The Maid of Honor (A Serenity Springs Mystery Series Book 2) by Elle Gray & K.S. Gray

Author:Elle Gray & K.S. Gray [Gray, Elle & Gray, K.S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Elle Gray , K.S. Gray
Published: 2024-08-09T00:00:00+00:00

I reluctantly leave Noah to sleep off his hangover as I get ready for my workday. Mostly, I envy him—his body sprawled across the bed, looking peaceful and moaning with comfort in his sleep. But I’m also frustrated. I want him up and out. I don’t want to come home to him hovering above the toilet with a monstrous headache. I try to swallow my annoyance as I tiptoe out of the room, knowing there’s no point in trying for a third time to wake him up. That man is a rock, impervious to any attempts at communication or bribery. Even my offer of a greasy breakfast had been met with mumbled grunts and groans, making it clear that he wasn’t going to budge from his spot anytime soon. It’s nice for some, I guess. Unlike him, I didn’t drown my emotions in alcohol, food, or shopping last night. I couldn’t afford to. I need to keep my wits about me, even if my heart is as shredded as my nerves.

After grabbing breakfast for myself, my first stop is the Moreno household to talk to Luna. Donna had called me earlier after listening to Noah’s recording and asked me to conduct another interview with Luna. Despite sounding confused, Luna agreed because she trusts me as her ‘Auntie Birdie.’ I just hope my one-on-one intervention will be effective in helping her. I believe it will be more successful than a big ‘surprise party’-style intervention, at least. I’m not an addict, but I’d hate being bombarded by a group of people like that. I like to know what’s around the corner.

I make the mistake of grabbing breakfast from my favorite spot, Cobblestone Cafe. To my dismay, a long line snakes out the door. It’s much longer than usual, and though I suspect tourists, I fear the media is responsible for the delay. They’ve slowly been infecting the town, like a dripping tap. It’ll be flooded before we know it.

Impatience gnaws at me, and when I finally reach the counter, they’ve sold out of blueberry muffins. Of course. So, I opt for chocolate and order a vegetarian breakfast burrito for Luna. That girl is too thin, and without her mom, I’m worried that her ‘eating’ habits are limited to liquids, nicotine, and sporadic junk food like ramen noodles or Cheetos. Not to mention the heroin.

My fears are not quashed when Luna opens the door, looking thinner than ever with a bag of extra hot, cheesy chips in hand.

“Hey, sweetheart,” I say gently and immediately worry that I might come across as patronizing.

“Hi,” she whispers, her eyes filling with tears. I know that feeling. The feeling of holding it together until somebody asks you if something is wrong.

I pull her into a hug, offer the breakfast that I brought with me, and ask for permission to come inside.

“Of course, Birdie,” she replies, wiping her cheeks as she pulls away. “And thanks. I’m starving. I guess my mom was right about needing to learn how to cook.

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