Spooky Spice Cake Curse

by Addison Moore

  “The dance isn’t in the gym. They’re renovating it. It’s at the Evergreen Manor, and it’s supposed to be super ritzy—that’s old people speak for stuffy and boring.” She rolls her eyes as she slams the door shut.

  “I’ll meet you right back here at twelve-thirty,” I shout.

  Wait—did she say Principal Hickey? I press my lips tightly to keep from chuckling. It’s Principal Hickman—as in Cokie Hickman, and she just so happens to have a history with both Noah and Everett from their short-lived stint as stepbrothers back in Fallbrook.

  But I brush all of that sordid history out of my mind.

  Instead, I take off, and it’s as if time goes into warp speed. All I manage to get done is whip up a dozen spice cakes, and box up one for myself, along with a box of fried pickles. I also may have trotted over to the Honey Pot and enlisted the cooks in helping me recreate that chicken fried bacon—and boy, oh boy, was it ever worth the two hours I lost taste testing batch after batch right along with Meg.

  But as fate and the speed of light would have it, I pick up Evie at exactly twelve-thirty and we head over to the Scarlet Sage Boutique just down the street from my bakery.

  “Okay, let’s find you something snazzy,” I say as we head on into the quaint little boutique run by my friend Scarlet Sage herself. Usually this place is decorated with a shabby chic theme in mind, but today it’s decorated to the hilt with spiderwebs, over-sized tarantulas, ghosts, and pumpkins of every shape and size.

  “Mom,” Evie bleats. “Nobody says snazzy. Besides, I’ve got Baxter blood in me. This dress needs to be hot, i.e., sexy.”

  “You’re sixteen,” I say. “I’m pretty sure we’re aiming for snazzy.”

  “Dash!” she squeals as she runs over to her blonde bestie, who also appears to be shopping for a sexy dress judging by that short black strappy number she’s holding. An older version of Dash is in the corner talking to Scarlet, and I’m assuming that’s Dash’s mother.

  I’m about to pull out my phone and text Everett about Evie’s big upcoming night. He’s such a great father he’ll want to be a part of it somehow.

  Cressida Bentley, Evie’s biological mother, made sure Everett missed everything from Evie’s first step to her first expulsion from boarding school, and from what I hear, it happened more than once. I guess Grandpa Bentley shelled out enough cash to keep getting her back into the scholastic groove of things.

  A whirlwind in the Halloween costumes section catches my eye.

  Speaking of biological mothers…

  “Carlotta?” My voice spikes in the way it tends to whenever she’s around.

  She pokes her head out of a skimpy nurse’s uniform. “Lot Lot?”

  “What are you doing here?” I wince as she tugs and pulls the microscopic dress over herself.

  “She’s with me,” another female voice trills as my mother comes out from around the corner dressed like a cheerleader.

  “Oh no,” I whimper at the sight of them. “Costume shopping for the big day?”

  “And for little Josie.” Mom holds up a tiny pink princess costume, and both Carlotta and I coo at the sight. “Now that Lainey is back at work, she hasn’t a minute to do the fun stuff like shop for an itty-bitty costume. Your poor sister isn’t having an easy time of anything as of late. Did you hear that a part of the ceiling at the library gave way, and no thanks to the storm we had last night, several hundred books were ruined? It all boils down to that Hearst curse, I tell you.”

  Carlotta shudders. “I heard it’s going to take us out one by one, and soon the only thing standing will be that old haunted Hearst Estate. I hear it’s teeming with handsome ghosts looking to chain the living—especially women named Carlotta—and make them do their bidding.”

  “Carlotta,” I hiss as I shake my head at her. She of all people should know better than to spread deplorable rumors about the dead. “Mom”—I force a smile to my face—“so what’s with the cheer uniform?” I motion to the oddly fitted skirt she’s pulled over her pants. “Getting ready for Halloween yourself?”

  Mom giggles. “Yes, well, Halloween is still on the agenda, but I thought I’d snap up a few things to wear to the Honey Hollow B&B Fright Nights.”

  “Ooh,” I say. “So I take it things are going well with the Haunted House Hunters?”

