You're Busting My Nuptials (Tizzy/Ridge Trilogy Book 2) (3 page)

Bubba Tatum slipped his arm around his wife, Rayann. Newly-weds themselves, Tizzy thought they looked like Ken and Barbie. “Tell us what you want us to do, Tizzy.”

“I need y’all to help me find Ridge. Something’s wrong. I know how this looks with the prenuptial agreement and all. But, I’m telling you, he did not leave me of his own accord. So,
y’all go home and change out of your wedding clothes. By the time you return, I’ll have a plan in place.”

Worry lines formed on Bubba’s forehead. “Are you saying somebody made Ridge leave against his will?”

“Yes. So, go on now. The quicker you get back, the sooner we can start looking for him.” Tizzy saw the doubt in Bubba’s eyes. He started to say something, but Rayann gave him a rib poke. After they drove away, Tizzy turned her attention to the remaining two.

First cousin, Jinx Monroe, only child of her Aunt Sugarpie and Uncle Sam, inherited his dad’s blue eyes and his mother’s dark hair. A head taller and three years older, Tizzy knew most women considered him eye candy. Today, his shoulder length hair was slicked back into a ponytail at the nape of his neck. Like always, his eyes were full of mischief, and if his smile were for sale, it’d have a price tag of a million bucks.

Synola, who’d recently moved back to town, sat in the porch swing. She puckered her bee-stung lips, narrowed her dark brown eyes, and adjusted the short sleeve of her peach silk dress against warm mocha skin. “I’ll change over at your house, Tizzy. I have extra clothes in the car.”

“I’ll be back as soon as I can,” Jinx said.

Tizzy touched the sleeve of his shirt. “Before you leave, would you mind returning to the church to find Ted Mitchell? Ridge thinks he’s the best forensic investigator the department has to offer. If he’s still here, I’m going to ask him to process Browning House as a crime scene, as a favor to me. Maybe if he dusts for prints, and gathers evidence, we can get a clue about what happened to Ridge.”

Jinx nodded and stepped from the porch. “I’m on it.”

As he drove away, Saint and Pattiecake wheeled into the drive. Pattiecake unbuckled Gracie, and she hit the ground running. When she reached her mother, she wrapped her little four-year-old body around Tizzy’s leg. “Is Trooper Cooper gonna be my daddy today?”

Tizzy’s heart ached hearing Gracie’s pet name for Ridge. She knelt beside her and kissed her cheek. “Not today, Baby. I’m sorry.”

Gracie’s angel face glowed against her brown dress. Tizzy straightened the pale peach sash and adjusted the halo of fresh roses in the hair of the most beautiful flower girl in the world. “Why not? He said he’d be my daddy when we went to the church and had flowers and cake.”

Tizzy fought to keep her emotions in check. Ridge and Gracie had been counting the days until the wedding, marking each one off the calendar with a big red X. “Do you remember, sometimes in the stories we read, someone gets lost and needs help finding their way back home?”

Gracie’s tiny fingers played with the string of pearls around Tizzy’s neck. “Uh-huh.”

“Well, he’s lost. I’m going to look for him. When I find him, I’ll show him the way home. Then he’ll be your daddy. While I’m gone, I need you to be the best girl you can be. You’re going to stay with Pattiecake and Poppa at night, and Annie Mae will come to keep you during the day. Can you do that for me?”

“Uh-huh.”

Tizzy hugged her tight. “I love you, Gracie.”

“I love you too, Momma. Do you think Trooper Cooper will bring me a present from wherever he is?”

“Yes, Baby. I’m sure he will.”

Several cars rolled to the curb, and Police Chief Earl Dean Ramsey was the first one out. He lumbered across the lawn. “God Almighty, Tizzy!” He slipped his arm around her shoulders and glanced down at Gracie. “You just say the word, and I’ll put out an All-Points Bulletin on Ridge’s A-S-S. Hell, I can overlook him being a Yankee and I’ll even forgive him for being a Democrat, but promising to marry you, then not showing up—well, we need to teach that boy a lesson.” Earl Dean pulled her into a tight hug. “You don’t come into our town, jilt one of our own, and get away Scot-free. I think we still have an old law concerning ‘breach of contract’ in place, and I’ll throw the book at him.”

