Country Cottage Mysteries Boxed Set

by Addison Moore

  “Knew it!” The whites of her eyes flash wildly.

  I blink back with feigned surprise. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” My shoulder clips hers as I make my way across the street and into the mommy hive as I come up on my intended target.

  “Mary Beth.” I try to sound cheery as the stony-faced brunette snaps to attention. “So glad you came out tonight. Care to try a gingerbread whoopie pie? They were made fresh this afternoon at the Country Cottage Café.”

  “Oh, Bizzy.” A warbling moan evicts from her throat. “You know my weakness. I’m all about the sweets. Sweet like me.” She gives a quick wink as she snaps one up and takes a bite. “Wow,” she howls through a mouthful. “That is insane! I’d kill for that recipe.”

  An activity I’m wondering if she’s far too familiar with.

  I make a face without meaning to. “You’re in luck. We’re giving a copy to everyone who attends the Let It Snow Ball.” Or at least we are now. “All ticket sales and proceeds from the silent auction go straight to benefit needy families in the community. You won’t want to miss it. It’s for a great cause.”

  “My husband and I will both be there. We’ve already purchased tickets. Unfortunately, gone are the days I could drag my kids off to events like that. They’re teenagers now. Two boys and a girl. They care more about parties and friends than they do hanging out with their parents at a charity event. How about you? Any kids?”

  “Nope. Just cats. Two of which are the angels you gave me. They’re doing great, by the way. They’re home tonight with my cat, Fish, and my boyfriend’s dog, Sherlock. Fish and Sherlock just got fixed, and those sweet kittens are doing their best to cheer them up.” It’s true. Mistletoe and Holly are large and in charge, and about as maternal as can be. Fish finds it mildly annoying, and Sherlock isn’t impressed with their lack of ability to bring him bacon.

  Mary Beth scoffs. “I really don’t care how they’re doing. My eyes water just thinking about them.” She takes another bite out of her whoopie pie.

  “I’m sorry about your ex-husband.” I give a little shrug, and her eyes harden over mine for a moment.

  “Lincoln?” Her upper lip tugs to the side as if the thought of him sickened her. “I’m sorry, too.” Sorry this is starting to drag out. And a homicide investigation? It’s the last thing I would have thought. Lord knows we worked him up enough for anyone who was there to think he had a proper heart attack. What is it with the Seaview Homicide Division? Don’t they have better things to do than stir up drama during the holidays? “He had it coming, though.” Her eyes widen a notch, and I can’t help but wonder if she meant to let it slip out.

  “What makes you say that?” She did say it out loud. It’s fair game of me to ask.

  “It’s no secret he had enemies.” Her lips crimp as she inspects the bustling crowd.

  A group of carolers stride by, singing a chipper version of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” and I step in closer to Mary Beth as to not miss a single word.

  “What enemies?”

  She squints into the crowd as if she were looking at one of them right now, and I follow her gaze directly to the woman who bore me.

  “Oh, she didn’t do it.”

  Mary Beth averts her eyes. “That’s funny, I didn’t accuse her. But, well, she was there.” The little tramp couldn’t wait to get her claws into Lincoln once the ink was dry on our divorce papers. She deserves everything she has coming.

  “That’s my mother,” I say as her mind blinks to a wash of white noise—a telltale sign that I’ve thrown her for a loop. “And I’m positive she didn’t kill anyone. Did you see anything funny going on that night? Word on the street is he was poisoned.”

  “Your mother, huh?” I should have guessed. The annoying fruit doesn’t fall far from the annoying tree. She takes a breath. “I hate to break it to you, Bizzy, but it was your mother who hauled the eggnog from across the street.”

  “Who poured it?”

  She swallows hard. I’m not admitting anything.

  She shrugs. “There was a crowd around the porch. It could have been anyone. Trixie, that trashy vixen Lincoln insisted on spending all his time with, was there. She had full access to his credit cards. I heard them arguing just as Dexter and I arrived across the street—something about him cutting her off. It sounds as if that free ride on Lincoln’s American Express Black Card had come to an abrupt end. You get used to a certain lifestyle, and well, it can be hard returning to nothing. I wouldn’t be surprised if she was angry enough to spike his drink with venom. And what did he think would happen hanging around a woman like that? There’s only one thing she was after, and it wasn’t what Lincoln had hiding under that Santa suit. She was out for his money if you ask me. Lincoln cut her off, and then she cut him off—from the planet.”

