What if I suspected he were lying? What if I caught him in that lie?
I would kill him.
Mayor Woods runs up. “Bizzy Baker!” she growls my name out like a threat. “Emmie is climbing Leo as if he were Mount Granger. You know what that means?”
“No, actually.” But I’m not paying much mind to Mack at the moment.
Natalie… Sure, I don’t know what she was capable of. But humans are capable of just about anything when pushed to the limit.
Mackenzie growls as she glares into the crowd, “I’m going to kill her.”
She takes off one way, and I take off the next.
A conversation I had with Natalie comes back to me. It was the night of Dependable’s big do-over at the inn. She mentioned she should feel terrible about being there, but that it was nice to be out there again to meet someone—someone who actually knows what it means to keep their word.
Of course, that last part was an internal musing, but I caught it.
And now I’m wondering what I might have missed.
I spot Natalie lingering by the dessert table and I head her way.
Something tells me I’m about to fill in the deadly details.
Chapter 19
“Bizzy!” Natalie toasts me with a raspberry cheesecake bite. “These are everything. They came from the café at the inn, right?”
“They did.” It comes out lackluster.
Natalie Weiland has her hair teased up top to give it a little fullness, and her crimson lipstick and dress match the exact hue of her tresses.
She moans through a bite. “I’ll stop by tomorrow and pick up a dozen or so for the bookshop. Everyone will just love them. Oh hey? Did you ever share that secret with your boyfriend?”
A heavy feeling comes over me, and suddenly I’d much rather be back at my cottage with my covers pulled over my head, snuggling with my pets.
“I did. It sort of backfired on me.” I shrug. “I guess I know how he feels now.”
“Oh no!” She pulls me into a quick embrace, and I can practically taste her sugary perfume. “I’m so sorry.” She pulls back with genuine sorrow in her eyes.
“Believe me, I’m sorry, too. But I’m sort of not dealing with that right now. I mean, it’s Valentine’s Day. Practically all of the guests from the inn are here. I’ll have to emotionally unpack it all later.” Alone, weeping into my pillow. Just like last night.
“Don’t you worry, Bizzy. If he’s going to be petty, then he wasn’t the one for you. Chin up, girl. There are plenty of eligible men here tonight.”
I glance out at the crowd and spot my sister doing an odd little thumb jabbing dance in the middle of the crowd. I’m betting she spiked her own punch. Have vodka flask will travel seems to be her new motto.
Emily and Paige walk by chattering amongst themselves, and by some sheer miracle they didn’t seem to notice us by the refreshment table.
“There she goes.” Natalie rolls her eyes. “Can you believe it? Lad’s not even cold in the grave and here Emily is, trolling for men.”
“Their wedding was just weeks away.” I nod. “I bet they had a fancy honeymoon planned. Probably somewhere exotic.” And I think I know where.
She nods as she takes another quick bite. “Turks and Caicos.” She shrugs. I’m still going. No use in letting a perfectly good resort go to waste. Can you imagine if Emily went, too? Now that would be a hoot.
Knew it.
“Turks and Caicos? You really were good friends with Lad, weren’t you?”
She takes a deep breath. “Too good.”
“I saw the paintings you did at Carter’s corporate office.”
Her eyes widen, and the red spotlights up above us wash over her, giving her a devilish appeal.
“Bizzy, what are you talking about?”
“The paintings. Emily showed them to me. They were painted by Land Wei. Lad bought them. You painted them, right? Land Wei—Weiland? I stopped by the bookshop to talk to you yesterday, and one of your coworkers mentioned you used the back as a studio. I took a look at one of the canvases. The painting was identical to the ones at the art center. And it was signed by you—Land Wei. You worked with Lad in an effort to help him bilk Emily out of her millions.”
She shakes her head vehemently. “It wasn’t millions.” Her fingers rise to her lips as if she’s realizing her blunder.
“I also took a look at that calendar sitting on the desk in the back of the bookstore. You have two weeks off in May. It says you’ll be in T&C. That stands for Turks and Caicos, doesn’t it?”
“I have to go.” She takes a few wooden steps for the door, and I block her.
“You were having an ongoing affair with Lad Warner. The two of you planned to bilk Emily out of all her money, and then you were going to stage an accident. That’s what the two of you argued about that night at the inn, isn’t it?”
“You heard?” she pants as she gives a quick look around.
Natalie pushes past me, running through the kitchen, and I follow her straight into the parking lot in back of the community center where the air holds a dangerous chill.
