Death At A Premium A Josie Pigeon Mystery

One There are women for whom being engaged is a wonderful time. The long search for the perfect wedding gown, veil, and shoes is a joy. Hours spent with floral designers, photographers, and musicians are happy and productive. These women delight in finding the best venue for the service and their reception. They review menus with caterers time and time again, hoping to devise the perfect meal for their guests. They even find the wording on the invitation of compelling interest. Josie Pigeon didn't get it. "I still don't understand why we can't just elope," she said to Sam Richardson, her fiance. Sam was a reasonable man. "We can. We can do anything you want to do." "You said Carol is already shopping for the perfect dress." "You know perfectly well that my mother doesn't need an excuse to shop." "I think Tyler might be looking forward to escorting me down the aisle." "Your son will do whatever you want him to do, and then he'll get right back to the serious task of selecting a college. Seniors in high school are not all that interested in weddings." "My parents would probably prefer a traditional service." "How many years has it been since you let their priorities rule your life?" Josie twisted her long red hair into a knot at the back of her neck, then let it drop over her shoulders again. "We don't have to make these decisions now." "You've been saying that for the past four monthsIsland Contracting's slow period," Sam reminded her. "Now that your busy season is about to begin, it's going to be more difficult to find the time to do all this." They were sitting in Josie's officea remodeled fishing shack that jutted out over the bay on the barrier island both of them called home. It was early morning and Josie was finishing off one of the glazed doughnuts she loved. Sam was munching just as happily on a rice cake. He looked relaxed. Josie was nervous. Today she would learn whether she would get the big job which would carry her business through the summer season. Island Contracting was a year-round business, but in the winter the crew dwindled down to one or two people and the jobs were mostly local fixups or quick storm damage repairs. Summer was her big season, and if she got the job she was hoping for, this could be her last leisurely morning until Labor Day weekend. Josie glanced over Sam's shoulder at the wall calendar. September was hidden beneath May, June, July, and August, but she knew Labor Day was circled in red. It was going to be their wedding day. Sam was right: she had to make some decisions soon. Her resolve lasted all of six seconds, until the phone on her desk rang. She grabbed for the receiver. "Island Contracting. Josie Pigeon speaking." Sam got up and wandered out onto the small deck suspended over the bay. Wire crab traps were piled high, waiting for the blue crabs to appear as the water warmed, and leaving only enough space for two rickety old captain's chairs. He sat down and stared out at the water. He could hear Josie's conversation through the open doorway, and her tone told him what he wanted to know before her appearance confirmed it. "I got the job! Island Contracting is going to remodel the Bride's Secret Bed and Breakfast." She flopped down in the other chair. "Congratulations. When do you start?" &Wolzien, Valerie is the author of 'Death At A Premium A Josie Pigeon Mystery', published 2005 under ISBN 9780345468093 and ISBN 0345468090.