Sealed with a Hiss

by Addison Moore

  A roar comes from Bobbie as she lunges at the woman and sends Lacey staggering back.

  “Now!” I shout, and both Fish and Sherlock go on the attack, right along with Gizmo. Sugar lets out a sharp roar and leaps right onto Lacey’s chest.

  Both women sway on their heels as they struggle for the gun, and I inch my way over and use my leg to swipe them right off their feet.

  Lacey lets out a shrill of a cry as the gun slips from her, and I dive over it with my body.

  “You should have stayed out of this, Bizzy,” she grunts in my ear just as she fishes the gun out from under me.

  Sherlock and Gizmo glom onto her arm with their teeth while Fish and Sugar run up her back and do their best to clamp themselves over her head. The gun drops from her grasp, and I snatch it up before it ever hits the ground.

  A pair of headlights shines brightly over us, as a truck comes to an abrupt stop.

  “Freeze!” Jasper shouts as he runs this way.

  “She did it.” I crawl off of Lacey and quickly jump to my feet. “She and Bobbie conspired to kill Chip, and they did it. They confessed,” I pant as my eyes do a quick search for the second suspect in question.

  “Leo,” Jasper shouts as he restrains Lacey’s hands behind her back with a pair of shiny silver cuffs. “Watch her.” He bounces up. “Where’s Bobbie?”

  Sherlock and Gizmo take off for the parking lot, and Jasper follows suit.

  It takes less than thirty seconds for Jasper to come back, restraining Bobbie by the hands, before Leo takes over and cuffs her.

  Within moments I’m in Jasper Wilder’s arms, safe, and exactly where I want to be forever.

  “Are you okay?” He pulls back and quickly inspects me.

  “I’m fine. It all happened so fast. And then Bobbie tried to run and things just got out of hand. I never meant to do that without you.”

  “It’s okay. You’re safe.” He pulls me in again and lands a kiss to my cheek. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Bizzy.”

  A smile curves on my lips as I look up at my handsome husband. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Jasper.”

  Chapter 18

  The Seaview Sheriff’s Department showed up in its entirety, or at least it felt that way.

  Jasper had both Bobbie and Lacey sent to the precinct ahead of him, and he let the arresting deputies know he’d be there in a little while.

  I changed into my wonky quilt dress, and Jasper and I headed back to the inn along with our furry friends—Sugar and Gizmo included. Sherlock has on the doggie tuxedo he wore for our wedding and looks just as dapper as he did that afternoon. Suffice it to say, Gizmo was more than impressed.

  But poor Sugar. She’s so shaken and confused by everything that’s happened, Jasper held her the entire time I was doing a quick change.

  “You’ll be fine,” I whisper to her as we weave our way through the thick crowd that’s gathered at the mouth of the inn. “And you’ll be safe.”

  Thank you, she mewls weakly just as we come upon a familiar woman with short platinum hair.

  “Gizmo!” Diane cries out as she scoops him into her arms. “You scared the living daylights out of me. I thought you took off for good. Oh, that gunshot—it was all so terrible.” She buries her face in his fur. “I’m sorry.” She looks my way. “I had no idea those women were so wicked. I watched as they took them away. An arresting deputy filled me in on what happened. I still can’t believe it.”

  “I don’t think anyone can grasp it right now,” I say as I give Gizmo a quick scratch on his back. “Please, don’t be strangers. I meant what I said earlier. You’re welcome here.”

  She nods through tears before her attention floats down to the sweet kitten I’m holding.

  “Oh no! Poor Sugar.” She gently plucks her right out of my hands. “Bizzy, if it’s all right with you, I’d love to give her a home. She and Gizmo get along perfectly. I think it’s right.” She nestles the tiny kitten next to her cheek.

  “What do you think, Sugar?” I whisper as I give her forehead a quick pat.

  I think it’s right, too, Bizzy.

  Something Gizmo said to me the night of the murder comes back to mind.

  “Diane, you came out here with a gun the night of the murder. Why was that?”

  Her eyes expand for a moment.

  “I did.” She shudders. “I came out looking for Bobbie, and I heard yelling. Then Gizmo needed to use the bathroom, and I felt vulnerable. I’ve carried a gun with me for years now. Thank goodness I’ve never had to fire it anywhere but the range. I wanted to protect us.” She sighs hard. “I wish I could have protected Chip from what happened next.”

  “It’s okay,” Jasper says. “You’re safe, and the killers have been caught. You’re not in any trouble.”

