Spooky Hijinks (26 page)

Authors: Madison Johns

“She means, Malcolm, that you and Blanche might get along better is all.”

I parked at the lighthouse, and Eleanor and I had the dirty job of hauling our own suitcases inside. We had barely stepped inside when Blanche’s form was in the dining room, only to disappear once Malcolm came inside.

“What’s that smell?” Malcolm asked. “It smells like jasmine. I love the smell.”

Giggles were heard, but Blanche wasn’t visible, although, I felt that she was checking Malcolm out. We took the suitcases upstairs, and I saw a couple of cars heading up the drive.

Eleanor held the door open for Elsie, Dorothy, Bernice, and Marjory. They carried two dresses on hangers, with a few other smaller boxes with them.

“Hello, girls,” Elsie said. “I can’t wait so see these dresses on you.”

“I hope they fit,” Dorothy said. “I don’t mean that in a mean way, honest.”

“Of course you didn’t, Dorothy,” Eleanor said.

Next through the door was Tony, and he clapped his hands excitedly. “This is going to be great fun. I see white and yellow roses intermixed with the garland and lights. Leave it to me,” he said before he raced back out the door, presumably to gather the supplies he needed.

When he returned, Eleanor and I were rushed up to the second floor. “We’ll stay down here and wait for your grand entrance,” Elsie said.

Eleanor and I carried our gowns up the stairs, and Eleanor was sure to point out I had the yellow gown, whereas her was off-white. I watched as she wiggled into her gown, and it slid right into place. I quickly fastened the gown and stepped back, as a tear trailed down my face. “You look so beautiful, Eleanor.”

“Quick, try yours on, Agnes. I can’t wait to see it on you.”

I put my dress on and laughed at the feathers that were on the neckline. Eleanor burst into tears. “I can’t believe it. You’re so beautiful, too. I can’t believe we’re getting married tomorrow, can you?”

I went over to the boxes and showed Eleanor that one had a tiara in it, the other a flower that could be attached to hair. I didn’t even have to guess which one went where. “The tiara is yours, Eleanor.”

“Oh, thank you, thank you. This is a dream come true for me.”

We modeled our dresses for the girls downstairs for a quick minute and thanked them for working so hard on them. We then went back upstairs to change, just as Blanche popped in. “I want to meet the ghost. He’s so handsome.”

“Will do, once our company leaves, I promise.”

* * *

It took hours before our company left, including Tony. The place was so beautiful when he finally did leave, though. He had fabric attached to the archway with flowers interwoven in it. I couldn’t wait until tomorrow, but we did need to address introducing the ghosts.

Near the tower seemed like as fitting a place as any. Malcolm paced the small space between the stairs and the tower entrance until Blanche appeared, looking quite lovely even though she was transparent.

“Malcolm, this is Blanche, and this is Malcolm Butler.”

“Are you related to Ada and Lydia Butler? They came with the doctor to care for me before I died.”

“Yes, I’m related to them. You should come visit them at the mansion sometime. I’m not sure I can get them to budge from there.”

“I’m not sure I can leave the lighthouse, either.”

“That’s true, Malcolm. Caroline was stuck on US 23 until she attached herself to me during my car accident.”

“Let’s go up to the tower and get better acquainted,” Blanche said.

“Thanks, but that’s way too many steps for me,” Eleanor said. She laughed and added, “Just kidding. I know you meant Malcolm.”

Eleanor and I settled down for the night, and it was relaxing listening to the laughs of the ghosts that carried all the way to where we slept. I smiled, feeling good about introducing Caroline and Malcolm. I was so happy they were getting along.

Chapter Twenty-One

From the time Eleanor and I woke up, we both hustled into the shower, taking our turns, of course. We stayed in our pajamas until the girls arrived, helping us with our dresses, and of course, hair and makeup.

“Are the men here yet?” I asked.

“Don’t worry, they’ll be here,” Elsie said.

“I know. I guess I’m having the jitters, and I haven’t even written down my vows yet.”

“Don’t worry, the words will come when you’re ready.”

I fidgeted with the flower in my hair, and Elsie slapped my hand away with a brush. “Stop it or it will fall out.”

Martha popped in. “Oh, Mother. You’re absolutely to die for.”

“I’d rather not have dying mentioned today, if you don’t mind.”

“Oh, of course. The men are downstairs looking quite dashing, too. Just wait until you see Mr. Wilson in his tuxedo. I almost didn’t know it was him.”

I tried to visualize it, but couldn’t as Sophia came into the room and gasped. Baby Andrea then said, “Nana.”

My eyes widened in surprise. “She’s talking now?”

“Yes, and she knows her nanas, it would seem. It’s the only other words she’s said besides Dada.”

“That’s typical for babies. I’m so happy that you’re here, Sophia,” I said as I hugged her.

It wasn’t long before the music began playing and the girls disappeared downstairs.

A minute after they left, Martha escorted us down the stairs. About halfway down, my eyes met Andrew’s, and my heart warmed. Eleanor whispered, “Doesn’t Mr. Wilson look handsome?”

“Yes, very.” And that wasn’t a lie because he did. His hair was slicked back, and he had some actual color on his cheeks for a change.

I didn’t have time to look around much more than that. All I was focused on was my intended, Andrew.

