowls, Betsy and I left early. Lucy had followed us outside the church and the onslaught of snarky insults ensued. It was almost as if she were looking to spar, and I made the perfect punching bag. When Betsy rushed to my defense, Lucy turned on her. It went south from there. Alex had been livid.

“Don’t tell me you feel guilty?”

“We could’ve walked away and should’ve.”

“Whatever. I don’t feel the least bit guilty. She totally started it!” Betsy huffed and puffed for a few seconds, glancing out the tent as cheers echoed from the beach. “You know what?” She pointed in the direction of the rehearsal. “When it comes down to it, Alex is the root of the problem. No one likes Lucy. You think I’m the stumbling block in this whole family drama, ha! You should hear Aunt Vi rave on. She prattled on to Aunt Regina about her son ruining the only chance at happiness when he lost you. And she called him a fool for not seeing the rattlesnake he’d snuggled up to.” Knowing Betsy’s aunt Vi my entire life, and living with her for a short period of time, I could only imagine.

“Let’s calm down and finish up here.” I attempted to get us back on track.

“I’m calm.” Betsy bared her teeth in a failed attempt to grin. Her red perspiring face made me worry she’d give herself an aneurism with her blood pressure spike.

“Marygene.”

Betsy and I turned to see Paul Fowler making his way through the tent with another man I didn’t recognize. Paul and I had been dating for a couple of months. He’d waltzed—or more like splashed—into my life at a time I needed it most. In fact, it had been during the same weekend Alex announced his engagement to Lucy. I’d skipped our usual Sunday lunch and decided to drown my sorrows in natural vitamin D and salty water. I was soaking up some rays on a float in the calm surf, trying to float my troubles away, when a man on a paddleboard wiped out and took us both under. I’d broken the surface, sputtering, and so did he. Red-faced and mortified, he introduced himself. Paul and I spent the rest of that day together and then several days following. I’d needed a distraction and like magic, he’d appeared. The man was game for anything I wanted to do, and we discovered we had the exact same taste in movies. He was everything Alex wasn’t: gentle, well-read, and had opinions about politics. It was refreshing.

I smiled at Paul as he spoke. “This is Christopher Davis, the new manager of our office.”

I moved through the space and extended my hand. “Nice to meet you. I worked with your predecessor, Adam, on several events, and they were each a great success.”

The older round man smiled and released my hand to wipe the perspiration from his brow. “I’m pleased to hear it. I’m from Sunshine’s Savannah branch. I wanted to make the introduction personally with all our partners. We look forward to many years of successful events together.”

“As do my sister and I.” I nodded with a smile. The Sunshine Murder Mystery Company had brought in more business for the Peach Diner’s catering operation than we could have hoped for, and now had us on the list of partners. Jena Lynn and I were extremely pleased at the expansion of our little family business. My enterprising Nanny had used the talents and money she managed to scrimp and save to open the Peach Diner when her husband lost his fortune in moonshine and gambling. The women of the Brown family were foodies to our core.

“Glad to hear it.” Christopher’s phone rang and he excused himself to answer it.

Once his boss was out of sight, Paul leaned down and gave me a kiss on the cheek. His cologne smelled stronger than usual, and his hair looked slightly damp, making me wonder if he’d recently showered. Odd for this time of day.

I pushed the thought from my mind. “What happened to Adam?”

Paul ran his long fingers through his thinning sandy-blond hair. “He decided he needed a change, I guess. He was MIA for a couple of days and then Mr. Davis showed up. No one at Sunshine knows anything other than that.”

“Well, that’s weird.” Betsy took up residence beside me.

“Oh, hello, Betsy. I didn’t mean to be rude. It’s been a topsy-turvy day.” Paul and Betsy hadn’t quite become friends yet, but they both were trying, and I appreciated it.

There wasn’t a future for us if Paul couldn’t get along with my nearest and dearest. If I’d learned anything from my past, it was I would never allow a man to control my life or have a say in who I kept company with ever again. Not that Paul and I were anywhere near contemplating a future at this point, but I wanted no confusion on the subject. Early stages of a relationship were a fragile thing. Some days, I could see myself making a life with him, and others I sensed a bit of unrest within him, or maybe it was me I sensed it in, but it gave me pause. I wasn’t certain. However, I cared about him and would just take things one day at a time.