Tizzy rested her head on Earl’s chest and looked down at her wedding band again. She wished she had another shot of tequila . . . and some chocolate. Her head hurt. Her chest hurt. Her stomach hurt. Her heart ached. She pushed away from him. “Thank you, Earl. Now that you mention it, I
do
want you to put out an APB.”

One after the other, the wedding guests parked on the street until the entire block was lined with cars. Soon, both Tizzy
’s and Browning house’s lawns were filled with people commiserating her misfortune.

There was no use in trying to persuade them, she decided. Finding Ridge would be up to her. Dan was convinced he’d succeeded in getting her groom to show his true colors by demanding the pre-nup. She believed Police Chief Ramsey was on board with that as well.

No
. She wouldn’t depend on law enforcement. Ridge hadn’t been gone long enough to be considered missing. Furthermore, there was no evidence of foul play, so as far as they were concerned, she was just a jilted bride.

Texas Ranger Captain Frank Reynolds, along with Chad and Marcus, two fellow Rangers, strode across the lawn. Frank took Tizzy in his arms, giving her a consoling hug. “I misjudged Cooper, Tizzy. I’m usually a damn good authority at reading people, but I missed the mark with him. I should have guessed something was up when he got involved with you during your sister-in-law’s murder case. I’m sorry. When he returns to work, I’ve decided to put a reprimand in his file.”

Tizzy bit her lip. Everyone was trying to be supportive in their own way, but she needed just one person to step forward and validate what she believed. Ridge loved her and would never leave her. “I appreciate it, Frank, but I was as much to blame as Ridge about getting involved during his first case. We fell in love.”

Chad stepped forward. “I’m off a couple of days next week, and I’ll be happy to help look for him if you want.”

“Yeah, me too. I can check out some of his old haunts in Dallas,” Marcus said.

Tizzy offered them her best smile. “Thank you, both. Let me think about it, okay?”

From the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Nana McAlister. Her grandmother, exquisite in a turquoise silk suit, got out of her car and bounced across the lawn. In her arms, she cradled Countess Mirabella Alexandra McAlister,
the poodle
, decked out in full bridal regalia. White satin dress, veil and pearls.

Nana waved her hand in the air and sang out,
“Yoo-hoo, Tizzy?”

Tizzy kissed Nana sweetly on the cheek.

“Tizzy, what can I do? I’d been here sooner, but I lost my car keys. Should I help you find Ridge?”

You can
’t find your keys, how can you help find Ridge?
“How did you know I planned to look for him?”

“You’re a McAlister woman and if we’re left at the altar, you can bet your cupcakes we’ll track him down and find out why. So, tell me what I need to do.”

Tizzy almost smiled in spite of her misfortune. “Get rid of all these people. That would help me more than anything. I appreciate their concern, but I want everybody to leave so I can gather my thoughts.”

“Consider the job done, Sweetie.” Nana twirled around, waved her hand in the air, and shouted, “Yoo-hoo! Yoo-hoo! Yoo-hoo! May I have your attention please?”

Conversations faded away and everyone turned to listen to what she had to say.

“First, I would like to remind y’all, Myrtle and I will soon be opening our new business
Doggie Style.
In addition to couture clothing, gourmet dog food, jewelry, and grooming services, as an added bonus, you’ll be able to get your dog dyed to match the holidays.”

Tizzy cleared her throat, hoping to get Nana back to the subject.

“Oh, and thank y’all for coming to the wedding and stopping by to offer your condolences. But we need for everyone to leave. Tizzy’s had a rough day, and she’s tired. So go on now. Skedaddle!”

The crowd immediately started to disperse and Tizzy noticed Ted Mitchell park at Browning House. He got out of his car and removed his case from the trunk. He waved and nodded toward Tizzy as he disappeared inside.

She turned her attention back to Nana. “You should reconsider your business name. Don’t you think
Doggie Style
is a little risqué? I thought you liked Posh Pooch or Canine Couture.”

“I do like those, but I want a name that
grabs
you, Tizzy. You can’t deny
Doggie Style
is a grabber.”

Tizzy shook her head and decided to fight that battle another day.

