The woods clap to darkness and Jade falls to the ground with an unceremonious thump.
“Lottie?” Everett’s voice booms from the alley, and soon enough I’m wrapped safely in his arms as the woods fill with deputies.
They take Jade Pope in for the murder of Trisha Maples and the attempted murder of Annette Havershem.
“I couldn’t save either of them from being shot,” I whisper to Everett as I look up at his brilliant blue eyes. “I wish I could have saved two people.”
“You did save two people.” He presses his penetrative gaze to mine. “You saved yourself and your baby.” His cheek flickers up one side. “Would it worry you too much if I never left your side for the next eight months? You’ve already shaved ten years off the back end of my life. I couldn’t stand if anything happened to either of you.”
A sad laugh trembles from me, and I shake my head as tears come to my eyes. “I love the way you love me.”
“Good. Because I love you both.”
My lips invert as I stave off the urge to blubber right here in a forest crawling with sheriff’s deputies.
“I saw Noah and I told him. He knows.” The words come from me, threadbare. “He knows I’m having his baby.”
His lips curl in the right direction, and it might be the very first official smile I have ever seen on this man—or at least one that has lasted this long.
“Good. I’m glad. Now maybe he’ll fight like hell to get back to both of you.”
“He better.”
Everett lands a kiss to my forehead. “I’m guessing Ivy will want to speak with you. I’ll make sure it’s quick. You need your rest.”
“And my Thanksgiving dinner.”
Everett and I head out with his strong arm around me, protecting me, shielding me, making me feel both very safe and loved.
With Noah and Everett in my life, I have a lot to be thankful for indeed.
Now to find a way to keep Noah in my life, in the flesh, and in this baby’s life, too.
Something has to go our way for once.
And this had better be it.
Chapter 19
It all happens in a blur, Ivy requesting I come down to the station, Everett zipping us back to the bakery afterwards to pick up pies to take to my mother’s, heading home to change my clothes and feed my sweet cats their special Thanksgiving feast I picked up at the pet store for just the occasion, and then finally landing at the B&B.
Ivy texted a few minutes ago and let me know Nettie is in stable condition and that she wouldn’t be pressing charges against me for interfering in her investigation—this time. Considering the fact she was ready to arrest Leo Workman, you’d think she’d pen me a thank you for saving her the trouble.
I wipe all of that out of my head for now. I’ve got an armful of pies and a gorgeous man by my side. All I want to do tonight is focus on the ones I love while I fill my stomach with all the deliciousness this day has to offer.
No sooner do Everett and I make our way through the entry of the B&B than I spot Greer and Winslow, the two friendly ghosts that love to tear and scare up the halls. They’re standing there along with Carlotta, having a chortling good time.
Everett’s arms are loaded with pies, and I tell him to go ahead and set them in the kitchen.
“You got it,” he says as he looks to the woman who bore me. “Don’t you let her out of your sight, Carlotta.”
“That’s Sawyer to you!” she calls after him and we share a little laugh. “So do you feel the kiddo squirming yet? I bet you’re green around the gills each morning like I was. Although it just so happens, I was green around the gills all day long no thanks to your inability to tell time.”
“I apologize. And no, oddly I feel fine. I mean, I feel tired. But I’ve baked about a thousand pies in the last week alone. That kind of workout could bring even a seasoned athlete to their knees.”
“I don’t doubt it.”
Greer lets out a ghostly howl as her dark hair glitters like onyx. “So it’s true?”
Winslow laughs and his voice sounds perfectly hollow. He’s so handsome and dapper looking today with his light brown hair slicked back, and his dark suit looks newer but still more appropriate for a Thanksgiving taking place about two hundred years ago.
“Of course, it’s true,” he hums. “She’s glowing. A woman always glows when she’s with child.”
Greer shakes her head. “She’s glowing because she’s madly in love with that sexy man who came bearing pies.”
“I am, but he’s not the father.”
Both Greer and Winslow gasp just as little Lea and my favorite black cat, Thirteen, bound over.
“Has it happened?” Lea calls out. “Have you had that baby yet?” she snips the words as if the thought were an irritant to her.
