Free Bride Interrupted by Taylor Anne Page A

look so good today. I haven’t seen a smile like that on your face in quite some time.” She kissed him on the cheek. “And you’re wearing cologne. What’s up with that?”
    Standing next to the window, Colton laughed. “You mean Earl didn’t tell you he’s had his eye on that little lady two units over? Conveniently, right next door to where Earl will be moving next week.”
    Kayla wanted Grandpa to be well enough to move back to his house, but his leg paralysis was too much of a challenge for him to live alone. She was thankful when the nursing home had an opening in their Assisted Living facility, on the same grounds as where they were now. Grandpa would still get the medical care he needed, but would be able to live as independently as his impaired body would allow.
    “No, he didn’t tell me that. She’s the woman who’s been here the last few times I’ve come. Nice. I like her.”
    Earl grumbled under his breath. “Enough about me. Looks like you two are hitting it off.”
    Kayla looked at Colton. “Yes and no, Grandpa. He is still an overbearing, stubborn male who will not see reason in turning the bar into a wedding venue.”
    “And she is still infuriating and pushy.”
    “But we are working on the details,” Kayla said, walking to stand next to Colton.
    “Good. And the investigation of the brides, how is that going?” Grandpa kept up with the current news and voiced his concern over Kayla’s involvement with the cases.
    “Still no definite leads. Promise I will keep you updated, Grandpa.”
    He nailed both Kayla and Colton with a pair of hard, yet concerned, eyes. “You do that.”

    Sunday afternoon, Kayla strolled from taking a refreshing dip in the ocean up to her beach house. She opened the screen door, and a small package dropped, landing at her feet. Her heart plummeted. Several weeks had passed since the last package had been delivered. She groaned. This could only mean one thing. There was another victim. She clenched her teeth together. It annoyed and angered her that she was involved with these crimes.
    Setting down her beach bag, she unwrapped the gift and opened the small jewelry box. She unfolded the yellow note, “ Life with new meaning, life shared as one. Promise each other to have and to hold .”
    A sick feeling drummed in the pit of her stomach as she pulled the engagement ring from the box. She gasped. Tears filled her eyes. She cradled the ring in her hand, not wanting to believe what was coming.
    Kayla picked her phone up and dialed, waiting impatiently until the caller answered on the second ring. “Alec, where is Mags?”
    “She is at the bar helping Colton stock for the week.” His voice was too cheerful. Of course, he was supposed to get married in one week, begin a new life, new job, with his new wife.
    “When was the last time you talked to her?”
    “Several hours ago, why?”
    “Hang up and call her. Then call me back.” Her voice cracked as she barked out instructions.
    “What’s wrong?” A hint of fear colored his tone
    “Just do it. I’m calling Colton.” She disconnected the call and immediately dialed Colton. No answer. She ended the call and tried again. Voicemail. “Shit.”
    Alec called her back to say he had no luck in contacting his fiancée. Kayla paced the floor, trying several more times to connect with Colton and Maggie. Finally, she dialed another number. As soon as the man’s voice answered, she bombarded him. “Sergeant Miller, I think there’s been another victim. When I got home there was a present. It’s… I know whose ring it is.”
    “Whoa. Slow down, missy. Back up and give me details.”
    Kayla inhaled a deep breath and related the incident to him. “I’m going to the bar. Meet me there.”
    “Kayla, no wait…” She hung up on him and headed out the door. She jumped on the golf cart. She pulled up just as Alec, Sergeant, and Detective Sawyer were arriving.
    The back door to the bar was open. Kayla peeked inside, but