  “Thank you.” She holds her fur babies tightly. “A part of me needed to hear that.”

  We say goodbye to Diane, Gizmo, and Sugar, and we watch as they take off into the night.

  “It’s all over,” I say.

  “Oh no.” Jasper nods to the inn. “The fun is just beginning.”

  The four us make our way back into the ballroom where the music is still playing and about half the room is either blissfully unaware of what’s transpired or they don’t really care all that much about Bobbie and Lacey’s murderous intentions.

  We make our way to the front where we find my father and Huxley both wearing matching dark suits with bright red ties. Judging by their facial expressions, you’d think they were next up at the guillotine.

  “Bizzy!” Georgie calls out as Juni and my mother run up along with her. “Are you sure you nabbed the right killer?”

  Mom nods. “My daughter doesn’t make a mistake.” She takes my hand and gives it a squeeze. “Macy and that tiger of hers saw them haul those women off just before we went out and inspected the chaos for ourselves. I’m proud of you, Bizzy—keeping Cider Cove crime free, one killer at a time.”

  Juni claps her hands together. “That can be your slogan when you run for office. Way to give Mackenzie Woods some real competition.”

  “She’s not running for mayor.” Georgie flicks her fingers as if shooing the idea away. “She’s gunning for her husband’s position down at the sheriff’s department.”

  Jasper gives a wistful tick of the head. “At this rate, she just might get it.”

  Macy strides up, as do Leo, Emmie, Jordy, Keegan, and even Grady and Nessa. We gather together along with all of Jasper’s brothers, his sister, her sweet baby, and her handsome hubby. The Woods family showed up, too, but their numbers are sparse.

  I pull my brother and father into a warm embrace at the very same time.

  “I love you both,” I say as I look into their twin denim-colored eyes. They’re both so handsome, so strong, and yet there’s an air of vulnerability about them tonight as well. “You’re going to do great,” I tell them. “You’ve got a lot of happiness ahead of you. And on the up side, you will probably never forget your anniversary.”

  We share a quick laugh as Georgie steps up.

  “Down a minister?” She winks at the grooms. “Have no fear, Georgie’s here.”

  Soon, the sound of the “Wedding March” fills the air, and Jasper and all four of his brothers walk Gwyneth down the aisle with Sherlock barking alongside them.

  Gwyneth looks gorgeous with a silver gown and a pom of red roses in her hand as she takes her place next to my father.

  Next up is Mackenzie Woods with her father by her side. Mack looks dangerous in a short red number. It’s a bold look, but to each his own.

  Hux sniffs hard and, if I’m not mistaken, I see tears glistening in both his eyes and my father’s, and I get the feeling they’re not tears of remorse.

  Georgie does her thing, and before we know it, the four of them are hitched—Dad to Gwyneth, and Huxley to Mackenzie.

  Sherlock yips and jumps as the four of them smooch it out.

  I look over to see Emmie and Leo smooching it out as well. Of course, Macy an
d Tiger seem to be checking out one another’s tonsils. Nessa and Grady are going at it for the sake of going at it. Mom even lets Dr. Bernstein sneak in a peck.

  Georgie and Juni are finally giving their fluffy kissers a little action with Mr. Leather and Bobbie’s brother, Buck, whom I’m not entirely sure is apprised of his sister’s current location.

  A slow song bleats through the speakers, and Jasper pulls me in close as we begin to move in time with the music.

  I glance over to the refreshment table and spot Fish and Sherlock chasing one another’s tails, and everything feels right again.

  “I know what you’re thinking,” Jasper whispers the words so close to my ear it tickles. “You’re glad everything turned out great, but you sort of want to make a quick escape.”

  “Oh?” I pull back and bite down on a smile. “Is that what I’m thinking? Are you a mind reader now?”

  He shakes his head. “I read hearts. Your heart specifically.”

  “Aww,” I coo. “You know what that means? We have the most intimate form of communication two people can have. It looks as if we’re the perfect match after all.”

  He nods. “I was thinking the exact same thing.” His lids hood a notch, and his lips begin to curve with delicious, yet malevolent, intent. “You know there’s another form of intimate communication we’re pretty good at.”

  “I’d say we were great.”

  He gives a quick glance in Georgie’s direction. “You could say that, but it’s doubtful anyone would believe you.” A dark laugh strums from his chest, and I swat him. “But the important part is”—he coils a lock of my hair around his finger—“that you believe it.”

  “And do you believe me?”

  A sly grin rides up the side of his face. “Make a believer out of me.”

