“Your mother had a hard time sleeping last night. She thought she kept hearing someone walking around the house,” William said a short time later, leaning against the back of a chair in the kitchen as Sabrina, Sandra, Cathy, and Irena washed and dried the dishes. The caterers arrived a few minutes earlier and were busy setting up the tables, tents, and decorations outside for the reception.

“Was there anyone here?” Creighton asked with a frown, his large hand wrapped around a mug of lukewarm coffee.

“No, it was just the same sounds that have always been here. Creaks of an old house settling in the evening air.” They fell into silence, each knowing the other was concerned about the events that had nearly disrupted the wedding ceremony the day before.

“All that aside, son,” William said a few moments later in a soft tone when Andrew, Emma, Nana, and Papa joined them. “I haven’t had a chance to tell you how proud your mother and I are of you. Sandra is a wonderful girl and we can see how happy she makes you.”

“I am very happy, Dad,” Creighton said, glancing at the woman who laughed with the girls as they cleaned up. “I knew the minute I laid eyes on her; she was the one for me. Now, all I have to do is keep her happy, show her how much I love her and cherish her for the rest of my life.”

“So, nothing difficult, huh?” Nana added with an amused smile.

“Right,” Creighton confirmed. “She’s already started my husband lessons.”

“Oh Lord,” Derek commented. “You know it’s permanent when they start the lessons.”

“To be completely honest, I’m looking forward to them. So far they’ve been rewarding.”

“Provided you complete the tests with high marks,” Papa added, his arm slipping around his wife’s shoulders.

“Though failing them can be just as pleasurable,” William added, looking to his wife and smiling a secret grin to her.

“Thanks, Dad,” Andrew said with a scowl. “I could have gone my whole life and not heard you say that.”

The small group laughed together, bringing the eyes of the room’s other occupants to stare at them while Sandra walked to Creighton’s side, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel and yawning.

“Long night, Sandra?” Andrew asked with a wink.

“Very long,” Creighton answered for her with a wicked grin, pulling her to his lap. “And very eventful.”

“That’s enough you two,” Emma scolded. “Sandra is a proper lady and proper ladies never discuss their evenings in their husband’s arms.”

“Ah Mum, we were just joking,” Andrew complained, sounding very much like a teenager. “If Sandra is going to be a part of this bloke’s life, she’s going to have to show her bottle.”

“Leave her be,” William scolded, sounding much less the authoritative figure than his wife. “We don’t want to scare her off before she gets her foot in the door.”

“What time does the reception start?” Sandra asked with a deep blush, hoping to distract the direction the conversation had taken.

“We still have a couple of hours,” Creighton assured her, gently massaging her outer thigh.

“Just so long as we don’t delay your itinerary,” she smiled. “I know how much you hate falling off schedule.”

“Creighton has always been about schedules, even as a baby,” Emma said with a warm smile. “He crawled when the books said he should, he walked at the precise time and even taught himself to use the loo. Just took his nappy off and never put it back on. He was even born on schedule, his due date came, and I went into labor. Three hours later we had a beautiful baby boy to add to the family.”

“He has always done everything by the book,” Derek teased his brother.

“Derek was born nearly a month late,” Emma continued. “Andrew was two weeks late; Sabrina was three days early and my water broke with Irena while we were Christmas shopping.”

“I was born to shop,” Irena said joining the conversation, smiling as everyone laughed at the irony of her comment.

“And you haven’t failed in that adage yet,” Creighton teased.

“With luck, Sandra will be able to break Crey of his day planner lifestyle,” Sabrina added.

“What’s the matter with staying on schedule, I ask you?” Creighton argued. “If it wasn’t for an itinerary, I would never have been able to build my business to what it is today.”

“True, but now that you are mega-rich, you can afford some time off to pursue a healthy marriage,” Sabrina insisted. “I am hoping for more nieces and nephews very soon. After all, Derek and Kristin can’t be expected to hold down the generations alone.”

“I would love to have a new baby in the family,” Nana said wistfully. “It’s been ten years since we had an addition and we’re not getting any younger, you know?”

“Why don’t you give them a chance to get used to each other before you start saddling them with a litter of kids,” Cathy complained from where she stood, leaning against the counter, listening and frowning at the conversation going on at the table. “They barely know each other. For all we know, they won’t be able to tolerate each other a month from now.”

“Have you always been rude, or are you just rehearsing for the part of Queen Bitch?” Irena blurted out, bringing a quick and stunned silence to the room. Cathy stared at the young girl through narrowed eyes.