Fifteen minutes later, most of the crowd was gone, and things began to settle down. Tizzy, still in her wedding dress, sat on her porch staring into empty space. Lost in thought, she didn’t hear Reverend John McDaniel approach. He stuck out his hand. “Tizzy, here’s your marriage license. It’s good for twenty-five additional days. When you locate Ridge and want me to perform the ceremony, give me a call.” He took her hand and held it. “Lots of men get cold feet and back out at the last minute. More times than not, they come to their senses and eventually commit.”

“Thank you, Brother McDaniel. I’m sure that’s what happened. Heck, Ridge will probably call me tonight to apologize.”

The preacher lowered his voice to the tone he reserved for funerals. “Perhaps the thought of being in front of all those people caused him to stress out. Maybe a private ceremony would be more appropriate. If that’s the case, I’ll be happy to perform the nuptials anywhere.”

The minister left, and Tizzy clutched the license. Her lungs started to burn working for oxygen. She’d had about all she could stand for one day. She closed her eyes and imagined Ridge, strong and steady. His arms wrapped around her. His whispers of love.

Her solitude was short lived when Rayann and Bubba wheeled into her drive. They joined Tizzy on the porch. “Tiz, you’re still wearing your wedding dress. Why don’t you change?” Rayann asked.

Tizzy sucked in a deep breath. She realized once she took it off, it would be official. She wouldn’t be a bride anymore. She’d go back to being Tizzy Donovan, twenty-six-year-old single mother of Gracie. Younger sister of the county sheriff. Daughter of the best baker in town. Local resident with a weird habit of talking to the dead. Hometown girl jilted at the altar.

She placed her hand to her throat and fingered the pearls around her neck, a wedding gift from Ridge. Tears collected behind her eyes and she willed them to stop.

Ted Mitchell, tall, lean and all business, made his way across the lawn. He approached with a wary expression. “Tizzy, I was wondering—do you want me to run DNA on the bed sheets? There are definitely bodily fluids, but since this isn’t an authorized case, I won’t test them without your request.”

Tizzy cocked her head. “Why would I want . . .” she stopped herself short. “Oh, I understand. In case you find DNA from someone other than Ridge and me.”

Ted nodded.

She looked toward heaven, and took a shallow breath, “Run them.”

“Okay. I’ll be a while longer over at the house. When I get the results, I’ll notify you. If I find
anything
that indicates foul play, I’ll inform the Rangers ASAP.” Ted turned to go, then stopped. “Even though this isn’t an official case, I’m going to get right on it. I’ll try to have something for you in a couple of days.”

Tizzy gave him a warm hug.

Ted folded around her. “Hey, everything will be alright.” He patted her shoulder. “Now, you better let me go. The sooner I’m done, the quicker we’ll get some answers.”

She released him and he ambled back to Browning House.

Within a few minutes, Jinx returned. Everyone followed Tizzy inside and found Nana, Pattiecake, and Saint talking quietly. Synola and Gracie sat on the floor playing with Countess Alexandra. Gracie had removed the dog’s veil and pearls and the Poodle scratched at the dress.

“Why don’t y’all go on home?” Tizzy asked.

“Are you sure there’s nothing we can help with?” Pattiecake moved to stand next to her. “We can close up the bakery and the bar for a few days.”

“Thank you, Momma. I’m not sure what needs to be done right now. I’ve got Rayann, Synola, and Jinx to help me. Taking care of Gracie is the best thing you can do.”

“I’ll cancel my vacation if I need to. I’ll be happy to stay,” Nana added.

“That’s thoughtful, Nana, but won’t be necessary. You go and have a good time. When you get back, this will all be settled, I’m sure.”

Nana picked up the poodle. “I have some deliveries coming to your address for the new shop. I knew Annie Mae would be here to accept them.”

Tizzy kissed Nana good-bye, then turned to Gracie. “Come give me some sugar. You’re going to go home with Poppa and Pattiecake. I’ll see you in a couple of days, okay?”

After the last person left, she turned to the remaining group and gathered her resolve. “I don’t care what y’all think about Ridge. I
believe
in my heart he would never hurt me this way.” Tizzy’s stomach knotted. She had faith in the words she spoke. “He made promises to me and Gracie and I know he meant them. He wouldn’t leave me—not like this. Not at the altar in front of the whole town. He’d never publicly humiliate me. He wouldn’t.”