Chapter Twenty-Three
"Oh, Lord, Mick. The Mayor's here. I swear I didn't invite him or any of his entourage. Josef, look, it's that sleezy Mick Ireland. How'd he get in?"
"Dunno, Beth. I guess I'll have to ask Security to contact me whenever new guests appear."
Simone giggles. "You've got a night ahead of you. I just peeked out and there are hybrid stretch limos lined up for half a mile. Your boys are running around being car valets, no time for screening."
"Sorry, J, guess we'd better close things down. Beth, we forgot how small a town Gossip City really is; there are no secrets like the one you're trying to keep on the down low. I'll go over and make sure Mr. Mayor behaves."
Simone put her hand through her husband's arm. "So, Josef, I'm dying to find out. What did Debbie say?"
"She said yes to the puppy training but she'll have to think about the marriage. She's not sure she can handle both."
"Where did she go off to?"
Just then they hear a scream coming from the front courtyard where they arrive in time to see an inebriated Viking being hauled away by at least six Aspen Police Officers. And Thor, having grabbed Debbie and put her over his shoulder, is charging towards them ready to do battle. Josef steps in front of him just in time, barring his teeth. Thor stops in his tracks, dropping a still struggling and furious Debbie. To her, the vampire says, "Go find Elliott." After re-composing himself, "Anybody here speak ancient Norse? No, didn't think so."
To the APD, "Listen, guys, I'm sure we can come to some kind of accommodation. These are just some rowdy guests who have been having way too good of a time. What do you say?"
"No can do, Mr. Kostan. This young lady here, Miss Hudson, has filed a complaint. Says she was assaulted by this man. A Mr. Ugg, although he has no i.d. on him."
Smirking, Josef is about to say something about Mr. Ugg and where he can go, when Elliott and Mick show up, along with the Mayor of Aspen. Fortunately, the Mayor can actually be of help tonight after having an animated talk with Ugg, Elliott and Beth.
'It's all fixed, Kostan. Miss Hudson just didn't understand Mr. Ugg's intentions were honorable. She's accepted his engagement ring."
And sure enough, there's Beth's 6-karat sapphire diamond on Harmony Hudson's petite finger.