“You say that with every sweet treat of mine you try.”
“That’s because I like to tell the truth. Speaking of the truth, are you ready to discuss the matter at hand?”
“You mean the matter of the heart?” I shrug over at her. “I don’t know, Nell. I love both Noah and Everett. And I’ll admit, after you said they were both my soul mates, I was a little relieved. But that’s not the way the world works. Everett’s been so kind as to let Noah and me get through what we started, but it seems as if what we start never really gets going.”
“Then I might suggest you fully commit to one or the other, for at least the time being. You need to take the full plunge.”
“Noah and I had a brief plunge. And Everett and I had an even briefer one than that. But you’re right. A full plunge…that would be, well, amazing. And I’d like to do it for much longer than the time being.”
She nods. “It’s the only proper way to assess the situation.”
“A full plunge. It would change things, Nell. And you know I hate change.” Ridiculous excuse, anemic at best.
“I don’t think things would change as much as you think they would. Take, for instance, how you introduce them. Noah is your boyfriend and Everett is your husband.”
“Horrible, I know. Believe me, I feel like a monster.”
Nell shakes her head. “You’re no monster, Lottie Lemon. You have a big heart.”
“Some might argue too big.” I bite down on my lip.
“You just need to decide which one is the best fit for you at this juncture in your life.”
“Mr. Right Now?” I tease, echoing the words Greer Giles uttered to me at the B&B the day of my mother’s naughty book club.
“It could lead to Mr. Right.”
“I suppose I really do need to take the plunge with one of them. I need to really know that I know what’s happening, what we’re capable of. And I’d like to stay there. I’d like for him to be the one.” A thousand scenarios run through my mind at once, and then as if the answer was before me all along, tears come to my eyes. It didn’t take a month, a year, or even five minutes for me to know which one I need to fully commit myself to.
It’s right.
It’s fitting.
And the answer has been in front of me all along.
Nell takes up my hands and warms me with her love. “Have you decided which one you think is the best fit?”
I nod over at this amazing soul who has lovingly helped me through this painful yet beautiful journey.
An impish grin crests on her lips. “Then you know what you have to do.”
“Thank you, Nell.” I pull her into a hard embrace, and she feels just as solid as if she were standing here in the flesh. “I knew you’d come through for me.”
“Your heart came through for you.” She pulls back with tears pooling in her eyes as well. “I’ll be back soon enough, Lottie. But I think my mission is accomplished for now. And don’t lose heart for the other man in your life. This journey you’re on will be full of surprises. And I know for a fact, you will enjoy each and every one.” She dots a kiss to my cheek, and in a shimmer of white-hot light, Nell up and disappears.
My body bucks with emotion as I do my best to wipe away my tears.
I quickly put together a box of his favorite sweet treats, ask Lily to watch the bakery, and take off for Ashford County.
It’s time to dive into the deep end with someone, and I know exactly who that someone is.
It’s time to forge an unbreakable bond, time to see where our story goes with a true-blue commitment binding us together, now and perhaps forever.
It feels like no time at all when I finally pull into the lot. I hold the box of baked goods tightly as I stroll into the building, my heart thumping with both exhilaration and a touch of fear.
This is the start of something new, something better, something deeper than we’ve ever had before. This is our moment, and I’m going to make sure we utilize it to the fullest.
I’m so head over heels in love, so very ready to take the plunge into unchartered territory, I bypass the secretary and give a quick knock on his office door before stepping on in.
He spins in his chair, and I see Essex Everett Baxter pulling the phone away from his ear.
“I’ll call you back.” He tosses the phone to his desk as he stands to his feet. “Lemon?” He tips his head to the side as he closes the distance between us. His brows hike with amusement as he wraps his arms around my waist.
“I brought treats,” I say, setting them down on his desk.
“You’re the treat.”
A tiny smile plays on my lips as I look him right in those daring blue eyes.
“Everett, I’ve made a decision about…us.” I give a little shrug, my breathing picking up to unsafe levels.
“Does this mean you’re willing to give us a shot and see where things go?”
I give an enthusiastic nod and his lids hood low as a hint of a dangerous smile flickers on his lips.
“Welcome home, Lemon. I think it’s time for me to give you a proper homecoming.”
Clothes and shoes go flying and he does just that.
*Thank you for reading! Be sure to pick up
Flag Cake Felonies (Murder in the Mix 23) NEXT!
New to the series? Pick up the first book! Cutie Pies and Deadly Lies (Murder in the Mix 1)
A baker who sees the dead. One too many suitors.
And a killer. Living in Honey Hollow can be murder.
A Love your books with humor, sass and murder? You’ll devour the Murder in the Mix Series! HILARIOUS cozy mystery from New York Times bestselling author Addison Moore.
My name is Lottie Lemon and I see dead people. Okay, so I rarely see dead people, mostly I see furry creatures of the dearly departed variety, aka dead pets.