“Your brother may have known my sister for two years, but Sandra has barely known him for two weeks,” she insisted.

“Crey and Sandra are in love, you wicked hag,” Irena shouted. “You’re just jealous because he didn’t shag you as Andrew has.”

“Irena Kathryn!” Emma snapped. “That’s enough of that. Cathy is a guest in our home, and you will show her the respect she deserves. Now, stop all of this at once. I will not have anything upsetting the day’s festivities.”

“Well, it’s true,” Irena said, a little less forcefully.

“I said that’s enough. Go to your room until it’s time to get dressed.”

Irena stared at her mother, mouth agape as though she couldn’t understand why she was being punished.

“You heard your mother,” William said in a soft, deep tone that warned her to obey immediately. Irena turned and stormed from the room, mumbling all the way up the stairs until the slamming of a door echoed through the house, assuring all that she had done as ordered.

“Cathy, I am very sorry for what Irena said,” Emma began, apologizing for her daughter.

“She meant no harm,” Sandra interjected, surprising even herself for her bravery. “She was merely defending me, and I appreciate it.”

“As do I,” Creighton added quickly.

“That being said, I think we should all consider getting things moving before the guests start arriving,” Nana insisted.

“Yes, I agree,” Emma added, her tone filled with uncertainty. “Derek, go help Kristin with the children so she doesn’t overexert herself. Sabrina why don’t you show Sandra her outfit for the party and Andrew you can get changed at your brother’s house. We’ll meet back here in an hour for family pictures. Chang said he would be here by then and he’s never late.”

The room quickly came alive with people moving about, but Sandra, Creighton, Cathy, and Andrew remained behind until the room was empty of occupants. Sandra drew a deep breath and stood from her husband’s lap, looking at her sister who was staring angrily at her.

“Could we have a few moments alone, please?” she asked the two men who hesitated.

“I believe your sister and I need to have a talk,” Creighton said, stepping up beside his wife.

“Not right now,” she insisted. “I need to speak with Cathy alone. I’ll be along in a few minutes. You go upstairs.”

Creighton opened his mouth to speak but was stopped by the stubborn, determined expression on Sandra’s face. He drew a deep breath and glanced at Andrew who walked silently beside his brother out of the room, leaving the two sisters alone.

“I cannot believe you took that girl’s side over mine,” Cathy snapped softly.

“And I cannot believe that you are still trying to make me change my mind about Creighton,” Sandra snapped back. “You said you would accept my decision and lay off.”

“Sandra be sensible. You don’t know him well enough to surrender your heart and soul like this. It’s insane to get married to a man you’ve known for only two weeks.”

“You know, Creighton insisted that you were holding me back, keeping me in your shadow, but I defended you. I told him that you would never do such a thing. Now, I’m beginning to think Irena was right. You are jealous. You tried your damnedest to seduce Creighton when he came to Kansas, but it didn’t work. Is that why you’re so angry about my marrying him because you wanted him for yourself?”

“How dare you?” Cathy growled softly. “I have done everything to protect you. I don’t want to see you hurt and I know that’s exactly what’s going to happen. Creighton Ashford is a playboy. He has lovers from one end of this world to the other and you’re a fool to think he would give all of that up for you. You’re such a naive little snippet. You have no idea what he’s doing. What makes you think that he won’t throw you aside once he’s had his fill of you? What makes you think you know how to please a man like him?”

“And I suppose you think you have what it takes to keep him happy?” Sandra accused, pushing the small voice aside that whispered that her sister had a valid point. She was naive and could never be the type of lover Creighton was used to having.

“I have more experience with men than you do,” she said in a quiet tone.

“So that’s what this all boils down to, isn’t it? You can’t accept the fact that I have something you wanted.” Sandra drew a deep breath, holding it, and counting to ten in order to control her tears. “You need to come to terms with the idea that I’m an adult and taking charge of my own destiny. I’m very sorry that things didn’t work out for you and your Italian lover, but you’re not me. I know what I’m doing, and I’ve made decisions that I am very happy with. Creighton is a very good man and he makes me happy. He has never, and will never, do anything to make me mistrust him.” She drew another deep breath, forcing herself to remain calm.

“We will be leaving for our honeymoon after the party tonight. I don’t think you and I should see each other again, not for a while at least. You need to think hard about what you’re losing and decide if it’s worth your ire and stubbornness. You’re my sister and I love you, but until you can come to grips with what is staring you in the face, I have nothing more to say to you.” Sandra turned and left Cathy standing in the room alone, the look of shock etching her face as she realized what had just happened.

