Spooky Spice Cake Curse

by Addison Moore

  “Because I saw you and Noah at the bakery colluding once again to keep me away from this case, just like you did last month.”

  He closes his eyes a moment. Everett’s eyes are the most shocking shade of blue, that when he closes them I’d swear the world dims a bit.

  “Lemon.”

  Before he can say another word, Noah arrives with pizza, along with his golden retriever Toby, and the four of us gather round the table and eat our fill of the best Chinese food and pizza that Honey Hollow has to offer.

  Evie loads up on seconds, or maybe it’s thirds, before picking up her plate and heading to the couch in order to speak with her best friend in private. It’s rare for her to speak to anyone on the phone—mostly they prefer to text en masse, twenty-four hours a day—so when her vocal cords are required, you know some serious drama is about to ensue. She takes off and begins to laugh and gasp—something about homecoming.

  Noah nods to Everett with that serious expression on his face, and I can tell I’m about to have a talking to. It’s the same look my parents used to exchange when I was a kid just before they let me have it. But I’ve got news for Noah and Everett—they are certainly not my keepers.

  “Hang onto that thought,” I say as I quickly head to the kitchen and grab a small bowl of leftover buttercream frosting I made the other day and a butter knife. I land back to the table, pluck a fresh slice of pepperoni pizza my way, and proceed to frost the crust. “Don’t judge me,” I say, shooting the two of them a look, and lingering on Everett a moment too long because that just so happens to be how he makes a living—judging.

  “Now before you start,” I spit the words out in haste. “I have to warn you, I’m loaded with hormones that are just looking for a way to explode out of me.” I give Everett a quick glance. “And I’m not talking about in the sexual sense.” At least not at this very moment, but that court authority better be ready to lay down the law in the bedroom in about an hour or two. That’s one place where I’m more than glad to let him rule the roost. I can’t help it. It’s his area of expertise. Some men are good with their hands. Everett is good with every part of his body—and mine. “Don’t make me angry, boys.”

  Did I just call them boys?

  Noah’s dimples dig in deep. “We’re not going to make you angry. We know that for whatever reason, you have a hunger to investigate.”

  Everett nods. “And to get to the bottom of cases as quickly as you can.”

  Noah leans in. “We think we have a solution you can live with.”

  “I can live with?” I give a long blink.

  Everett’s chest pumps with a dry laugh. “One that you’ll love. We care about you, Lemon. You and that baby are a priority. But before we lay out our thoughts, I have to hear you tell me that you understand the importance of what Nell was trying to say to you a few weeks back.”

  I swallow hard. “How can I forget?” A few weeks back, we were at the Grands’ apple orchard where we hosted Evie’s sweet sixteen, and I was standing alone when trouble found me. An apple rolled out of my grasp and kept on rolling deep into the orchard where I saw Duke, the Great Dane–-only I didn’t know it was Duke at the time. Anyway, he ran past me and it gave me the chills in a big way. But before I could process that, Grandma Nell’s ghost showed up on the scene and basically told me that the creature I saw—I must never follow it ever again. She begged me to promise that I wouldn’t. She said there would be another murder in Honey Hollow, very, very soon. And this time, she implored me to have nothing to do with it. She said she meant it. That I couldn’t step into the middle of it. In fact, she forbade me to involve myself in the case. She said it posed a very large risk to both my unborn child and me. That there are some realms of darkness we simply aren’t allowed to tread, and this was one of them.

  Everett looks to me with pleading eyes. “Lemon, she asked me specifically to watch over you. She had me promise that I wouldn’t let you get caught up in the evil coming this way.”

  “I won’t either,” Noah says without hesitating. “Lottie, whatever is happening is dangerous enough as it is. Never mind the fact there’s something supernatural thrown into the mix.” He blows out a breath. “So that’s why Everett and I think maybe your suggestion today was not such a bad one.”

  “What suggestion?” I quickly file through the conversation we had earlier but come up empty.

