Rebecca waved her arm in acknowledgment. Once she saw the treasure trove of expensive tools and gadgets inside Marlise’s tool chest, she understood the paranoia to not let anyone break into it.
Despite being packed full, everything was organized, and Rebecca found the zip ties after only a thirty-second search. She slammed the lid shut and locked it, checking to make sure she couldn’t pull it up again.
Errand girl, extraordinaire. That would be her role today. Her Fitbit would get some great mileage. She returned the zip ties and keys to Marlise, taking a minute to let her breathing return to normal.
“Did you lock it?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Okay, now, go stand on the hill above the parking lot and wait for the bride’s parents. Do not, under any circumstances, let them in the castle to see what a mess their daughter is this morning. Take them on a tour of the grounds, recruit them for creating a playlist for the DJ. Whatever you can think of. But if the bride’s sister arrives, send her in immediately. She’s the only sane person in the family.”
“How will I know who—?”
“You’ll welcome everyone who arrives and ask them who they are. Politely.”
“Got it.”
***
Jay had coaxed the groom into his tux, and his best man finally showed up, though not in much better shape. Sometimes he gave into Clarissa’s little betting games and placed wagers on weddings like this. If he had to guess, he’d say this marriage had five years at most. Which was sad. Sometimes this job was just sad.
He went outside for some fresh air and sat down on a stone bench, staring across the beautiful grounds. They paid the landscapers a fortune to keep up the place.
He touched his speaker button. “Marlise, how are things out there?”
“Guests are filing in. The officiant has arrived. Rebecca, how are you? Anyone with you that would like to find their seat for the ceremony?”
What did that mean? Who was with Rebecca?
There was a long pause, and Jay stood up, walking around the side of the castle to look for her.
Finally, Rebecca answered. “Everything is excellent here. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips are with me, and we’re checking out the lake.”
“I don’t want to see some stinky lake,” said an imperious voice in the background. “This is my daughter’s wedding day, and I’d like to see her before the ceremony starts. Just look at my shoes. Why did you take us out here?”
Marlise sighed. “Jay, would you please assist Rebecca and the Phillips?”
He was already on it. He hurried to the carriage house and jumped on a golf cart parked inside. The lake was a pretty far walk, but with the golf cart, he’d be there in minutes. He needed to crest the next hill and he’d see them. What was Rebecca thinking?
Clarissa’s voice came through, with just a touch of laughter. “The bride is ready for her mother to come in. We’ll head down now so she won’t have to come up all these stairs.” She paused to talk to someone in the background. “But no hurry.”
Jay rolled his eyes. So they’d asked Rebecca to stall the bride’s parents. He spotted her and the indignant couple on the east side of the lake and headed that way. When he got close enough to see faces, he sent Rebecca a quick look of apology before focusing on Mrs. Phillips as he parked and approached them. Her spiked heels had indeed sunk into the wet grass, though from her screeching, he’d expected her to be three inches deep in mud.
“Good morning, Mrs. Phillips. Lovely day for a wedding, isn’t it?”
Mrs. Phillips glared at him and gestured down at her feet. “She’s paying for these shoes. I insist.”
“Dear, they’re just shoes.” Her husband stared up into the mountains. “Beautiful location, I have to admit.”
“For what we paid, it better be.” Mrs. Phillips took Jay’s proffered arm and stepped into the golf cart. “Kenzie must be frantic, wondering where I am.”
Jay glanced at Rebecca, who was getting in the backseat with Mr. Phillips. Her face was beet red and her back rigid. Jay raised his eyebrows and smiled, a reminder she should do the same. She glared at him and then smiled brilliantly, turning to Mr. Phillips. “Do you golf?”
“As often as I can.”
Mrs. Phillips harrumphed.
“We’ll pay for the shoes, ma’am. And if you’ll give me your shoe size, I’ll have someone fetch you a pair to change into.”
