The Ghost of Grey Fox Inn by Carolyn Keene Page A

reception tomorrow, but for a wedding like this one”—he gestured to the room, filled to the brim with guests—“let’s just say that I needed a little rehearsing for that, too.” The audience all chuckled appreciatively.
    My eyes flitted over to Bess, who was watching Reggie with obvious interest. She noticed me looking at her and silently mouthed Wow , her eyebrows waggling. I chuckled to myself. Leave it to Bess to set her sights on one of the most gorgeous guys in the room.
    â€œParker and I met when we were barely out of diapers,” Reggie continued. “And we’ve been making trouble together ever since. Throughout the years, Parker grew to be much more than just the boy next door—he became my best friend.”
    There was a chorus of aww s around the room.
    â€œParker always loved to one-up me when it came to kindnesses—whether it was climbing up that tree to get my model airplane, because he knew I was afraid of heights; or helping me get elected class president in high school; or even convincing meto ask that pretty girl out to senior prom. I never thought I’d be able to get you back, man—but when I introduced you to a girl named Charlotte at the historical society, I knew I had done it.”
    A wave of appreciative laughter, and some scattered applause, broke out. Charlotte blushed, and next to her, I saw Piper dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief.
    â€œSo, on this momentous day, I’d like to raise my glass to you, Parker Hill”—everyone else raised their glasses in unison—“and say this: Buddy, we’re even.”
    The room thundered with applause as the bridal party emptied their glasses, and Parker stood to pull Reggie into a brotherly embrace. I glanced over at George and spied her sniffling. “Why, Georgia Fayne,” I said with a grin. “Are you crying?”
    George looked at me in horror at the use of her real name and quickly rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand. “Course not!” she grumbled. “Just got a little pepper in there . . .”
    Now that the speech was over, the guests got up to wander around the room and mingle. George andI made our way through the crowd up to the main table, where Bess and Charlotte were chatting. “It was a lovely dinner,” I told the bride.
    â€œDo you think so?” Charlotte replied.
    â€œAbsolutely!” George said. “Especially the barbecue.”
    Just then a waiter approached the table with a small box wrapped in yellow paper and tied up with a bow. “Excuse me, miss,” he said to Charlotte. “But this gift was left for you on the table up front.”
    Charlotte looked perplexed. “But the guests know to bring gifts to the reception tomorrow, not tonight. Who left it?”
    The waiter shrugged and turned away to clear the table. Charlotte sighed. “Well, I suppose I’ll just have to bring it back to the inn with me.”
    â€œOh, why don’t you open it now, sis?” Piper said, coming up from behind. “It’s just one gift.” Some of the bridesmaids spoke up in agreement.
    â€œFine, fine,” Charlotte said, throwing her hands up in defeat. She loosed the ribbon from the box and tore through the paper. But when she pried open the flapsof the box and put her hand inside, I saw all the color drain from her face. “Oh my God,” she cried, dropping the box onto the table as if it held a snake.
    I leaped forward and looked into the box myself. My heart hammering, I grabbed a napkin and used it to reach inside and pull out a small hunting knife, its silver blade glinting sharply in the overhead lights. Tied onto the handle with a yellow ribbon was a message written in block letters.
    It read: It should have been me.

CHAPTER SIX

Bad Luck Bride
    â€œWHAT IS THAT?” A VOICE rang out, and within seconds Parker had run up to the table and grabbed the knife from my hands. He