  Noah reaches over and pats my hand. “I want to put you on payroll down at the sheriff’s department—as an official consultant to the homicide department. I think Sheriff Turner will be more than fine with it. After all, it’s because of you that we’ve put so many killers behind bars.”

  “A consultant.” I think on it a moment. “I was teasing when I said it, but now that it’s on the table, I think I’ll accept that offer—unofficially, of course. Grandma Nell left me half of Vermont. It doesn’t feel right taking a paycheck from Ashford County.” I clear my throat as I look to the both of them. “And I know what you’re doing. This is your way of putting a leash on me. But I’m willing to play along. I’ll investigate this case and tell you both whatever findings I seem to stumble upon.”

  “Not so fast,” Everett strums it out low in his best judicial voice, and I won’t lie, he has me shivering and quivering in all the right places because of it. Darn hormones. “There are certain parameters we’d like for you to stay well inside of. No independent investigations.”

  “Okay, fine,” I say. “Just like last month, I’ll drag one of you with me. Not that I minded, but don’t for a minute think I didn’t feel like you were babysitting me.”

  Noah glances to Everett before settling on me again. “Lottie, this case is a bit different from that one. Last month, there was no dire warning from the other side for you to steer clear. And the only consult work I’m looking for from you is research.”

  “Research?”

  Everett nods. “As in zero contact with any of the suspects.”

  “But—”

  Everett lifts a finger. “No buts. This was a brutal killing, which means we have a brutal killer out there. And I made a promise to your dead grandmother I’d do anything to protect you.”

  “Same here,” Noah is quick to tell me. “Nell was dead serious—no pun intended. Something evil is lurking among us in Honey Hollow.”

  Everett’s eyes sharpen over mine. “And there is no way in hell I’m letting you step in front of it.”

  Noah nods as sure as if he said the words himself.

  “Well then.” I take a deep breath and rub my hand over my belly. “I think I’d like to get in the bath and relax before bed. Thank you both for your concern. Noah, I’ll keep you informed of any research I might stumble upon.”

  His dimples press in, no smile. “Walk me out?”

  I do just that, and Noah shuts the door behind us to give us a moment of privacy.

  “The pumpkins look nice.” He scratches the back of his head as he looks to the fall wreaths, the leaves lining the door, and all of the happy orange globes I have dotting my porch as if he’s never seen them before.

  “They’ve been here since the beginning of September, Noah. Next time you’re ogling Hot Hannah, glance to the right and you might notice a thing or two,” I tease as I pull him in for a quick embrace. “I don’t want things to be awkward between us, ever.”

  “They won’t.” He dots a kiss to the top of my head. “I know with one hundred percent certainty that’s my baby you’re carrying. I’ll move the planet right out of the solar system to protect you if that’s what it takes, Lot. If you do anything tomorrow that concerns this case, and I mean so much as look up information on your phone, you’re going to call me.” He plants a kiss to the top of my head. “Goodnight.”

  No sooner does he take off than Carlotta pulls up in her green minivan. We both bought one a couple months back, and mine just so happens to be red. She thought they’d remind us of Christmas when they were parked side by side, and she’s not wrong.

  “Hey,
Lot Lot,” Carlotta says, hurrying this way with a sprinkling of dark stars trotting alongside her as Duke materializes in our midst.

  “Hey, Duke!” I give a cheery wave, and Carlotta pushes past me.

  “Not now, Lot,” Carlotta bleats. “Sugar Lips and I have a little whiskey business to discuss before Mayor Nash comes over.”

  Duke belts out a ferocious bark. “If that man lays his lips on my girl, I’ll rip his face off.”

  Carlotta giggles as Duke jumps right through the wreath hanging on the door as he heads into the house.

  “Carlotta, what is going on with you two? You can’t be serious.”

  “Oh, it’s serious, Lot. Don’t worry. This isn’t getting physical. It’s just a little petting and a few stray puppy dog kisses. I’m saving all the heavy petting and frisky licks for your papa. Ooh, speaking of which, I culled all your sexy nighties out of your drawers this morning. They won’t fit you for another decade or so. One of us may as well make the best of them.”

