Wedding Bear Blues

Book 4: Teddy Bear Mystery

by Meg Macy

Genres: Mystery; Animal Cozy Mysteries; Craft & Hobby Cozy Mysteries; Culinary Cozy Mysteries

Synopsis

When a heartless killer ruins a Valentine's Day wedding, teddy bear shop manager Sasha Silverman vows to solve the crime . . .
 
At the Silver Bear Shop and Factory, Sasha will be selling plenty of bride and groom teddy bears come springtime. But this Valentine's Day weekend, she'd take any of those silent, stuffed couples over the real thing. Sasha and her sister Maddie are bridesmaids at Cissy Davidson’s upcoming wedding in Silver Hollow. Cissy is fuming over the worst choice of best man—the jerk who broke her sister Debbie's heart—and the groom-to-be won't budge in his decision. At the rehearsal dinner you could cut the tension with a wedding cake knife.

That is, until best man Dylan is found dead, impaled with an ice pick. Although jilted Debbie is the most likely suspect—the blood on her dress doesn't help her case—the bride begs Sasha to prove her sister's innocence. If anyone's going to walk down the aisle, Sasha will first need to find the cold-hearted killer who iced Dylan . . .
 

 

Release date: December 29, 2020

Publisher: Kensington Books

Print pages: 304

Sample

“Please help me. Teddy has a broken leg!” The little boy thrust his fuzzy bear into my hands. “Fix Beary for me, Dr. Sasha.”

“Of course I will.” I wiggled the toy’s leg. “Hmm, it does seem to be hurting him. We’ll fix him up, no problem. What’s your name?”

“Connor. Do you think he needs an operation?”

I suppressed a laugh, fighting to remain serious. “How about we take his temperature first. Here, put this thermometer on Beary’s forehead. Oh, good. He doesn’t have a fever,” I said. “Now we’ll take an X-ray. Be a good patient, Beary.”

The little boy followed me, holding his teddy, along with his mother. We’d moved the office printer into one of the Silver Bear Shop’s front rooms. Our store, the only one of its kind in southeastern Michigan, sold teddy bears of all sizes and their accessories, produced in the factory behind our renovated Victorian home. Silver Hollow residents were proud of our family business along with the Quick Mix factory, which provided jobs for village residents. And I was proud of our growing success since my dad retired and I agreed to manage the business.

This afternoon we moved the accessory racks and hung sheets over the shelves to avoid distractions for the children who brought their bears in for a “checkup.” Once Connor placed his teddy on the printer’s glass, I pressed the button. A sheet of paper emerged from the other side. Aunt Eve took it over to the “developer” and swapped it for preprinted “X-rays” that my sister Maddie had produced a few days before our Teddy Bear Care Clinic. I took my time studying the sheet and then handed it to the little boy with a smile.

“Good news, it’s not broken. See the leg bone here? It’s straight without any break, but it might be sprained. Have you ever been to the hospital for any reason?”

When he shook his head, I retrieved the stethoscope hanging around my neck and then winced. A strand of my long blond hair had gotten caught, so I untangled it. I knew I should have either gotten a haircut or pulled it all back into my usual ponytail. I handed one of the earpieces to him and placed the diaphragm against my T-shirt.

“Everyone needs a few simple tests when they visit a doctor. Take a listen to my heartbeat. It’s not scary, is it?”

“Just thump-ity thump.”

“Let’s listen to your heart. I bet it’s the same.” Keeping an eye on the boy’s mother, who was smiling, I placed the diaphragm against his chest. “Hear that? Good. Now what do you think we should do for your bear’s sprained leg?”

“Put a bandage on it?”

“You’d make a great doctor. Okay, Beary, let’s bandage that leg so it can heal. It won’t hurt.” I pulled open the desk drawer. “What color of elastic wrap for Beary?”

Once I wrapped the toy’s leg, Connor flung his arms around my neck. “He’s all better now! Thank you, Dr. Sasha. Beary says thank you, too.”

