Noah’s entire being lights up in a spray of swirling light as he dissipates to nothing right before my eyes. It’s a thing of beauty. And it’s the saddest thing I’ve ever seen. As much as I want him back in his body fighting for his life, a very greedy part of me wants him here with me.
The knocking persists and I open the door to find Judge Essex Everett Baxter standing on the other side looking like a handsome devil with just the right amount of stubble peppering his cheeks.
“Lemon? Are you all right?” There’s a marked level of concern in his voice that I haven’t heard before.
“I’m fine.” I clear my throat. “Noah was here for just a moment. I guess he got sucked back into his body.”
“As strange as it sounds, I’m hoping it’s a good thing. Do you think you can come on a little drive with me? I have something to show you.”
“Sure. As soon as I talk to suspect number one,” I say, taking his hand and leading him to the register.
The pretty girl next to Aspen blows my sisters a kiss before cinching her purse and slinking to the door. She turns a moment and her eyes hook to Everett. Her lips part and you can see her hormonal alarm going off at the sight of him. You can’t really blame the girl. Everett is a showstopper.
She licks her lips in anticipation before heading out under the cover of a stormy sky.
And just like that, I lose my opportunity to kick this case into gear.
Chapter 7
Everett says not to worry about where we’re going because where we’re going is a surprise.
That’s one of the many things that I love about Everett, the fact that he never fails to surprise me in the very best way—with his enthusiastic kisses, the way he makes breakfast in the morning, the way he’s prone to blanketing the inside of my house with flowers on occasion, the way he’s always willing to go on an adventure with me at a moment’s notice, the way he loves me with such zest and fervor. There are billions of women who would die happy to have Everett love them that way just for a day—and here he’s offered his heart to me in that manner for a lifetime.
But, as of late, I’m full of surprises, too—a very tiny surprise that is currently busy knitting itself together in my womb.
I fully plan on telling him about Noah Junior brewing in my belly. I’ve spent my entire life in a fit of independence, and don’t get me wrong, I don’t plan on changing that any time soon, but Everett is the one person I trust with my deepest, darkest secret. More than anything I’d like to share this with him.
We drive along the highway and I soak in the hillsides covered with fall leaves of every color, fiery reds, pale gold, deep burgundy, and persimmon. We pass the orchard with its colorful apples that hang like Christmas tree ornaments. We pass the pumpkin patch that glows in peachy hues, their cheery globes dotting the ground with an abundance of color. Finally, we exit at Hollyhock, a small quaint town just to the east of Honey Hollow, and it just so happens to be the town that Noah grew up in until his father moved them to Fallbrook to live with Everett’s family. It’s hard for me to believe that these two fantastic men were always within driving distance of my life at any given time. What I wouldn’t give to have known them far sooner than we met. I wonder how our lives would be different if we knew each other in our formative years. But I suppose things happen for a reason. And, as it stands, I met both Noah and Everett on the same fateful day just over a year ago.
Everett takes a left into the hillside, and as the elevation changes, the maples, the sweetgums, the oaks, and ambers all cluster together and put on a spectacular show of autumn splendor. A creek runs along our left and there are evergreens that line our path all the way up to a large wooden arch with a sign that reads Maple Meadows Lodge.
A mammoth wooden building—an overgrown cabin that looks just as beautiful as any chalet with its Lincoln log design stained a dark brown with pine green trim around the windows—sits up ahead with an enormous parking lot that’s currently sparsely populated. It looks more or less like your run-of-the-mill lodge that my family used to stay at when we would drive up for ski trips. There’s a ski lift a few miles away and I can see a small lake on the north side of the property.
Everett and I hop out and take in the fresh mountain air perfumed with evergreens and the earthy soil below our feet.
“We’re here.” Everett pulls me in close as we look up at the monolithic structure.
“Do they have a restaurant?” I’m a bit puzzled as to why we’re here.
His chest thumps with a dry laugh. “I don’t think we’re that lucky, Lemon.”