  The crowd around us begins to cheer as Mayor Woods takes up the microphone and welcomes everyone to the event. She starts in on a countdown from ten as a mass of bodies push between Mary Beth and me, taking her away in the swell.

  I turn around and my eyes hook onto a tall, dark, and startlingly handsome homicide detective as he strides this way. Jasper looks dressed to kill with his long dark coat thrown over his midnight-colored suit. His dark hair reflects the moonlight, and his eyes shine like stars, giving him that cutthroat sexy appeal. Half the women here are turning their heads in his direction despite the fact the tree in question we’re all here to ogle is clearly in the opposite direction.

  “Detective Wilder,” I say as I meet him halfway and he wraps his strong arms around me.

  “Bizzy Baker.” His lids hood low and he gives me a little spin as the crowd hits the end of their countdown and the world around us lights up like noonday.

  The tall noble demands our attention with white lights dotting it like stars in a tree-shaped galaxy.

  The carolers ignite the air with a cheery rendition of “Deck the Halls,” and the crowd begins to sing along.

  “You made it.” I throw my arms around his neck.

  “I wouldn’t miss it.”

  “So what do you think?” I bite down on my lip playfully.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything more beautiful,” he says, examining my features.

  “Jasper, you’re not looking at the tree.”

  He gives a sly grin. “Is there a tree?”

  A shadow dampens the light from the holiday spectacle, and we look over to find Camila holding hands with Jordy.

  Poor guy looks like a little boy being dragged around by his angry older sister.

  “Jasper”—she bears her fangs at him—“Bizzy and I were just shoring up details for our double date tomorrow night.” She looks my way. “Dinner at The Station at seven works great for both Jordy and me. Thank you again for inviting us.”

  I can’t help but scoff at that one.

  Behave, Bizzy. Camila bears those dark eyes into mine. This was your idea and you like it.

  Jordy nods our way. “Yes, thank you, Bizzy. I’ve been meaning to check that place out.” He glances to Jasper. Plus, this way I can finally vet this guy.

  Camila gives a wave with her fingers. “See you both tomorrow night. We’re looking forward to it.”

  We watch as they dissolve into the crowd and Jasper takes a breath.

  “Do I want to know what that was about?” And here I thought the worst thing that was going to happen this month was my mother getting hitched to someone she hardly knows—Bizzy’s womanizing father of all people.

  I give a little shrug. “And here I thought the worst thing that was going to happen this month was your mother and my father making it official.”

  He bucks with a silent laugh. “We really are on the same wavelength. You sure about tomorrow night with those two? My ex and yours? It sounds like double trouble.”

  “Oh, it will be.” I catch a glimpse of Mack and Leo standing by the tree as they entertain a small crowd, and a thought comes to me. “But, I’m sure about it.” I think it’s
time to employ Mack and that special brand of fury only she can provide. Mack wants to get rid of Camila just as much as I do. I say the sooner, the better.

  A flurry of internal voices erupts around me as I struggle to make out where they’re coming from.

  There she is.

  Boy, wouldn’t I love to take a bite out of that detective. Arrest me, please.

  Nobody seems to care about the egregious electrical waste that this holiday season seems to sponsor.

  Bizzy is nosying around, scratching away at something that doesn’t concern her.

  I’ll have to keep an eye out on that girl.

  Or perhaps, I’ll have to kill her, too.

  I snap my head in every direction at once to see who could be looking my way, but the crowd is far too thick to make out a single thing.

  Someone killed Lincoln Brooks.

  And now they’re gunning for me.

  Chapter 9

  No, no, Fish growls my way as I twirl in my little black dress. I vote for the lemon yellow number. This one is far too boring.

