The Fatal Fundraiser: Events To Die For Series, #3

THE

FATAL FUNDRAISER

SARA ROBBINS

Chapter 1

Charlotte Wilson gave her sister a warning look. The thunderous expression on her face would have made most people change the subject of this conversation. But Lacey was not most people and was not about to let Charlotte off the hook before sharing at least some of her Valentine’s Day plans.

I told you, Cody and I have not made any formal plans. You and Wyatt are engaged and this will be your last Valentine’s Day before you get married. It makes sense that the love holiday is a big deal to you. Cody and I just started dating, Charlotte sounded irritated.

Still not satisfied, Lacey continued, Oh, really? Just started dating? You see each other at least three times a week and don’t try to pretend those goodbyes in the driveway aren’t hot enough to defrost the windshield.

Charlotte did have the grace to blush and couldn’t prevent the secretive smile that curved her lips. Nevertheless, she was determined to end this interrogation. You know I’m going to be super busy with the Pet Promises Foundation event next week. You still haven’t said if you and Wyatt will be able to attend. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun and of course; it’s such a worthy cause, she tried unsuccessfully to change the subject.

Lacey was engaged to the local sheriff, Wyatt Graves. Their wedding would take place in May and would of course, be held at Enchanted Events. Charlotte was planning the sumptuous affair with many exciting extra details that would thrill the happy couple. Lacey wished her sister could find the kind of love she and Wyatt shared, the kind that actually made her heart flutter whenever she got close to him. She suspected Charlotte was feeling something for Cody Westerfield and that something was more than she had seen her sister feel for a very long time.

Charlotte had recently begun exclusively dating Cody Westerfield, the owner of the nearby Western Bison Ranch. The good-looking cowboy had finally convinced Charlotte to drop the other men she had halfheartedly dated and give him a chance to break through the wall of protection she had built around her heart. She had to admit that when Cody came to pick her up for one of their dates, she did feel a tingle of excitement.

Cody was tall and outdoorsy. His tanned rugged face, proud bearing and the broad grin that usually appeared at the sight of Charlotte made her understand why woman had always been attracted to those true cowboy types. He always made Charlotte feel special, and she could admit that he had been able to inspire the heat of physical attraction between them. She wasn’t sure though if she could give her heart and love to anyone ever again. Cody understood her reticence and was patient. They had agreed to explore the possibility of something deeper than frequent dates and a growing physical attraction. Charlotte was not about to discuss it with Lacey, but Cody had been hinting that he wanted to plan a special outing for Valentine’s Day.

She had managed to keep delaying any detailed discussion using the excuse that she would be too busy preparing for and hosting the fundraiser to think about anything else. Cody had accepted her excuse and other than a reminder that Valentine’s was only three days after the Pet Promises Foundation event he had not brought the topic up again. However, she had felt his speculative gaze on her every time something related to Valentine’s Day was mentioned. In fact, the other night at the movie theatre an advertisement had flashed on the screen suggesting a popular local fondue restaurant as a romantic Valentines destination. She had ignored the intense heat of his eyes on her in the dark until thankfully the beginning of the movie had claimed his attention.

She didn’t know how she would feel if he arranged some sappy date to surprise her. Maybe she was over her fear of letting herself care for any man in that way. She wondered if it were possible that she was ready, and a mushy Valentine’s Day date would snap her out of the frozen standstill she had maintained these last few years.

Lacey watched as deep thoughts and expressions flashed across her sister's face and decided to drop the subject. It was clear Charlotte would not talk about the progression or lack of it in her relationship with Cody Westerfield. So instead, she asked, Tell me more about the pet event. Are you really going to call it Pawdi Gras?

Charlotte sighed with relief to be off the hot seat in regards to her love life and began to tell Lacey about the event she had booked for next week.

Chapter 2

Word had quickly spread that Enchanted Events was a great place to hold your business or social affair. The renovation of the hundred year old barn that had been on the property had resulted in a magnificent location for many kinds of events. The excellent service and innovation of fresh ideas for those stumped for details for their soiree had added to their reputation. Charlotte was a fabulous event planner.  The large venue was beautiful and was advantageously located just outside the city and adjacent to the Aspen Valley Inn.

Lacey Washburn and Charlotte Wilson were partners in both establishments. They helped each other wherever needed but generally Lacey managed the Inn and Charlotte oversaw the event center. They both had good business sense, and each was creative and resourceful when given an opportunity to earn and keep clients.

There had been a few missteps, if you could call murder a misstep. Those unfortunate incidents had also added to the sister’s reputation. They had stumbled upon the crimes then had helped to solve them and unmask the perpetrators. The Inn and Event center had been the backdrop for their sleuthing efforts, and the locals had given their establishment the moniker Events to Die For.  It had turned out to be a very literal label.

Wyatt was not happy to have his fiancé and soon to be sister in law not only in such close proximity to such horror but actually smack in the middle of each investigation. He did the best he could to steer them away, but they insisted and even enjoyed their involvement. While neither sister, would wish any harm to anyone they secretly enjoyed these real life murder mysteries. They often joked about expanding their businesses to include the Sleuthing Sisters Detective Agency. Why shouldn’t they take advantage of the fact that they were apparent magnets for murder?

Wyatt wasn’t the only one that wished they would lead a more ordinary life. They had an older sister, Veronika who agreed with Wyatt that they should avoid any such involvement. However, Vernie held little influence over them since she was always traveling. Veronika was a bestselling romance author who could only make short visits to check on her siblings between worldwide book tours.

Vernie liked to threaten that someday she would retire and spend her time keeping her younger sisters out of trouble. Vernie was barely in her mid-thirties and since her writing successes showed no sign of waning neither Charlotte nor Lacey worried about that happening too soon.

They always looked forward to Vernie’s visits and the elaborate stories she shared about her travels and the interesting people she met along the way. She would be here of course for the wedding in May, and they would all catch up with each other’s lives.

For now, they had an event to prepare for, and she sat down with Lacey at the large worktable in the center of the Inn’s kitchen. They began to go over the details and itinerary for the Pet Promises Foundation’s Pawdi Gras carnival. Charlotte giggled and said that maybe they should stick with Pawnival.

Charlotte was sure they didn’t need to worry about anything untoward happening at the Pet Promises event. The fundraiser was an innocuous gathering but then again, weren’t they all innocent until something horrible happened? Charlotte shook her head and decided it was best for both she and Lacey if she kept these thoughts completely to herself. She knew that Wyatt did not like her to encourage Lacey to look for trouble; it was bad enough that trouble had found them many times.

The Pet Promises Foundation was a local organization that found happy homes for the pets of terminally ill owners. A few hospice care nurses had realized that arrangements for a beloved pet weighed heavily on the hearts of their dying patients had started the group. Their efforts to find homes for these pets