“Don’t follow me, Bizzy.” She fishes her keys out of her purse and quickly looks around as if trying to orient herself. “I’m sorry. I have to go. You should forget all about any of that. I’m not a bad person.”
“You killed him, didn’t you? Lad had a garish pink lip print on his cheek that night. The same hue that Paige wears.”
Her eyes catch to mine. I’ll go with it. “Yes. Paige probably kissed him when she greeted him. Or right before she pulled the trigger.”
“No.” I shake my head. “I don’t know why I didn’t piece this together earlier. When I saw you after the murder, your lipstick was smudged. You had taken it off. Your mascara was running, too, because you were upset. You came there that night knowing you were going to kill Lad. You tried to frame Paige. And when that didn’t work, you outright accused her and Emily. Although it was so probable, you didn’t have to do a lot of convincing.”
“They must have done it.” She shakes her head. Nobody knows I did it. And if I get my way, they never will.
My breath blows out in a white plume.
“But if I get my way, Natalie, everyone will know.”
Her eyes widen with terror. “How did you—?”
“You killed Lad because you didn’t trust him. You were insecure.”
She gives an incredulous groan. “How I hate that word. Don’t say that to me!” She holds her hands over her ears. “I never want to hear that again. I loved him! There, I said it.” Her voice roars, garbled with grief. “I loved him. He wanted me to wait for him. He promised me six months is all it would take, but then he said that he might need more time. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t be the other woman forever. What about me? What about my life, Bizzy? Emily was going to win. She was going to have him.”
“How did you get the gun? Did Lad give you the gun he bought for Emily?” And then it hits me like a ton of bricks. “Oh my God, the guy at the pawn shop said Lad was buying the gun for an artist friend of his. You were that friend.” I shake my head as I look at her with the moon shining over her like a spotlight.
“I asked for it.” Her voice trembles. “If Emily caught wind of our plan, there was no telling what she would do to me. She’s a very powerful woman with powerful connections. I didn’t want to be confronted then, just like I don’t now.” She pulls a gun out of her purse with a shaky hand, and soon enough I’m staring down a fidgeting barrel. “I left that gun where someone like you could find it. I didn’t want anyone searching for it, searching for me. But I was wrong about that, wasn’t I, Bizzy? The very next day I went back to the Pawn King and picked this one up for myself. Emily is still out there. But little did I know it was you I’d have to protect myself from. I’m sorry, Bizzy. One shot to the heart. It’s not what anyone would want for Valentine’s Day, but you asked for it. You put your nose where it didn’t belong, and this is what you’ll get in
return.”
The sound of hooves, or paws trampling this way, garners her attention, and as soon as she glances around, I lunge forward and latch onto the weapon.
Bizzy! A freckled beast flashes against the ground as an all too familiar dog bounds his way over.
“Sherlock?” I shout just as the gun goes off and the blast sends me flying.
Natalie lands face-first onto the ground before crawling away as fast as she can.
“Sherlock, stop her!” I scream, and Sherlock jumps onto her back as if he were hopping on for a ride. It takes me less than five seconds to do the same just as she tries to turn the gun on me once again.
In a moment she’s on top of me, and Sherlock all but goes for the jugular.
“Freeze! Seaview Sheriff’s Department!” Jasper’s familiar voice booms over the vicinity, and everything in me seizes.
Leo appears from nowhere and tackles Natalie to the ground. And just like that, it’s over.
Bizzy, are you okay? Sherlock says while licking my face as I struggle to rise.
“I’m okay,” I whisper, unsure if it’s true at all.
A strong pair of arms helps me to my feet, and suddenly I’m face to face with a pair of eyes that flash like lightning.
“Bizzy.” Jasper pulls me into a hard embrace, peppering my face with kisses, before landing a single heated, lingering kiss over my lips. “I love you, Bizzy Baker. I don’t care about anything else. I’m sorry. I had to pull myself together for a moment. But I’m not going anywhere. I’m still here if you’ll have me.” He pulls back and bears his gaze into mine. I love you, Bizzy Baker. Nothing else matters. I love every part of you. Even this one.
A smile grows steadily over my face.
“I love you, too, Jasper.” I’m about to seal it with another delicious kiss when Sherlock jumps up on us.
“Whoa,” I say, giving him a hug as well. “You saved me. Thank you, Sherlock.”
The parking lot quickly fills up with deputy vehicles flashing a steady stream of blue and red.
Sherlock barks. Are you back together? Is everything better now?
I nod up at Jasper. “Everything’s better now.” I shrug. “Turns out, I can read his mind, too.”
