Chapter 35
CHAPTER 35
G irls’ Chat
Lottie: Trixie, how is the mystery going? Hattie told us all about it via her sister. Any leads yet? Or is it still as foggy as a bad New York morning? Also, please tell me your wedding plans are going more smoothly than the investigation!
Bizzy: Yes! We need updates—both mystery and matrimony!
Hattie: I’m dying to know more about the case, but also how is Ransom holding up with all this chaos? Is he ready to marry a super sleuth?
Trixie: You three are too much! Okay, one at a time—wedding planning first! Ransom is actually handling everything so well. I think he’s even more excited than I am. As for the wedding, I’ve yet to get my dress, cake, or honeymoon plans. But I’ll get there!
Bizzy: Oooh, honeymoon plans! I bet it’s going to be dreamy. You deserve nothing less, Trixie!
Lottie: Forget dreamy. It’s going to be steamy, isn’t it, Trixie? But also, speaking of men, Noah and Everett can’t stop talking about the trip to New York! Everett even tried on his tux early. We’re all so excited!
Hattie: I love it! I can’t wait to meet them both. As for my own guy, Killion is literally making countdown check marks on our calendar to your big day, Trixie. I think he’s secretly planning a dance battle at the reception. Kidding! He’s the last to move and groove.
Trixie: You all make me laugh so much! Now, as for the case—well, let’s just say it’s proving a bit more elusive than I’d like. Every time I think I’ve got a clear lead, it twists away like one of those complicated dance moves I’ll never master. There are still a couple of suspects I’m juggling, but no solid resolution yet.
Lottie: Ugh, that sounds so frustrating. But you’ve got this. You’ve cracked tougher cases! Plus, you’ve got Ransom, and we’re all in your corner—ghosts and all.
Bizzy: Exactly! You keep being amazing, Trixie, and soon enough that knotty mystery will unravel. And hey, no matter what happens, you’ve got a wedding waiting for you at the end of this, and that’s something we can all celebrate!
Trixie: You’re all the best. Between wedding bells, sleuthing, and having such incredible friends cheering me on, I know this is going to be an adventure to remember. Here’s to figuring it all out—one clue, and one bouquet toss, at a time!
Our final two days at sea were meant to be a slice of heaven and that’s exactly why Wes teamed up with Elodie to make sure Ransom and I were perfectly pampered to death on this the final leg of the sail before the veil.
And I mean that quite literally. If there was an ounce of stress left in our bodies after what they had in store, it was from pure stubbornness on our part.
Wes was adamant about giving both of us two days off, and I gladly accepted. Ransom, on the other hand, isn’t interested in shirking his duties.
We kicked off our first day with a private breakfast buffet on a secluded deck—one of those fancy, upper-class areas of the ship that I’m pretty sure the captain has to sign off on just to let you in.
And let me tell you, it was worth it.
With the all-you-can-eat Belgian waffles topped with fresh berries and a view of the glorious sea to boot, it wasn’t exactly a bad way to start the day.
After breakfast, we were whisked away to the spa, where things got even more decadent. Facials, body scrubs, massages—the works.
And just as we’re finally melting into pre-wedding bliss, Stanton showed up and brought his blinged-out accessory for the ride.
In truth, it was probably the highlight of Neelie’s day.
Stanton—bless his obnoxious soul, or perhaps hex his obnoxious soul—made sure to grace us with the most unwelcome spectacle of all—his naked body. He didn’t step into the spa that way. His towel accidentally dropped, and he mooned half the room. Thanks to him and his shriveled bits, I almost lost my appetite, emphasis on the almost.
Although let’s face it, there’s not a towel on this ship that is wide enough to hide Stanton’s ego—or anything else, apparently.
Neelie looked mortified.
Ransom and I rounded out the day lounging by the private pool, where Wes and Elodie had set up a cabana just for us. I’m talking plush towels, chilled champagne, and some of the biggest strawberries I’ve ever seen in my life—have I mentioned they were dipped in chocolate?
At one point, Ransom turned to me with a smile that said this is what peace looks like. And for a brief, shining moment, I believed it, too.
We had it all, luxury, romance, and an unwanted appearance from my ex.
But that was yesterday. Tonight, it’s the very last night of the cruise, and true to his word, Wes has turned this formal night into a ship-wide party called the Knotical Celebration: The Final Cruise Before I Do for Trixie and Ransom, and there’s a banner that says as much draped across the promenade deck to prove it.