Thirteen lets out a yodeling howl, his fur sparkling with black and silver stars, and he looks like magic personified.
“No, she hasn’t had it yet.” He wraps himself around my ankles, and I can feel his fur as sure as if he were here in the flesh. “It takes an eon or two before a human can produce a healthy litter. The little kittens haven’t formed a single whisker as of yet at this stage.” His tail lights up a sparkling shade of deep purple. “Have they, Lottie?”
“You’re right, but they won’t be forming whiskers, and I’m pretty sure there is just one little human brewing in here. I’ve yet to go to the doctor, but I’m determined to make an appointment bright and early in the morning.”
Greer whimpers, “I’m so happy for you, Lottie. And I just know that Everett will make a great father.”
“Noah,” I correct. “I did say that, right?”
“You did,” she affirms while pulling Winslow in close. “But we already know that Everett will be an important part of your life, Lottie.”
“He will,” I assert without a doubt, and yet there’s a twinge of sadness in my heart. “I just hate how complicated everything has become.”
Carlotta honks out a laugh. “I wouldn’t sweat it,” she says, waving the ghosts around us to the dining room as she navigates us all that way. “You’ve got a man for each arm, Lottie. Nothing wrong with that. A man for each side of the bed, too. Some people call that living your best life.”
I can’t help but scoff. “And some people call that a fantasy that should never test the boundaries of reality—i.e., my mother.”
“Who are you kidding, Lottie? Your mother would be the first to approve of that raunchy arrangement. Have you read her book? She happened to give me an advanced copy. I’d be worried of what the townsfolk might think if I were you.”
“Since when have you worried about what others think?”
“I said if I were you.”
We head into the main dining hall of the B&B, and it’s decorated from top to bottom in festive fall leaves, wreaths, pine cones, and pumpkins hollowed out with a bouquet of sunflowers blooming out of them.
“Oh, Mom, you’ve gone overboard!” I pull her into a quick embrace. The room is brimming with people, family, friends, and B&B boarders alike. Meg, Lainey, and their plus ones, my new half-sisters Kelleth and Aspen, Mayor Nash and his ex-Chrissy, Keelie, Bear, Naomi, Lily, Finn and Britney, Alex and his mother Suze, Cormack and her friends Larson and Cressida. I can’t help but scowl at that last one.
“Thank you, Lottie.” Mom leans in. “But it’s all smoke and mirrors. After I found out what you went through, I couldn’t stop shaking. Chrissy and Keelie did all of this on their own.”
Keelie bops over and wraps her arms around me, and I feel the prickling of tears underneath my eyelids because I’ve yet to break my news to my very best friend—to anyone really. Not on purpose anyway.
“Lottie Lemon.” Keelie pulls back and holds out a sparkler on her left ring finger. “Thank you. Bear told me that you went in and helped him out a bit.”
Bear pops up from behind her and winces. “She dragged it out of me.”
“Hey, Everett and I just narrowed down the f
ield,” I say. “The rest was all him.”
I pull her hand forward and admire the cushion cut diamond that catches the light in the room and holds it hostage, as it should.
“It’s amazing.” Tears sting my eyes once again, and this time they’re all for Keelie. “Just like the two of you.”
Becca, Chrissy Nash, and my mother swoop over, and soon they’re all swooning and admiring Bear’s wonderful taste in diamonds.
I turn and spin right into Kelleth and Aspen, along with Cormack and her snobby friends, Larson and Cressida. This is one gaggle of blondes I want nothing to do with at the moment.
“Happy Thanksgiving,” I say brightly as I try my best to duck on out of the awkward social situation.
“Whoa, Lottery.” Cormack pulls me back. “We have a special request.”
Larson looks down her nose at me quite literally. “Your sisters tell me that there’s not a better baker in all of Vermont.”
“Wow, thank you.” I blink over at Kelleth and Aspen, suddenly feeling a bit guilty about wanting to ditch them so quickly. “I’m here for all your baking needs.”