“Are we renting a room for the afternoon?” God knows I could use some shut-eye, and an afternoon nap wrapped in Everett’s arms sounds perfectly blissful.
“We could get lucky if you want, Lemon.”
“Everett. What is it then?”
He takes a breath. “Hook Redwood called and let me know this was the place Noah was trying to negotiate the offer on.”
A horrible groan comes from me. “That’s right. Noah was looking to buy a lodge up in Hollyhock. Oh my goodness, this is it.” I take a look around and see it with new eyes. “Oh, Everett, he wanted to invest in this place for the future of his family. He wanted to have something substantial to offer his children one day. My heart breaks just being here.” And the fact I have one of his children tucked in my body makes me ache for Noah and his precious dreams all the more.
Everett drops a heated kiss over my forehead. “Let’s take a tour.”
We walk around the property, which boasts of fishing in the summer, snow play in the winter, an archery range, and the potential for a corral. We step into the grand entry, and there’s a two-story river rock fireplace against the south wall with a roaring fire glowing and crackling as guests sit around it reading and sipping hot beverages.
There’s a stone reception area with a couple of staff members in uniform and they offer us a cheery greeting. Everett lets them know we’re here to check out the property as a potential investment, and the grounds manager is quick to show us the cozy dining hall with its oversized antler chandelier, the kitchen with its old but sturdy professional grade appliances, and a few of the nicer rooms with views of the lake.
Everything is simply adorable, and everything is simply in need of some slight renovation.
Finally, Everett and I head to the lake and take a seat on a boulder as we face the adorable lodge.
“Fifty-five rooms,” Everett says as he exhales hard. “Hook says it has a booking rate of about eighty percent year-round. He said it would be profitable, day one. Noah was going to put down half in cash and take a loan on the rest, hoping it would pay itself off.”
“This is no small purchase. Fifty-five rooms plus a staff and a maintenance schedule that I’m assuming is pretty rigorous. What do they want for this place?”
Everett pulls out his phone and shows me the email Hook sent him.
“Oh my God. Is that in American dollars?” I about have a heart attack looking at all those zeros attached at the end. And, my God, Noah has enough to put down half? No wonder Cormack was determined to sink her hooks into him. Noah could afford more designer bags than I gave him credit for. I know his dad left him and his brother a lot of money. Noah is the one who paid for my kitchen at the bakery, after all. I guess he had a nice chunk of change left over.
Everett’s chest rumbles once again. “Real estate isn’t cheap around here. Hollyhock is nice. People love it. I think there’s a lot of untapped potential with this place, and Noah saw it.”
“Noah,” I whisper his name like a secret. “Everett, I inherited an awful lot of land and properties through Nell. I’ll sell one, trade it, anything. I just have to buy this place for Noah.”
For our child, but I leave that little genetic detail out of the conversation for now. Once I get that verbal ball rolling, it won’t stop for eighteen years and beyond. Suddenly, the responsibility of having a child feels daunting.
Who will watch the bakery?
Who will watch my precious child?
Will it have Noah’s emerald green eyes and dimples? God, I hope so.
Tears come and I can’t seem to fight them.
“Hey?” Everett pulls me in and wraps his arms around me tight, warming me from the icy autumn breeze. “You’re shivering. Come on. Let’s get out of here, and I’ll take you to lunch.”
I nod as I look to the beautiful lodge one more time. “Take me straight to Redwood Reality. I want this property, Everett. I have to buy it for Noah.”
“Lemon, if you buy it, this place will be yours.” He pulls back and bears those lake blue eyes into mine. “Noah, he might not—”
“I know.” I glance to the ground, afraid of that very outcome. My hand glides to my tummy. “It doesn’t matter, Everett. I need this lodge. This is already mine. I can feel it.”
“Okay then.” He takes a deep breath as he looks around. “I’ll let Hook know we’re interested.”
And we do. We put in a call to Hook, and he’s thrilled to hear we’re saving the day for Noah.