Sandra walked quietly up the stairs and into Creighton’s old bedroom, closing the door behind her. She felt numb and shocked by what she had just said and angry that her sister had provoked her. The agonizing truth that she may not be all Creighton needed echoed in her mind, but she believed him when he told her he loved her, and she trusted him with all her heart. Her sister was wrong. She did know what she was doing and after what seemed like a lifetime of looking, she had found her prince charming and she was anxious to start her life with him, but more than all of that, she was proud for having stood up for herself, proud to have finally come out of the shadows.

Sitting on the bed, Sandra found herself staring at the floor, wondering what to do next. She had experienced so many fantasies come true over the past two weeks, more than she had ever dreamed possible, yet here she sat, alone; wondering if she had made the right choices, wondering if she had the right to feel happy; fearful that she didn’t deserve the love of her new husband.

The door opened slowly, and Creighton’s tall muscular figure quietly walked in, closing it behind him. He stepped to the bed and sat down next to her, placing his large warm hand across hers. The room was silent. The only sounds were those of voices downstairs and the hum of the trucks next door. The soft sound of their breath filled the room, encasing them in a tension that should not have been there between newlyweds.

“I know what you’re thinking,” he whispered.

“I’m sure you do,” she said. He always seemed to know what she wanted or needed even before she did.

“You don’t believe her, do you?” he asked in a hushed tone.

“I have to wonder.”

“You are everything I need. I’ve already told you that. The only thing I want in life is you. Without that, I have nothing. I am nothing.”

“Why me?” she asked as tears began to fall down her cheeks.

“Because you answered my dreams, you gave me hope for the future and faith in living again. Because I know in my heart, you are my soulmate.”

“No regrets?” she asked.

“Not a single one,” he assured her, kissing her cheek softly, brushing her tears away with his thumb.

“So, where do we go from here?”

“That depends on you,” he answered, wrapping her in his arms as he pulled her onto his lap, cradling her against his chest. “This day is ours, if you don’t want to stay, we won’t. If you want to fly to the moon, we will. Just tell me what you want to do.” Sandra sighed, closing her eyes and breathing in the aroma that was pure Creighton.

“I want to go for a run,” she said suddenly. “I want to run off the anger and confusion. I just want to run.”

“Then let’s run,” he said, lifting her chin and looking into her bloodshot eyes. “You can borrow Sabrina’s runners and a pair of shorts. We have plenty of time before everyone starts coming. We can run as far and as long as you’d like.”

A soft knock on the door interrupted their privacy as Sabrina cautiously stepped through. She smiled at the two, blushing softly as she hesitated by the threshold, a yellow and white garment across her arm.

“Sabrina, we were just talking about you,” Creighton said, causing his sister to raise a single, slender eyebrow. “Can Sandra borrow your runners? We need some air and want to be alone for a while.”

“Of course,” she answered. “I have a jogging suit if you’d like to borrow it as well?” Creighton looked at Sandra and grinned.

“Thank you,” she told Sabrina with a smile. “I will borrow it.”

“I’ll get it.” Sabrina hurried out of the room while Creighton turned to his wife and kissed her forehead.

“I have some jeans here,” he told her, lifting her to her feet. “I keep them for when I visit. They make milking easier than a suit.”

“But you’re already wearing jeans.”

“These aren’t running or working jeans,” he argued, looking at the black material covering his long muscular legs. “They don’t move as well as I need if I were to exercise.” He stepped to the old dresser and pulled the top drawer open, removing a pair of faded blue jeans and a worn brown tee-shirt, as the door opened again.

“Here they are,” Sabrina said. “It’s so nice to have someone my size to share clothes with. Irena doesn’t have the same type of figure as I do, so we don’t share very often.” Sandra took the light green running suit and sneakers from her and smiled.

“Cathy and I never shared clothes either,” she said. “It’s not that we have such different figures, it’s just that we have different tastes. I like casual and she likes tailor-made.”

“I think we’ll get along nicely,” Sabrina said with a giggle. “I love jeans, but it’s fun to play dress-up once in a while.” She hugged Sandra quickly then left the room, allowing the two to change in private.

Forty minutes later Creighton found himself panting for air as he struggled to keep up with Sandra who ran at a steady pace down the road, around farms and homes of their new neighbors and over the grassy hills that dotted Yorkshire. She felt free and happy, a sense of calm washed away her recent bout of emotional outrage and for the first time in days, she felt relaxed and under control, like she could take on the devil himself and win.

