Drowning the Daffodils (A Heavenly Highland Inn Cozy Mystery) (2 page)


We've got you set up in a suite,” she explained as she retrieved the keys from the lockbox behind the desk. “I can take you up now so you can get settled in if you like, or I could give you a tour of the inn,” she suggested.


We'd like to get settled in,” Alina nodded quickly.


You go ahead, I'm going to wait here for Max and the boys,” Lawrence replied. Vicky presumed he was referring to his two adult sons, Mike and Simon, and his brother, Max.


Don't worry, Lawrence they'll be here,” Alina said with a smirk. “You haven't run them off, yet.”


I know they'll be here,” Lawrence replied in a short tone. “I just want to be here to greet them when they arrive.”

Vicky quietly observed the exch
ange before interjecting. “Well, Mrs. Carter we can just take the elevator over here,” she smiled at the woman as she led her and the driver with all the suitcases to the elevator. As the doors slid shut Alina let out a loud sigh of relief.


He's been so impossible. He's so sure that something is going to go wrong this weekend. I can't say I don't agree with him,” she laughed mildly. “Does anything ever go right at a family reunion?”

Vicky nodded at her words.
“It can be tough. But hopefully you will all get to enjoy a very relaxing weekend. If there's anything I can do to help you with that, don't hesitate to ask.”


Thank you,” Alina said as the elevator doors opened and Vicky led her towards the suite. “But as long as you have plenty of booze, I'm sure everything will be just fine,” she laughed at that, but it was more bitter than amused. Vicky was glad she had restocked the bar and even ordered extra just in case. Vicky smiled again as she pressed the key into Alina's hand.


Like I said, anything at all, just let me know.”


Thanks again,” Alina smiled, and Vicky noticed a shadow in her pale blue eyes. It seemed to Vicky that perhaps Alina was not as content to be part of the reunion as her husband might think.

As Vicky rode the elevator back down to the lobby she glanced at her watch. Sarah was
taking a little time off to spend with her family. Vicky knew that she would be calling any minute to check in on the reunion and find out how Vicky was handling everything.

When the elevator doors opened
Vicky was greeted by a gathering of Carters in the lobby. She spotted Lawrence in the middle of the gathering. Two younger men were standing near him. From their similar looks Vicky assumed that the men were Lawrence's sons. One was older, perhaps in his thirties, while the other appeared to be in his twenties.

Beside Law
rence was a man who looked to be about his age and had similar strong features but a full head of dark hair. He had his arm around the shoulders of a woman slightly younger than him who had pretty round features and a kind smile. Vicky assumed this was Lawrence's brother, Max, and his wife, Connie. Beside Mike was another woman who appeared to be in her thirties. She had a long, floral print dress on, a head of loose red curls, and a nervous smile. Vicky guessed this was Mike's wife, Charlene.

The front door swung open and two more women with husbands in tow walked into the lobby. Though they had softer features they shared the same regal arrogance that the rest of the Carters did. Vicky easily guessed that they were Beverly and Sasha,
Max's daughters. That meant that everyone should have arrived.

Everyone seemed to be mingling fine until a young woman, probably the youngest of the group in her early twenties, stepped up beside Simon and slid her arm through his. She had straight black hair, a short skirt, and a tight blouse. She was gor
geous from head to toe, in the way that no one could overlook. But most of the women present seemed to be less than impressed with her presence. This had to be Simon's fiancée, Jane.


Oh, I see you brought her,” Mike said gruffly as he glanced over at Jane. Jane shifted uncomfortably and lowered her eyes. Her cheeks flushed and it was clear that she was insulted by the comment.


Yes, of course I brought my fiancée,” Simon snapped in return as he locked eyes with his brother. Vicky realized she had stepped right into the middle of a hornet's nest. Luckily, Alina stepped off the elevator at that moment and distracted Mike from Jane.


I have everyone's room keys available,” Vicky said brightly hoping to ease the tension of the situation.


Good,” Simon said as he glanced at her. “I'll take ours,” he held out his hand for the key.


Sure just let me get it out of the lockbox,” Vicky said quickly and walked over to the desk. As she tapped a few keys on the computer to log into the system and check out the keys she was just about to hand out, Mike's wife, Charlene, began gushing.


I know that this is our first official family reunion,” she said quickly. “And I'm just so proud to be a Carter, so I brought something special for everyone,” she glanced shyly at Mike. He nodded encouragingly to her. She pulled a box out from behind her suitcase and opened it up.


I had these made for this weekend,” she explained as she began pulling out baseball caps from the box. Each one had a bright blue “C” imprinted on it.


Ha, just like my necklace,” Lawrence chuckled as he displayed a circular, gold pendant with a raised 'C' on the front of it.


How lovely, Charlene,” Alina said, though her tone was dripping with sugar. Beverly and Sasha were quick to take a few of the hats and hand two over to their husbands.


This was a great idea,” Beverly said in a friendly tone. “It's a souvenir that we can keep to remember the weekend.”


Thanks, Charlene,” Simon said as Mike slipped on his cap, and Simon reached into the box. He pulled out the last cap.


Oh,” Charlene said quietly as she shifted uncomfortably. “Mike had said that Jane wouldn't be coming this weekend, so...”


It doesn't matter, she's not a Carter yet,” Mike pointed out and offered Jane a cruel smirk. Simon smiled at his fiancée who was struggling not to let the insults get to her.


She will be soon enough,” he murmured as he settled the cap onto her head. “You look beautiful, Mrs. Carter,” he leaned in and kissed her softly in front of the whole crew. Vicky had to hide a smile in reaction to Simon's defense of his fiancée and the ripple of annoyance it sent through the rest of his family. She was certain that this reunion was going to be much more interesting than she had anticipated.


