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STANDING NEAR THE GAZEBO, Winston thought he didn’t look half bad in his rented tux with the Sherlock cufflinks. He fidgeted with them as he watched the bridesmaids glide down the runner lying on the vibrant green grass.
He hadn’t known what he was missing until Kristy walked into his life. Or rather, he stumbled into hers after somebody had fat-fingered his ad and introduced a typo in it. His new “seniors’ sleuth” title gave him a case at the local retirement home where she had been working.
An indignant yowl brought him out of his reverie. Blueberry was led down the aisle on a leash by the ring bearer, Kristy’s genius toddler nephew, and her sister-in-law. The little boy kept yanking on the line, and Blueberry protested every move forward.
Blueberry didn’t appreciate his role as flower cat, as it required a silk bag stuffed with rose petals attached to his collar. But as he jerked forward, the cat shook his body and deposited the petals everywhere. At the end of their stroll, the boy’s mom picked up both the toddler and the cat and deposited them in the front row.
Finally, the strains of the “Wedding March” started, and Winston took a giant gulp. Kristy soon came into view and looked amazing in her formal gown. Swaths of sheer fabric enveloped her, enough to satisfy even Anastasia’s taste. A long train trailed behind Kristy, and she wore a glittering tiara on her head. A delicate veil attached to the headpiece fell behind her chestnut locks.
The rest of the ceremony proceeded with Winston in a daze. He even had to be prompted by the celebrant to take the ring and slip it onto Kristy’s finger. He just remembered staring into her warm brown eyes, which felt like home, and disappearing from the rest of the world.
Only after the sweetness of their kiss and the pronouncement of “Mr. and Mrs. Wong” did Winston finally notice the gathered crowd. While Jazzman played “Chances Are,” friends and family clapped and beamed as he and Kristy made their way down the aisle.
Then he and his bride (!) stood in the back to receive the guests as they exited. Everyone wished them well and gave them compliments on the wedding.
The Chan family was the last to congratulate them.
Standing before Kristy, Orchid wiped away a tear. “You look lovely.”
“Thank you.” Kristy planted a kiss on the older woman’s cheek.
“Your joy today reminded me of my own wedding with Ming.” She turned to Winston. “Thanks for figuring out what really happened to my husband . . . and to Fort.”
He looked over the rest of the Chan family. Their faces appeared mixed with emotion as they clustered around Kristy. Though they gave her hugs and warm wishes, he knew it was a bittersweet day for them. How would the family function without Ming and the two oldest sons?
“I hope you can all move on and go forward from here,” he said to Orchid.
She clasped his hand with both of hers. “Yes. I’m going to burn more incense to Guanyin for greater mercies in the afterlife. And plead to the god of war to wreak havoc on Tal.”
“Oh. Er, may Ming and Fort rest in peace. And justice be done through the judicial system,” Winston said.
Orchid motioned for Viv to step forward. “We have a gift for you, Winston.”
The youngest Chan daughter carried a giant bag in her arms: a neon-orange briefcase done up with sequined tiger stripes. “For you,” Viv said, running her fingers across the smooth part of the bag’s surface. “The finest in pleather.”
“Uh,” Winston said.
Kristy saw him floundering and gave the Chan family a sweet smile. She adjusted Winston’s hands around the briefcase. “This could be useful for holding your detective gear.”
Winston averted his gaze from the garish orange color and mumbled, “Yeah, thanks. Very thoughtful.”
After he shook each of their hands, the Chan family filed out of the clearing. Then he turned to his bride.
“Business is officially done,” Winston said. “Time to party.”
They had booked a fancy ten-course banquet at a nearby Chinese restaurant. And after eating, they’d go straight to the airport. Winston couldn’t wait to start their honeymoon.
* * *
AFTER THE DELICIOUS banquet reception, Winston and Kristy changed from their fine attire and went to the airport. Their flight was delayed, but they spent their time chatting about the wedding banquet. In the middle of a detailed description of the succulent roast duck, Marcy and Gary appeared at their boarding gate.
His sister hugged them. “Congratulations again.” Then she plopped her luggage next to their seats. Gary stood behind Marcy, his hand resting on the handle of his rolling bag.
“What are you doing here?” Winston asked. Had she finagled a special gate pass to say goodbye? Or maybe she was waiting for a show of gratitude for her help. She had booked the honeymoon trip to Tahiti, he remembered. “Thanks again for making the arrangements.”
“Yes, it’ll be so fun to explore Tahiti together.” She looked over at her husband and held his hand. “Our hut isn’t too far from yours, Winston.”
Kristy’s eyelids fluttered. “Really?”
Winston groaned. “Marcy, it’s a honeymoon.”
“Gotcha!” Marcy laughed and started gathering her luggage. “You should have seen the look on your face.”
Gary shook his head but smiled. “She wanted to play a joke on you. Saw your flight was delayed and decided to sneak up on you.”
Marcy pointed down the corridor. “Our gate’s that way. Direct flight to London.”
“Let’s go home,” Gary said, placing his hand on Marcy’s shoulder.
They left Winston and Kristy with a cheerful wave, Marcy still letting out a few chuckles.
The gate attendant informed them that their flight was now boarding. Winston and Kristy walked over to the scanner and passed over their tickets. Two boarding passes. He loved seeing Kristy intertwined with Wong. The pair of them together for life.
Kristy tugged on his sleeve. “Come along, Winston. You don’t want to miss our honeymoon.”
“Yes, Mrs. Wong.” He linked arms with Kristy as they moved onto their next adventure.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
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THANK YOU FOR READING Wedding Woes. If you enjoyed this book, please leave a kind review online.
Make sure to check out my other writing at www.jenniferjchow.com/books. And you can sign up for my author newsletter for additional updates at http://eepurl.com/Y52yj.
Again, I’m grateful to Linda G. Hatton for her eagle eyes and honed editing skills. Much love to a supportive creative community, particularly my writing group, Sisters in Crime, and Crime Writers of Color.
Thank you goes out to my family for inspiration and encouragement. Also, hugs and kisses to my groom, Steve, who has supported my writing from the very beginning.