A couple of well-dressed men enter the inn before I can get there, and by the time I step inside, they’re already on their way to the café.
“Grady,” I whisper to my dark-haired coworker that the women around here often refer to as an Irish god. He’s a few years younger than me, fresh out of college, and he helps run the front desk with me. “Who were those men?”
He casts a glance in their direction. “I don’t know. But they were looking to speak with you.”
“Me? I guess I should go see what they want. Would you do me a favor and give the man by the truck outside a couple of those spare tickets to the Christmas charity event?” I head over to the café, and just as I’m about to enter, I spot both Leo and Jasper speaking to the two men in long wool coats. One of them looks to be holding up a badge of some sort.
Leo catches my eyes but doesn’t move his head as if he didn’t want to get caught in the endeavor.
Bizzy, go to your cottage and stay inside. Get ready for the big dinner tonight. I’ll make sure this gets taken care of. Whatever you do, don’t come out.
That sounds ominous.
Leo, what’s going on? I take a step in their direction and he holds up a finger.
Bizzy, go home and lock the door. If anyone knocks, do not answer. Jasper and I have this. We’ll talk tonight.
One of the men glances in my direction, and I quickly step out of his line of vision. I pivot on my heels and collect Sherlock, Fish, and the kittens while asking Grady to man the fort.
I head straight for my cottage and lock the door behind me.
Something tells me Camila’s vengeance is far more dangerous than I could have ever suspected.
As soon as night falls, I’m off to Seaview to have dinner with all of my favorite people, and Gwyneth.
Maximus Seafood and Steakhouse is located on a prime strip of real estate just across from the boardwalk with sweeping views of the Atlantic.
I’ll admit, all afternoon I’ve been more than nervous about what news Leo might have for me. Jasper went straight to his office after the bizarre encounter and said he’d meet me at the restaurant. He didn’t say a word about the incident.
Having all but admitted to Camila that I can read people’s thoughts is proving to be the grave error I knew it would be. Of course, I may have committed another grave error on the way over, which was telling Georgie that we had a couple of mystery men visit the inn this afternoon. Georgie’s been spouting off theories ever since, and not all of them are comfortable to listen to.
“I don’t think they’re aliens from another planet,” I whisper as we step inside the posh establishment owned by Jasper’s brother. Not only is Maximus his brother’s restaurant, but it bears his brother’s moniker as well.
Georgie checks her face in the large-framed mirror hanging in the entry.
“Okay, so maybe they’re not aliens looking to take you back to the mother planet. Maybe it’s worse.” She gasps and her eyes grow the size of hardboiled eggs as if she’s just reached a hair-raising epiphany. “Maybe they think you’re the alien!”
I give a slight nod. “That’s exactly what I’m afraid of.”
A waitress leads us through the dimly lit establishment, and I take in the well-polished look, the steel and dark wood décor, and the expansive bar that glitters with crystal chandeliers. We’re led into a large banquet room in the back where cheery Christmas music is already filtering through the speakers, and I recognize most of the faces in the room. It’s practically elbow-to-elbow in here. I can’t believe my father and Gwyneth are having such a huge engagement party. It makes everything feel so real. But I still can’t shake the feeling we’re on a slippery slope. If my father decides he wants out of this marriage, the way he’s decided he’s wanted out of dozens of other marriages before this, I’m not too sure Jasper will be all that thrilled. I bet he’ll rue the day he met me.
Georgie and I make the rounds saying hello to all of Jasper’s brothers and his very pregnant sister, Ella.
“When are you due again?” I ask, taking in how beautiful she looks. Her skin glows like peaches and cream, and she’s wearing a red A-line dress that accentuates her adorable baby bump.
“End of March, beginning of April. I’m rooting for March.”
“That’s right.” I laugh. “That’s exactly what you said at the harvest festival back in October. I bet you can’t wait to hold that sweet baby in your arms.”
“You have no idea how anxious I am.” She pulls forth the man standing next to her. “This is my husband, Marcus. You probably met him at the art show a few weeks back.” She leans toward Georgie. “He owns Westbrook Fishing Company. He hired me on as the clerk, and that’s where it all began.” She pats her belly, and we share a laugh.