“Good.” Larson zips a large pendant across the gold chain around her neck. “Because Cressie and I are throwing our annual Christmas party up on Garland Road. We’d like for you to bring your sweet treats. And Yule logs—lots of Yule logs for the guests to enjoy. That creme filled cake has become a tradition.”
“Wow, Garland Road. That’s a beautiful neighborhood.” I happen to know that Garland Road is on the side of town where rows of ritzy mansions line the streets. “I would be honored to cater the party. I’ll come bearing cookie platters and Yule logs alike. Just let me know the date and time.”
Cressida snorts. “Of course.”
Her eyes grow large as she lunges forward, and for a second, I think perhaps her pricy high heels are malfunctioning and she’s about to topple on me, but she ends up slapping herself over the body that just popped up next to mine, Everett.
“Oh, Essex.” She dots his face with manic kisses. “How could you possibly trade me in for someone who plays with flour and sugar all day long? Remember that time you told me that nothing tastes sweeter than my kisses?”
His eyes flit to mine, and there’s a slightly guilty look on his face.
“That’s adorable,” I say, plucking her off of him and wrapping my own arms around him. “He says the same to me.” I’m not sure if he’s said quite those words, but we’ve had a few spicy verbal exchanges at precariously intimate moments and I do believe he mentioned the fact I taste like candy. Close enough.
Everett steals a moment to land his lips to my ear. “It’s true. Have I mentioned how lately that I have a craving for candy?”
A fire rips through my insides, and I give Everett’s hand a tiny pat as a reprimand for being so overtly naughty.
“Excuse us”—he says—“we need to speak with our realtor.” He leads us over near the fireplace where my sisters congregate with Hook and Forest.
Forest has his arms wrapped around Lainey’s body, his hand gently warming her belly sort of the way I’m doing to my own at the moment without thinking. Although it is Thanksgiving, I’m sure people will just assume I’m starved for all that good food, which I totally am.
Hook slaps Everett on the back. “Congratulations, you two. Escrow closes tomorrow. Come afternoon and you’ll be the new owners of the Maple Meadows Lodge.”
Lainey and Meg let out a couple of howls of approval.
Lainey balls up her fists with enthusiasm. “When do we go? I hear there’s snow in the forecast, and I love me a good mountain getaway.”
Everett cocks his head. “Whenever you wish. We’ve got more rooms than we know what to do with. And the entire place needs to be renovated.”
Meg leans in. “I’m not picking up a paintbrush, but I’ll help you style the rooms if you like. I’ve spent my fair share of nights in various Vegas hotel rooms. I know a thing or two about glitz and glamour.”
“Sounds good. But let’s keep it to a cozy cabin feel,” I say.
Lainey wrinkles her nose. “Toss in a little glam for us girly girls, would you?”
Forest laughs. “And a moose head or two for us guys. You know, just to balance things out.”
Lainey and Forest exchange a measured glance. And if I didn’t know better, I’d say they were speaking to one another with their eyes.
“Come here.” Lainey pulls Meg and me a touch closer. “I want to let you guys in on a little secret Forest and I have been keeping, but don’t you dare tell Mom just yet. I have a cute surprise I’m going to give her in a bit.” She swallows hard, tears suddenly sparkling in her eyes. “Forest and I are having a baby!” It comes out in an enthusiastic whisper, and both Meg and I wrap our arms around her, laughing and crying all at the very same time.
“A baby?” I mouth the words through tears. I glance to Everett and he gives a slight nod. “I wasn’t going to bring it up, and I certainly don’t want to take away from your moment, Lainey, so I’m not going to say a word to anyone but you guys—so you’ll have to keep it a secret for now.” I shoot a quick look to Hook and Forest, and they both offer a circular nod. “I’m having a baby, too,” I whisper as my hands mold over my tummy.
“What?” Meg and Lainey hiss it out at once.
“You heard me. A baby.” I press my lips tight. “It’s Noah’s.” I glance over to the corner and spot his mother Suze laughing along with Alex.
My sisters’ faces contort in horror.
Lainey is the first to pull me in. “Oh, honey. I don’t know what to say.”
