Caught in the Frame (Ponderosa Pines Cozy Mystery Series Book 3) by ReGina Welling (novel24 .TXT) 📕

“Would you like to see my portfolio? Your mother tells me you’ve done some work in the industry as well.” While she spoke, Baylee pulled an iPad from her bag, cuing it up to start a slideshow.

“Mostly fashion. A couple weddings.” Chloe answered absently, her attention focused on the play of images across the small screen.

“Lovely.” EV ventured, after watching Chloe flick through fifteen or so images.

“You have a great eye for color, and a knack for catching those candid moments that tell a story.” Chloe couldn’t help but admire the skill. “These are spectacular.”

“Thank you.” Baylee said sincerely.

“There’s one thing, though.” Lila said. “Well, two, really. First, make sure to catch my best side; and second, you’re also a guest at this wedding, so I hope you’ll take some time out for a little fun.” Chloe heard lightheartedness and also something weightier, more serious, in Lila’s command.

“And Photoshop out all my wrinkles.” EV chimed in. “And the zit that’s going to pop up on Chloe’s forehead six hours before the shindig.”

“Seriously? Thanks for cursing me, evil one.” Chloe tossed an exaggerated mock glare at EV. “If it happens, there will be payback.”

“I’d expect nothing less.” EV looked at Lila. “Did she tell you what she did to me with the online dating service?”

“You started it.”

“Now, now, children.” Lila cautioned. Baylee listened and laughed with the three animated women who were going to be a joy to photograph.

Half an hour later, amid empty plates, Lila put both elbows on the table and leaned forward to say conspiratorially, “If a troll named Hannah tells you she’s my wedding coordinator, you ignore her and call me right away. The woman is delusional, and I wouldn’t let her coordinate my dog’s birthday party.”

“Hannah Frank? I’ve heard of her before.” Baylee’s tone suggested none of what she had heard was good, “Wasn’t she involved in some sort of fracas last year?” Baylee searched her mind. “The details were kept hush-hush, which probably makes it sound worse than it was.”

“That’s the one. Just keep an eye out for her, and ignore anything she tells you to do.” Lila tapped her fingers on the table.

“You should be able to pick her out of the crowd pretty easily, she’s a cross between Barbie and Hitler.” An inelegant snort almost caused Baylee’s drink to fly out of her mouth at EV’s dry comment.

Chapter 9

As chance would have it, EV, taking advantage of a break in wedding detail duty, had decided to check out the gym, and was walking past the reception area when a familiar voice cut through the air like a knife. Every muscle in her body tensed.

“I told you, I don’t have a reservation, but you must have a suite available. It’s common practice to keep one open in case a VIP shows up. I’m here for a wedding.” EV could almost hear his eyes rolling in their sockets. “Lila LaRue’s wedding.”

Whatever murmured words Antoine’s counterpart behind the desk said, EV couldn’t hear, but the tone of them implied that Remy Vincent was not very important. To keep him from seeing her before she was ready to deal with him, EV ducked out of sight behind a fluted column just a second too late. The castle cat caught sight of his new favorite human and padded over. EV waved him away. The cat thoroughly ignored her efforts. Reaching down, EV lifted him into her arms where, purring loudly, he settled in. His presence gave EV a measure of comfort while she waited for events to unfold.

She listened to the five minute argument that ensued before he was finally offered a room he considered adequate. The condescending way he spoke to the hotel employee mimicked the tone he’d used with her during their last few weeks together. Time split into then and now. Her body wanted to cower; to respond to the ancient then, and slink away from it’s icy embrace. Two deep breaths wheezed through her before a sob tried to escape. EV clenched her fists, nails digging scarlet crescents into her palms. The pinch of physical pain cleared her head. She willed her shoulders to loosen from the bonds of tension gathered there.

That one conscious act triggered another—her jaw slackened; teeth aching from being ground together separated; the knot in her stomach slithered, unwound. A calmness settled over her like a shower of warm spring rain. The past only has power over you if you choose to grasp it tightly. Only by letting go can you remain anchored in the present.

Now pushed then off a cliff to dash upon the rocks of never again. Now was all that was left. Now she was free. EV ran up the stairs in a weightless rush.

* * *

She found Chloe and Nate on the couch, fused together like teenagers.

“Get a room.” Her voice startled the two of them apart.

“This is my room.” Frustration painted an sharp, stony edge on the words until Chloe got a good look at EV’s face. Something was different. It was subtle, but Chloe knew everything had changed. “What happened?” She sat up, breaking away from Nate, and leaned forward to hear.

EV slumped onto the nearly love seat-sized chair opposite the sofa. “Remy just checked in.”

Instantly, Chloe’s body tensed as she went on full alert. “Did you talk to him? Did he see you? Tell me.”

“No and no. I saw him, but he didn’t see me. I hid behind a column and listened to him act like a total asshat to the staff. He browbeat his way into a suite in the south wing.”

“That’s over near the end of the castle that hasn’t been fully renovated yet. It’s worse than the area Mom stuck Nate in.” Concern tilted Chloe’s head; she gave EV the once over to gauge her mood. What she saw settled the matter. Rock solid hands, relaxed shoulders, and a sense of calm.