Georgie and I exchange polite hellos with the muscular man by her side. He’s bald and has a twinkle in his eyes when he smiles and tells us it’s a pleasure to see us again.
We head off, and I spot my mother and Macy standing near a small bar set up in the room just for us. They’re both dressed to the nines, each in their own version of a little black dress.
Macy holds up a glass filled with a glowing blue concoction. “Cocktails for the lucky ones, and mocktails for those of you who have to drive. Which will it be, Bizzy?”
“Mocktail, please. I’m driving—not to mention the inn is hosting Cider Cove’s official cookie exchange bright and early tomorrow. Be sure to stop by. And come hungry,” I say just as the crowd lights up with a cheer, and I look to the right to see my father and Gwyneth hamming it up with a real smooch of a kiss. “Boy, I wish I could make that mocktail a cocktail.”
Mom grunts, “You and me both, kid.”
I pull her in for a hug. “I can’t believe you came, Mom. You deserve a medal.”
“Not to worry. I have one. I’m here with my boyfriend, who happens to own the place.” No sooner does she get the words out than one of Jasper’s look-alikes wraps his arms around her from behind and dots her cheek with a kiss.
No matter how unnerving it looks, I must admit, it’s adorable to witness.
Macy groans as Maximus sweeps my mother off to give her a preview of the buffet.
“Why is it the good ones are always taken?” My sister laments as she takes a sip of her day-glow concoction. “And why are they taken by my mother?”
I glance to the left and see both Dalton and Jamison talking to Dad and Gwyneth. It’s eerie the way the Wilder men all look alike. A part of me is tempted to land one in a dark corner and land a heated kiss on his lips—now to find the right one.
“Macy, you can’t complain about Mom. You slept your way through two perfectly good Wilder brothers,” I tell her.
Macy scoffs at the truth bomb I just launched her way. “Details, details, Bizzy.” She glances to Georgie. “Please tell my sister not all of us want to be tied down.”
“I don’t know”—Georgie takes another look at Dalton and Jamison—“I’d offer to tie myself up if I could get one of them to pay attention to me. I think you goofed this one, Macy. And you gave one away to Emmie. No takesies backsies.” She wags a crooked finger at my sister. “If I were you, I’d make another pass at Dalton.”
“Ha,” I say. “Get it? Pass? He’s a football coach. Good one, Georgie.” I hold up a hand and she gives me a high five.
Macy knocks back the rest of her glowing drink before squinting their way once again.
“Fine.” She hands me her empty glass, her eyes never leaving Dalton’s direction. “I’ll see if I can’t score another touchdown before Christmas Eve.” She snorts at the thought. “Who am I kidding? I’ll be running one down the field tonight.”
She takes off and Georgie heads for the bar.
I’m about to make my way over and congratulate the lucky couple when Camila swoops my way like an unwanted apparition.
“Boo,” she says it low with a measured giddiness in her voice. She’s donned a blue velvet dress that hugs every last inch of her and glows
around the edges as if it were backlit. Camila is a showstopper on an ordinary day, but at the moment she looks as if she could rouse the dead with her beauty. “I spoke to Jasper last night. We had another little heart-to-heart once he got home from your place.”
I blink back.
Jasper did stop by my place last night. We had dinner and he picked up Sherlock like he usually does. But by the time we had dinner and shared a few extra sweet kisses for dessert, it was almost midnight when he left.
She crimps a tight smile. “That’s right. Jasper and I shared some one-on-one time well into the wee hours of the morning. And from what I could gather, you didn’t break things off with him like we discussed.” She twitches her nose, her eyes brightening with the undeniable look of delight. “I’m just a teeny bit glad about it, too. I’m so eager to share phase two of my plan with you. It will be so much better to see the two of you implode rather than you letting him down without so much of a whimper.” Her shoulders bounce to her ears. “Stay tuned! I don’t want you to miss a thing.” She squints over at the bar. “You should try the poinsettia punch. It’s your father’s signature drink for the evening. I wonder what signature cocktails Jasper and I will have at our wedding?” She taps the side of her chin. “I’m sure you’ll see for yourself when the time comes. After all, we’re all one big family now, aren’t we?” She takes off and leaves me in the wake of her saccharin perfume.