  Jasper and I head back to our cottage and make firm believers out of one another in the very best way.

  It’s a happy Valentine’s Day indeed.

  ***Thank you for reading!

  Need more Cider Cove? Grab yours here —>

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  A haunted book store and a killer—winter in Cider Cove will leave you chilled to the bone with fear.

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  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 who have come back from the other side to warn me of their previous owner’s impending doom.

  It's the dead of winter in Honey Hollow, and I’ve got jury duty. As if that wasn’t terrible enough, Carlotta is stirring up trouble with the mob again, and soon enough a member of the family ends up biting the big one. And you will never guess which ghost comes back to help me solve the crime this time… Something like this has never happened before, and I’m hoping it will never happen again. It’s cold outside, and so is the heart of the killer.

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  *Ready for a brand new series? Welcome to Glimmerspell! Grab a copy NOW—> Midlife in Glimmerspell (Hot Flash Homicides 1)

  An impending divorce. A hot homicide detective. And spontaneous time travel.

  Midlife in Glimmerspell is proving to be magical.

  If I thought the first half of my life was a bumpy ride, I’d better buckle up because I’m about to go over the hill and off the rails.

  After catching my husband in bed with another woman, I gave him the heave-ho, put our house on the market, and moved away to an enchanting little town for a brand new start. What I didn’t count on was the fact that enchanting little town might just be—enchanted.

  Glimmerspell is rumored to be home to vampires, werewolves, and fae, but those are just simply gimmicks to lure tourists to their snowy little town—aren’t they?

  Nevertheless, I’ve got a job at the Haunted Book Barn where my niece films her infamous video blog—Murder, Mayhem, and Baking. She’s somehow wrangled me into helping out with whipping up the sweet treats, and in the middle of filming an episode a hot flash strikes and I’m transported to another time, place, and another day entirely.

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  It’s beginning to look a lot like murder. It’s winter in Starry Falls, the snow is falling and the mobsters are coming in strong. My freedom is in the balance and the only question on my mind is should I stay or should I go now? Shep is willing to risk it all for me—and a thank you, I might just get us both killed.

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  Recipe

  Country Cottage Café

  Red Velvet, White Chocolate Chip Cookies

  Hello there! Bizzy Baker Wilder here! It’s almost Valentine’s Day in my world, and my best friend, Emmie, whipped up the most scrumptious red velvet cookies to help celebrate the day that adulates love. And believe me when I say you will love these cookies. Jasper and I can’t get enough of them. Happy eating!

  Ingredients

  1 ½ cups All- Purpose Flour

  ¼ cup cocoa powder

  1 teaspoon baking soda

  ¼ teaspoon salt

  ½ unsalted butter (softened, room temperature)

  1 cup light brown sugar

  1 large egg (room temperature)

  1 tablespoon milk

  2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  ½ teaspoon red food coloring (gel or liquid. *Emmie prefers gel)

  1 cup white chocolate chips

  Directions

  In a large bowl, mix together flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Set to the side until later in step two.

  *For this next step, Emmie prefers a stand mixer with a paddle attachment but a handheld mixer works well too.

  Place butter in the mixer and set to high until creamy, about 1- 2 minutes. Add in brown sugar until well blended and super creamy, about 2 minutes. Add in the egg, milk, and vanilla. Blend well then add food coloring until completely mixed in.

  With the mixer off, add the dry ingredients from the large mixing bowl that were blended together in step one. Slowly mix until the dough forms. Add additional food coloring if you’re not satisfied with the hue. Then slowly add the white chocolate chips. The dough will feel sticky at this point.

  Next up is chilling the dough! Emmie says you can’t skip this step no matter how much you want to. Don’t shoot the messenger! I’m simply relaying her rather barbaric instructions. Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap and chill the dough in the fridge for 2 hours (or up to 2 days). If you decided to chill the dough far longer than 2 hours then you might want to let it sit room temperature for about 10- 15 minutes before getting to the good part.

  Preheat oven to 350°. Line two cookie sheet pans with parchment paper.

  The good part! Roll a walnut size amount of dough into a ball and set on pan about two inches apart. Fill up those cookie sheets!

  Bake for approximately 13 minutes.

  Once you pull your tasty treats out of the oven, if the cookies are too round for your liking you can flatten softly with a fork—any crinkles that form are welcome to stay.

  Let cookies cool then enjoy to your heart’s content.

  Beware! These tend to disappear quickly!

  Share freely with those you lov
e.

  Enjoy!

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