Keelie hops up next to me. “I have to get back to the grind, but I just have to say I really am sorry things didn’t work out for you. How about you roll with the punches and let him find a little Lottie treat snuggling under his covers tonight? Slip into that naughty nightie I bought you, and once he flicks on those bedroom lights, he’ll find the gift of a lifetime. You.”
“Keelie, if I hide out in his bed, he’s liable to pull a gun on me. Breaking and entering in a detective’s house is not the brightest idea. Unless, of course, your plan is to put an end to me.”
“My plan is to end your dry spell.” She gifts me a peck on the cheek and takes off for the Honey Pot.
The Honey Pot is conjoined with the Cutie Pie Bakery through an entry that was made in our shared wall. It was my ex’s, Bear’s, doing. He did the renovation and made sure to have it all done in record time. In fact, the large resin oak tree that sits planted in the middle of the Honey Pot and its twinkle light strung branches that graze over the ceiling were graciously extended through the café portion of the Cutie Pie. It was a gift from Nell and Keelie, but it was Bear’s handiwork that helped pull it off.
Lainey comes up, looking forlorn.
“I’m surprised to see you here. You should have taken the day off,” I whisper as I pull her into a firm embrace.
“I did, but I couldn’t stare at the walls another minute. I needed to get out.” She makes a face. “I came by to get coffee and got an earful of things I want nothing to know about. Did you hear that thing with the sleigh bells? Do people really do that?”
“It’s fiction, Lainey. Dangerous fiction. The human body isn’t made to do ninety percent of those freaky things.”
Mom crops up. “All right, you two. Sorry to break up the party, but I need to take off. Lottie, can I order three-dozen Christmas tree crunchies for the B&B? Oh, and about a dozen or so Bones of the Dead? I like to keep it festive this time of year.”
Lainey gags on cue.
“Oh, you.” Mother brushes her off. “They’re traditional Italian Christmas cookies, and I happen to have an entire enclave of Italian tourists staying with me.”
“You bet,” I say. “I can have them to you later today.”
“Perfect. I’m having dinner with Bradley tonight.” Her entire body gyrates when she says it.
“Mother! I’m warning you. Stay far, far away from him. He’s nothing but trouble. The two women he was with are dead and in prison respectively. God only knows where you’ll end up.”
A rumbling laugh brews deep within her. “I already know. It’s the bedroom,” she whispers that last word out, and yet it’s still far too loud. “Ta-ta!” She takes off with a wave of her fingers.
Lainey moans as she makes her way to the door. “I’m going to throw up now.”
“Oh, hey”— I trot over—“what happened with you and Forest last night?”
She bites down on her lip. The guilt on her face is thick enough to frost a cake. “He stayed most of the night. He’s working today, but he said he’d swing by again tonight. I said I’d pick up a pizza in case he was hungry.”
“Oh, he’ll be hungry. It just won’t be for pizza.” I wince at the inappropriate timing of it all. “Any news from Tanner’s family?”
“His sister Rachel thinks I’m the devil. His mother says she’ll keep me posted as far as arrangements go. Oh, and hey, remember his brother Hook? He’s coming back for the funeral.”
“No kidding?” Hook Redwood was quite the looker back in high school. He was a year older than me. Graduated valedictorian. “Did you know he went to Yale?”
“Did you know he’s a stock broker in New York?”
I can’t help but make a face at the mention of the city. After I caught Bear with one too many women trapped in his paws—none of which were me—I took off for Columbia University with no intention of ever coming back. Long story short, I met yet another boy who also had a penchant for women who were not me, so I hightailed it back to Honey Hollow.
“Well, good for Hook. I look forward to seeing him at the funeral.”
“You’re going to Tanner’s funeral? You could hardly stand the guy—and you were caught with the murder weapon in your hand.”
“Yes, well, I seem to like some people a whole lot better once they’re dead. Besides, historically speaking, the guilty party usually bothers to show up to see their work completed, if you know what I mean.”