Leo pops up, looking over me like a dark shadow, and all I can make out are the whites of his eyes.
I sigh up at him. “Is there a cocktail called A Cure for the Grinch? Because Camila needs a double helping. Leo, who were those men?”
His lips twitch as he glances to the door. “Jasper’s here. He’s on his way in. I think I’ll let him tell you. I want your reaction to be genuine. Just know those men won’t be back for a while.”
Jasper appears through the door, dressed in a dark suit and a slick red tie that offsets his eyes and makes them look like twin lightning bolts.
“Bizzy, you look beautiful.” His lids hood low and his lips curve at the tips. He wraps his arms around me and lands a light kiss to my lips. “Leo,” he growls out his name like an insult. Granger just does not listen. I guess telling him to stay away from Bizzy wasn’t enough. That’s okay. I’ll let my fist do the talking this time. I’ll gift him a swollen eye for Christmas. That should do it.
Leo’s smile expands my way. “You are one lucky girl, Bizzy Baker. This guy right here has eyes only for you.”
Jasper glowers as if he wasn’t buying what Leo is selling.
“Jasper”—I step in close—“what did those men at the inn want this afternoon?”
He opens his mouth to answer just as my father and his mother descend upon us.
“Bizzy Bizzy!” Dad pulls me into a quick embrace as I congratulate both him and Gwyneth, and Jasper does the same. Leo offers his congratulations as well just as Mackenzie appears and whisks him off into the crowd.
Dad looks dapper in a gray suit and his usual cheery smile. And Gwyneth stuns in a gown that looks as if it’s made of liquid silver.
Jasper takes a moment to examine them both. “It’s coming down to the wire. You kids ready to do this?”
The four of us share a warm laugh.
Gwyneth hitches her thumb at my father. “Rumor has it, this guy is always up for a good wedding.”
Dad nods, quick to admit it. “And don’t worry about a thing. Both Dalton and Huxley are preparing the prenup.”
Jasper twitches a brow. “Having two attorneys in the family will undoubtedly come in handy.” I’m guessing we’ll need them to unite for the divorce as well.
Unfortunately, I think he’s right.
I force a smile in Gwyneth’s direction.
“Let me know if you need anything for the big day. I already have the Country Café ready to cater to the event.”
A wedding on Christmas Eve of all days. There goes any hope of a small, family Christmas.
Speaking of family, I glance back, and sure enough I spot my brother talking to Macy.
“I have to say hello to Hux. I haven’t seen him since Thanksgiving.”
A crowd of friends quickly absorbs Dad and Gwyneth, so I link arms with Jasper, landing us before my brother and my sister. Huxley and I share the same dark hair and pale blue eyes. He’s been married and divorced three times, no kids. I’m a little bit fearful he’s stepping right into my father’s shoes and is destined to have a string of divorces. I’d give anything if my sister and my brother could find what Jasper and I have.
“Huxley!” I dive over him with a firm embrace, and Jasper says hello to both him and Macy.
Hux growls over at Jasper, “I’d say I’m sorry about what’s about to ensue with my father and your mother, but I think they’re old enough to make their own mistakes.” He looks to me. “Macy just told me Lincoln Brooks is dead and that Mom is a suspect.” He glances to Jasper. “You’re kidding me, right?”
Jasper takes a breath. “No, it’s true. But she’s as good as cleared.” He sheds a quiet smile my way. “I have no reason to believe your mother was the one to spike Lincoln’s drink.”
Hux rocks back on his heels. “Trust me. I know who did it. Lincoln’s ex spent the last decade badmouthing him around town. It was no secret there was no love loss there.”
Macy shakes her head. “She moved on and remarried. Besides, why would she kill him while her current husband was having it out with the guy?”