“You’re welcome. Make sure he gets enough rest. And don’t miss the nutrition station to learn what foods are best to eat for you and your teddy.”

“Thanks, Dr. Sasha. Bye.”

The little boy tugged his mother toward the next table, where my sister explained the various fruits and vegetables, meats, and grains to eat. Maddie looked adorable with her dark pixie haircut and blond streaks that brightened her complexion. Her borrowed scrubs looked huge on her petite build. She tied a balloon around the bear’s arm and handed a pamphlet to Connor’s mother before they joined the others trooping out the door. We’d given out almost a hundred red and white heart balloons plus goodie bags with teddy bear bandages, coupons for vitamins, hygiene tips, and vaccination pamphlets.

Plus a map to the local pediatric and after-hours clinics. I insisted on giving out heart-shaped candy suckers, too. My friend, a hospital nurse, had suggested it. I’d squeezed into the largest-size green cotton scrubs she’d brought, and now wished I hadn’t indulged in so many Christmas cookies over the holidays. My downfall, truly. I couldn’t resist them.

“Oof. I’m gonna have to freeze the Girl Scout Thin Mints I ordered,” I said.

“I’m shocked you didn’t order cookies from Fresh Grounds to hand out,” my significant other, Jay Kirby, teased me. His gorgeous hazel eyes twinkled. “Or Teddy Grahams, at least.”

“I forgot to buy them. I didn’t have the heart to ask Mary Kate to make specialty cookies at the last minute. She’s on bed rest. Fresh Grounds is swamped enough with baking all their muffins and pastries for daily sales.”

He looked around at the crowd of parents and kids taking part in the health clinic. “Gotta admit, for a late Tuesday afternoon, turnout’s been fantastic.”

“I’m so glad, too. I scheduled this for Valentine’s Day, but then ChocoLair—that new shop over on Main Street—wanted a launch party on that Sunday.” I sighed. “That means this whole week will be crazy. Maddie and I are standing up in Cissy Davison’s wedding on Saturday. Don’t forget you’re my plus-one guest for the reception.”

“I won’t. I’m making an ice sculpture for the rehearsal dinner at the hotel.”

My mouth dropped open. “You are? How will you manage, plus delivering it—”

“My brother Paul said he’d get it there.”

Jay kissed my cheek and headed over to greet one of the last visitors, a fearful little girl clutching her Winnie the Pooh teddy bear. I turned back to chat with two parents who held out flyers for the Chocolate Bear Bar, and explained how we planned to host it at the Silver Bear Factory, how ChocoLair would provide chocolate-themed treats and activities, and that we’d be finished early enough on Sunday afternoon for parents to enjoy their Valentine’s Day evening.

I never figured Cissy Davison would object, since her wedding was on the thirteenth of February. She would be long gone on her honeymoon by then, but Cissy complained that the event would upstage her plans. I stood my ground, however. Since her fiancé took my side in the argument, Cissy had to back down. She’d already alienated one friend, who refused to reschedule a long-planned anniversary trip to Hawaii in order to be in the bridal party.

That led Cissy to ask if I’d be a substitute bridesmaid. I felt uncomfortable, however, even though Maddie begged me to accept. She’d been asked from the beginning, being a close friend of Cissy’s sister, Debbie, the maid of honor. I couldn’t help wondering why Cissy hadn’t asked other friends instead of me. Unless the rumors of her acting like a bridezilla were true.

I dreaded wearing a satin strapless dress with four-inch high heels. I was sure to fall flat on my face. Carrying a bouquet of white lilies would certainly kick in my allergies big-time, too. I liked Cissy despite her dramatics, although I preferred Debbie for her easygoing and friendly personality. Debbie also provided the Silver Bear Shop with jars of honey from her beehives. We sold out of every jar within days.

That honey was amazing for taste and purity. I sighed, wishing I didn’t have to bow to pressure to keep the Davisons happy.