“Can…we…stop…” Creighton panted, stopping on the side of the road and leaning against a neighbor’s fence post.

“How can anyone with a body as incredible as yours, be so out of shape?” Sandra asked, drawing in a deep breath to help control her breathing.

“I pump…weights,” he said, panting. “I don’t…kill myself…on a dirt road. I can’t believe…you do this…every day.”

“That’s why it’s easy. Because I do it every day. I love running.”

“No wonder you have…such a gorgeous body,” he said with a sly smile as he climbed up on the top of the wooden fence, drawing a few long breaths to slow his breathing. “There’s no way the extra calories of pasta can catch up to you. And here I thought I would be the one to work it off you.”

“You still can, I just have a backup method in case your ideas aren’t enough.” Creighton laughed, watching as she climbed up the fence rung to sit beside him.

“Are you feeling better?” he asked a few moments later.

“Yes, thank you. I really needed this.”

“My pleasure, darling…sort of. I think I’m going to be too sore to walk tomorrow though.”

“That will make two of us, but I doubt my fatigue will be from running.” Creighton laughed deep, wrapping his arm around her waist and kissing her temple.

“Damn right,” he assured her. “Are you ready to go back?”

“No, but we probably should. Rochelle will be there soon, and I would really like to just get this evening over with and start our lives together.”

“We don’t have to go,” he assured her. “I’m sure my parents will understand if we take off early.”

“No, this is our night and we’re going to enjoy it. I just need to keep my distance from Cathy for a while.” Creighton looked behind them as the sound of a door closed and saw the property owners’ step out of their back door.

“When you’re ready to leave, you tell me. I won’t have anything else upsetting your day.”

He climbed off the fence, wrapping his arms around her waist, and lifting her down to her feet, then turned to the couple who approached them and smiled.

“Amanda, Richard,” he said looking from the tall, thin brunette man to the short, stalky red-haired woman. “It’s good to see you. I’d like you to meet my wife.” Creighton greeted the couple, shaking Richard’s hand and kissing his wife on the cheek. “Sandra these are the Parkers. I grew up with Richard and his twin, Robert.”

“And then I came along a few years later,” Amanda smiled, reaching out and shaking Sandra’s hand. “It’s very nice to meet you. We were so happy to hear that Crey was getting married and even more excited that you bought the Marston place. It looks like you’re doing a lot of work getting it back in shape.”

“We’re making a ton of improvements, that’s for sure,” Creighton said. “Once we’re finished, it will no longer be the Marston place, but the Ashford’s.”

“Better than the Bachmeier’s,” Richard said.

“Anything is better than that,” Amanda commented with a bitter look on her attractive face. “Why aren’t you two getting ready for your reception?”

“There is so much going on at the house, we just needed some air and my young bride here is a former track star, so she thought she could beat me with her talents,” Creighton said as he glanced down to Sandra, winking a dark eye to her.

“And did she?” Richard asked.

“She ran me into the ground,” Creighton laughed. “I don’t think I’m going to be able to walk come morning.”

“Is there any reason you would want to?” Richard asked with a loud snorting laugh.

“We’ll be on our honeymoon by morning, so I suppose walking isn’t a necessity.”

“Are you two finished?” Amanda asked in a scolding tone. “Where are you going on your honeymoon?” she asked turning back to Sandra.

“It’s a surprise,” Creighton said in her stead. “I don’t want anyone following us, so we aren’t telling.”

“That could be romantic,” Amanda added.

“You’re coming to the reception, aren’t you?” he asked, glancing down at his watch.

“We wouldn’t miss it,” Richard stated. “Amanda was a little put out that she wasn’t going to have an excuse to buy a new dress, though. I like the idea of wearing jeans. Sounds fun.”

“I hope it will be,” Creighton said. “But we have to go or we’re going to be late. We’ll see you in a little while.” He shook Richard’s hand and kissed Amanda on the cheek again, causing the color to rise in her pale face. Sandra shook both of their hands and followed her husband as they walked hand-in-hand back to the road.

“Yes,” Creighton said, answering her unspoken question. “Richard and Robert are the twins Miriam wrote about in her book.”

“Do they both still live around here?”

“No, Robert is in the military, never married, and is currently stationed in South Africa. He hasn’t been back in England in about two years.”

