Cupid's Corpse: A Cozy Mystery (Gemma Stone Cozy Mystery Book 3) (2 page)

“Yes, dear,” Nick said, kissing her hand tenderly. She jerked it away and suppressed a smile before anyone noticed.

More people made their way into the lobby and Gemma watched them from where she stood by the fireplace. Some seemed to know each other but acted awkward and unsure of themselves. Others appeared to be meeting for the first time, and Gemma wondered what was going on.

“Why are there so many people here?” she asked as the manager approached.

He made a face and let his eyes roam over the crowd. “Mr. Boris Muzak, the owner, is quite a romantic. Every year on Valentine’s Day weekend, an online dating service called Love Match reserves the top two floors of the lodge. This is a chance for their online clients to get together for a meet-up or just to mingle with others during a lonely time. We’ve actually had several people get married here before the weekend was over.”

“Really?” Gemma said, hiding her surprise as best she could. “I was assured we would have complete privacy,” Gemma told him, struggling to stay in character.

“Oh, you will. That’s why we put you in one of the cabins - as your husband requested,” he said quickly, obviously eager to keep her happy.

“I’m also guessing that Mr. Muzak is an avid bow hunter,” Gemma said, nodding toward the collection on the wall she’d been studying. The weapons all looked functional, from wooden longbows as tall as Nick to several crossbows that covered a wide range of age and appearance. The oldest of them looked like they would have been at home defending a castle. The newest of them looked like they might actually belong in the future.

“Actually, that’s my collection. He lets me display it here, in keeping with his Cupid theme,” Joel explained. His pride was evident. “Boris appreciates all manner of fine things, even the dangerous ones.”

Gemma let that sink in and then she remembered something she was supposed to do. “Let me tell you a little secret,” Gemma began. “I’m not his wife, yet. There is the current Mrs. Vanderhaden to dispose of first. As his mistress, I’m hoping there’s some place to shop around here because I plan on spending every dime that I can, just in case she takes longer to get rid of than expected. I’ve earned it.”

“Yes, ma’am, I’m sure you’ll be intrigued by the shops just down the road in Valentine,” Joel said, amusement sparkling in his dark gaze.

“Good. Now that part is just our little secret,” she added with a wink. “If you know what I mean.”

“Oh, absolutely. Discretion is of utmost importance to us here. If you’ll excuse me just a moment...” he said.

Gemma watched his tall, lean figure zig-zag through the crowd to the front desk. He said something to the clerk checking Nick in, and she nodded. And then she frowned and called to a lanky young man who stood nearby. He wore thick glasses and his hair was in desperate need of a pair of scissors and a comb. Peering over the woman’s shoulder, he appeared to be instructing her on a procedure that she couldn’t seem to get right. Finally, he took her seat at the keyboard, his fingers flying. Within seconds the task was complete and he stood, allowing the clerk to return to her seat and finish the transaction.

When all of that was settled, Joel and Nick shook hands and then both men started back toward her. Nick’s dashing, boyish good looks turned more than one female head. In stark contrast was Joel Cunningham, a head taller than Nick with that solemn air about him. Gemma thought he looked like Dracula.

“Darling, would you like a drink?” Nick asked, returning to Gemma and placing a light hand on her shoulder.

“I believe I would,” Gemma said, looping her arm into his. She felt like she was on the set of Gone with the Wind or something. All she needed was a hoop skirt.

“Please, let me escort you into our restaurant. We have an award winning chef here. I’m sure he’ll be able to prepare any meal you would like.” Cunningham motioned for them to follow, made sure they were seated quickly before he excused himself, and someone appeared almost immediately to take their drink orders.

“What do you think?” Nick asked, reaching across the table to cover her hands with his.

“I think this acting stuff is not easy,” Gemma confessed. “I mean this place is gorgeous, and I’m supposed to act as though I’ve seen better?”

“Well, we have been skiing in the Alps and I’ve taken you to St. Thomas several times,” Nick teased. “At least that’s what I told the front desk clerk. I also told her you were very hard to impress.”

“Thanks a lot, Nick,” Gemma said and then clapped her hand over her mouth. “I mean William, darling.”

Nick laughed. “You’re doing fine.”

“I confided in the manager that I’m not really your wife,” she told him. “It seemed to be the right opportunity to let that slip.”