Betsy’s smile appeared more as a grimace. She’d had a little thing for Adam, and they’d planned to go out. “He just left without a word? That’s doesn’t make a lick of sense.”

Paul shrugged his thin shoulders. Apparently he wasn’t concerned with where Adam’s sudden departure left the company. “Well, I’ll leave you ladies to finish up. I’ve got two more stops to make with Mr. Davis before we end for the day. See you later tonight, Marygene?”

Tonight I needed to be alone, to ponder choices and deal with closure.

I gave my head a shake and Paul’s mouth thinned into a flat line. My past had left me with issues I couldn’t ignore. Healing and self-care would always need to be a priority and I’d adjusted to that fact. I’d also learned I didn’t need to apologize for it or feel guilty. It was okay to say no. “After the reception tomorrow, we can go out for a bite to eat.” I patted his arm. “Okay?”

He nodded but didn’t look happy about it. “See you tomorrow then. Call me if you get a chance or change your mind.” The way he looked at me with some sense of urgency gave me the impression he had something on his mind he was eager to discuss.

Weddings had that effect on some people. For me, I was content with the way things were and didn’t feel ready to move to the next stage of the relationship. Maybe my intuition would be wrong. I sighed as he turned to leave.

Betsy waited until he left the tent to start her rant. “That just makes no sense. Adam and I had a real connection. We had a date for next Saturday. He wouldn’t leave without telling me!”

“Maybe he had a family emergency. He might call you.” I turned my attention back to the tables.

“Yeah, I guess. Sunshine won’t be the same now. We’ll have to see a lot more of the scarecrow.”

“Scarecrow?”

She threw her arm in the direction Paul had left. “He’s the spitting image of the scarecrow from The Wizard of Oz.”

“No, he isn’t.” I shook my head at her silliness.

“He is! Just picture him standing out in a field. Here, I’ll help.” She threw her arms out and made a painful-looking face. “ ‘If I only had a brain . . .’ ”

“Bets”—I covered a snicker with a cough—“you said you’d try.”

Betsy scrunched up her face. “I lied.”

“Betsy!”

“Oh, for the love of Pete”—Betsy rolled her eyes—“you can’t actually be into that guy. He’s not your type.” She didn’t wait for me to respond. “He’s too tall and skinny. Plus, he’s a Yankee. Topsy-turvy? Who do you know that says topsy-turvy?”

I pursed my lips for a second and scowled at her. “Don’t give me that Yankee nonsense. Javier is a Yankee and you had the hots for him.”

“Javier is different. Sadly, he and I weren’t meant to be. I need a man with a sense of humor.” I laughed, thinking back to Betsy and Javier’s date, where she’d attempted to charm him with her fluent pig Latin.

She chortled when I reminded her.

“Yes, I’ll freely admit Paul is a different type than I normally date, but I think that’s what makes him appealing. Besides, it isn’t serious. We’re just getting to know each other and seeing where it goes.” I’d made my mind up to go slow and be sure of what I was getting into before leaping. The issues I had that resulted from the abuse I’d incurred in my horrendous marriage a couple of years ago taught me to be cautious when it came to committing my life to another. It took me a long time to gain the strength to walk away from Peter Hutchinson. And even longer to open up to anyone about it. Today, I’m stronger thanks to a great therapy group, my amazing friends, and family. I still had bad days when ugly issues surfaced, but I’d learned in therapy I could box them all up and put them away—via my coping mechanisms—and I could repeat the procedure as needed. One day at a time. It’s how I lived. And I was proud of my progress.

“Fine. Whatever. I’ll get this to the work area.” Betsy went to take the deep fryer to the small tent adjacent to the large reception tent. The small workspace afforded us enough square footage to position two refrigerators, three worktables arranged in an L-shape, and storage cabinets. Now, thanks to Alex’s insistence we serve funnel cakes, his favorite fair food, we also had two deep fryers. Jena Lynn and I did our best to try and talk him out of it. It certainly didn’t go with the menu Lucy decided on and even she protested, but in the end, he’d won. I guess he needed to win something, since she monopolized everything else. Thankfully, my brother and diner grill-cook, Sam, would be manning the fryer.

