My breathing grows erratic. “What? No silencer on tonight? That is what you used, isn’t it?”
“I see you’re proficient in your weaponry as well.” She takes a breath. “I’m sorry, Lottie, but you’re going to have to come with me.” She gives me a hard yank toward her and I swipe for the gun, but she holds it up over her head, and then we’re struggling for it.
“Lottie!” Kringle darts around us in a hot pink blur. “Oh, you’ve gotten yourself into a pickle this time—and one you can’t eat yourself out of.” He leaps onto Candy’s head and does his best to claw her eyes out, then he dips his tail into her mouth before he squeals directly in her ear, but it’s to no avail.
Then, from seemingly nowhere, Ethan lets out a growl as he pries his arm between us.
“NO!” he thunders as he pushes Candy away from me with all his might, causing her to stumble backward, and just as she turns to run, she trips over a mound of snow and lands facedown in the frosty white stuff.
Kringle scampers down to her hand where she’s still clutching at the gun and he does his best to bite off her finger.
Candy lets out a howl as she pulls her hand away and I quickly scoop up the gun she’s just abandoned.
“Freeze!” I call out, just the way I’ve seen Noah do dozens of times before.
Ethan’s ghostly frame begins to shimmer like the deepest part of the ocean as he sheds a mournful smile my way.
“Tell her I’ll always be with her.” His voice strums from him, sorrowful. “Tell her that this too shall pass, and that she will be whole again.”
And just like that, the ghost of Ethan Lionel Markus dissipates into thin air.
I quickly relay to her the words of her father and Candy lets out a mournful groan.
“What about me?” Kringle begins to rise into the sky. “Oh dear, this is it, Lottie. I’m going to bite the big one. I’m going to meet my maker. I’ll be dead as a doornail—and oh, wait. I’m all of those things and more.” He floats higher, easy and light like a helium balloon. “And what am I saying? I’ve already met my maker. And He throws one heck of a party this time of year. Have a merry Christmas, Lottie Lemon! Enjoy Sugar Cookie!” A sprinkling of red and green stars swallows him whole just as a tall, dark, and unstoppably handsome homicide detective and his partner Ivy Fairbanks stride by.
Noah does a double take my way. “Lottie?” His voice rises with a note of panic as he draws his weapon. “What the hell is going on?”
Ivy runs over and I quickly give her the weapon in my hand.
“It’s Candy Brighton. She did it. She killed Gloria.” I rattle off as many details as I can while Ivy lands some cuffs on Candy and helps her out of the snow.
Noah swoops over and wipes the snow from my shoulders before pulling me in.
“Lottie Lemon, you are going to be the end of me.” He brushes a kiss to my forehead. “Let’s get you inside.”
“I’ll go. You do whatever you need to do as far as this case goes. We’ll talk.” I make my way into the Evergreen Manor and head for the ballroom.
There’s one more thing I need to do tonight.
The last thing I did broke Ethan’s heart.
This one will break mine.
“Here Comes Santa Claus” blares over the speakers, and it seems as if all of Vermont is grooving on the dance floor. The lights are a notch dimmer than they were earlier, and the entire room is alive with an energy that only the deep end of the night can bring.
I spot Evie and her friends gyrating their limbs right along with my mother and sisters as I thread my way through the tangle of bodies. The frenetic movements of those around me make me dizzy as I bump into a woman with a sparkling red dress, and that dress seems like a dime a dozen tonight.
“Serena,” I say as I pull her close by the arm. Her dark hair is swept up and her lips expand at the sight of me like a malevolent fire. “There’s a transmundane conference coming up in a few weeks. Will you be there?”
“There is?” Her lips part. “Where?”
And for a second, we both gasp—Serena because I’ve caught her transmundane-handed and me because I was right.
“I want to know everything,” I snip.
She gives an incredulous huff at the thought. “You deserve to know nothing.” Her body relaxes as she sighs. “Is there really a conference?”
“I’m sure there is somewhere. Look, I’ve just learned about the beguilers a few months back. When that Hearst curse—”
“Fell upon you.” She nods. “I know. I can’t help you with that.”