“Interesting,” Nick said, rubbing his chin. “Because they put us in a different cabin at the last minute.”

“Very interesting,” Gemma echoed just as their drinks arrived.

“Is there anything else I can get for you?” the waiter asked politely.

“No, thank you,” Nick said. “We’re just fine.”

“Please do not hesitate to ask for anything,” he said and Gemma thought he was going to bow before moving away from their table.

They had taken no more than a few sips of their drinks before Gemma spotted Joel Cunningham coming toward them with a woman in tow. She was almost as tall as him, slender with jet black hair and a cream colored, silky, flowing dress that ended just below her knees.

“Mr. and Mrs. Vanderhaden, I hate to interrupt but I have someone I want you to meet,” Joel said when they reached their table.

Nick stood up.

“This is Natasha Muzak,” Joel explained, touching Natasha’s arm lightly, almost as if he couldn’t keep his hands to himself. “She and her husband own Cozy Valley Lodge.” The dour expression on his face had turned to one of pure adoration for the woman at his side.

“Very nice to meet you,” Nick said politely and with a little bow as he took the woman’s limp hand in his own. “And this is my beautiful wife Carolyn,” he said, reaching down to stroke Gemma’s hair.

“So nice to meet both of you,” Natasha said with an elegant smile that did not reach her dark eyes. “I do hope you’ll enjoy your stay here with us.”

“I’m sure it will be a wonderful, relaxing little get away for us. A slower pace is just what we’re looking for,” Nick explained.

Before Natasha could answer, boisterous laughter from the lobby invaded the quiet restaurant. Joel grew tense, glanced briefly at his watch and then clasped his hands together in front of himself.

Natasha frowned but composed herself quickly. “I do apologize for the noise,” she said. “My husband is a hopeless romantic and every year he invites the people from Love Match here so their clients can meet and mingle,” she explained slowly, obviously trying to hide the agitation in her voice.

Gemma had already heard about this and even though she thought it was a wonderful idea, she wrinkled her nose, hoping to show something close to disdain.

“I’m sure it adds nicely to your bottom line as well,” Nick said to Joel and Natasha. “I might mention that strategy to one of my business partners. We own several hotels in Hawaii. Perhaps later we could share some other lucrative ideas. You seem to be doing quite well here...”

“Absolutely, that’s a wonderful idea,” Joel put in.

“William, please. You promised,” Gemma reminded him gently.

“Oh, I am sorry, dear,” Nick said quickly and then turned back to Natasha and Joel. “I promised my dear wife that this weekend would be nothing but pleasure. I do apologize.”

Joel seemed to take it in stride. “In your position, sir, I understand perfectly.”

Gemma spotted a shorter woman marching toward them across the restaurant, wearing dark slacks and a white blouse. She carried a clip board in one hand. She was older than Joel and Natasha with shots of gray through the tight little curls covering her head and it was obvious that she was not happy.

“Mr. Cunningham, I’d like a word with you please,” she snapped.

“Of course, Missy,” Joel said as though trying to soothe her. “First I’d like you to meet Mr. and Mrs. Vanderhaden. They’re our guests for the weekend.” And then he turned to Gemma and Nick. “And this is our event planner, Missy Tyler,” he explained.

Again, Nick was already on his feet. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Tyler,” he said and shook the woman’s hand. Gemma noted that her grip was not limp like Natasha’s had been.

“Hello,” Gemma said politely.

Missy Tyler stared at Gemma for a moment. “You look familiar,” she said.

“My wife was a model until just recently,” Nick explained quickly.

Gemma didn’t think Missy Tyler was the type to recognize a model but she kept the smile plastered on her face and prayed the woman didn’t somehow know who she really was.

After several moments that sent Gemma’s heart rate soaring, Missy finally said, “Tomorrow night we have a special Valentine’s Day dinner served in the old theater. We do hope you plan to attend.”

“Wouldn’t miss it, would we dear?” Nick asked.

“Oh, we’ll be there,” Gemma said. “It sounds like fun.”

“It’s really the highlight of the weekend,” Joel assured them.

Missy turned her attention to Joel, all business again. “I really need to talk to you about this...this...” she waved a hand, “...fiasco.”

“Alright, meet me in my office in fifteen minutes,” Joel told her.

With a quick backward glance at Gemma, Missy left them.

“She’s such an unhappy woman,” Natasha said, almost as if to herself.