  Mom gives a frenetic nod. “Oh, Lottie, so much better than expected. Not only has their fan base been coming out in droves, but the Midnight Moaners’ fan base has booked all of the rooms for the rest of the month. And believe me when I say, they’re taking their moaning to the very next level.”

  I wince at the thought. “Well, regardless of the moaning, I’m very happy things are looking up for you.”

  My mother and Carlotta exchange a quiet look.

  Carlotta elbows my mother. “Go on, tell her.”

  “Tell me what?”

  Mom looks hesitant to say what comes next. “It seems that some people picked up on the fact you shouted out the name of Greer Giles.” She scowls at me a moment for doing so. “And well, some people seem to think I’m trying to capitalize off of that poor girl’s untimely death. Her parents have threatened to take me to the cleaners if I don’t stop this haunted house nonsense.” She says those last few words in air quotes. “And as it turns out, a few of her friends have been roaming the halls trying to have a conversation with her.”

  “Oh no.” My hand presses to my chest. “I’m so sorry. Let me figure out a way to straighten this all out for you. In no way did I mean to make a bigger mess out of things.”

  Mom waves me off. “Don’t do a thing. Sales of my latest release have skyrocketed. Wiley says soon Reckless Mattresses will be on one of those exclusive best-seller lists. It was all worth it, Lottie.”

  “I’m glad to hear it,” I say as my mother continues to travel deep into the maze of costumes.

  “Don’t worry, Lot.” Carlotta pulls off the skimpy nurse’s uniform and accidentally plucks her sweater right off with it, but for some reason, this doesn’t slow her down. “I’ll be helping her out. And don’t worry too much about Greer. I was there this afternoon while she was chatting it up with her old besties.” She runs her thumb under her bra strap, and I can’t help but note it’s one of my best bras. “Of course, they couldn’t hear Greer, so I pretended to translate—for a small fee.”

  “Lovely.” I make a face at her. “Don’t you go getting us into any trouble.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” She pulls forth a tiny costume that looks to be a Bavarian-inspired dress those waitresses wear during Oktoberfest, with its white, off-the-shoulder blouse, black corset, and red velvet skirt. “What do you think the top dog in my life will think when he sees me in this?”

  “He’ll think you’re about to deliver some oven fresh soft pretzels,” I say as I take it from her. “And what is it with you and Duke, anyway? As much as I hate to admit it, he seems pretty smitten.”

  “Oh, he is, Lot. That smoochy poochy is in l-o-v-e. And so am I. I’ve already taken matters to a higher authority about having his duration on Earth upgraded to permanent.”

  “Carlotta, you know we can’t hold onto those that have come back to help. It’s not for us to decide who stays and goes. Wait a minute, what higher authority?”

  Before she can answer, a petite brunette comes by and begins pecking away at the costumes.

  “Trixie,” I say a touch too brightly. My heart gives a little wallop because I’m thrilled to have run into someone that has a loose connection to the case. “How are things going down at the Hearst haunted house?”

  “Oh hey, Lottie.” Her dark brows hike a notch. She’s bundled in an orange coat with a black scarf and looks like this spooky season personified. “I’m just picking up a few more costumes, trying to switch things up for the cast members. It’s all systems go until the big night. Oh, and if it’s not too much to ask, could I purchase a few dozen platters of your cookies for Halloween night? The Hearst family wants to thank the community for supporting u
s. The crowds have been generous to say the least.”

  I steal a quick glance behind me and catch Mom chatting up Scarlet Sage.

  “You bet,” I say as I turn back around. “Trixie? Can I ask how you think Cordelia is doing? I mean, I saw her the other day at my mom’s book signing and she seemed to be holding it together pretty well. But I bet in private she’s having a tough time.”

  A glimmer of light flashes between us as Duke appears tall and stately with a lavender aura emanating from around every inch of him.

  He lets out a ferocious bark. “She did it, didn’t she?” He wastes no time snarling at the poor woman in our midst.

  I shake my head at him just enough as Trixie leans in.

  Her brown eyes catch the light and illuminate like ambers.

  “The only tough time Cordelia is having is faking the fact she’s distraught over her husband’s death.”

  “I sort of noticed the same thing the day of my mother’s book signing.”