Here you are,” she said as she began handing out the keys. “Once you get settled in you're welcome to explore, I have lunch scheduled to be served beside the pool in an hour.”


Sounds perfect,” Lawrence said as he smiled at Alina and pulled her close. “Maybe you can give me the tour of the suite.”


Gladly,” Alina replied with a purr.


Ugh,” Mike and Simon both groaned and glanced away from their father. Lawrence tugged his baseball cap further down on his head and winked lightly at Charlene and Jane.

After all
the guests had headed off to their rooms Vicky headed to the kitchen to check on the progress of the lunch they would be serving. She also sent a text to Sarah letting her know the Carters had arrived and everything was going smoothly besides the fact that there was plenty of drama going on between family members.

Sarah texted in return that she had to check it out and would be there in tim
e to help with lunch. Vicky smiled a little as she knew that no matter how much Sarah enjoyed being with her family she couldn't stand to stay away from the inn for too long.

 

Chapter Two

 

As Vicky set the tables up beside the pool she thought about what Aunt Ida had said to her. She was setting up little vases filled with daffodils and was lost in her thoughts when Sarah came walking up behind her.


This looks great,” Sarah smiled as she admired the tables and the cheery décor that Vicky had chosen to make the occasion seem all the more festive.


Thanks,” Vicky said with a smile. “I'm glad you approve.”


I'm not checking up on you,” Sarah promised with a laugh. “I just wanted to see all this drama you were talking about.”


Oh, you could cut the tension with a knife,” Vicky assured her. “Seems like most, if not the entire Carter clan, is not so fond of the youngest son's choice of fiancée.”


Oh boy,” Sarah chuckled and shook her head. “You know I'll never understand people approving or disapproving of someone else's relationship. I mean you can't control who you fall in love with.”


That's for sure,” Vicky agreed. Before she met Mitchell she might not have agreed with her sister, but he had certainly swept her off her feet. The idea of love took on a whole different meaning with him. It was strange, and wonderful. “And the two do seem to be in love,” Vicky added. “I hope it all works out for them.”


Me, too,” Sarah agreed. “Speaking of love,” she coughed sharply.


Nice,” Vicky winked at her sister and then turned away to set out a few more napkins.


You never tell me what's going on with you and Mitchell,” Sarah pouted a little. “I tell you all about my romance.”


That's because it's nothing but romance,” Vicky pointed out. “Well, romance and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.”


You'd be surprised how romantic a good PB and J can b…”


Okay, I don't want to know,” Vicky laughed and shook her head again. She really did admire her sister's relationship with her husband who was always very supportive of her and their family. “The truth is Mitchell and I are still trying to work a few things out.”


What's to work out?” Sarah pressed. “He's gorgeous.”


That's true,” Vicky grinned.


And so very charming,” Aunt Ida added as she stepped out onto the pool deck. She was wearing a loose flowing skirt. This was a little unusual for Aunt Ida as she was very fashionable and preferred to wear clothes that fitted her figure snugly.


Hi, Aunt Ida,” Sarah smiled as she leaned in to kiss her aunt on the cheek. “I was just trying to pry a little dish out of this one.”


Good luck,” Aunt Ida rolled her eyes. “I'm glad you're both here.”


Why?” Vicky asked suspiciously as she set up the last wine glass on the table.


Well, you know girls, I have something to show you,” Aunt Ida grinned as she looked from Sarah to Vicky and back again. Vicky braced herself and tried to hide an amused smile. Anything Aunt Ida was this excited about was bound to be pretty interesting. Aunt Ida placed her foot on the chair beside her and hiked up her long, pale yellow skirt.


What is that?” Sarah gasped when she caught sight of the bright red rose wrapped around Aunt Ida's ankle. The skin was still crimson as if the tattoo was fresh.


Do you like it?” Ida asked as she smiled at her nieces.


Uh,” Sarah stammered, her eyes wide. The tattoo was well done, but it was surprising to see one on her aunt's ankle and leg.


It's beautiful,” Vicky said quickly, though even she was more than a little shocked. Of all the crazy antics that Aunt Ida could get up to, Vicky never expected her to get a tattoo. Even she didn't have any tattoos.


Why?” Sarah asked as she began to recover from her surprise. “Why did you get a tattoo?” she looked at Aunt Ida as if she was a rebellious teenager that had sneaked out in the middle of the night.


Oh, I don't know,” Aunt Ida sighed, though her lips were curved into a gleeful smile. “I was feeling a little bored. Not much spice in my life,” she frowned at that and then smiled admiringly at her tattoo. “I met this amazing man, his name was Stone, or Rock, it could have even been Pebble, I don't really remember. Anyway, he kept going on and on about how beautiful my ankle was, and that it needed to be accentuated,” she purred the word, drawing it out in a seductive tone.


With a rose?” Sarah asked with disbelief. “Didn't it hurt?”


Well, with a tattoo,” Ida admitted. “He suggested something a little more dangerous, like a snake or a skull, but I told him absolutely not. I told him I wanted something delicate and pretty, so he suggested a daffodil, I think because he is Welsh and they are the national flower of Wales. But, after thinking about it I decided on a rose because it is one my favorite flowers,” she smiled. “Yes it did hurt, but not too bad. The whole time he told me stories about the tattoos on his body, and by the time he was done, I was smitten. With the tattoo I mean,” she added quickly. “Pebble on the other hand, I decided was just a little too artsy for me.”

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