  I scoff without meaning to. “Fish, everyone knows a little black dress makes you stand out. Besides, men can’t seem to resist them. They just love them. And seeing that Jasper is a man, he will love it by proxy. I hope.” I blow out a quick breath as I look into the full-length mirror in my bedroom.

  Mistletoe and Holly sit perched over the Christmas quilt strewn over my bed. Their fur seems to have grown three inches in the short time I’ve had them, and they really do look like a couple of balls of fluff with eyes.

  It’s the night of the double date debacle with Camila and Jordy, and I’ve tried on at least a dozen dresses trying to find the right one. Of course, it’s freezing out and I’ll have to wear a coat regardless, but once we get inside, I want to be the only girl Jasper sees.

  I groan at the thought. “I can’t believe I agreed to drag Camila on a date with Jasper and me. Face it, Jordy is nothing more than window dressing, and if Camila has her way, I will be, too.”

  Mistletoe belts out a sharp meow. Now, now, don’t be so hard on yourself.

  Holly growls, You had no choice. The witch blackmailed you.

  “That is true,” I say, dusting a little blush over my cheeks.

  Fish gives a lazy mewl in my direction. Would it really be so bad if Jasper knew your secret? Sherlock and I were just discussing this afternoon how freeing it would be. And poor Sherlock has never been able to communicate with Jasper the way I’ve been able to communicate with you. He would love to do that.

  I twist my lips at the thought. “I know. But let’s be honest. All of Sherlock’s conversations could be summarized in one word—bacon.”

  The three little kittens let out a series of mewls as they laugh themselves into a catniption.

  Holly meows over at me, What would be the worst that could happen, Bizzy? What damage could this conniving Camila truly achieve?

  I take a deep breath as I ponder the possibility. “Honestly, I don’t know that anyone could truly prove that I can read minds. Not if I keep denying it, anyway.” Jasper blinks through my mind with those stunning gray eyes and that face that commands the attention of any and every female. “The very worst that could happen is that Camila gets her way—I lose Jasper.” I shudder at the thought. “I guess if he really wanted to be with her again I couldn’t stop him. Unlike Camila, I would never want to force someone to be with me. But I’ll admit, it kills me to imagine him with anyone else. Of course, I want him to be happy, but what I’d really like is for him to be happy with me.”

  Fish lets out a mighty roar. He’d be a fool to let you go.

  Why do I get the feeling tonight will put any foolishness Jasper might have in him to the test?

  The Station is located on the east side of Cider Cove just above the inn and boasts of vast ocean views no matter where you’re seated. It’s dimly lit inside where elegantly dressed women and men abound everywhere you look. There’s easy music filtering in through the speakers and a small dance floor up front where couples seem to migrate. And I can’t help but notice that every single woman here is wearing a nearly identical little black dress.

  Perfect. In an effort to stand out, I look as if I’m just another witch in the coven.

  Jasper pulls me in, and the intoxicating scent of his cologne permeates my senses.

  Bizzy Baker is what dreams are made of. Man. What are we doing here again? We should be at my place. Her place. Any place but the same place as Camila Ryder.

  A smile floats to my lips just hearing his thought.

  Jasper looks arresting tonight, shockingly handsome, actually. We’ve enjoyed a few fancy nights out before, but there’s something about the dark pinstripe suit and his silver tie that only seems to accentuate his glowing eyes. It sends me to another headspace entirely. And as dashing as he is, a part of me wonders if he’s turned up the volume on his good looks because he knew his ex would be here. Silly, I know.

  “Come here.” A side-lying dimple ignites in his cheek as he pulls me close. “You look amazing tonight. I’m pretty sure it’s illegal to look this good in these parts—in any parts. Good thing I’ve got a pair of handcuffs on me. I’m this close to hauling you in.”

  “Oh, really? Because that suit with that devilish grin of yours has me thinking I need to make a citizen’s arrest.” A tiny giggle bubbles through me. “And thank you for the kind, yet quasi-threatening, words.” I give a little wink. “Feel free to make good on any and all threats.” I can think of worse things than being hauled out of a fancy restaurant in handcuffs—like a dinner date with his ex.

  He steals a quick kiss and makes it linger. “I say no appetizers, straight to the meal, no dessert, and we ditch them as soon as possible.”

