Read Dead Before The Wedding: A Carly Keene Cozy Mystery (Carly Keene Cozy Mysteries Book 1) for Free Online Page A

the little bakery, happy to be doing what she was so good at, and what she so much loved to do.
     
    Enjoying the quiet of the empty room, Carly checked her phone to see what time it was. She was surprised to see a text message from a number she didn’t recognize. When she opened it, she couldn’t help but smile. A picture of a cute chocolate lab filled the screen, with a message beneath. “Betty Sue says thank you for offering up a play date.” Carly saved the phone number and created a new contact for Tucker. She was trying to think of something witty to say in response, when the bell above the door jingled again.
     
    Carly looked up, but before she could even open her mouth, Mona Durham started talking, loudly. “Where is he? Is he in here? Is he in the back there with that blonde bimbo?”
     
    Carly was shocked, confused and a little bit ticked off. Just who did this woman think she was, barging into the bakery and shattering her peaceful morning to smithereens?
     
    “Mona, who are you talking about? Where’s who? Who’s who?” Carly stood up, which was a good thing because Mona was now looking over behind the counter, and heading for the kitchen. “I know he’s around here somewhere, because his truck is parked out in front of your store!” Carly intercepted Mona’s approach, and blocked her from getting behind the counter.
     
    “Mona, I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I cannot let you back here. You’re not even wearing a hair net!” Carly was wondering if she’d have to tackle Mona to get her to stop, and she didn’t relish the thought. Mona was a little shorter than Carly, but she was stocky, and she was spitting mad about something.
     
    Suddenly, Shell appeared in the doorway, wielding a rolling pin and covered in flour. Her hands were bright red and purple, probably from the pomegranates and blueberries, Carly thought, but it looked an awful lot like blood on Shell’s small hands. The effect was pretty scary, and enough to make Mona pause.
     
    “What the heck is going on out here? Mona Durham, why on earth are you up in here, causing all this chaos?” She tapped the rolling pin against her hand for dramatic effect. “If this is about your wedding cake, you might want to rethink your attitude, missy. With your wedding so close, I’m the only person in town who can get it ready for you in time.”
     
    Mona stepped back just a half step. Her face was red, her eyes looked a little like she’d been crying, but Carly couldn’t be sure. Chest heaving, Mona began speaking.
     
    “I’m looking for Larry. He was supposed to meet me today for a suit fitting for his tuxedo, but I can’t get ahold of him. His truck is parked outside of your bakery, so I thought…”
     
    Shell glared at Mona. “Oh, my lord! You thought he was in here, probably out in the kitchen making eyes at me, is that right?” Mona nodded ever so slightly, but kept her chin up, trying to regain some pride. She had to have been aware that she looked a little crazy right now, but it didn’t seem to phase her.
     
    “Well he ain’t in here, Mona Durham. You’d better calm yourself down before you do something stupid.” Shell’s look softened a little, and Mona replied.
     
    “I’m sorry for upsetting you, Shell. But I’m just so mad...he knows he’s supposed to be meeting me for that fitting. He went out last night with some of the guys on his crew. I bet he’s too hung over to show his sorry face.” Mona gave Shell a quick look all-over, trying to confirm whether the flour-covered woman was actually telling the truth. Catching a glimpse of her reflection in the display case, Mona seemed to suddenly notice her own disheveled appearance, and smoothed her hair a little.
     
    Carly tried to look outside the bakery window, but couldn’t see anything behind the blinds. “Mona, we haven’t seen him, but if we do, we can give you a call, if you want.” She walked over to the window and opened the