I adjusted the fake DR. SASHA tag on the lanyard around my neck. Maddie created the tags to designate our staff personas. Jay insisted on being a nurse, since more men had joined the ranks formerly filled only by women. My aunt and I acted as doctors. Kids were delighted to bring in their teddy bears, accompanied by parents, despite the weather. We had a streak of bitter cold, below zero at night, but no snow since the January thaw.

I was grateful for that. Winter in Michigan could change from frigid to balmy in a heartbeat. A week ago, I only wore a sweater on a sixty-five-degree afternoon. Today I had donned thermal underwear beneath this thin cotton uniform.

“These kids are adorable, aren’t they?” Aunt Eve glanced around the room. “The parents seem receptive to the information, too. Especially the importance of vaccines.”

“I don’t know how many times Mom told us how miserable she was getting both kinds of measles,” I said with a laugh. “And the chicken pox.”

“I got the mumps at eight months old,” my aunt said, “and both measles. Horrible. Kids are lucky they can avoid all that with shots. Guess we’d better start cleaning up.”

Almost everyone had departed by now, the kids happily clutching their bears and the treat bags. I sent Aunt Eve over to chat with the last stragglers, who wanted more information about our specially priced Valentine bears wearing denim overalls and red shirts, white dresses with red hearts, or red-and-white pajamas. A few more sales didn’t hurt, either. I helped Jay stack chairs and store them.

“One event down for this week,” he said, and folded the tables next.

I gathered the tablecloths. “Maddie and I have Cissy’s bachelorette party tonight, then the rehearsal and dinner on Friday, the wedding on Saturday, and finally the Chocolate Bear Bar on Valentine’s Day. I wish I could come up to see you at that ice-carving festival up north.”

“There’s always next year,” Jay said. “But I thought Cissy wanted you to cancel the chocolate event at the Silver Bear Factory.”

“Not a chance, since I promised to host it. Would you skip the Harrison Frostbite Festival if someone pitched a fit at you about participating?”

“No way. And I’m a rank amateur compared to some of the artists,” Jay said, half-joking, while he swept the floor. “I’ve done what, maybe three dozen ice sculptures. The real pros have hundreds if not thousands in their portfolios. I’ve got to be there all Friday carving to get the piece looking right. Hope I don’t freeze my fingers off, too.”

“You said you have special gloves, though. How’s the new hand saw?”

“The Japanese one? I paid more for it than all my drills, the grinder and sander tools, the brushes, and chisels put together. Worth the money, though.”

“It’s so cool you’re branching out from woodcarving.”

“Gotta admit the ice carvings I’m doing for local restaurants pay the bills, since the bigger commissions in wood are hit and miss.” Jay collected the last health clinic sign. “I’m doing the same design for the Frostbite Festival as I did for the Plymouth Ice Festival, except larger. The teapot, teacup, and saucer with a lot more frills.”

Aunt Eve walked over. “The kids were a lot of fun,” she said. “All those tips from your friend were so helpful about acting like real health professionals.”

I hugged her. “Thanks for volunteering.”

We all shivered in the cold air that swept into the shop when the last parent and child departed. I so wanted to head up north to Harrison near Houghton Lake on Friday with Jay, but I couldn’t get out of the wedding rehearsal and dinner. Cissy would pitch a fit. So would Maddie, since she’d begged me to join her in the bridal party. My sister already had to soothe Debbie’s ruffled feathers over the tight-fitting scarlet bridesmaid dresses and matching high heels.

“How about a La Mesa carryout,” Jay asked, “or do you have to leave soon?”

“The bachelorette party starts at seven, but we told them we’d be late due to the health fair today. I can’t say no to a few Taco Locos, because I’m starving.”

He headed for the parking lot while I filed the extra X-rays in a cabinet. I removed and folded all the cotton sheets from the shelves while Maddie and Aunt Eve rolled out the accessory racks. At last the shop looked back to normal. Maddie pulled off her nurse tag and stethoscope, still chatting about the Super Bowl halftime and commercials. Since I hadn’t watched any of that, I gathered up the leftover goodie bags and dumped them on the table.