  “No dessert? You are a monster tonight.” A dark laugh strums through me.

  His lids hood low as a wicked smile crests on his lips. “I didn’t say anything about skipping it. In fact, I think we should indulge all we want. In private.”

  “Perfect. We’ll raid the café before heading to my place. That way I can pick up some bacon for Sherlock.” I bite down playfully over my lip. “And I think there might be a few gingerbread whoopie pies in it for you and me.”

  “Sounds sinfully delicious.” And what I have planned for her later is pretty sinful, too. He wraps his arms around me tightly. “I was beginning to think you like my dog a little better than you like me.”

  “It’s a fine line—some might even call it a tie.”

  A cloud of sugary perfume ensconces us, and I swear on all that is holy, I sense the presence of evil.

  Someone clears their throat from behind and we turn to find Camila and Jordy looking stunning and dapper. Okay, fine. Camila is beyond stunning in a bright red dress. And in a sea of onyx gowns she looks like a—well, a devil ready to spear her victim with that pointed tail of hers.

  Relax, Bizzy. She tightens that smile over her face. You’re snarling.

  Jasper straightens. “Camila. Jordy.” He openly frowns a moment. “Let’s take a seat.” And get this the hell over with.

  A waitress seats us at a table. An adorable petite blonde who keeps glancing back at Jasper as if she’s never seen a man before, at least not one like this.

  Good Lord up in heaven, she muses. Where has this hunk of muscles been hiding out? I’d better get my number ready. Something tells me a man of his caliber needs more than one woman to keep him on his toes. He’s too gorgeous for words.

  My mouth falls open as Jasper holds my seat out for me.

  “Thank you,” I say before shooting a look to the wily waitress. “It’s nice to have a man who cares about the little things like pulling out a chair. Of course, I do my best to keep him on his toes. He is too gorgeous for words.”

  The smile glides right off her face as her eyes enlarge. Wow, it’s as if she just read my mind. My mother is right. I am an open book. Geez, she can probably see the fact I’m attracted to him written all over my face. Let’s hope
she’s not in charge of the tip. But in the event she is, I’m not even looking at her date for the rest of the night. Message received.

  Good. Now to pass the message along to the other she-devil among us.

  The waitress passes out the menus before taking off, and we all take a moment to peruse them.

  Jordy leans in, looking perfectly handsome with his hair slicked back and clean-shaven face. His dark hair and blue eyes are a nice combination, and I hope Camila appreciates him on just about any level. I hate the fact she’s using him. And she is doing just that. Lucky for Jordy, he’s not a one-woman man. And considering he’s already made his way through half the women in Maine, little does Camila know she’s just another notch on his belt.

  “So Bizzy”—Jordy leans my way—“Camila told me on the ride over that your mom is being investigated.” He shakes his head at Jasper. “I can promise, you’re barking up the wrong tree.”

  Jasper lets out a quick chuckle. “I’ve spent my time barking up plenty of wrong trees.” He glances to Camila. Case in point. “I can assure you, talking to Ree is simply a part of the process.”

  I glower over at Camila a moment. It would figure she fills her spare time dragging my mother through the murderous mud. Of course, she mentioned it to Jordy.

  It’s as if she’s equally obsessed with me as she is Jasper.

  I give a quick glance around the place for the other thorn in my side I enlisted to make a guest appearance, but Mackenzie Woods is nowhere to be found.

  Figures. If I can count on Mack for anything, it’s to let me down in grand fashion.

  “Camila.” I force a tight smile. “How is that kitchen remodel coming?” I’m beginning to wonder if it even exists. That’s the renovating malfeasance she cited for needing a place at the inn to begin with.

  She belts out a biting laugh. You don’t hide anything, do you, Bizzy Baker? You no more want me at the inn than I want to be there. But then again, you are hiding something, aren’t you?

  She clears her throat. “I’ll be just a few more weeks. Unless, of course, another thing goes wrong. With the way things have been going for me lately, I may as well change my name to Bad Luck Ryder.” She purses her lips as she looks to Jasper for sympathy.