They continued walking back to the house and Sandra was certain that it was completely due to the fact Creighton was still tired from their run. She looked around at the many farms they passed feeling very thankful he was beside her. She would never have been able to figure out where they were or how to get back home if he wasn’t there. The roads all looked the same, narrow, some dirt, some paved and most without sidewalks. The houses were a variety of styles. Many were large narrow stone or brick buildings with windows, doors, and shake-style roofs, while others were small wood or brick bungalows.

Several farms had sheep or cattle roaming around the fields grazing, while others were green patches of barley or vegetables just coming into their growth cycle. There was a small yellow house that appeared to resemble theirs with white trim; bright yellow and pink pansies growing around the front step and a large green tree in the front yard. It was very pretty, well cared for, but much smaller than she would have assumed for the area, considering the size of most of their neighbors.

“That’s the Johnston place,” Creighton said taking note of where her attention had been drawn. “Wayne and Carolyn live there. She’s the great-granddaughter of the Marston’s.”

“He’s the one from this morning, right?” she asked.

“Yes. He’s a nice enough guy I suppose, but he’s irritating as hell.”

“At least I can see why he thought the exterior of our house should be painted.”

“He has always taken pride in his home, wanting it to look like a showplace. He’s pretty frustrated that the other neighbors find a need to maintain their land rather than the houses.”

“Doesn’t he have a farm? I mean, I don’t see any livestock or fields.”

“No, he used to work at a bank, never found a need for farming.”

“It’s a pretty small place isn’t it?” she asked as they passed by. “I don’t think it’s as big as your parents’ house.”

“No, it isn’t. Carolyn’s line hasn’t had a lot of kids, she’s the only child her parents had and unfortunately, she and Wayne were never blessed with children. They tried to adopt once but were never successful. Now, he just wanders around the neighboring farms annoying everyone else.”

“Is she still alive?”

“Yes, but barely. She had a stroke about two years ago and has been struggling to regain her strength. I think that’s why Wayne spends so much time bothering others. The nurse they have staying with them isn’t exactly Florence Nightingale.”

“Poor old thing,” she said feeling suddenly sorry for the man. “It must be hard not to have someone to rely on in your old age.”

“You are amazing,” he sighed. “Only you would find sympathy for a man everyone else finds vexing.”

“You start being nice to him,” she scolded. “Put yourself in his place. How would you feel if you were childless with an invalid wife and nobody around to offer comfort or companionship? I’m sure you can put up with a few annoying visits and a little know-it-all comments from time to time.”

“Yes ma’am, I’ll try and be tolerant.” Sandra scowled at her husband’s lighthearted joking as they turned the final corner that led to their house.

“You are a pest, do you know that?” she asked, smiling as he laughed at the irritated look on her face.

“And you, my darling, are incredible. I’ll try and be nice to the old bugger.”

They continued to walk in silence for several long minutes, just enjoying the peaceful sounds of the country and the warm spring air. The smell of manure mingled with the scent of freshly turned soil, flowers, and new-mown grass. It was a smell that reminded her of home and Sandra breathed deeply. She may be thousands of miles from Kansas, but the feeling of a simpler lifestyle, a comfortable and relaxed sense of a slower pace was the same. It was a feeling she would always enjoy, regardless of where she was.

“When did you want to leave for France?” Creighton asked a few minutes later. “We can stay a while longer in Chelsea if you’d like, or we can leave straight away when the party is over.”

“To be completely honest, I’d really like to leave tonight and get away from all the chaos.”

“Then tonight it is. I’ll have Clark pick up our bags and meet us at the airport around nine. That should give us enough time to mingle, eat, dance, and leave without being rude.”

“I can hardly wait.”

“What about your sister?” he asked with a quiet tone. “Are you going to try and straighten things out with her before we go?”

“No,” she said flatly. “I am done trying to make her see reason. Now, the ball is in her court. Either she’s going to have to accept our marriage, and handle the idea that I am grown up, and living my own life, or wallow in her own self-righteousness. Either way, I’m done talking with her for a while.”

“I’m very proud of you for standing up to her. There are a few choice things I’d like to say to her, but I’ll keep quiet for now. But I promise, if she keeps trying to stomp you down, I will deal with her.”

“Just let it be,” Sandra insisted. “Cathy is stubborn but she’s usually reasonable. She flies off the handle easily and after a few days, she relaxes and starts to think clearly again. I just don’t want anything to interfere with our evening, so promise you’ll avoid her at all costs.”

“I promise,” he said, wrapping his arm around her waist as they continued to walk.