“Help me push the copy machine back,” I asked Maddie. “It’s heavy.”

“Probably could use a new one,” she said. “This one is so old.”

“Good luck talking your uncle into that,” Aunt Eve said with a laugh. “You know Ross keeps expenses at the factory down to the bare minimum, if he can. Ever since your dad asked him to supervise production, my husband acts like ordering thread is a hardship.”

I laughed. “Yeah, Uncle Ross is a real character.”

The three of us tugged, pulled, and dragged the machine back into place after a few scrapes along the walls. I wished we’d asked Jay to help move it. Too late now. I glanced around the walls and noticed other dings, scratches, and scrapes. Maybe we needed to close the shop on a weekend and hire painters. That would be a great project for spring. We’d scheduled the exterior job, a huge project given the siding and trim on the corner turret, the second floor Rotunda and sunroom above the back porch, plus all the support posts and shutters.

The thought of all that work gave me a huge headache. Along with the expense—both Dad and Uncle Ross fought against the idea until I produced photos of all the peeling paint, scrapes, and necessary repairs. Maybe we could take a vacation during the down-time. My only worry was preventing damage to our extensive flower beds and shrubbery. But I dismissed that for now.

It was only February, after all.

“I’m looking forward to Cissy and Gus’s wedding,” Maddie said, wiping her damp face, “because I’m tired of all her texts with reminders.”

I laughed. “Yeah, I hear ya. How about if we make a brief appearance tonight, and then come home? I’m ready to crash now.”

“Me too, but we’ll have to see how it goes. Who knows what Cissy has planned, and from what Debbie said, she’s ready for a total meltdown.”

“Great. I’m gonna enjoy the Taco Locos that Jay’s bringing from La Mesa. Who knows what kind of food they’ll have at the party. If any.”

“I’m sure they’ll have some kind of appetizers.”

“Maybe. Why is Cissy on edge anyway? Things have gone well, from what I heard. Love makes the world go around, and the wedding’s almost here.”

“Debbie told me Cissy’s gown didn’t fit, and the design is so complicated it will be difficult to alter without looking weird,” Maddie said. “But whatever.”

“Wow. I thought it’s easy to take a dress in at the seams.”

“I guess Cissy gained ten pounds from all the stress, but she refuses to own up to it. Cost a few grand, so her mom is really upset. You can’t add any material to an already tight-fitting creation. Remember, you had the opposite problem.”

“Don’t remind me,” I said. “Ugh.”

My own disastrous fitting long ago proved how nervous I’d been before the wedding, unable to eat or sleep. The dress looked like a parachute on me, another red flag against marrying Flynn Hanson. Divorcing him was far easier.

“How many people did Cissy and Gus invite?” I asked.

“Almost four hundred,” Maddie said, “and their friends have already arrived to party hearty, starting with last weekend’s bachelor party.”

“Knock, knock!”

ChocoLair’s owner, Joelynn Owens, entered by the office’s side door, pulling a handcart loaded with boxes behind her. The door slammed shut, almost upsetting the cart. I caught a glimpse of the falling snow outside, covering the cars, ground, trees—several inches by now. Joelynn batted her overlarge brown eyes, thick with false eyelashes. Her makeup looked flawless on her bronze-hued skin, and her dark hair curled over her shoulders. I’d never seen her in sweats or old clothes, ever. She always dressed like a star.

I was lucky to dab eye shadow and blush on, grab earrings, and brush my wet hair after a morning shower. If only I could jump out of bed every morning like my sister, but that required massive effort. And a gallon of coffee.

Today Joelynn’s white coat reminded me of an alpaca with its shaggy fur. Tall black leather boots, black slacks, and a white beret complemented her trendy look, and the tweedy red scarf added a pop of color. When she held up a bag, I inhaled the delicious scents of chocolate and cinnamon.

“Ooh, what is it?” Maddie squealed, peeking inside.