“I’m not asking you to. Serena, whether I like it or not, Suze Fox is like family to me. Is she a beguiler? Is Elodie Frost?”
She takes a moment to glance around the room. “I’m not at liberty to divulge the identity of any of my brothers or sisters, but I will say this. Does Suze appear to have the ability to influence things to go her way?”
“I’m not dumping Noah, so I guess she’s not a beguiler.”
Her brows hike. “Are you married to Noah or Everett?”
I take a quick breath because I’m not married to Noah.
“You mean she is?” My hand clasps over my belly because if my sweet sugar cookie belongs to Noah then my baby shares Suze’s strange DNA.
Serena shrugs. “That’s for the two of you to hash out. As for Elodie”—she rolls her eyes—“let’s just say she was successful in coercing a rather large sum of money from Gloria.” She shudders. “Not all beguilers use their abilities for greed, but I’m afraid it’s been a rampant trend. I’m head of the local chapter. And if there is a conference coming up, I should be made aware of it.” She studies me a moment. “I take it you’re not telesensual. Since you’re forever picking my brain, I assume you can’t read it.” She squints my way as she leans in. “You’re not sibylline either or I’d think you’d have better timing.”
I shake my head. “Nope. I can’t read minds or catch a glimpse into the future.”
Her mouth rounds out. “Supersensual?”
I nod and her eyes widen at the thought.
“But say a word and I’ll deny it,” I tell her. “You should come by the bakery some time. We’ll talk. But don’t bring Cormack or Cressida. I’m not exactly up for breaking bread—or croissants with them.”
She belts out a friendly laugh. “Done deal. But they’re still my people.” She shrugs. “I’ve gotten used to having them around. Enjoy your holidays.” She starts to take off and I pull her back.
“Remember that little hex Cormack and Cressida paid you to put on yours truly? The one that kept putzing up everything between Noah, Everett, and me?” My heart sinks at the thought of what’s happening between Everett and me might be the result of some ridiculous curse—be it the one Serena cast or the one I acquired from that whole Hearst mess. “Would you mind doing a solid for your transmundane sister and untangling me from that?”
She huffs as she glances to the ceiling. “That’s not how it works, Lottie.” She stalks off into the crowd and I sigh.
I didn’t think so.
But I put all thoughts of curses out of my mind as I quickly scan the crowd and then I see him—Everett, watching me from over by the decorated trees in the back. His blue eyes pierce through this dim light and shine a brilliant shade of cobalt. His jaw is tight and his expression is sober as he needles me with his gaze.
My feet carry me in that direction, my eyes never leaving his.
Every emotion I’ve ever felt for that man bubbles to the surface.
Everett is magnificent on an ordinary day, but tonight he is lethally handsome. Every woman in the vicinity, on the dance floor, is craning her neck in his direction. An intoxicating masculinity exudes from him and creates a yearning in me to have him.
Every inch of the distance between us feels electric. I can feel the crackle, the sizzle of his gaze as he penetrates it deep into mine, and just like that, I’m upon him.
“Lemon.” His lips curl slightly on one side. Never a smil
e with this man. My God, he is far too stubborn to give those away freely. With Everett you need to earn it. It’s part of his charm. He makes silent demands with his body, and every woman under the sun is eager to meet them—me included.
A redhead steps up between us, not so much as acknowledging my presence as she pulls him into an embrace. Her sugary perfume lights up my senses, and I know exactly who she is.
“You were amazing today.” She laughs as she says it to him. “I can’t wait to get into bed with you again.”
“What?” I squawk so loud my ears burn from the shrill of my voice. But not a soul turns this way, they’re still hopped up on the music. I pluck the woman off of him with a marked aggression. “How dare you!” I riot into her startled face.
She’s pretty, a classic beauty with clear green eyes, glossy red hair, a porcelain complexion, long thin nose, and matching lips. She’s dressed in a brocade green shift and has on far too much chunky jewelry for my taste. But then, I guess a homewrecker doesn’t have any taste at all.
“Lemon, this is Daisy Sweeten, a friend of my sister’s.”