And for some reason those sweet, fluffy albeit paranormal cuties always seem to act as a not-so-great harbinger of deadly things to come for their previous owner. So when I saw that sweet orange tabby twirling around my landlord’s ankles, I figured Merilee was in for trouble. Personally, I was hoping for a skinned knee—what I got was a top spot in an open homicide investigation. Throw in a hot judge and an ornery detective that oozes testosterone and that pretty much sums up my life right about now. Have I mentioned how cute that detective is?
Lottie Lemon has a bakery to tend to, a budding romance with perhaps one too many suitors and she has the supernatural ability to see dead pets—which are always harbingers for ominous things to come. Throw in the occasional ghost of the human variety, a string of murders and her insatiable thirst for justice and you’ll have more chaos than you know what to do with.
Living in the small town of Honey Hollow can be murder.
*Click to keep reading—> Cutie Pies and Deadly Lies (Murder in the Mix 1) Enjoy!
Have you tried Addison’s Country Cottage Mysteries Series? Felines and Fatalities (Country Cottage Mysteries 6) is a mashup that includes a guest visit from Lottie Lemon! Each book can be read independently so jump on in!
The Country Cottage Inn is known for its hospitality. Leaving can be murder.
My name is Bizzy Baker and I can read minds. Not every mind, not every time, but most of the time, and believe me when I say, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.
A bake-off for senior citizens is being held at the inn, and baker Lottie Lemon has arrived as one of the judges. But when someone turns up dead, accompanied by a mysterious riddle, both Lottie and I are determined to find the killer. But as the riddles grow more sinister, and other threats begin to manifest, it’s clear someone has a bone to pick with both Lottie and me. Our very lives are in danger, proving that this case might just be too big for the both of us.
Bizzy Baker runs the Country Cottage Inn, has the ability to pry into the darkest recesses of both the human and animal mind, and has just stumbled upon a body. With the help of her kitten, Fish, a mutt named Sherlock Bones, and an ornery yet dangerously good-lookin
g homicide detective, Bizzy is determined to find the killer.
Cider Cove, Maine is the premier destination for fun and relaxation. But when a body turns up, it’s the premier destination for murder.
Pick up Felines and Fatalities (Country Cottage Mysteries 6) TODAY!
*Love Janet Evanovich? You’ll have a blast with Meow for Murder.
Pick it up NOW! —> An Awful Cat-titude
A highly inaccurate psychic. A grumpy writer. And a corpse. Welcome to Starry Falls. Running from the mob can be murder.
Confession. I’m no psychic. But I can sort of see the future—albeit not accurately. And you better believe, I’ve never let that little detail stop me from prognosticating my way into a pickle. So when I ticked off the mob, the feds, and my wily ex, I decided to take my Uncle Vinny’s advice and start over with a new name and new hair color while relying on my old shtick—getting my psychic wires crossed and putting myself in danger.
A laugh out loud cozy mystery by New York Times Bestseller Addison Moore and her partner in cozy crime, USA TODAY Bestseller Bellamy Bloom.
Order NOW! —> An Awful Cat-titude
Check out Addison’s newest series written with USA TODAY bestseller Bellamy Bloom!
Kittyzen’s Arrest (Country Cottage Mysteries 1)
An inn keeper who reads minds. An ornery detective. And a trail of bodies. Cider Cove is the premiere destination for murder.
My name is Bizzy Baker, and I can read minds. Not every mind, not every time, but most of the time, and believe me when I say it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.
Bizzy Baker runs the Country Cottage Inn, has the ability to pry into the darkest recesses of both the human and animal mind, and has just stumbled upon a body. With the help of her kitten, Fish, a mutt named Sherlock Bones, and an ornery yet dangerously good-looking homicide detective, Bizzy is determined to find the killer.
Cider Cove, Maine is the premier destination for fun and relaxation. But when a body turns up, it’s the premier destination for murder.
Kittyzen’s Arrest (Country Cottage Mysteries 1)
*Love Janet Evanovich? You’ll have a blast with Meow for Murder.
Pick it up NOW! —> An Awful Cat-titude
Recipe
Cutie Pie Bakery and Cakery Cake Pops
Hello! It’s me, Lottie Lemon! My best friend, Keelie, has finally gotten hitched, and I couldn’t be happier. But, being the one of a kind wild child she is, Keelie wouldn’t stand for a traditional wedding cake. She insisted on having delicious, sweet, cake pops instead. Not only are these ridiculously easy to make, they’re ridiculously addicting to eat.
Be warned, you can’t eat just one. Happy baking!
*Just a side note; You can bake any flavor cake you wish. I’ll give you a basic recipe but feel free to switch it up!
Ingredients for basic yellow cake
3 cups all-purpose flour (sifted)
1 cup butter softened
1 1/3 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
1 1/3 cup milk
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°
Cream butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl until fluffy. Slowly beat in eggs and add vanilla. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add in flour mixture to creamed eggs and sugar, incorporate milk. Pour batter into greased and floured rectangular pan (13x9).
Bake 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the middle comes out dry.
Let cool completely.
Ingredients for basic frosting
¼ cup butter
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
5 tablespoons milk
In a medium size mixing bowl cream butter and sugar. Add in vanilla extract and milk. Mix well.