“Chocolate babka. I just baked it, and figured you deserved a treat after today. Plus it’s a thanks for hosting the Chocolate Bear Bar on Sunday. Valentine’s Day is perfect timing,” she said happily. “These are all the supplies for the different stations at the event. I don’t have room for storage. My shop is so tiny, so I figured you wouldn’t mind finding a spot here.”

“Mmm.” Maddie had already gobbled a piece of cake and swooned.

“Hey, save me some,” I said, and grabbed the bag.

“There’s three or four slices,” Joelynn said with a laugh. “Plenty to share.”

“Heavenly,” I mumbled, my mouth full. “What kind of chocolate did you use?”

“A Dutch-processed cocoa powder that I buy online. Makes the best brownies, too.” She waved a sheet of paper. “We’re full up already in a head count. I want to give the adults room to help their kids, so I’m putting six at a table instead of eight.”

“Wow,” I said, surprised. “I figured thirty bucks for a parent and their child might be prohibitive, costwise. I guess not.”

“They’re getting a lot for the price. Chocolate-dipped Oreos and marshmallows, drizzled popcorn and pretzels, plus all the different molded teddy bears. You’ve helped so much to get our new shop off the ground in Silver Hollow,” Joelynn added. “Cheri was so worried, but orders are piling up. And we haven’t opened yet.”

“Cheri’s been popping antacids since Christmas, from what her sister told me.” I knew Joelynn’s business partner was due to give birth any day to her first child. “You won’t have any problems getting Easter orders, with all your hand-molded chocolate eggs and bunnies. People will swarm your shop for Mother’s Day, too. In the fall, your gourmet caramel and chocolate-coated apples will sell like hotcakes.”

“Remember we’ve got to leave soon, Sasha,” Maddie warned. “It’s almost seven.”

“What’s going on tonight?” Joelynn asked.

“The bachelorette party for Cissy Davison.”

“Oh, the wedding of the season! I heard all about her personal shower.”

Maddie snickered. “The naughty-or-nice theme, with an emphasis on the ‘naughty.’ ‘Tushie’ cookies, chocolate-dipped bananas, and a cake with a plastic naked guy emerging from it. A ‘Pin the Macho on the Man’ game, too. I bought her matching silk robes with ‘Hers’ and ‘Mine, Too’ embroidery for their Tahitian honeymoon.”

“Cissy received enough lingerie to supply a boutique,” I added. “I doubt she even noticed the personalized beach towels I gave her, and a bikini with a matching sarong.”

“She loved the designer sunglasses her sister gave her,” Maddie said, “plus two sets of ‘Thong of the Day’ in tropical colors.”

“Oh, I saw those in Devonna Walsh’s catalog,” Joelynn said. “And the teddy bear that hides all the fun, intimate little toys—”

I cut her off. “Don’t go there, please.”

“But teddy bears are for cuddling, right?” Joelynn laughed. “Okay, so where should I put all this stuff? It’s mostly the plastic and silicone chocolate molds, plus sprinkles, decorations, heart streamers, a banner, that kind of stuff. I’m bringing the chocolate on Sunday at noon so we can melt it ahead of time.”

“Follow me over to the factory. Might as well store it there.”

“I’m going up to change,” Maddie said. “We need to go by eight.”

“Okay, we’ll hurry.”

Joelynn waited while I zipped up my jacket and grabbed a knit hat. Together we headed out into icy gusts that stung my eyelids and cheeks. I pointed out any slick spots on the winding pathway, and then held the door open while she pushed the handcart inside. Uncle Ross stood there, the cap on his head at the usual jaunty angle, arms crossed over his chest. I caught a quick glimpse of affection in his eyes before his familiar scowl descended on us.

“What the devil is all this, Sasha?”

“We’re hosting the Chocolate Bear Bar on Sunday, remember. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, from two o’clock until five.”

“But it’s only Tuesday.”

“We’re storing these boxes until then. They won’t be in your way.”