“Oh, you’re no Daisy.” I step in a touch too close to the woman. “You’re a snake in the grass through and through.”
“Lemon?” Everett’s voice is curt.
“And you don’t Lemon me! Running around with this hussy, doing God knows what, while I cry my eyes out at night!” Tears mingle with my rage, and I do my best to blink them away.
“What?” Everett inches back as if I struck him. “Is that what you think? Is that what this whole thing has been about?”
The woman shakes her head. “Look, I don’t know what’s happening here, but I think I should go. Everett, I left your plans on the table.” She starts to take off, and I jump in her direction.
“Don’t you mean Essex?” I shout as Everett hooks me in with his arm. But she continues to stalk off as if she couldn’t get away from me fast enough.
“Whoa.” He pulls me in close with a stern expression. “Look at me, Lemon,” he says it firm and my eyes flit straight to his upon his command. “I would never do that to you. Not in this lifetime, not in the next. I’m sorry if I did anything to take your mind there.”
“My mind? You gave me plenty of reason! You’ve been sneaking around with her all month. I could smell her sugary perfume on your suit. I saw half of her face imprinted on your collar! And let’s not forget her cryptic yet damning words. I heard her say she can’t wait to get into bed with you again.”
His chest expands with his next breath, the muscles in his jaw redefining themselves.
“She meant that in the business sense. And you’re right, I have been sneaking around all month. I’ve been working on something for you—a gift. One that’s been on my mind for months.” He reaches over to the table next to us and picks up two long scrolls. “I’ve been working on plans for our future home. Daisy is the architect I hired. She’s Meghan’s best friend.” His lips purse as I take it all in.
“You mean, you weren’t sneaking off to the Evergreen and getting a room with that woman?”
He shakes his head. “I had her draw up two different sets of plans—one of which required a rigorous number of meetings with the city planning commission to approve them.” He holds up his right hand as if taking an oath when he says it. “Lemon, I contacted your old landlord and convinced him to sell me the property. I bought it as a gift for you. The plans I have in this hand are for a house that encompasses the land under your old home and mine, which will make one large home on a large piece of land. I thought it would be fitting to blend the old and the new, what was yours and what was mine. And in my left hand, I thought maybe if you didn’t want that, maybe if you wanted a separate home for yourself, I had Daisy draw up a plan for two separate dwellings. The designs we used are fluid. You can add or subtract as many rooms as you like, you can redesign the kitchen, the bathrooms, anything at all. I just want you to be happy.”
My chest heaves and I try to catch my breath, just trying to grip this new reality.
“Everett,” I whisper. “You did this for me? You bought the property under my old rental? You got the city to approve the combining of our land?” A smile breaks through the grief I once felt as a thousand different emotions course through me at once. “That must have been a feat to get the city to approve that.”
“It was about as easy as moving heaven and earth.” His lips curve as his eyes warm over mine. “But it was worth every uphill battle. And it’s done. I got the final approval today. We can have our together dream home, or you can have your very own dream home. It’s up to you.”
My lips press tightly as I nod. “I’m sorry I put you through all this misery. I’m sure you were confused. And I’m sure you realize now that you’re married to an insane woman.”
A dry laugh lives and dies in his chest. “I thought you were done with me. That after living with me for a few days, you had buyer’s remorse. I saw your minivan in the lot at the Evergreen the other night. And I saw you taking a sleigh ride with Noah. I thought maybe you were ready to rekindle things with him.”
“Oh, Everett.” I shake my head. “I can never be done with you.” I take the thick scroll from his left hand, the plans that signify a life apart from him, and I tear that scroll in half—my eyes never leaving his. “I don’t want that. Everything in my future revolves around us.”
His cheeks flicker. He tosses the plans to the table, his eyes still locked over mine. Everett grabs my hand and pulls me into that make-believe forest festooned for this special season, with their colorful blinking lights, as he speeds us deep inside the heart of those bejeweled trees.