“I do.” Meg pulls me her way. “I always knew you’d get knocked up out of wedlock. I get twenty bucks from Mom and Lainey when you make it official.”
“You were taking bets?” I swat her as she sheds a dark laugh.
Lainey shakes her head in disbelief, a smile frozen on her face. “When did you find out?”
“Funny story. I actually found out at your house, the day I went over to teach you to bake the pies. I went to the restroom and you had all these tests and I figured you wouldn’t miss one. I’m sorry, but it was far too tempting. Anyway, I took it and set it behind the pumpkin on the counter—and when I came back later, it was positive. I just couldn’t believe it.”
Her mouth rounds out, but she’s not saying a word.
“I’m so sorry, Lainey. I didn’t mean to steal the test. I feel terrible just verbalizing it. I’ll pay you back. I’m sure it was expensive. The darn thing all but talked to me.”
“No”—she waves her arms as if that were the furthest thing from the truth—“it’s not that. It’s just that I hide the tests that I take behind the pumpkin, too. I mean, I was doing that all week.” She cringes. “And, actually the day you came over is the day I took the test. That same night, in fact, while you were there. Lottie, are you sure you’re pregnant? I mean, did you take another test?”
“No.” I look to Everett in horror. “I thought one was enough.”
“It is.” Lainey shrugs. “Usually. The reason I’m asking is because I went into the bathroom after you did, and I happened to see a test back there. I just assumed it was mine from the day before.” She winces. “Lottie, it was negative.”
“What?” My heart plummets through the floor.
Lainey gives a weak nod. “Then I took another test, and right away it showed that I was pregnant. I hid it behind the pumpkin. I didn’t tell you that night because I wanted Forest to be the first to know. And I’ve taken at least a half a dozen tests ever since. I’m due in August.”
“Oh no.” My hand floats over my mouth as I look to Everett. “I told Noah I was having his baby.”
Everett closes his eyes a moment too long. “That’s okay, Lemon. He’ll understand.”
Meg rubs my back. “If it’s any consolation, he probably didn’t hear you.”
“Oh, he heard.” And I got to see the wonderful look on his face. He was glowing—brighter than usual. “I’m so embar
rassed. Could you all just do your best to forget every last bit of that?”
Everett pulls me in close, and I fight the urge to sob. Here I’ve fallen in love with a phantom child. We both had.
Dinner goes off without a hitch, but I can’t help but be a little melancholy.
Afterwards, Keelie and Meg help me serve dessert, and everyone raves about how amazing the pies taste. I had three different varieties I baked last night just for the occasion—pumpkin, pecan, and sweet potato. Each one has my own little spin on it.
The party begins to break up and Noah’s mother heads my way. I’ll admit, there’s a thin rail of fright riding through me. But then, she seems to have that effect on just about everyone.
Alex comes up to say goodnight, along with Lily and Naomi who actually have been carrying on conversations with one another without looking like they’re going to kill one another.
Alex looks every bit like his older brother tonight. So much so it’s scary. His dark hair is slicked back, his eyes are twinkling with delight, and every time those dimples of his go off, both Lily and Naomi moan and quiver. I can’t say I blame them. It is quite a sight.
“So?” Everett looks to Alex. “What’s the verdict? You said you’d choose by the end of the month between the two of these lovely ladies. Who’s your new sidekick?”
“Oh.” Lily raises a finger to Alex as if asking permission and he graciously extends a hand for her to continue. That’s a new one. “We’re switching off every other month like you, Lottie.”
“Like me?” I inch back a notch. “Switching off every month? As in with Noah and Everett? I’m actually not doing that.” Come to think of it, have I been doing that? “Not on purpose at least.”
Naomi shrugs as if she were indifferent. “We’re doing it, and that’s all that matters. I get December.”
Lily hikes a shoulder her way. “And he’s starting off the new year the right way, with me.”
“Wow, I don’t know what to say.” I shake my head in disbelief as I look to him. “Good luck, Alex. You’re going to need it.”
We share a warm laugh just as every ghost in this haunted B&B floats into the room and takes a seat on the enormous crystal chandelier.
Pumpkin Pie Parting Page 17