She sucks in a breath. “God, I hope not. Can you imagine? A murderer in our midst. And at Christmas!”
“Go get your pizza. Let me worry about murderers and Christmas.” Two words I never thought I’d say in a sentence.
Lainey takes off just as Everett walks in with his dark inky suit, that perma scowl on his face.
“Lemon.”
“Essex?” I catch him off guard a moment. “Oh, wait, I haven’t graduated to proper names. Lily has.” Now it’s me scowling at him.
His chin ticks up a notch. “I may have had a visitor last night.”
“Did you know that visitor lifted your cufflinks? She thinks they’re the new class ring.” I resist the urge to swat him.
Everett frowns at the thought and holds up his bare sleeve. “They were my only pair, and you’re right. They were lifted indeed.”
Dutch comes over and touches his paw to my hip.
“Hey, you,” I whisper, giving him a quick scratch behind the ears. “It looks as if we both had a visitor last night who was missing a few brain cells.” I lean toward the ruby-eyed pooch. “When it comes to you, I’m only being literal. You’re smart as a whip and so very handsome—yes, you are.”
“Lottie?” a male voice booms next to me, and I look up to find Noah Corbin Fox looking both vexingly sexy and shockingly confused. “Who are you talking to?”
“Oh!” I glance to Everett, who looks as if he’s resisting the urge to laugh. “Essex—um, Everett—I mean, Judge Baxter.” I straighten with the lie. “He was telling me that he had a lady caller spend the night, and I was simply doing an impersonation of how I thought things went.” I give a little shrug, uncertain myself if I’m buying the bull I’ve just heaped all over the Cutie Pie.
“Ah.” Noah looks to his former stepbrother. “What are you doing here?” His voice drops an octave, and any trace of humanity dissipates as he glowers his way.
“I volunteered to help Lottie bring cookies to the firehouse.”
“The firehouse.” Noah nods my way, amused. “Why do I get the feeling you’re impeding in yet another one of my investigations?” Noah is not crazy about the fact I’ve injected myself into his investigations before. And, apparently, Everett has no problem outing me.
“Nope. Not me.” I do a poor job of crossing my heart, and instead look as if I were trying to distract him by way of the girls. “It’s just a thing I do at Christmas. Everett asked if he could tag along and see the exact spot Joseph Lemon discovered me all those years ago.” It’s true. My adoptive father found me at the firehouse and brought me home to Mama, and the rest is Lemon family history.
“I see.” Noah inches back, inspecting me. “Well, it just so happens that I was headed there next myself. Mind if I tag along?”
“Not at all. Let me grab the cookies.”
I’ll distract Noah with more than just my cookies, and that should give Everett enough time to inspect Forest’s Mustang.
Ready or not, Noah Corbin Fox. I’m coming for your investigation.
Chapter 6
Honey Hollow shines in a special way during each of the four seasons, but Christmastime in our cozy little town is truly a wonder. A fresh blanket of snow smooths the landscape like a fresh layer of heavenly icing. The scent of the evergreens fills the air, and there’s a bit of Christmas magic everywhere you look.
I hitch a ride to the firehouse with Noah, and we meet up with Everett in the parking lot. An entire line of cars sits parked alongside the firehouse, and the lot extends toward the back of the building where I’m guessing Forest�
��s Mustang happens to be since there’s not a silver car in sight. The skies are dark, and another storm is threatening to dust our world with powder later tonight.
Dutch barks up a riot as we get out of the car. That’s right. Dutch. This fiercely loyal Golden Retriever is living up to his calling, long after the living is through.
I can’t say I mind too much. Growing up, we never had big dogs, and I always wanted one just like this with long, luscious locks. He’s so stately and handsome, I’m starting to feel as if I’ve got a big protector around me at all times.
Although, I still don’t have a clue why he’s with me. Does it mean something? Does he simply like the way I smell? Does he have a mad hankering for a batch of fresh baked doggie treats? Honestly, the possibilities are endless, and I have zero ideas on how to solve this puzzle.
“Whatcha got there?” Noah asks as I carefully peel the foil off the platter.
