Murder in Marietta (A Trixie Montgomery Cozy Mystery Book 2) by Deborah Malone Page B

walked along the sidewalks.
    We parked and made our way over the railroad tracks. Nana kept up like a trooper. She talked a mile a minute about being Scarlett.
    “Oh, I can’t wait to get my dress,” Nana said. “I’ll look just like Scarlett. You wait and see.”
    “Well. I rather fancied myself being Scarlett.” Dee Dee patted her head with the palm of her hand as if patting her curls.
    “Okay, girls. Let’s not get into a cat-fight. You can both be Scarlett. Once the ladies put on their dresses for the evening, all of them will probably feel a little like Scarlett.” I had to admit, I was getting excited. I’ve always wanted to dress up in a beautiful ball-gown.
    We walked into the Gone with the Wind Museum. The building appeared deserted at first. “Hello, may I help you?” An attractive, middle- aged lady greeted us.
    “Yes. We want to rent gowns for the museum fund-raiser they’re having tonight.” Her eyebrows rose to her widow’s peak.
    “Oh, my. You’ve come at a most inopportune time. The dresses have been picked over, but we may have something left.” She motioned for us to follow her through the hallway and back into a side room. “I’m afraid this is all we have. I’ll try my best to fit you with something.”
    I picked up a velvet, maroon dress I thought would fit me. I ran my fingers over the soft material.
    “By the way, I’m Susan Gray. I volunteer at the museum and I’m helping out today. We’ve had a last minute run on dresses.” Her gaze swept over all of us. “You’d think people wouldn’t wait to the last minute.”
    I literally dropped the dress I held. “Oh, I’m so sorry. Did you say your name was Susan Gray? Do you own the Magnolia Books and Antiques Store?”
    “Yes, I do. How did you know?” The tone of her voice reflected her wariness.
    “Uh, Doc. Doc Pennington told us you’re on the board of the history museum.” I picked the dress up from the floor. I wanted to try it on. “I’m Trixie Montgomery and I write for “Georgia by the Way”.
    “Yes, I’m familiar with the magazine. We have some copies in the bookstore.”
    “This is my friend and assistant, Dee Dee Lamont.” I’d called her my assistant so often; I’d begun to believe it. I placed my hand on Nana’s shoulder. “This is my great aunt, we just call her Nana.”
    “Well, we need to get you ladies fitted if you plan to attend tonight.” She pulled out several dresses and held them up to Nana. Most of them would swallow her whole. She told us to wait and after a few minutes she returned with a sure-fire replica of Scarlett’s gown. Nana’s eyes lit up like a ten-carat diamond.
    “We’ve just received this dress. The mayor’s wife was going to wear it, but she changed her mind. I see no reason why we can’t use it. She handed the dress to Nana. “Would you like to try this on, ma’am?” What a silly question. I don’t believe Sherman’s troops could’ve stopped Nana. She grabbed the dress from Susan’s hands quicker than a dog on a biscuit.
    Now, for Dee Dee. After several more attempts we found one Dee Dee liked. I wasn’t sure it would zip up, but I wasn’t going to bring it to her attention.
    “Dee Dee, why don’t you go help Nana, and I’ll wait here?” I wanted to question Susan alone.
    Dee Dee didn’t take the hint. “Oh, come on. It’ll be fun if we all try them on at the same time,” she suggested.
    I winked at Dee Dee, trying to grab her attention.
    “Trix, is something in your eye?” Dee Dee asked. “You do seem to have a problem with that. Maybe you need to get your eyes checked.”
    “Let me see. I’ll get it out.” Ever helpful Nana got right up in my face. I feared she would stick her finger in my eye and try to pluck out what wasn’t there. I popped up over Nana’s head and glared at Dee Dee.
    “Please take Nana with you and I’ll follow in a minute.” She finally took the hint and off they went to try on their outfits.
    “Susan, do you