Betsy rejoined me as I finished arranging the final food station. The stations consisted of multiple buffets positioned throughout the wedding reception tent. It allowed wedding guests to mingle with others and sample a variety of menu items.

“Hey, since you’re not exclusive with Paul, you should go out with Javier. He’s uber sexy, even if he doesn’t have a sense of humor. And the two of you have that sexual tension thing going on. That’s plain to anyone with eyes. You know he’s into you. He’s made that clear, and you totally have the hots for him.”

I opened my mouth as my eyes went wide.

Betsy waved her finger in my face, scolding, “Don’t even try to deny it. Plus, he knows about your little affliction.”

I could argue, but her expression told me she wouldn’t be letting the subject of my love life go. Deputy Javier Reyes and I did have a magnetic attraction between us, but there were several problems right off the bat. The most important being he worked for my dad, the sheriff of Peach Cove, and with Alex, plus he was another alpha-male type. I wanted a partner, not a boss. And with the passing of my thirtieth birthday, I needed to make wiser decisions.

“Maybe you should tell Paul about your affliction and see if he runs for the hills.” Betsy smirked as if to say, Gotcha.

As to my affliction, a term Betsy had dubbed it, I was dealing with that better now. As ridiculous as it sounded, my mama, Clara Brown, had been tied to the island since the day she passed. She wasn’t what you’d call a pure heart in life, and now the powers-that-be forced her to remain in limbo on Peach Cove until she made amends. I wasn’t sure what qualified as amends, or what it would take to satisfy the requirement. For all I knew, she could be here my entire life span or be gone tomorrow. What I did understand was if a soul was forced to remain as an island spirit, it created an energy around the person they were communicating with. An aura, if you will. The deceased were drawn to said person, i.e., me. The possibility that I might be insane had lurked in the back of my mind often. Either way, I had to deal with Mama on a regular basis.

“That is not going to happen.”

“I know, I’m kidding. Just don’t settle. You can do way better.”

I smiled at my friend. She meant well. “You have my word. No settling.” I glanced around one last time. Everything appeared as in order as it should at this point. “I guess we’re through here.”

“Yeah. I promised Meemaw I’d go to the rehearsal dinner at the Beach Bum.” Betsy squinched up her face when the last word left her lips. She must have realized her faux pas by bringing up the restaurant where Alex was caught flirting with a tourist who turned out to be Lucy and making the off-again part of mine and Alex’s history permanent. “I’m sorry. I’m an idiot.”

“Don’t be, and you’re not an idiot.” I waved her apology away. “It’s ancient history. I’ve moved on.”

Alex and I had to make a point to stay out of each other’s way. We’d made a go of it and it hadn’t worked out. Before he’d proposed to Lucy, there were times he attempted to rekindle what we’d had. When we weren’t focused on real-life problems, neither one of us could see why we weren’t still together. Then the sensible side of me emerged and I reminded him of our history.

I strolled down the beach near the water’s edge, a lone sandpiper running ahead of me. The foaming water lapped at my toes as the wind whipped my blond hair around my face. Soul-soothing Heaven. The spans of beach space utilized for beach weddings and receptions was a short drive from my house on the east side of the island on Laguna Beach, but today, I’d decided to walk. I glanced toward Aunt Vi’s Pelican Cottage, where she usually enjoyed a glass of wine. This evening the patio remained empty. She’d be attending the rehearsal dinner with Betsy and the rest of the wedding party. I was glad I didn’t have to attend. I could imagine the uncomfortable tension and awkward small talk.

Next door to her cottage stood the newly renovated Sand Dollar, where Javier resided. It also appeared to be empty. He must be on patrol tonight.

I let out a sigh and continued down the beach toward the first real home that belonged to me and only me, Beach Daze Cottage. It’d been love at first sight with the property’s exposed high beams and ample square footage. My friend Yvonne, our popular island designer, had come in and worked her magic, adding wall-to-wall windows with pocket doors that faced the ocean. I had my dream kitchen and just enough money left over to furnish the entire cottage with pieces from estate sales and discount furniture outlets.

When I’d arrived back home a couple of years ago after my horrible marriage ended, I’d moved into my childhood home Mama had left me. Now my sister and her family of three filled the newly rebuilt home with love and laughter. It was as it should be. Jena Lynn had a wonderful husband and a beautiful baby I adored. She’d told me after they’d moved in that her life was everything she’d dreamt it to be. She lived in the perfect home with her little family, the Peach Diner’s business boomed, and we were all together on the island again. The joy I felt for my sister was immeasurable.