Cake Pop Directions
In a large mixing bowl, crumb basic yellow cake until fine. Add in frosting and mix well until the consistency resembles a paste. Roll walnut-sized balls onto a small pan lined with parchment paper and put in the freezer for 15 minutes until very firm.
Candy Melt Coating
1 12 oz. bag of Candy Melts (any color)
* You will also need one package of Cake Pop Sticks.
*Styrofoam block, optional
Fill a double boiler (a sauce pan, or pot) halfway with boiling water with a glass (Pyrex) or metal bowl that fits snugly over the top that does not touch the boiling water. Place candy melts into the bowl and stir until melted. You want the mixture to be relatively thin and smooth. *I like to use a tablespoon of vegetable shortening to help thin the candy as it melts, for a smoother finish. (Or use a product such as EZ Thin to help aid in the process.)
Place cake balls onto cake pop sticks and carefully roll into melted mixture. Place on parchment paper to cool until all cake pops have been coated once. Repeat the process. The second candy coating will be smoother and look more refined. Place into Styrofoam block, or lay on parchment paper to dry.
Feel free to sprinkle with nonpareils or any topping you like.
These go quickly!
Enjoy!
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Cozy Mysteries
Meow for Murder
An Awful Cat-titude
A Dreadful Meow-ment
A Claw-some Affair
Country Cottage Mysteries
Kittyzen’s Arrest (Country Cottage Mysteries 1)
Dog Days of Murder (Country Cottage Mysteries 2)
Santa Claws Calamity (Country Cottage Mysteries 3)
Bow Wow Big House (Country Cottage Mysteries 4)
Murder Bites (Country Cottage Mysteries 5)
Felines and Fatalities (Country Cottage Mysteries 6)
A Killer Tail (Country Cottage Mysteries 7)
Murder in the Mix Mysteries
Cutie Pies and Deadly Lies (Murder in the Mix 1)
Bobbing for Bodies (Murder in the Mix 2)
Pumpkin Spice Sacrifice (Murder in the Mix 3)
Gingerbread & Deadly Dread (Murder in the Mix 4)
Seven-Layer Slayer (Murder in the Mix 5)
Red Velvet Vengeance (Murder in the Mix 6)
Bloodbaths and Banana Cake (Murder in the Mix 7)
New York Cheesecake Chaos (Murder in the Mix 8)
Lethal Lemon Bars (Murder in the Mix 9)
Macaron Massacre (Murder in the Mix 10)
Wedding Cake Carnage (Murder in the Mix 11)
Donut Disaster (Murder in the Mix 12)
Toxic Apple Turnovers (Murder in the Mix 13)
Killer Cupcakes (Murder in the Mix 14)
Pumpkin Pie Parting (Murder in the Mix 15)
Yule Log Eulogy (Murder in the Mix 16)
Pancake Panic (Murder in the Mix 17)
Sugar Cookie Slaughter (Murder in the Mix 18)
Devil’s Food Cake Doom (Murder in the Mix 19)
Snickerdoodle Secrets (Murder in the Mix 20)
Strawberry Shortcake Sins (Murder in the Mix 21)
Cake Pop Casualties (Murder in the Mix 22)
Flag Cake Felonies (Murder in the Mix 23)
Murder in the Mix Boxed Set (Books 1-3)
Murder in the Mix Boxed Set (Books 4-6)
Murder in the Mix Boxed Set (Books 7-9)
Murder in the Mix Boxed Set (Books 10-12)
Murder in the Mix Boxed Set (Books 13-15)
Murder in the Mix Boxed Set (Books 16-18)
Murder in the Mix Boxed Set (Bo
oks 19-21)
Mystery
Little Girl Lost
Never Say Sorry
The First Wife’s Secret
Romance
Just Add Mistletoe
3:AM Kisses (3:AM Kisses 1)
Winter Kisses (3:AM Kisses 2)
Sugar Kisses (3:AM Kisses 3)
Whiskey Kisses (3:AM Kisses 4)
Rock Candy Kisses (3:AM Kisses 5)
Velvet Kisses (3:AM Kisses 6)
Wild Kisses (3:AM Kisses 7)
Country Kisses (3:AM Kisses 8)
Forbidden Kisses (3:AM Kisses 9)
Dirty Kisses (3:AM Kisses 10)
Stolen Kisses (3:AM Kisses 11)
Lucky Kisses (3:AM Kisses 12)
Tender Kisses (3:AM Kisses 13)
Revenge Kisses (3:AM Kisses 14)
Red Hot Kisses (3:AM Kisses 15)
Reckless Kisses (3:AM Kisses 16)
Hot Honey Kisses (3:AM Kisses 17)
Shameless Kisses (3:AM Kisses 18)
Value 3:AM Kisses Boxed Sets
3:AM Kisses Boxed Set 1-3
3:AM Kisses Boxed Set 4-6
3:AM Kisses Boxed Set 7-9
3:AM Kisses Boxed Set 10-12
3:AM Kisses Boxed Set 13-15
Cake Pop Casualties (MURDER IN THE MIX Book 22) Page 19