“Just a few chocolate chip blondies, eggnog truffles, cinnamon shortbread, stained glass windows, peppermint pinwheels, chocolate crinkle cookies, and my signature gingerbread boys and girls.” I hand him a gingerbread girl, and he gives a naughty moan as he bites into her.
Noah’s lids are hooded low, and that goofy grin on his face lets me know he’s just as interested in the baker as he is the cookie.
“What’s going on?” Everett gives his lapel a quick tug, so I give him a gingerbread girl as well. “Why thank you, Lemon. This is exactly how I take my women, spontaneously and as the moment arises.” A dirty chuckle strums from his throat as he gives Noah the stink eye.
“What’s that look for?” Noah squints as if he was reading him. “I know that look. That was a dig at me, wasn’t it?” His head tips to the side, and you can practically see the cogs turning in his brain. “Wait a minute.” Noah inches back. His eyes cut to mine, laced with suspicion. “Lottie,” he says rife with disappointment. “You didn’t tell Everett, did you?”
“She told me,” Everett the rat mumbles through a bite. “I’m pretty sure she told Keelie.” He nudges my arm with his elbow. “Did you show him the nightie?”
“Would you shush!”
“What nightie?” Noah’s eyes have reduced to slits, his shoulders are squared over his chest, and he looks rough and tough and every bit delicious.
“There’s no nightie.” I shake my head just so at the ornery judge who apparently left his muzzle back at the courthouse.
“There’s a nightie.” Everett’s lips curve with the hint of a malevolent smile. “It was red and see-through and had this frilly white fluff. I believe it was designed to curl Mr. Claus’ toes.” He looks to Noah. “And that, my red-faced friend, would be you.”
A nervous giggle escapes me. Noah is rather red-faced, but it has less to do with embarrassment and more to do with rage. But, nonetheless, the nightie was left at the community center, and I have no intention on going back to the scene of the crime to excavate it.
A woman’s high-pitched cackle emits from behind, and we see none other than Ivy Fairbanks strutting out of the firehouse along with Scooter McPhee, the chief. Scooter actually worked with my father. He’s quite a bit younger than my father was, his pepper black hair has yet to see any salt, and he’s built like a building, ready and willing to risk his life in any situation as are all of the men and women who work here.
“Lottie!” Chief McPhee lifts a friendly hand. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to give you. Let me see if I can track it down. I’ll be right back.” He takes off as Ivy strides over in her far too cute black leather boots that come up high over her knees.
She’s wearing a winter white wool coat that hangs open in the front paired with black jeans and a simple black sweater, and I can’t but think she really did step out of a magazine. I don’t ever look that put together. On my best day you won’t find a dusting of flour on my face or clothes, but that’s few and far between.
It would figure she’s here.
“What are we laughing at?” She lifts her nose to Everett as if she understood he was her only hope of ratting us out. And, well, he most likely is.
“Lemon and Noah are contemplating knocking boots.”
My mouth falls open, but before I can reprimand him, Ivy pipes up.
“Ah yes. The canceled coitus.” She folds her arms across her chest while inspecting us with a smug look of satisfaction. I’d ask Dutch to sic her, but the only thing he’s capable of doing is licking her to death. And, believe you me, if death was truly involved, I’d give him the go-ahead.
I swat Noah and risk dropping all my cookies in the snow. “You told her?”
“You told him.” He nods to Everett.
“And I deeply regret it,” I growl at the judge and mean it.
Everett snatches another gingerbread girl off the platter—it would so figure. “Don’t forget the best friend and the nightie. Trust me, buddy, you need to see the nightie.”
Ivy sniffs the air between us. “Detective Fox, I’ve got a new lead. I’ll see you at the office.” Her persimmon-colored lips expand in my direction, and not in any kind way. “Sorry if this impedes on your carnal calendar, but he’ll be mine for the rest of the evening.” She looks to him. “I’ll pick up a pizza from Mangia on my way back to the station.”