  “I don’t have any sexy nighties.”

  “You said it, not me.”

  “Are you talking about my undergarments?” Come to think of it, they were rather lacy and lovely. A wave of nausea cycles through me at the thought of Carlotta parading around in them—in front of Duke of all creatures.

  “Don’t worry, Lot. I went shopping with your credit card and bought up a bunch of those parachute panties your waistline is practically begging for. You’re welcome.”

  She heads on in, and Evie says goodnight before heading next door.

  Everett runs a bath for me and does a little more than rub my back while I’m in it. He lays the law down in the bedroom just the way I was hoping he would. And after a rather invigorating aerobic session with the stern judge, he holds me in the dark a good long while.

  “Lemon”—he whispers into my ear—“remember last month when I threw out the idea of building us a house so we could live together like a family?”

  I nod as I spin around to face him fully. “And then Hot Hannah moved in next door, and now that property is locked in another lease?”

  He brushes the hair from my eyes. “Yes, well, I think we should charge ahead. I thought maybe we could start looking at properties again, empty lots, prebuilt houses, teardowns. Whatever you want to do, I’m all in.” His chest expands beneath me. “I think it’s time, Lemon. Before the baby comes.”

  “Everett?” A giggle strums through me, and I’m delighted from head to toe. “Yes,” I say. “Maybe it is time.” We share a steamy kiss that has us taking our steamy late night adventure right from the beginning again. But before long, Everett heads next door so that Evie isn’t sleeping alone in that big old house.

  Yes, it’s definitely time to have my family all under one roof.

  My hand covers my belly. I love my family more than anything. And I’d do anything to protect them.

  But a part of me wishes Grandma Nell never paid me that visit last month.

  Ichabod Hearst was brutally murdered.

  The entire town is whispering about that curse again.

  It’s October, Halloween is practically at the door, and something evil has invaded Honey Hollow.

  I’ve never wanted to dig into a case so bad in all my life. And no thanks to Noah and Everett, there are rules they want me to abide by.

  I can’t blame them. They made a promise to Nell.

  I’m not sure I ever agreed to that promise on my end, though—although she begged for me to do it.

  My hand warms that sweet sugar cookie buried deep inside of me. I owe it to my child to keep them safe from a maniacal killer, from whatever wickedness is out there.

  Here’s hoping I don’t succumb to the hypnotic desire I seem to have when it comes to investigating these types of cases.

  A part of me knows that I will succumb.

  And right now, I don’t like that part of me at all.

  The window fills with the flicker of a lavender light, and I draw a breath at the sight of it.

  It’s almost as if the powers of darkness are privy to my thoughts—as if they can sense my next move.

  And they are most certainly warning me against it.

  Chapter 6

  The Honey Hollow Public Library is situated high on a hill, and its expansive windows allow for a bird’s eye view of our sweet little town.

  Meg helped me throw a box of donuts together, and I may have thrown in a few fried pickles for good measure. I ate three on the way over, but there’s still one rolling around the box somewhere.

  “Here we are, Duke.” Carlotta pats the ghostly beast on the top of his head. “Books are the equivalent to bones to some humans.”

  Meg chuckles. “Carlotta, you’re a hoot. I like how creative you’ve gotten in an attempt to crawl under my sister’s skin.” She leans my way. “She’s just kidding, right?”

  I shoot Carlotta the side eye in lieu of lying to my sister.

  We step on into the library, with its thick, lush carpeting and expansive checkout counter decorated with pumpkins, fall leaves, and a few stray cutouts of ghosts where we find Lainey holding what looks to be—

  “Tell me that’s not the baby,” I moan as we make our way over.

  Carlotta grunts, “Tell me that’s not her bare bosom. That’s one of the reasons I gave you away, Lot. You kept eyeing my ta-tas as if they were your next meal. These fun bags were made for the men in my life.” She glares over at Duke. “And the men in my life had better not notice anyone else’s fun bags.”

  Duke barks. “Don’t worry, Peaches and Cream. I’ve only got eyes for you.”

