Wedlock Cake Murder (A Maple Hills Cozy Mystery Book 12) Read online

  “Well,” Nikki replied, “something old is my engagement ring. Something new is my dress.”

  “Here is something borrowed,” Lidia said. “Turn around.” Nikki did what she was told and felt Lidia tug her hair.

  “Now look in the mirror,” Lidia commanded. Nikki did. Her hair had been swept up and secured by a beautiful hair pin. It was diamond studded and sparkled in the sunlight.

  “It’s beautiful,” Nikki breathed.

  “I wore it at my wedding. I hope you have the same happiness that I have had,” Lidia replied. Nikki hugged her.

  “Okay, now I just need something blue,” Nikki said.

  “Here you go,” said Tori, coming into the bedroom. She handed Nikki a box. Nikki opened it and blushed a little. Inside the box was a lace garter with a light blue ribbon intertwined within the lace.

  “It is beautiful and perfect,” Nikki said to Tori. They all giggled.

  “We will be downstairs. Let us know if you need anything,” Lidia said to Nikki. Nikki thanked them and turned to her dress. Nikki had chosen a beautiful rose-colored silk dress that was off the shoulders with long sleeves. Nikki knew the weather would be cold, and since the wedding was being held outside, she chose a long sleeve dress so she would not end up wearing a coat. Nikki put on the garter and slid the dress on. She called for Lidia. Lidia came upstairs and helped her zip up the dress. Nikki walked downstairs using her crutches, and Tori gasped.

  “You look beautiful,” Tori exclaimed. Nikki thanked her. She was glad she had gotten flats for the wedding. Heels would have been a no go. Lidia checked the time.

  “Are you ready?” Lidia asked Nikki.

  “I am,” Nikki replied. Lidia drove Nikki to the park and Tori followed in her car. When they arrived, Nikki got out of the car.

  “You need your crutches,” Lidia scolded, noticing Nikki had left them in the car.

  “I am not walking down the aisle with crutches,” Nikki insisted.

  “Fine, but at least use them to get to the gazebo,” Lidia said. Nikki sighed but got her crutches from the car. She limped over to the gazebo. The gazebo was decorated perfectly. There were fall-colored lights around the edges of the roof and the chairs were all draped in ivory fabric. Someone had strewn rose petals down the aisle and Nikki loved the effect. The chief was there waiting for her at the back end of the aisle. He had on his dress blues.

  Nikki whistled. “Don’t you look dapper.”

  “And you are pretty as a picture,” the chief replied. Nikki thanked him. Tori slipped by and went to find her seat. A local violinist started to play, and Lidia walked down the aisle.

  “I am leaving my crutches here,” Nikki told the chief. “Can you support me?”

  “I will carry you down this aisle if I have to,” the chief replied. Nikki snickered. She ditched her crutches and took the chief’s arm. They paused at the back of the aisle, and Nikki looked up. There were a number of people on both sides of the aisle and the chairs were full. Nikki looked to the front of the gazebo and caught her breath. Hawk was dressed to nines in his tuxedo with tails. He looked so handsome.

  “Are you ready?” the chief asked.

  “You bet,” Nikki said. She walked slowly down the aisle with the chief. When they reached Hawk, the chief took her hand and passed it to Hawk. Hawk leaned down and whispered into Nikki’s ear.

  “You look ravishing,” he said. Nikki blushed deeply, filled with excitement. She couldn’t believe the day had finally arrived. The mayor presided over the service, and Nikki and Hawk read simple vows. Everyone clapped and cheered when Nikki and Hawk kissed at the end. Nikki and Hawk walked down the aisle into a limousine provided by the mayor. There were champagne and two glasses in the back. Hawk poured Nikki a glass and poured one for himself. The limousine driver drove around the town for a little while to allow the guests to get to the mayor’s house for the reception. Nikki liked the peace and quiet of the ride.

  “To us,” Hawk said as he raised his glass. Nikki raised hers, and the glasses met with a clink. Nikki sipped some of the champagne. She and Hawk kissed, and Nikki leaned against him.

  “Did you think we would pull this off with everything else happening?” Nikki asked.

  “I never doubted it,” Hawk replied.

  Nikki kissed him. “That’s why I love you.”

  The driver pulled into the mayor’s driveway. Nikki had no idea what she was walking into. Hawk helped Nikki out of the car, and they walked into the mayor’s house. Practically everyone from the town was inside. Nikki and Hawk walked into a standing ovation. Cries of “Speech” were heard, but Nikki just wanted to sit down with Hawk. She was feeling overwhelmed but in a good way. Hawk guided her to a table with Lidia, Seth, Tori, and the chief.

  “Let me get you something to eat,” Hawk said.

  “Thank you,” Nikki replied. The champagne had made her a bit dizzy. Nikki saw the buffet table. It was full of wonderful fall food. Lidia had arranged all of the food and decorations. Tori and Seth helped prepare the food. Nikki saw fried clams, sautéed clams, steaks, and ham. There were sides of collards and squash. Tori had carved out pumpkins and they were being used to hold the salad dressing and other condiments. There were real fall leaves all over the table. Nikki loved the buffet. She looked around the room. The mayor’s wife had decorated the mansion in a fall decor. There were leaves all around, wreaths, and gourds. Candles were on every conceivable surface and provided soft lighting for the dinner. Nikki thought about the cake but put it out of her mind. It didn’t matter what the cake looked like. Being married to Hawk was the most important thing of all.

  Hawk reappeared with a plate and a glass of juice for Nikki. Nikki enjoyed the food and talked to everyone who stopped by the table. After they ate, Nikki and Hawk went around the house saying hello to everyone. In one room Nikki saw a table piled high with presents.