I suck in a lungful of frozen Honey Hollow air as she takes off in her government-issued ride. “Carnal calendar? And pizza from Mangia? That’s our thing.” It comes out a little louder than I meant for it to. Oh heck, I meant for it.
Noah cringes. “She asked what my favorite pizza place was the other night. Sorry.” He practically mouths the word. “How about we get those cookies inside?”
The three of us head in, with one of us a heck of a lot less cheery than I was five minutes ago. Soon, an entire herd of men dressed in yellow swarm us, and by the time I put the platter down onto the table, it’s empty.
Forest smiles that warm smile I miss so very much. He’s so shockingly handsome, it almost makes me want to sock my sister the next time I see her. How could she have wasted all those precious months with a bonehead like Tanner when a perfectly good heartthrob like Forest was let off the leash? Although, now that he’s gone, I feel terrible for referring to him as a bonehead.
“Lottie, you outdid yourself. Those were delicious.”
“Well, thank you. Next time I know to bring three times the amount.”
We share a warm laugh before Forest and Chief McPhee give us a quick tour of the garage. The firehouse was gifted a brand new truck recently, and he spends some time showing off all of its technological bells and whistles.
He looks to me, and a general sadness sweeps over him. That’s usually a cue people are about to bring up my father. Joseph Lemon was such a sweet and gentle man that to this very day he’s still sincerely missed by many.
“Sorry. It took a second for me to dig it out. I left it back in the dining hall.”
“No problem. We’ll come with you.” I glare over at Everett, and he lifts a brow.
“Right.” Everett nods my way. “I’ve got a quick call to make. I’ll be out front.”
Perfect. This should be plenty of time to distract Noah while Everett looks for a dented Mustang—or hopefully, a lack thereof.
Forest pulls Noah and me to the side as the chief heads over to the desk in the corner.
“Lottie, what the hell happened last night? Did you get the killer?”
Noah’s chest expands the size of the door. “The investigation is well underway, and we are combing through hundreds of viable leads.”
“Hundreds?” Quite frankly, I’m wondering if he added one too many zeros to his estimate.
“Yes, hundreds.” Noah warms my back with his hand. “I promise you, this investigation will wrap up quickly.”
Truthfully, I’m caught off guard that Noah seems so confident. I bet Ivy was here, because she already knew about the potential dent in Forest’s car. But a small part of me finds it difficult to believe. Not that I don’t think Noah is c
apable. I’m positive Noah is far more than capable. In fact, I bet he has capable hands, too. And if it wasn’t for Ivy and that pizza from Mangia she was trying to lure him away with, I’d have those capable hands on me in just a few hours.
“Well, I didn’t do it.” Forest sets his feet in a defiant stance as he tries to clear his name. “I know what it looked like. I yelled at the guy. I threatened him.”
“You took off in his wake,” I remind him.
“Gee, thanks, Lot.”
“Not to worry,” Noah says to Forest. “The investigation still has her pinned as the number one suspect.” He ticks his head my way, and I gasp.
“Forest?” I look up at him in a desperate attempt to clear my name. “What did you see when you ran out that back corridor? Did you see anyone at all? Suspicious vehicles?”
“Not a thing. In fact, I marveled that the guy disappeared into thin air.” He steps in close. “One of my buddies here filled me in on some pretty unsavory things about good old Redwood.” He glowers when he says his name. His disdain for the guy is still pretty palpable. “That guy had a revolving door of women. How could Lainey have wanted him anywhere near her? She’s sweet and kind, and not in any way like the girls Tanner is used to.”
Noah’s shoulders bounce. “Maybe he liked the change of pace?”
“Well, I’m sorry he’s dead, but I’m glad it’s over.” Forest blinks over at me. “Hook is in town. He’ll be here for the funeral. I never did understand how the same family could produce such vastly different offspring. Their sister Rachel seems to have her head screwed on straight, and Hook is the real deal—but Tanner, apart from work, he couldn’t get his fill of women.”
Gingerbread and Deadly Dread: MURDER ON THE MIX 4 Page 5
