Dead Before The Wedding: A Carly Keene Cozy Mystery (Carly Keene Cozy Mysteries Book 1) by Ruby Blaylock Page A

Tyler during all this chaos that had been taking place, but then she realized that Tyler was Tucker’s nephew, and his last real link to his twin brother. “Would you like a chocolate chip cookie, Tyler?” Carly stooped down to his height, and smiled brightly. Tyler was very quiet today, not like he’d been when she’d first met him at Moore House. Poor little thing , she thought, he’s probably missing his mama like crazy.
     
    Tyler shrugged, but Shell was already heading over with a plate full of cookies and a carton of chocolate milk. “Come here, sugar. Let Aunt Shell get you a snack.” Shell seemed like a real natural with kids, and Carly was sure that she’d make a great mom someday.
     
    “Have you heard anything else about Tina?” Carly was hoping that Tucker would have news that she didn’t, though it was very unlikely, since her cousin had promised to call if any new evidence came in.
     
    Tucker shrugged. “Nothing yet. But, I just don’t see how she could have murdered Larry. She’s just not that sort of person. And she wouldn’t do anything that would get her taken away from Tyler.”
     
    Carly noted that Tucker seemed to know an awful lot about Tina, but then again, he had been around when Tina had been dating his brother, so he probably knew her better than anyone else at this point.
     
    Carly and Tucker continued to chat, discussing what little they both knew about the case against Tina, when Tyler piped up, “I need to go potty.”
     
    Shell didn’t miss a beat, and had the little boy up in her arms and headed off to the bathroom within seconds. “She doesn’t want any accidents, I guess,” Carly ventured. She could only imagine how much cleaning Shell would do if that happened.
     
    “Yeah, he’s a great kid. This has been hard on him, I think.” Tucker glanced around the bakery, and seemed to be suddenly aware that they were alone. He smiled nervously, and Carly tried not to laugh. It was hard, though, because she couldn’t help but think that Tucker looked an awful lot like little Tyler had when he’d first walked into the bakery, shy and a little lost.
     
    She didn’t have long to consider the similarities between the uncle and nephew, because just then the doorbell jingled again. This time, the guest was not so happy to see Carly, and judging by the look on her heavily made-up face, Mona Durham wasn’t too happy to see Tucker, either.
     
    “Carly, I need to talk to you about something.” Mona simply walked up to the counter and sat her purse down heavily, probably for dramatic effect, thought Carly. Excusing herself from Tucker, Carly walked over to where Mona was standing. She considered talking to her from behind the counter, but changed her mind at the last minute.
     
    She probably wants me back there, Carly thought , so she can feel superior. Well, that’s not going to happen. “Hey, Mona. How are you holding up?” Carly was trying to be sympathetic, but Mona’s brusque attitude made it difficult.
     
    “Well, I’m about as good as a girl whose fiance was murdered by some scheming Jezebel can get, if you must know!” Mona’s nostrils flared, and she glared at Tucker. “I mean, I’m practically a widow, and then I find out that she’s got some little brat and says it’s Larry’s. Hmmph. Shameless hussy, that’s what that girl is.” Mona tilted her head back, looking down her nose at Tucker. “She’ll get what she deserves in prison, I’m sure. And child services ought to just go on and take that kid. I mean, apparently she left it with her daddy, who I’ve seen and who is as old as the hills.”
     
    Carly could see Tucker’s face getting red, and his hands had curled into fists. He probably hated Mona pretty hard right about now. To his credit, he managed to maintain an otherwise calm appearance, not unlike a skinny Buddha in blue jeans and an Old Navy t-shirt.
     
    “Mona, what did you need to see me about?” Carly was determined to change