Huxley tweaks his brows. “She’s not that bright.”
Jasper shakes his head. “I don’t know. Whoever committed the crime knew there would be a lot of witnesses—and a lot of potential suspects. I think maybe whoever did this is smarter than we’re giving them credit for.”
Trixie comes to mind. I’m determined to find out exactly how smart she can be. I know for a fact she’s a businesswoman—in the business of keeping herself comfortable with someone else’s money.
Emmie comes over with Jamison, and soon Huxley is quickly absorbed into a conversation with them.
Jasper leans in. “Follow me,” he whispers as he leads us to the corner of the room and we’re joined with Leo.
I look from one to the other. “What’s going on? What did those men want?”
Jasper leans in, his expression stone-cold. “Bizzy, those men are from the MRD, an offshoot of the FBI.”
“What? Why would the FBI be at the inn? Does this have anything to do with the rash of homicides in Cider Cove?” Leo? I glance his way. Why do I get the feeling I’m not going to like where this is headed?
Leo gives a slow blink. You won’t.
Jasper takes my hand. “I asked that specifically and they skirted the issue.”
“What’s the MRD?” My heart thumps wildly just saying those letters out loud. “What does the acronym stand for?”
“It’s the Metaphysical Research Department.” Jasper’s chest expands. “They deal with things that may not be natural to this world.”
“Like ghosts.” I close my eyes a moment. “Or people with supernatural powers.”
“Exactly.” Jasper gives my hand a squeeze. “And I have no clue why they’re looking at the inn, other than to create some sort of sensational story out of the killings that have taken place over the last few months. Leo shut them down.”
Leo offers a short-lived smile. “That I did.” But mark my words. They will be back. And the kicker? They asked for you by name.
My heart stops cold.
“Lovely,” I say as Camila catches my eye from across the room and gifts me a dark smile.
How did you like my treat, Bizzy? A laugh pumps through her as she tosses her hair back. I bet you and Leo would love to be alone so you could talk in private. Come to think of it, the two of you make a mighty fine couple. What do you say, Bizzy? Have I finally convinced you to give Jasper the heave-ho? Or do you need another shove in the right direction?
I look to Leo and offer a sickly smile before meetin
g up with Jasper’s eyes and my heart breaks.
“Hey”—he pulls me in just as Leo heads over to Mack—“we’ll get through this together. I promise everything is going to be okay.”
I’m not so sure we’ll get through this together.
And I’m positive not a thing will be okay—not as long as Camila Ryder is in our lives or the Metaphysical Research Department.
Chapter Twelve
Metaphysical Research Department.
I gnawed on that little horrifying tidbit all through dinner. It took everything in me not to lunge across the table and strangle Camila Report-You-to-the-Feds Ryder. Once dinner was through, I said goodbye to everyone as Georgie and I prepared to leave. Jasper walks us out front and warms me with an embrace as the icy December air slices right through my heavy winter coat.
“Drive safely,” he whispers while dotting my cheek with a kiss. “And don’t worry about those men. I’ll do a little digging and see what that was about.”
“No.” It comes out a little too loud and caustic. “I mean, don’t bother. You mentioned they wouldn’t be back. That’s good enough for me.” And hopefully, everything that just spewed out of me is good enough for Jasper. But my voice shook with every word, and I don’t even believe the things that flew out of my mouth.
His chest expands with his next breath. Knew it. She’s worried. And she doesn’t want me to worry. I’ll get to the bottom of it for her. I won’t bring it up again. No need for her to lose sleep over it.
He pulls me close. “All right. I’ll see you back at the inn.” He lands a lingering kiss to my lips. “Goodnight, Georgie.” He gives a friendly wave before taking off into the night.
Georgie inches my way. “Ooh, that looked steamy! I bet he’ll sneak into your cottage later and give you a real kiss goodnight.”
“Not if he wants to live. Having someone breaking into my cottage while I’m asleep isn’t one of my go-to fantasies.”
“It is mine.”
I’m about to reply to that disconcerting comment when Mackenzie steps out of the restaurant.
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