“What’s the down payment?” I ask. “How soon can I sign the papers and close the deal?”
Hook laughs from the other end of the line. “I’m glad you’re excited, Lottie. They’re asking for a ten thousand dollar deposit. I can start up the paperwork and send it to you to sign electronically.”
“Yes, please.” I poke Everett on the arm. “Just ten thousand dollars? This is easier than I thought.”
Hook groans, “That’s just to secure the property while you get your loan together. You can put down as much as you like. Obviously, the more you put down, the less you’ll owe.”
“I see.” I’m not a numbers person by far, but with all the real estate Nell gave me, I should quickly become one. “What’s the minimum down?”
Hook breathes into the phone. “The minimum would be a couple hundred thousand. But if you did that, your mortgage on the place would be pretty steep. You might get yourself in over your head that way.”
“A couple hundred thousand?” I say, stunned. “I’m already in over my head. Hook, I don’t have that.”
“I do,” Everett says into the phone. I’ll talk to my loan guy and see what we can swing. Get the paperwork going and consider it sold.”
We hang up with Hook, and I look up at Everett in awe.
“Everett, I’ll pay you back—every dime.”
“No, Lemon. Noah will pay me back.” The tips of his lips curl upward. “And if he’s unable to do that—” He sighs as he examines the lodge as the wind swirls around us, blowing the colorful fall foliage right out of the trees and sending it into the sky like confetti. “It looks as if you and I are about to become brand new owners of the Maple Meadows Lodge.”
“Everett!” I wrap my arms around him and plant a wet one right over his lips. “You don’t know how happy this makes me.” Tears glitter in my eyes and my adrenaline kicks up a notch because I can feel the words bubbling up in my throat. I pull back and plant my hands firmly over his chest. “I have something to tell you, Everett. And here at Maple Meadows with the deep blue lake behind us, the woods, fall in all its splendor—I couldn’t think of a better place to do it.”
His arms float around my waist, his expression firmly sober.
“What is it, Lemon? You can tell me anything. I won’t judge you. If you need my help, I won’t ask questions.”
I give a little shrug. “Not even if I have a body to hide?”
A dull chuckle bounces through him. “Especially not then. Of course, I’d help you hide it.”
“You would do that for me?” Every last bit of me melts at the prospect.
“You bet I would.” His cobalt eyes rake over my features, hot as coals. I have always been able to feel Everett’s gaze as he examines me as sure as a touch. That’s a part of his magic.
“I’m glad you’re not going to pass any judgments—even though it’s technically demanded of you on a daily basis.” My heart pounds over my chest, drumming into my throat and out my ears. As soon as I say it, this baby becomes real in a whole new way. It’s as if I’m about to unleash it into the world, and here it’s still at home in the safety of my body.
“Everett—” His name comes out in a ragged whisper, and I can hardly catch my breath. “I just want you to know I wasn’t expecting this. It was completely unplanned.”
“What is it, Lemon?” His features fill with concern. And if I’m not mistaken, he looks frightened for me. “What’s got you rattled?”
I press my gaze hard into his stormy blue eyes. His strong arms hold me and comfort me.
“Everett, I’m pregnant. I’m having Noah’s baby.”
Chapter 8
“A baby.”
Everett hasn’t stopped repeating those words ever since we got back from Hollyhock. As soon as I spilled my secret, Everett stood there stunned for a few seconds before he twirled me around and kissed me over the mouth until I was dizzy. He then promptly informed me I would make the best mother in the world. And Everett has been beaming with pride ever since. It’s late in the afternoon and the sun is ready to vacate our end of the world.
He drove me straight home and landed me on the couch with a blanket and enough pillows nestled around me to furnish that fifty-five room beast, the Maple Meadows Lodge, we just decided to purchase. Of all the places I could have told him the precious news, I’m glad it was right there, at the lodge where Noah decided to purchase something for his family. It only seems right.
Everett gets a fire going and brings me hot chamomile tea. He takes off my shoes and gently rubs my feet as if it were his job.
