Page 14 of Pepper, the Biker & the Vanishing Body

“Amy is going to check with the Willow Lake Historical Society and see what they might know. Dan told me that the mausoleum’s records reside with the church, so I’m going to talk with Reverend Herbert and see if he would be willing to let me look at the records.”

“Both good places to start,” Ian said, grabbing a bowl for the popcorn that finished popping. “Do you think this biker guy is telling the truth and he is a descendant of the Willow family?”

“Claiming to be a descendant of the Willow family isn’t going to be enough. He’s going to have to prove it to gain entrance and with how confident he sounded about being a relative of the Willow family I’m thinking he may have proof.”

“Who presently holds the deed to the mausoleum?” Ian asked.

“I believe it’s the church, but Reverend Herbert can probably tell me since he has the records. I intend to call the church tomorrow and see when the reverend is free. I could let you know, and you could join me if you’re available.”

“That would be great, Pep,” Ian said.

“Also, I meant to tell you what Kate told me.” I told him about the two hooded sweatshirt guys who bought The History of Willow Lake book within a short time of each other.

“That’s odd,” Ian said.

“Too odd to be a coincidence.”

I held onto my wine glass while I grabbed the bowl of popcorn and Ian carried the bottle of chardonnay and his wine glass to the living room where we settled ourselves on the couch to enjoy the movie.

“I don’t think this is going to be easy to solve, Pep,” Ian said. “We don’t have a dead body or a crime.”

“True, but we have a mystery, and I don’t think either one of us is going to rest until we find out how the guy in the mausoleum vanished.”

“The reverend can seeme at eleven?” I said, nodding at Ian to see if that worked for him the next morning.

He hurried to check his daily schedule on his phone and nodded.

“That works for Ian and me, Millie,” I said, to let her know I wouldn’t be alone. “No. No. Nothing to do with wedding plans, Millie. Yes, someday. Thanks again, Millie.”

“Was that panic I heard in your voice when a wedding was mentioned?” Ian asked, walking over to me, a teasing smile on his handsome face as he slipped his arm around my waist and eased me against him.

“We haven’t even known each other a full year yet,” I said in a way of a plausible excuse.

“I agree. Our relationship has barely gotten started, but I’m wondering why you seem to panic when a wedding or marriage is mentioned.”

I shook my head. “It’s not the marriage itself. It’s wedding planning and the big day. I think my mom has been planning for the big day since I was born. I just don’t know if I could handle that much fuss and endless planning. I remember my brother Danny’s wedding,” —I shivered— “and he was the groom. I don’t know how Kelly held it together.”

“You’re a prepper and used to being prepped and prepared.”

“That’s a far cry from planning a wedding and dealing with endless problems, who to invite, who not to sit with who, picking out this and that, and—” A shudder ran through me.

“A wedding doesn’t have to be like that.”

“Tell that to my mom.”

Ian went to disagree, then stopped.

I laughed. “You have gotten to know my mom.”

“She is difficult to say no to.” He kissed me. “But we’ll manage.”

“Is that a proposal because if it is, pal, I have to say BIG failure all the way,” I teased with a laugh.

Ian grinned. “Now you’ve gone and challenged me.”

“No. No,” I said, stepping away from him shaking my head. “We should not even be discussing this. It is too early in our relationship to even give it a thought.” I shook my finger at him. “I do not like grand gestures where I’m put on the spot or in the spotlight. Simple. Simple. I like simple if the time should ever come.”

“When the time comes, I’ll make it memorable,” he said with a hint of laughter.

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