  “Are all of those for us?” Nikki asked Hawk.

  “Yes, they are,” Hawk said. “We are one popular couple.” Nikki laughed. She could not believe all the people who had come out for the wedding and the reception.

  “Hawk, Nikki,” Nikki heard Lidia cry. She pulled Hawk back toward the table.

  “Come and sit down, it is time for the cake,” Lidia said. Nikki felt a stab of melancholy but brushed it off. She had really wanted to surprise Hawk. The cake was going to mean so much to him. Nikki and Hawk sat at the table. A door opened and Nikki saw the front of a cart being pushed out. Lidia was guiding the cart and Seth and Tori were on either side blocking the cake. Nikki moved back and forth but she could not see the cake or who was pushing the cart. All of a sudden Lidia, Tori, and Seth dropped away. Nikki and everyone else gasped. Sylvia from the chocolate competition was standing there. In front of her was the exact cake that Nikki was going to make.

  “Wait. How did you do this? Sylvia?” Nikki stuttered. Sylvia came over and gave Nikki a hug.

  “Your dear friend Lidia called and told me your cake predicament. I came over a few days ago and took a look at your sketches and notes. I pieced this together. I hope it is everything you wanted,” Sylvia said to Nikki. “You helped me at the chocolate competition, and I felt I owed you a favor. It was my honor to make this for your special day.”

  Nikki was speechless. So was Hawk. They got up to look at the cake.

  “Wait,” Hawk said. “Is that what I think it is?”

  Nikki regained her voice. “Yes, it is,” she replied.

  The cake was three tiered. It had dark chocolate frosting with white highlights. Nikki knew without tasting it that Sylvia had gotten the flavor combination that Nikki had been looking for. The top of the cake was a reproduction of the cabin where Hawk had proposed to Nikki. The cabin and lake were all made out of chocolate and homemade candies. The forest around the lake was made of chocolate and the lake itself was made out of melted blue candy. The boat on the lake looked too good to eat. By the lake on the dock there was a bride and a groom. Nikki’s eyes filled with tears.

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nbsp; “It’s perfect,” she whispered. Then she turned to Hawk.

  “Surprise,” she said.

  Hawk smiled. “I love it! It looks too pretty to eat,” he said.

  “There is a reason the cabin is on the cake,” Nikki said.

  “Why is that?” Hawk asked.

  “We need to live somewhere. Your house is too small and mine is too new for you,” Nikki said. “I thought we could make the lake house our home. That is, if it’s okay with the chief.”

  “Here are the keys,” the chief said. “She’s all yours.” Hawk pulled Nikki close and kissed her deeply. Everyone cheered.

  Nikki and Hawk cut the cake. It was marble cake with raspberries mixed into the batter. There was a small layer of raspberry sauce underneath the top layer of frosting. The cake was delicious. Nikki was overjoyed, and Hawk could not stop praising the flavor.

  “This is incredible,” Hawk said.

  “You need to thank Sylvia,” Nikki said.

  “Nonsense,” Sylvia replied. “All the credit goes to you. You designed the cake and practically wrote all the recipes for the cake and decorations. I just followed your instructions.”

  “Nikki, this is the best cake I have ever had. Thank you for making this so special,” Hawk said. Nikki smiled. She thanked Seth, Lidia, and Tori for getting everything together. Nikki also thanked the mayor and his wife for providing the reception area and overseeing the wedding. A band started playing, and Hawk asked Nikki to dance.

  Nikki and Hawk danced slowly around the dance floor. Hawk held his bride tight and made sure she did not hurt her ankle, but that did not stop him from dipping Nikki at the end of the dance.

  After a while, Nikki told Hawk she was ready to leave. They hugged everyone goodbye and got into Hawk’s car. They drove up the winding roads surrounded by evergreens to the lake house. Nikki saw a light in the distance. She figured the chief had turned on all the lights for them. Nikki was stunned to see it all lit up by candlelight.

  “It’s beautiful,” Nikki gasped.

  “You are not the only one who gets to surprise someone,” Hawk said. “I have to confess my dad told me what you had planned, so I thought I’d get the cabin ready for us.” He picked up Nikki and carried her across the threshold. He held her close and kissed her. Hawk led Nikki back outside to the fire pit and told her to sit down. Nikki sat and Hawk disappeared. He reappeared with wine and cheese.

  “I thought you could use a bit more food,” Hawk said.

  “This is perfect,” Nikki replied. They sat by the fire and sipped their wine. Nikki rested her head against Hawk’s chest. She felt safe and secure. She also felt something she had not felt in a long time. She felt at home. Hawk took Nikki’s almost empty glass from her hand. He slid his hand along the back of her neck and pulled her to his lips. Nikki kissed Hawk and felt warm and happy. Hawk leaned back. He stood up and scooped Nikki off of the bench. Nikki laughed. Hawk started to walk toward the water.

  “Wait, what are you doing?” Nikki asked. She was happy but a little apprehensive. Hawk walked near the edge of the pier.

  “Hawk, don’t you dare!” Nikki shrieked.

  Hawk laughed and turned around. “Would you rather go upstairs to bed?” he asked.

  “I thought you’d never ask,” Nikki replied.

  Hawk carried her upstairs into her new and exciting life.

  Thanks for Reading

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  About Wendy

  Wendy Meadows is the USA Today bestselling author of many novels and novellas, from cozy mysteries to clean, sweet romances. Check out her popular cozy mystery series Sweetfern Harbor, Alaska Cozy and Sweet Peach Bakery, just to name a few.

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