When I thought of my own life, there were days I had to focus not to allow loneliness to seep into my bones. My life hadn’t exactly gone to plan. Though I’d grown a lot, I had a great deal more to work to do. I’d been blessed with a wonderful group of friends and, even though my family didn’t fit into the perfect mold, we loved each other and would move mountains for our tribe. Having Mama around complicated a lot of things. Whenever anything out of the ordinary transpired, I was on edge until it turned out not to involve me. On the other hand, the predicament had afforded us time to work through our troubles and have a healthier relationship. If having a relationship with a dead person could be healthy.

Determined to shake this impending blue mood, I decided to open a bottle of wine and assemble the antipasto platter that awaited me in the refrigerator. I’d enjoy it on my lovely back deck and watch the sky go dark. I’d read somewhere that smiling for fifteen seconds, whether you were faking or not, immediately lifted your mood. I gave it a try as I started up the path through the dunes toward my cottage. The bright green herbs growing up from my planters on my deck came into sight. One, two, three . . . The space was lovely and just what I’d always wanted. I fumbled with my little cross-body bag in search of my house key as I climbed the steps. Ten, eleven, twelve . . .

“Marygene.”

I froze and my smile faltered. What is he doing here?

Slowly I turned around and met Alex’s deep chocolate gaze as he took the steps two at a time.

“You ruined my smile count.”

“What?” He shook his head in a bemused fashion. “Never mind. I forgot who I was talking to.” He winked, his attempt at charming me. He’d failed.

“Aren’t you supposed to be at your rehearsal dinner?”

His shoulders rose and fell. “I had to talk to you. May I?” He motioned toward the back door.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. We can sit out here.” There was no way we were going inside. The last time he and I were alone, we’d had a heated discussion that ended in a passionate encounter. Not that I’d go down that road now that he was engaged, but still. In my current state, I didn’t want to take any chances. Wiser decisions, check.

I opened the door and flipped on the outside lights, bathing us in a soft yellow glow.

Alex moved toward the bench; the chives blooming behind him swayed in the breeze as he frowned. “Marygene, this turmoil between us is shredding me. I—”

“Alex—”

He sat and slapped the tops of his thighs in frustration. “Please, just hear me out.”

I waved a hand for him to continue.

“My family is in an uproar because they feel Lucy is the reason you and I didn’t end up together.”

I fought an eye roll. The entire island believed she was the reason.

Alex blew out a breath. “I was never unfaithful to you.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“Yeah, I know you think my flirting was out of hand, but it never went farther than that.” His eyes pleaded with me. “I’m an honorable man, and if life hadn’t fast forwarded with Lucy the way it did”—he glanced off—“well, none of that matters now.”

I studied his face, reading definite conflict in every muscle twitch. With the tiniest bit of encouragement, he’d divulge everything. After fifteen seconds of debate, I decided not to encourage. He’d be married tomorrow, and his confidences should only be shared with his wife. And I wasn’t nor would ever be accused of being the other woman. “I don’t want to be the reason you’re at odds with anyone, especially your family. I told Betsy something similar earlier today.”

He shoved his hands through his thick, wavy black hair. “That girl has always been a handful, but lately she’s gone too far.”

“She just worries about you. Betsy has a heart of gold. She’s loyal and will always have your back. You just have to be honest with her and hash this out.”

He glanced upward before scowling. “We’re talking about Betsy here. She’s nuts!”

I ignored his reference to Betsy’s sanity. “What do you want from me? I can’t force your family to accept Lucy.”

“I know that,” he groused, sounding petulant. “But she’s a little scared of you and she’s terrified of Betsy.”

I chuckled a little and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly. Maybe he was beginning to see his overreaction. The woman clearly had nothing to fear from me and from Betsy—well, a little fear could be healthy. “Alex, this isn’t like you. You’ve never cared what people thought and you used to laugh at rumors. It’ll take time for everyone to adjust to you marrying Lucy. You know how folks are. Why are you really here?”

He sat back against the backrest, but his shoulders were still rounded forward. “You’re right, of course. I was just venting to my friend. Because we promised. . .