  She mentioned that she deserved to have a good time after the hell Ichabod put her through.

  Trixie bounces her shoulders. “Don’t go too hard on her. It’s a lot of pressure to be a part of the Hearst clan.” She tosses a glance out the window. “And believe me, Cordelia has had a lot to put up with.”

  I nod. “I guess this has to do with Chardonnay?”

  A dark laugh bubbles from her. “It’s no secret. I can’t imagine how humiliating that must have been for poor Cordelia. And believe me, I was witness to more than one blowout between the two.” She gives a quick glance behind her shoulder. “Cordelia has been on medication just to keep her even-keeled.”

  Duke sniffs at Trixie’s neck and around her armpits. “She’s not lying.”

  “That’s interesting,” I say to them both. “Trixie, was Cordelia on medication that night?”

  She grimaces as she steps in close. “No, she wasn’t. She stopped cold turkey a few weeks back. She said she was tired of the way it was controlling her life. And things just kept getting messier until, well”—she shudders—“I guess things ended badly, and quite messy.”

  I can hardly catch my breath at the thought.

  She pulls a few costumes off the rack. “I’d better get back to ground zero. Please come by. It’s ten times the circus it was that first night.” A nervous laugh emits from her. “I hate to say it, but I think we owe this boom in business to Ichabod.” She blows out a breath. “And maybe Cordelia.” She presses past me. “Stop by soon, Lottie. I’ll have tickets waiting for you.”

  She takes off for the register, and Duke barks in her wake.

  “It was Cordelia.” He growls it out in a horrific baritone.

  Carlotta trots over and holds up an itty-bitty bikini. “Lifeguard anyone?”

  Duke growls her way. “Get ready to drown in kisses.”

  He gives a sharp bark before disappearing in a jag of lightning.

  “Carlotta,” I hiss. “Stop stringing that poor dead dog along. Hasn’t he been through enough without having to deal with your naughty shenanigans? And what about Mayor Nash?”

  “Don’t worry, Lottie.” She makes a face at the thought of my biological father. “Harry and I are stronger than ever. I thought you of all people would understand what it’s like to have two men that you love in your life. You said yourself that Nell told you that you have not one but two soulmates. And I’ve never judged you once. Cut me a little slack, would you? I’m new at this double deception stuff. It might be like shooting fish in a barrel for you, but I’m still trying to haul ’em in with my bare hands. There’s a learning curve here, you know.” She stalks off, and I’m left speechless in her wake.

  My phone chirps, and I fish it out of my purse. It’s a text from Noah to both Everett and me.

  Just heard from our counselor, Veranda Wilson. She asked to meet up at McMurray’s Pumpkin Patch at five. See you there.

  Evie picks out a stunner of a red gown that sets me back a few hundred dollars, and I pick up that Oktoberfest dress in the event I need a costume come Halloween. It’s a bit pricey, but I have a feeling it’s something I can wear again and again. Here’s hoping it garners me more than a few tricks and treats in the bedroom.

  I drop Evie off back at school for cheer practice and head over to the pumpkin patch for a hot date with both Noah and Everett—and a woman named Veranda.

  A part of me can’t wait to get this counselor business over with so I can tell Noah and Everett what I just learned about Cordelia Hamilton and those meds she stopped taking cold turkey.

  Someone killed Ichabod Hearst, and all chainsaws seem to be pointing to Cordelia Hamilton, his beloved wife.

  Chapter 12

  Veranda Wilson looks to be in her early thirties with long, processed, brassy blonde hair that lays in hard coils over her back.

  Her face is sun-kissed, her nose slightly upturned, and she ends every sentence with a squeaky giggle. She’s already let us know she’s a South Carolina transplant, which explains her warm, friendly demeanor that practically forces you to like her. But in the three minutes since we’ve introduced ourselves, she’s ogled both Everett and Noah no less than ten times apiece, which makes me like her a whole lot less.

  “Shall we get started?” She motions behind her to McMurray’s Pumpkin Patch. Traditionally, in Honey Hollow, this stretch of acreage is the hot spot to be at come fall. They’ve got all the games, prizes, and carnival food that a knocked-up woman like me could ask for—and a spooky maze and a haunted hayride to boot. But since both the cursed Hearst Estate and Mom’s B&B are offering up some stiff competition, it’s not nearly as crowded as it’s been in years past.