“We need to know everything there is about having a baby, Lemon.” He pulls his phone out and begins googling away. “There’s no time to waste.”
“I’m pretty sure we have nine months.”
“It sounds like we’ve lost time already.”
We. I swoon at the thought. How every part of me dissolves with relief that Everett wants to be a part of this process. Even if Noah were right here with us, I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Pancake and Waffles hop up and land on my lap. They’re just as soft as any of these pillows propping me up.
“Whoa,” Everett says as he carefully pulls Waffles onto his own lap, and I move Pancake over a notch. “I’ll look up pregnancy and cats and see what they say.”
“Oh, I’m not allergic, that’s for sure. And I don’t think I can get an allergy just because I’m having a baby.”
He shakes his head as he stares into his phone. “It says here kitty litter could be dangerous. I don’t think you can keep the cats.”
“There’s no way I’m getting rid of my family,” I say, amused as I take a sip of the chamomile tea he’s whipped up for me.
“We can keep them at my place.”
“They’ll be lonely because you’ll be here.” I bite down playfully over my bottom lip as I say it.
“You bet I will. And truth be told, I’m not sorry one bit I’m extending my stay.”
A giggle bounces through me. “Truth be told, Everett, I enjoy having you here every minute with me. You really have brought me so much comfort—you know, with almost losing Noah. Country Cottage Road doesn’t feel the same without him. Every time I see the lights on at night across the street, for a brief moment I forget that Britney is staying there with Toby and I get a glimmer of hope that I might see Noah.”
Everett pulls my feet up over his lap and begins rubbing them once again and it feels like heaven.
He pumps an all too brief smile. “I’ll take care of the kitty litter. I don’t want you anywhere near it. It’s not safe for you right now. I’ve already ordered up to a half of dozen books on what to expect while you’re expecting. They should be here by tomorrow. We’ll need a doctor. A good one. If you don’t have one, I’ll ask around. We’re only shooting for the best. And, of course, I’ll accompany you to all of your appointments. That is, if you want me to.”
; “Are you insane? Yes, I would love for you to. But I’d hate for you to miss work.”
“Don’t worry about the courthouse. We’ll work the courthouse around this baby.”
“Everett.” I pull his hand forward and kiss it. “Okay, I’ll make sure the doctor’s appointments work with your schedule. We could go to the Wicked Wok after the appointments and have lunch. That sounds like fun.”
“It’s a standing date.” He tips his head, examining me. “Do you want me to call in for some Wicked Wok right now? Are you having a craving?”
A laugh bounces through me. “I’m fine. Go ahead and turn on the TV. We’ll watch a game if you want. I need to text Aspen about something anyway.”
“Sounds good to me.” He grabs the remote, and the television above the fireplace flickers to life. “Whatever you need from me, money, time, advice, the sky’s the limit, Lemon. Everything I have, everything I am is yours.”
“Everett”—I say, breathless—“your love is all I’ll ever need.”
He gets right back to rubbing my feet, and I get right to texting Aspen.
Hello, Aspen, this is me, Lottie. Who was your friend that came by the bakery with you this morning? The pretty girl with the copper hair? She looked familiar and I couldn’t place her. I hit send and suddenly realize I should probably back this up with a good reason to pester her. I think she left her sweater at the shop. I hit send again. There. Nothing like a little white lie to save the day. Of course, I remember the girl from the night of the murder. Her name was Annette, I think. Anyway, I’m dying to pump as much information from my sister as I possibly can. At least this way the wheels of the investigation are still spinning.
Aspen herself was a quasi-suspect in a murder investigation a few months back and was grateful I didn’t handcuff her on the spot when I questioned her. She shook like a leaf when she confessed to being a part of the Elite Entourage, a high priced “dating” service that caters to wealthy and perverse men alike. It’s basically a front for a prostitution ring. And as if it wasn’t bad enough that one of my half-sisters found gainful employment there, Kelleth began working there as well a few months back.
Pumpkin Pie Parting Page 6