Everett pulls me in close, lands his lips to mine, and we collide with an explosion of insatiable kisses. Everett and I delve into one another with a marked aggression, never able to catch our breath, never able to get enough. His strong hands glide over my back at a quickened pace, and his arms cage me in with so much power they assure me there is no escape.
Everett and I are lost in our need to have one another, lost in the very best way. We burn through the atmosphere of our love, on fire, with lust, with love, on fire for all we are together.
The night ends in a blur, and before we know it, we’re back in that rental house, our new bedroom with the door locked as one of Carlotta’s candles flickers with its peachy glow.
Everett takes my dress off as a devilish grin curves on his lips, and those hooded lids of his make one heck of a carnal promise. He runs his fingers through my hair, and I shake it out for him.
I pull off the jacket to his suit, tug his tie, loosen it, and help him lose his shirt. Everett is resplendent in this ethereal light. Soon enough, we’re skin on skin, loving one another with an urgency like never before.
Everett is mine.
He never left.
We have our whole future in front of us.
Everett and I roll over that mattress like tigers long into the night, and once we’re through, he holds me in his arms, brushing soft kisses over my cheek.
“Happy Anniversary, Lemon.”
I suck in a quick breath. “Oh my goodness, you’re right. It’s been one year.” My fingers fly to my lips. “I guess that means our contract is up.” It’s true. We were married under the guise of a business arrangement. And Everett mentioned something about his friends pushing a divorce through for the two of us a while back. I pray that isn’t in the works, but I don’t dare breathe the D word on a magical night like tonight. Instead, I sigh with relief that I’m warm and safe in Everett Baxter’s arms. “Happy Anniversary, husband.”
His lips twitch with a smile. “Happy Anniversary, wife. I love you.”
I bite down on a smile as our eyes lock. “I love you, too.”
My stomach jumps with a pronounced thump, and I gasp as I land his hand over my belly.
“The baby!” I hold my breath, waiting for it to happen once more, and it does—again and again.
Everett and I share a warm laugh.
“Hey, Sugar Cookie.” Everett bends over and lands a sweet kiss to my belly. “Daddy loves you.”
And just like that, my heart melts forever.
Everett moves those kisses to my lips, and we ignite the room with lightning of our making.
Everett and I are electric in the very best way.
We always have been.
Here’s hoping we always will be.
Chapter 18
“Merry Christmas Eve!” Mom lifts her delicate coffee mug, her finest Christmas china, and the rest of us do the same.
Just about everyone I love has gathered right here in the elegant dining room at the B&B. Keelie and Bear, along with their precious baby, Keelie's mother and her sister Naomi. Mayor Nash, Chrissy Nash, his ex, and Carlotta. Wiley and my mother, Lainey, Forest, little Josie, Meg, Hook, and my half-siblings, Kelleth, Aspen, and Finn. Finn’s girlfriend, who happens to be Noah’s ex-wife, Brit. Cormack and Cressida, interlopers who happen to live right here at the B&B, so there’s that. Everett’s sister Meghan and his mother Eliza, Noah’s mother Suze, his brother Alex and his plus one, Serena Digby. Lily accepted the invite, and she’s here with her plus one, Seven. And, of course, Noah, Everett, and Evie.
The entire lot of us has just enjoyed a scrumptious holiday dinner with turkey, ham, and all the fixings. Keelie and my sisters helped me bring the dessert to the table, and we’ve spent the last half hour making quick work of my pecan, apple, and pumpkin pies, not to mention we’ve devoured just about every eggnog trifle I brought over.
Slowly, one by one, we stretch to life as we rise and everyone begins to mingle around the tree, the fire, or the eggnog over at the refreshment table.
Everett lands a tender kiss to my ear. “I’ll go get Evie, and we can give that gift we got for her.”
Noah nods. “And I think I see my mother chewing out my father. I’d better put that fire out.”
They take off just as Keelie and Lainey swoop this way with their tiny tots in tow. Little Josie looks like a fairy in her red frilly dress, with her large curious eyes and glossy smile. And baby Bear looks every bit like the little man he is in a green flannel and jeans.
Murder in the Mix Boxed Set 28-30: Cozy Mystery Page 21