  “Lainey,” I say, landing the oversized box of sweet treats onto the marble countertop. “I brought donuts for you and your co-workers. What is sweet baby Josie doing here?” I reach over and pat her soft blonde hair with my finger.

  Both Lainey and I share the same caramel-blonde wavy hair, same hazel eyes. For years I was so convinced it was Meg who was adopted into our family, but it turns out it was me indeed.

  Lainey makes a face as she glances to the left where the bookshelves begin.

  “Forest’s mom is here somewhere. I asked her to come along. You know, so Josie could see where I work and all.”

  Meg chuckles at the thought. “You couldn’t leave the kid, could you, Lainey? Don’t feel too bad. It’s just part-time, right?”

  Lainey’s shoulders sag. “It is. But I’m working nine to one in the afternoon—five days a week. That’s still a lot of time away from my cute little peanut. We’ve never been separated, not for more than ten minutes at least. I can take a quick shower if I have to. But it felt like I was having my heart ripped out of my chest when I was getting ready to leave for work this morning. I thought it might help if I brought her with me today. You know, sort of like bring your daughter to work day.”

  Carlotta huffs a laugh. “More like bring your boob to work day.”

  Duke growls out a dark laugh, and I am going to ask some very serious questions later.

  “She was hungry,” Lainey hisses back. “Besides, I was starting to leak, and if I don’t nurse her, my boobs turn into bowling balls.”

  “Hear that, Lot?” Meg chuckles like the deranged person she is. “You’ve got leaky bowling ball boobs to look forward to in just a few months.”

  Carlotta lifts a finger. “And don’t forget all that puking. Everything makes you want to puke.”

  “You make me want to puke,” I say, fishing out that fried pickle from the donut box and moaning as I take a bite. “Don’t judge me.”

  Lainey makes a face. “The whole town will be judging you soon. You found that dead, headless Hearst. And you inadvertently revived that curse.”

  “Pfft.” I avert my eyes at the thought. “That’s outlandish.”

  “Is it?” Lainey leans in. “Did you hear that the grocery store had an electrical short yesterday, and that the electricians can’t find a single thing wrong? Forest says they’ll have to keep the place running off a generato
r but that it can’t last forever. If they don’t fix the problem soon, the entire town is bound to starve.”

  Carlotta sucks in a breath. “The Hearst curse strikes again!”

  Meg nudges me. “Hear that, Lot? Soon your bakery will be the only place to sustain the townspeople of Honey Hollow.”

  “Great,” I say. “Not only does half of the town think I’ve been spending the last two years getting away with murder, but they’ll think I’m sabotaging competing businesses in hopes to turn a dollar.”

  A slew of patrons step forward, and Lainey quickly calls for backup while sliding the pastry box to the side.

  “So what are you ladies really doing here?” she asks as she comes around the counter and we head over to the new release section. She looks my way while cradling Josie’s sweet little head with her hand. For the most part Lainey is well covered up. You would never know she was nursing unless you poked your nose down her blouse. “Are you working on that case, Lottie? I can’t believe someone chopped that poor man’s head off. Forest said they used the chainsaw from the very next room he was in.” She makes a face. “He said there was blood everywhere.”

  Meg nods. “And I heard he was dead for at least twenty minutes before Lot found him. That means quite a few people were in and out of that room.”

  “Ruining good evidence,” I say.

  Carlotta shrugs. “That doesn’t change the fact they were still having a good time.”

  Duke growls and barks. “I know for a fact my Ichabod was having a very good time right up until he wasn’t.” Another riotous bark emits from him.

  I sigh. “As much as I hate to admit it, Carlotta is right. Noah let me in on the fact he interviewed a few of the people who went through before Everett and me. They said they didn’t even notice a body.”

  Lainey holds baby Josie a touch closer. “It’s that curse at work, I tell you,” she whispers. “The whole town has been flooding in to see if we’ve got any books on it. We don’t, of course, just some family history stuff and that’s all been checked out. Sorry, Lottie.”