She nodded. “There are other things you should know.”
“Hit me, but not literally. I feel like a walking bruise.”
“Most of the tourists have left, but we are still at capacity at all of our lodgings.”
“Good.”
“The murder mystery went so well, I am adding it to our annual events.”
“Thanks for warning me.”
She gave me a sour look. “Robyn and I are renegotiating our agreement, seeing as it was influenced by a leprechaun.”
“Prudent.”
“And I have taken over all matters of your wedding, which I will, of course, acquire Ryder’s blessing for.”
“What? No, I don’t think that’s a good idea. He’s worked hard to put it all together.”
“Yes, yes. And he has done a remarkable job,” she said dismissively. “Except for the cheese.”
“I’ll tell him you said so.”
“Tell him no such thing. But now, as agift,” she added, because she was a dirty rat and knew how to prey on my sense of fairness, “I will take the reins and steer the wedding to its glorious conclusion.”
“I don’t…I don’t think he’s going to want that.”
“Ask him,” she said briskly. “I am familiar with his plans and have done my homework. I know what he wants, who he’s hired, and every detail he’s dropped. I will carry the load, so that you and he can do nothing more than enjoy the event with those you love.”
Like I said, a dirty rat. She knew how to use my heart against me too. “I’ll talk to him.”
“Of course.”
“No guarantee he’ll say yes.”
“Of course.”
“I’ll let you know tomorrow.”
“Yes. Of course you will.”
She took my elbow and guided me out of the office, down to the waiting room where Ryder, in a hospital T-shirt he’d scored from someone, was slouched in a chair, half-asleep.
“Hey,” he said. “Are you in trouble?”
I took his hand and tugged him up to his feet. “Not yet. Wanna go home? Maybe sleep for a century?”
He groaned softly. “Yes, please.”
Myra came walking into the waiting area. “Okay, everyone’s paperwork.” She handed each of us a manila folder.
“Thanks,” Jean said, her eyes a little shiny from the pain-killer they’d given her. “Can we go home now?”
“The van is waiting outside the door. I’ll drive.” She gave each of us a stern look.
None of us had the energy to argue with her.
Spud,who had been spoiled by our neighbor, bounded through the front door, wriggling and beside himself with joy to see Ryder, me, and his favorite dragon-pig.