Before anyone could respond, Joel called out to the tall, skinny young man who had greeted them when they first arrived. It looked like he had combed his hair, or at least tried to. “Harold, could you please come here?”

Harold came toward their table, his lanky frame slouching slightly. Gemma realized this was the young man who had assisted the clerk at the front desk earlier. Perhaps he was one of those employees who wore several different hats. However he seemed to be in his element around the computers and extremely uncomfortable when confronted with a guest.

“This is Harold Holland. He’ll be available any time you need something or if you have any problems with anything,” Joel made the introductions.

“My pleasure,” Harold mumbled, but it was clear he had other things on his mind.

“I trust you made sure their cabin was ready?” Joel asked.

“Yes, sir.” Harold replied.

“Good.”

Natasha opened her mouth to say something to Harold when another uproar of laughter spilled into the restaurant, followed by a crowd of people.

Leading the way was a short, round bald man wearing what appeared to be flowing white robes that reached the floor, barely covering the silver slippers on his feet. Attached to his plump shoulders were gauzy wings trimmed in silver. They seemed to flutter with his movements. Hanging at his side was a quiver made of the same white fabric as his robe and filled with what looked like tin foil arrows. He carried a simple bow in his right hand.

The crowd followed him into the restaurant, cheering wildly.

“Cupid?” Gemma gasped, looking at Nick, who seemed just as surprised. “Is that Cupid? How cute!”

“T
hat is Mr. Boris Muzak himself, actually,” Joel informed them. He looked grouchy again.

“I’m afraid my husband really is a hopeless romantic,” Natasha said. Even though her face remained placid, her little smile locked in place, Gemma didn’t miss the sneer in her voice. “Valentine’s Day is his favorite holiday and he insists on dressing like this for the whole weekend,” she added.

“Is that a bow he’s carrying?” Nick asked.

“Unfortunately, it is,” Natasha told them. “And he’ll be shooting those little foil arrows at everyone throughout the weekend.”

“You’re kidding,” Nick said with a laugh.

Gemma coughed softly and placed her hand over her mouth, hoping to hide her smile. Oh, this was going to be fun.

Mr. Muzak led the crowd through the restaurant. He moved lightly on his feet, almost like a ballet dancer. When he saw Joel and Natasha at Nick’s table he joined them, his smile growing wider at the sight of his wife. It was almost too wide, as if he were forcing it. Maybe not, Gemma thought. After all, a man who loved romance like he did must love his wife. Unfortunately, his expression of adoration was not returned by his wife.

Joel made the introductions and then glanced quickly at his watch. “If you’ll excuse me, I have a meeting.”

“How wonderful to have you here!” Mr. Muzak turned to Nick and Gemma with a delighted smile and spread his hands wide in welcome.

Gemma thought he was probably the most genuine person she’d met since they’d arrived and she liked him immediately.

“Our Joel is quite a stickler for schedules,” Mr. Muzak said and then turned that rosy smile to his wife. “Isn’t that right, dear?”

“Yes, it is but that’s what makes him such an invaluable employee,” she said to her husband, but she did not take her eyes off of Joel until he disappeared in the crowd.

“Welcome to our home,” Mr. Muzak said, shaking hands with Nick. “I certainly hope you have a romantic weekend planned for your wife.”

“I do indeed, sir,” Nick replied.

“Good. Keeping the love alive is what it’s all about. Don’t you think so, sweetheart?” There he was, beaming at Natasha again.

“Yes, yes it is,” she answered but she didn’t sound nearly as enthusiastic as he did. “Why don’t you show the Vanderhadens to their cabin?” she suggested. “We’ve put them in Number 12.”

“I will be happy to lead the way,” he said, aiming his bow at a young couple who had just entered the restaurant.

The young man looked up in surprise when the foil arrow struck him, bounced off and hit the floor. Then he smiled, picked it up and nodded at Mr. Muzak. The couple were holding hands by the time they reached their table.

“Come on, you little love birds,” he said and skipped ahead of them, lighter on his feet than Gemma would have imagined.

As they walked along the wooded path behind him holding hands, Mr. Muzak told them about various interesting sights on the property and reminded them that they were free to roam at will. He also told them that the shops in Valentine were a very short drive away and contained so many treasures, both imported and hand made, that they were sure to find a wonderful keepsake to commemorate their Valentine weekend.