Wedding Day Murder by Leslie Meier Read Free Book Online Page B

Lucy noticed the designer warm-up suit Thelma was wearing. It was made of some shiny, silky material that Lucy doubted would actually absorb a single bead of sweat and was trimmed with glittering gold braid. Thelma was wearing matching gold sandals, and her toenails, like her fingernails, were polished with bright-red lacquer.
    Turning to greet Ron, Lucy struggled not to show how disappointed she was. Ron was not the groom she had imagined for Sidra; she suspected that if Ron ever ventured into Brooks Brothers or Ralph Lauren he would be politely ushered to a back room. He was tall and dark, all right, but he wasn’t handsome. His nose was too big, his chin too small. His shoulders were narrow, and although he was thin, he didn’t appear to be in very good shape. His pale white skin, though it would have gladdened the heart of a dermatologist, had the unfortunate effect of emphasizing his five o’clock shadow. Worst of all, he was wearing black socks with shorts and sandals.
    â€œIt’s so nice to meet you,” murmured Lucy, wondering what in the world Sidra saw in this fellow.
    He didn’t bother to get out of his chair, or even to take her proffered hand. Instead, he raised one hand in a little wave, as if he were making that last half turn to install a new light bulb.
    â€œCongratulations are in order, I think,” said Lucy, taking a seat. “You’re very fortunate to have won Sidra’s heart.”
    â€œUh,” he said, peering at her through his thick, black-framed eyeglasses. He blinked. “Thank you,” he finally said, as if trying out a new phrase in a foreign language.
    Lucy glanced at Sid, wondering what he thought of his future son-in-law. From the way he was glowering, Lucy guessed he wasn’t quite ready to welcome him into the family.
    â€œNow what would you all like to drink?” asked Sue. “I have iced tea, beer, wine. What would you all like?”
    â€œI’ll have iced chai latte,” said Thelma. “So yummy.”
    â€œOh, dear,” said Sue. “I don’t think I have that. In fact, I don’t know what it is.”
    Thelma looked at her as if she must be a new arrival from Mars. “It’s all the rage in New York.”
    â€œI’m sure it is,” replied Sue. “This is Maine. We’re just catching on to iced coffee.”
    â€œWell, then, iced tea will be fine.”
    â€œSame here,” said Ron.
    â€œI’ll have wine,” said Lucy, pretty sure that Sue was dying for a glass but wouldn’t drink unless someone else did.
    â€œA beer for you, Sid?” asked Sue, in a bright tone.
    â€œSure,” he growled back.
    Lucy was about to offer to help with the drinks, but she realized her job was to entertain the Davitzes—not to gossip about them in the kitchen.
    â€œDid you have a nice trip?” she asked.
    â€œMarvelous,” said Thelma, gesturing with her hands and setting her jewels to twinkling and clinking. “Of course, the yacht is the best way to travel. So roomy and comfortable, and the crew do absolutely everything for you.”
    Lucy was momentarily speechless. “Ah,” she said. “That was your yacht I saw in the harbor today at lunchtime?”
    â€œWell, the Sea Witch isn’t really ours. We’re just renting him for the summer.”
    â€œHer, Mom,” corrected Ron in a sharp voice. “You call yachts her.”
    â€œWell, how am I supposed to know that?” demanded Thelma. “I come from Englewood, New Jersey.”
    Hoping to prevent an argument, Lucy posed a question.
    â€œSo, Ron,” she asked, “how do you like the seafaring life?”
    â€œOh,” he said, pausing to find just the right word, “it’s okay.”
    â€œHe’s so modest,” said Thelma, somehow managing to include a note of criticism in her compliment. “You’d never know to look at him that he’s well on his way