He shook his head. “We don’t have room for more junk—”

“I’ll find a spot and make sure everything’s put back into place after the event. We’re here to serve the community, not just make a profit,” I said. “Hosting ChocoLair will give residents a chance to learn what the new shop will offer.”

Ignoring my uncle’s glare, I breezed past him without another word. Too bad his brief second honeymoon with Aunt Eve hadn’t relieved his ornery attitude. But I knew the staff had been swamped with producing Valentine’s Day accessories for our teddy bears, plus green sweaters and dresses for St. Patrick’s Day, and pastel-hued clothing for spring. I was sure he also resented the upcoming spring painting of the shop and factory as well.

Still, that was no excuse to be rude.

“This way, Joelynn.” I gestured down the hall to the room that held the huge stuffing machine. Bags of polyester filled the wall of shelves opposite. “I left a note for my aunt to order more shipping boxes and Styrofoam peanuts. Guess I’d better add Poly-fil to the list.”

Joelynn pushed the handcart past me. “Cheri told me that someone was murdered here last fall. Is that true?”

“Unfortunately, yes. That’s why we walled this machine off from the factory.”

I suppressed all the memories of our former sales rep, Will Taylor and the hassles he’d given me last fall. Few if any mourned his death. But Silver Hollow residents had yet to recover from Mayor Bloom’s murder in December. No one had expected that. I didn’t anticipate coming face-to-face with his killer, either. A shiver raised goose bumps on my arms.

Joelynn brushed dust from her slacks. “That’s the last box. Thanks again, Sasha.”

“See you Saturday night to set up all the tables and chairs.”

“Sure thing. Maybe Cheri will come, too.”

I headed back to the shop, waving when Joelynn drove off, and let my dogs outside. Jay had rescued Sugar Bear, a sweet little poodle, and given her to me as a Christmas present. Rosie, a Lhasa Apso and Bichon Frise mix, had yet to adjust to Sugar Bear’s domination. Poor baby. She was so used to being the only dog in the family since her puppy days, but Rosie would eventually adjust. I hoped, anyway, since I’d spoiled her for so long.

I wasn’t sure which was worse, the dogs’ competition for attention or the dog-and-cat wars. Onyx, Maddie’s black cat, had lately shown them both who was the real boss—scratching Rosie’s nose, and biting Sugar Bear. When we returned inside, Onyx perched on the window seat and stared at both dogs with haughty derision. She hissed when Sugar Bear danced around for a treat. Rosie gobbled her treat and then curled up near the heating duct.

When Jay arrived, he handed me the large brown bag from La Mesa and kicked off his snowy boots. “I swear I’m gonna roast that damned dog.”

I stared at him in shock. “You can’t mean Sugar Bear? Or Rosie?”

“Nope. Cissy’s dog.” He ran a hand over his damp light brown hair. “She dumped him on her parents while she’s busy with the wedding, remember, but Mr. Clooney’s running around everywhere. And haunting the spot behind Silver Moon where I practice my ice carving.”

“So?”

“Every day I have to clean my boots and my car’s floor mats. Can’t we do something? The dog’s leaving big piles of poop all over!”

I fought back laughter at his dismay. “Aren’t they more like frozen logs?”

Jay glared at me. I felt bad for making a joke at his expense, but couldn’t help it. He looked adorable, with a faint outline of a five o’clock shadow on his jaw, and clad in his usual plaid flannel shirt and rugged cargo pants. Jay’s lean build was deceptive. He had powerful arms and shoulders, given his carvings in ice and wood. And he was incredibly talented with both. Maybe I was biased, but I was so proud of him.

“The weather’s been up and down lately, cold one day and springlike the next. Some of the piles are frozen, but most have thawed,” he said. “Plus we shouldn’t have to clean up after Mr. Clooney. That’s the Davisons’ job.”

“Okay, I’ll ask Mrs. Davison to see if they can check their fence and gates.”

“I doubt she’ll do anything. I had to hose off the studio floor today because I tracked that poop all over the place. And I hate to deliver my ice carvings to the hotel with that smell on my. . .