Drowning in Christmas (Kate Lawrence Mysteries) Read Online Free

about to go under for the third time.

Two
     
    “I can't believe Jeff is getting married.” Emma, on the phone with me before work on Wednesday morning, was obviously jolted by the news. “He's younger than I am.”
    “What's that got to do with anything?” I wanted to know. “Is it a competition?”
    She was reassuringly scornful. “I could have gotten married about six times since I turned fifteen, as you well know. It's not his age. I'm just astounded that he's getting married at all. He's such a maverick, and he and Donna have been doing just fine the way they are, like you and Armando, you know?”
    I swallowed guiltily. Despite my determination never to marry again, about which I had been vociferous, Armando and I had had several conversations over the past year on the subject of marriage, specifically, the possibility of ours.
Never say never.
“Well, we can't know what prompts these things. Maybe Donna needs health insurance, and Jeff's employer won't provide coverage for domestic partners. Circumstances back people into corners sometimes.”
    She considered that possibility. “I suppose. Do you think that might ever happen to you and Armando?”
    “The way this real estate market is shaping up, I wouldn't discount the idea altogether,” I hedged. “People have gotten married for worse reasons, and if they're committed to each other anyway, why not?” I cleared my throat. “Of course, plenty of people still seem to want to get married for more romantic reasons, you know, stand up in front of their friends and families, say the words, take the vow.”
    Emma digested this surprising commentary from me in silence but forbore to grill me further on the subject. “Whatever. So Jeff's getting married, and Daddy has volunteered you to host the big event. Is that about the size of it?”
    I hastened to soften her father's part in this scenario. “Pretty much, but you know he would have had it at his place if he could have. It's just not possible. Plus, there's a terrific caterer who's agreed to do most of the work.”
    Emma laughed. “Yeah, right. He'll sail in forty-five minutes before the ceremony, unload a bunch of food, and go outside to have a cigarette. What about the table set-ups and the drinks and the decorations? How about flowers, photographs? Who's sending out the invitations and tracking the responses? Are Jeff and Donna registered someplace so people will have a clue about gifts?” She paused for breath.
    “Good grief, are all of those things up to me to arrange?”
    She chuckled mirthlessly. “You know that movie where Katherine Heigl has been a bridesmaid a couple of dozen times? Well, I'm thirty, and I have a lot of girlfriends. Take my word for it. There's a ton of work involved here. The good news is, a lot of the arrangements should be taken care of by the maid or matron of honor. Who's that going to be?”
    My knowledge of the details of this wedding was sketchy, at best. “I don't know. Are you volunteering?”
    “Heck, no, I'm not volunteering. I just need to know who to call to get this show on the road.”
    My heart lifted as I sensed help on the horizon. “You're willing to do that?”
    I could hear the smile in her voice. “That's why you called me, isn't it? Since I already have you doing the traditional New England Christmas Eve bit on my behalf, the least I can do is help you out with this wedding. A wedding!” I heard her slap her forehead. “This is going to be some kind of Christmas, isn't it?” Was I imagining it, or was Emma actually enjoying this?
    “Some kind,” I agreed cautiously. I had always found the holidays somewhat overwhelming, and until this year, I thought Emma felt the same way. Maybe she harbored some Norman Rockwell leanings after all. I knew that her brother had a soft spot for the holidays, despite his trucker machismo, but Emma? Well, at least she had volunteered to help. I clung to the thought.
    “I'll call Sheila today and get the skinny,