I’ll admit, it’s cute and has a fun ring to it. And as much as I have faith in Wes’ ability to come up with a good slogan, I’m sensing Elodie’s hand in this, too. Especially the smaller banner beneath that which reads, Sail it before you nail it.
It’s a moonless night, and I’m standing near the railing of the promenade deck while Bess and Nettie load up their plates at the buffet where there happens to be a giant ice sculpture of a bride and groom—and that bride and groom look an awful lot like Ransom and me.
The stars are out in number, the band is playing a cover of an eighties hit, and the throngs of people roaming the deck are primed and polished to formal night perfection. And each and every one of them is wandering around with a flute of bubbly champagne in their hand or a glowing fruity cocktail.
Wes has pulled out all of the stops for the evening. So much so that I’m afraid the cruise line will fire him for going way over budget for this shindig.
I watch the water skirt by as luminescent waves hug the periphery of the ship, and the navy expanse sparkles like a sea of fallen stars.
“ Trixie ,” a deep voice gives a chipper boom from behind and I turn to see both Wes and Ransom headed this way.
They both look dashing this evening, Wes in his captain’s finery, and Ransom in a devilishly delicious dark suit and tie, that dark scruff of his, those brilliant blue eyes. I can hardly believe that someone like him chooses to be with someone like me. Although I guess he still has a little under twenty-four hours to change his mind.
“You’re not changing your mind, are you?” I bat my lashes up at him and he inches back with a frown.
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” He lands a kiss on my lips and we linger. “Besides, with that dress you’ve got on, I’m moved to find the nearest justice of the peace and marry you right this minute.” He lands a trail of kisses up my neck and I can’t help but giggle.
The dress in question was a gift from Elodie as was a sea of wedding dresses to choose from that she left in my cabin on a rack. I don’t know where she gets her frock-inspired, very much designer superpowers from, but I’ve narrowed down my wedding dress to exactly ten. They’re all so perfect, it’s impossible to choose one.
But as for tonight, I’m wearing a gorgeous red dress that clings to me with one half off the shoulder and the other with a giant red flower that sits next to my neck. It’s so stunning, I want to wear it again and again every single night. I’ve never loved a dress more.
Elodie truly is magic, and I’m lucky to have her as a part of my life.
“Well, I’m not changing my mind either,” Wes says with a laugh. “Hold on to your proverbial hats because I’ve got more surprises in store for the two of you.”
“ Wes ,” I practically shout over the music with a laugh. “You have to?—”
“You have to what?” Bess asks as she and Nettie close in our circle, each wearing a sparkling gown, each holding a tower of sweet treats on a far too small plate.
Nettie scoffs at her bestie. “Don’t you see? She’s practically begging to have the captain make her last night of freedom a memorable one. Everyone knows you get a freebie the night before your doom’s day. Ain’t that right, Handsome Ransom? Who are you taking to the naughty party later?”
A growl rumbles through his chest. “Are you free, Nettie?”
“Ransom!” I swat him over the chest and we all share a laugh.
A scream breaks out near the big pool, followed by a splash.
“And I’m on lifeguard duty.” Wes takes off as he and one of the staff members fish a partially unclothed man out of the pool. The man holds up his champagne flute, causing everyone to cheer.
And just like that, the party kicks up another wild notch.
“This is so great,” I shout up over the music and Ransom nods.
“Wes and Elodie went all out,” he says. “We’ll have to find a way to thank them.”
“I know how you can thank them,” Nettie is quick to volunteer.
“ No ,” both Ransom and I say in unison.
His phone chirps and he glances at the screen, but the phone is slightly turned away so I can’t see it.
Ransom sighs. “Sorry, ladies. Duty calls. But I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“Is it about the case?” I ask as the words speed out of me. I spent all last night trying to figure out who, what, where, and why and kept hitting a wall.
“It is.” He winces. “I’m sorry, Trixie, but I got to make a call. It looks as if the lab has a definitive on what that powder was. I’ll be back.” He lands a kiss to my cheek before pointing at Bess and Nettie. “Save some of those double chocolate chip cookies for me.”
“Will do,” Bess says.
“And I’ll save myself for you,” Nettie calls out and he shoots her a wink.
“Well, I never thought you’d be the other woman when it comes to Ransom and me,” I tease as I spin toward the bustling crowd and spot a rather ornery ghost floating her way through the living. “Speaking of other women,” I growl. “If you ladies will excuse me for a moment, I’ve got a ghost to catch.”
And hopefully, shake down for some solid clues.
This cruise is coming to a close, and so is the killer’s freedom.