  It’s evening, and the air is frigid yet holds the scent of spiced cider and sweet apple fritters. The sky is heavy with crimson clouds, and it’s dark out save for all the twinkle lights overhead.

  As soon as Evie found out we were headed this way, both she and her best friend, Dash, asked to come along. Although once we arrived, they bolted from my minivan, and I doubt we’ll see them until it’s time to leave. Evie’s at that stage in life where being seen with her parents is worse than a stint in the electric chair. And if you’re caught in their presence, the embarrassment is just as jolting.

  “Let’s do this.” I thread my arms through both Noah’s and Everett’s, mostly because I want to send a message to the blonde and perky counselor at hand that neither of these men is here for her ogling pleasure. Normally, I couldn’t blame a woman for doing a solid once-over, but a person in her position should know better. And if she doesn’t know better in that arena, I’m not too sure I trust her in any other arena either. “So what exactly is it that we’re doing?” Other than appeasing my OB-GYN and smoothing over a few trust issues. Hopefully, after we give this counseling session the old college try, Dr. Barnette will stop harassing us into trying to nail down our feelings regarding the future. Noah, Everett, and I are ever-evolving and I know most people don’t get that. Heck, we don’t get it most of the time, but we’re wading through it. But there haven’t been any casualties so far, so there’s that.

  It takes all of Veranda’s effort to tear her eyes from Noah and Everett.

  “Okay, Lottie”—she offers a tight smile—“you and your partners… Is it okay if I call them that?”

  “That’s fine,” I assure her.

  “Great.” She winces a little as if the idea pained her on some level. “I thought it would be fun to meet outside of a stuffy old office setting. Noah and I spoke briefly, and he mentioned the three of you have dabbled in couple’s therapy before. But like he explained, this time there’s a baby involved. Priscilla—Dr. Barnette, mentioned that the three of you have opted to forgo seeing an attorney regarding setting any parameters should the baby turn out to be Noah’s. So we’re going to go at this another way. Lottie, it’s important that you trust Noah in this situation, and Noah, same goes for you with Lottie. And, of course, Everett.” She fans herself with her fingers a moment as she looks up at him
doe-eyed and more than slightly delusional in the fact she might stand a chance. “Everett, if this baby turns out to be his, you’ll have to trust both Lottie and Noah in regards to your feelings. So we’re going to start off our session today with you two gentlemen trotting off for a minute so I can have a little chat with Lottie. Why don’t the two of you find a tasty treat you think Lottie might appreciate and bring it back for her?”

  Everett leans in. “I’ve got this, Lemon. I know the perfect treat to set this night off in the right trajectory.” He takes off, and Noah scowls.

  “I’ve got this, Lottie. Don’t worry. You’re going to love it.” He takes off in the opposite direction, and I shrug over at Veranda.

  “What can I say? They are attentive.”

  “That may be so.” She shakes her head, her brows knit tightly. “But I can see they’re competitive. Can I ask you a question? Noah mentioned that you were married to Everett because of some clause related to his trust fund. Noah made it sound like it was nothing more than a business transaction. Is that true?”

  “Well, he’s not wrong. I mean, it certainly started out that way. But a few months ago, I felt I needed to hop off the relationship fence, and I chose to be with Everett.”

  “Well good.” She gives me a pat on the arm. “So can you tell me exactly why you chose Everett? I mean, besides the obvious.” Her cheeks flush with color. As much as a part of me genuinely likes her, I can genuinely see how much she likes Noah and Everett. If I wasn’t drowning in hormones, I might have overlooked it. But my hormones are telling me I’m right to be leery of this sleazy Southern belle.

  “I chose Everett because”—a thousand heated thoughts whip through me at once, and my cheeks heat hotter than the sun—“for one, we were married. But to be truthful, Noah and I were, too, for a time. It was more or less an accidental venture, and Everett dissolved it. And well, that’s when Everett stepped in and needed my help with his trust fund. Noah and I gave our relationship shot after shot, but Everett and I—we only had a brief moment. And so I thought I’d give us another go at it.”