Creighton frowned when they neared the joining properties of their house and his parents’. In the front yard of their home sat two additional vehicles. One a large black SUV, the other a local police car. The workers were standing around the area where the backhoe sat silent, along with both Creighton’s family and Sandra’s. The SUV had been pulled up near where the new garage was going to be built, and the police car was blocking the entrance to the circular drive that led to the front door. As they came closer William and Papa turned toward them, leaving the crowd and walking to intercept the younger couple.

“What’s going on?” Sandra asked the men as they came within earshot of each other.

“There’s a problem on the property,” William said. “The workers found something buried where the old barn had been.”

“What kind of something?” Creighton asked with a deep frown.

“Human remains,” Papa answered. “And they don’t appear to be very old.”

“What do you mean?” Sandra asked, her heart in her throat as she tried to comprehend what she was hearing.

“Andrew is dealing with the police, but it looks like a homicide,” William said as they came to a halt. “I’m sorry son, but the preliminary findings indicate that the body was buried there within the past ten or twelve years.”

“How? Who?”

“We don’t know yet,” Papa said as they turned and began walking slowly back toward the properties together. “The police are keeping the place quarantined and forensics have been called out.”

“Since Andrew works for Scotland Yard, he’s taken the lead in the investigation, but the constable needs to ask you a few questions.” Creighton stared blankly at his father as they continued to walk forward.

“Ten to twelve years would put it after Bachmeier moved back to Germany,” he said, his mind running through a million different scenarios at once.

“That’s the preliminary report. There won’t be anything formal for a few days.”

“Unfortunately, the work on the property has been put on hold until the investigation is complete,” Papa added.

“Andrew agreed to let the workers finish the house since nothing has been found out of the ordinary, but the trash that has been taken out is being sent to the authorities for prints and DNA testing. They are hoping some of the older stuff the workers found will point to when or who caused this death,” William said.

“Are they sure it was that recent?” Sandra asked. “I’ve read stories about prehistoric bodies being found in peat bogs around England perfectly preserved. Maybe it’s older than ten years.”

“This isn’t a peat bog, Sandra,” Creighton said gently. “And there was a barn on top of it. Even if they are wrong on the dates, it couldn’t be prehistoric.”

“It was definitely modern,” William said. “The clothing was still intact, for the most part.”

“Any idea who it was?” Creighton asked.

“There is no official word and the next of kin needs to be notified,” William continued, causing Creighton to frown again.

“But?” he urged.

“It appears to be Harry Stone’s wife, Lynette.”

“But I thought Lynette left Harry years ago?” Creighton asked watching as Andrew walked toward them, Cathy at his side.

“That’s the story he shared with the community. Supposedly, she found someone and fell in love and was running away with him.”

“Do you think he may have killed her when he found out she was cheating on him?” Sandra asked.

“Anything is possible,” Andrew said as he and Cathy joined them, bringing the small group to a halt again near the entrance to the driveway. “Until we have some answers, we have to put a halt to the construction. I’m sorry Crey, but until the coroner comes back with some details, I can’t allow you to move into the house.”

“Understood, and we’ll cooperate in any way we need to.”

“We’re going to increase security around the property to keep the curious at bay. Hopefully, we’ll have things settled by the time you get back from your honeymoon.”

“Don’t worry about that, we have the flat to stay in until we can move in here. Take as much time as you need, just keep us informed.”

“I will, but right now Constable Wallace needs to ask you a few questions and then Mum and Nana want to discuss the plans for the reception.”

“Do we have to cancel it?” Sandra asked, feeling slightly lightheaded with all that was happening around her.

“Not necessarily,” Cathy said diverting her eyes from Creighton as the couple turned to look at her.

“I contacted Clark,” Andrew continued. “He’s working on getting a team of security down here to guard the place. We can continue with the evening’s plans. We’ll just have to keep a close eye on the partygoers to make sure they don’t disturb the area. The forensic team will need to do some digging for any evidence that may have been buried with the body, so they are bringing out the dogs. They may be able to find something that might indicate what happened or get a better idea of the timeframe involved.”

“Whatever you need, just do it,” Creighton insisted. “I’ll make arrangements for Clark to remain behind. He’ll be able to assist in the investigation if you need him.”

“I appreciate your cooperation, Crey,” Andrew said. “And I’m sorry again. It’s a hell of a way to start your marriage.”

“This day just keeps getting better,” Sandra whispered, ignoring the look of concern her sister gave her.

“I’m sorry, my love,” Creighton told her. “I don’t know what to do to change this.”

“Just promise me that we’ll have an uneventful honeymoon?”

“I’ll do my best.”