Martha stood with us until Pastor O’Conner asked who was giving the brides away. “Me,” Martha murmured. “Please take these ladies, now,” she said, dabbing at her eyes as laughter filled the room.

The pastor went through the typical marriage talk until it was time for us to read our vows to one another. Eleanor went first. “Mr. Wilson. You had me at your tuna casserole, really.” Smirks were heard, but she continued. “Never in my life have I met a man so caring and loving before. I’ll love you all the days of my life, or whatever time we have left on this earth.”

Mr. Wilson smiled. “I love you, Peaches, and will until we draw our last breath. Thanks for consenting to be my wife, and I’ll treat you like a queen, I promise. It looks like you already have your tiara.”

“And Andrew?” the pastor asked. “Do you have vows?”

Andrew smiled as he took my hand. “I’ve loved you longer than you’re aware. When you worked for me in Saginaw all those years ago, I looked forward to seeing you and enjoyed the coffee that you made special just for me. And after you quit, I thought about looking you up, but it never seemed the right time. That first day I came to Tawas and saw you again, my heart beat for only you. From that day forward, I told myself that I’d never let you go, if only you gave me a chance. You did, and I’m the luckiest man in the world. We might have our differences concerning your sleuthing, but I accept you for the beautiful woman that you are and look forward to growing old together ... or old
er
.” He laughed.

I gazed next to me, and Caroline bobbed there, smiling as I began speaking. “What can I say that hasn’t been said? I’m so horrible at this, but I loved you at first sight, when I met you in Saginaw. I was a lonely widow, and you made me feel again, even if you never knew it. I kept my feelings to myself. Just seeing you every day at work was enough for me.” I cleared my throat. “When you came to town, I tried not to feel anything for you, but I couldn’t help myself. I fell in love with you all over again. You’re kind, thoughtful, generous, and very, very loving. Thanks for picking me, my love.”

The pastor finished speaking, rings were exchanged, and then he said, “Agnes and Andrew, Mr. Wilson and Eleanor, I pronounce you husbands and wives. You may kiss your brides.”

Andrew took me into his arms, and as we kissed, applause echoed, followed by catcalls. When Andrew and I parted, I could see why. Mr. Wilson and Eleanor were French kissing, his hands on the cheeks of her generous bottom.

I cleared my throat, and they parted. Our guests, who were packed tightly in the lighthouse, congratulated us. We left not long afterward with a shower of bubbles outside, as the rules said no rice was to be thrown. I gave Stuart and Moraine a hug and Stuart then shook Andrew’s hand, congratulating us. “It’s your job to keep my mother out of trouble now.”

“I’ll try, but as you know, this is your mother we’re talking about here.”

We climbed into Eleanor’s Cadillac, which was decorated with real flowers and tin cans tied to the back of the car, with a sign that read, “Stand back twenty feet—senior citizens just married.”

“Is that some kind of joke?” I asked Andrew.

“Probably Martha’s idea of a joke.”

We drove all through Tawas, honking the horn as we made it to Iosco Sportsmen’s Club with Sheriff Peterson and Trooper Sales’s squad car following us, the flashers on and sirens blazing.

When the car stopped, we were escorted inside and saw that it was decorated in Christmas decorations. It was Christmas Day, after all.

We greeted our guests, and I hugged Kimberly Steele, who walked through the door on sky-high heels while her husband held a small infant in a blanket.

“Who do you have there?” I asked.

“This is Abigail,” Jeremy said. “She’s exactly one month old today.”

I congratulated them, and next in line was Mrs. Barry and the bird sisters. “You’re both so lucky to have found a man at your age. I so wish I could,” Mrs. Peacock said.

“Whatever for?” Mrs. Canary asked. “We’re happy just the way we are, aren’t we?”

“Come along, sisters,” Mrs. Barry said. “Hopefully there’s a beer can with my name on it somewhere.”

I smiled and didn’t make a comment since I really was fond of Mrs. Barry. Next in line was Eleanor’s sister, Margarita, with Tammy and Dixie. At least Tammy didn’t have her archery bow with her. She did glance around, though. “This looks like my kind of place.”

“They have archery competitions, you know.”

“I should look into it, thanks.”

Dixie just gave us a hug before they took their seats. So many faces were here, and I was shocked that so many people turned out on Christmas Day to help us celebrate. Then again, Eleanor and I spent a great deal of our time helping to keep Tawas safe by solving mysteries, with a little help from Sheriff Peterson and Trooper Sales. When I say Tawas, I mean both Tawas City and East Tawas, as both communities are a tight-knit group of people. These small towns on Tawas Bay aren’t just a place to drive past, but a great place to vacation and enjoy the great outdoors. It’s the only place that I’d ever call home.

About the Author

When Madison Johns began writing at the age of forty-four, she never imagined she'd make it onto the
USA Today
best-selling books list with her first cozy mystery,
Armed and Outrageous
, as an independent author. Sure, this book is an Amazon bestseller, but
USA Today
?

Although sleep-deprived from working third shift, she knew if she put what she had learned while caring for senior citizens to good use, it would result in something quite unique. The Agnes Barton Senior Sleuths mystery series has forever changed Madison's life, with each of the books making it onto the Amazon bestseller's list for cozy mystery and humor.

Madison is now able to do what she loves best and work from home as a full-time writer. She has two children and animals galore that keep her company while she churns out more cozy mysteries and paranormal romances.