His lips part before he gives a silent laugh. “Just when I didn’t think you could surprise me any more than you already have.” He bites down over his lip. “Speaking of surprises, I have one for you.”
Sherlock gives a sharp bark.
“Okay, fine,” Jasper says, looking down at his furry friend. “Sherlock Bones and I have a surprise for you.”
“Aww,” I coo as I give Jasper’s rough stubble a quick scratch. “I can’t wait to see it.”
“Then let’s go.” Jasper pulls me in for another quick kiss.
And all is right with the world again.
The Country Cottage Inn glows with a pink aura as the evening expands into rich velvet darkness. The sky is glittering with stars and the moon bathes the cove and the evergreens that reach beyond its borders in silver.
Fish, Sherlock, and Cinnamon lead the charge, undeterred by the fact the woods are cloaked in darkness. But in the distance, near the bluff, there is an incandescent glow and my heart stops at the sight of it.
“Oh my God, Jasper, I think there’s a fire.” I pull out my phone in haste. “I need to call Jordy. What am I saying? I need to call the fire department.”
Jasper gently lands his hand over mine, lowering the phone with the weight of his arm.
“There’s no fire, I promise. No harm will come to the woods or the inn.”
My mouth falls open. “What are you up to?”
Jasper pulls me close as we follow the trail that leads to the cliff side, and as soon as we crest the bend in the forest, I see it.
“Jasper Wilder.” I take a breath and hold it. “What in the world?”
The gazebo is softly illuminated by dozens of paper bags with hearts punched out in the center of them, and they shimmer into the night as they flicker with a peachy glow.
Electric candles. Jasper brushes a kiss into my hair. Jordy helped me set them up. He was afraid I might have burned down all of Maine.
A bubbling laugh comes from me. “That sounds like Jordy.” And like me.
Fish lets out a sharp meow. Bizzy Baker! This is magical. Jasper has quite a way of saying I’m sorry. I think the two of you should fight more often.
“Fish says this place is magical. She’s also not opposed to us fighting.”
Fish growls. Only if the end result is this beautiful. For goodness’ sake, tell him, Bizzy. He’s going to think I’m a furry little monster.
I quickly relay it to Jasper and he chuckles.
He gives her a quick pat. “You’re the best cat I know, Fish. I could never think less of you. We’re family.”
Sherlock lets out a few good barks. They did not fight, Fish. Jasper just needed a moment to think.
“Sherlock insists we didn’t fight,” I say. “He says you just needed a moment to think.”
“And that’s the truth.” He winces my way. “But rest assured, I will never do that again.”
“Rest assured, I won’t throw any more telepathic surprises at you.”
Cinnamon runs over and lets out a few happy little yips. I found the treats! I found the treats! She takes off back into the gazebo, and soon the three of them are snarling and wrestling for biscuits and—
“Is that bacon?” I ask as we’re about to crest the gazebo.
“That would be bacon. I figured I owed everyone an apology.”
“You don’t owe me anything,” I say as I take in the oversized gazebo glowing like the inside of a jack-o-lantern, sending its flickering incandescence into the sky like a love song. The wrought iron roses are lit up a pale pink and it looks enchanting, straight from a fairytale where happy endings abound.
Jasper leads me inside and we pause as we stand in the middle of all the magical splendor. His eyes sparkle like cut diamonds as he bears his gaze to mine.
“Bizzy Baker, I have a confession to make.” He gives our hands a gentle swing. “I have been mesmerized by you since the moment I first laid eyes on you.”
I bite down over my lower lip in an effort to keep my emotions in check.
His chest expands unreasonably wide with his next breath.
“I have never met a person quite like you, as kind, as strong, as capable, as determined—even when we’re not in complete agreement. But your heart for justice appeals to mine in so many ways. Your ability to winnow out a killer has confounded me. You have left me baffled. You challenge me. You make me a better person by simply being near me. That day I stumbled upon the inn, I thought this might be a good place to settle until I found something new. And because of you, I never want to leave. I’d like to believe it was fate that led me to you that day and destiny that leads us to this one. Regardless, it has only been good fortune having you as a part of my life.” He swallows hard, his features grow far too serious, and for a brief moment I’m afraid this conversation might take a dark turn. “Some say life is a journey for one. I don’t think it should be that way. I say this is a journey for two.”
His silver eyes penetrate mine. His thoughts are fully encapsulated with love, and yet it’s as if he’s shielding me from them.
Jasper drops to one knee, and my heart gives an unnatural thump at the sight.
Fish, Sherlock, and Cinnamon start in on a choir of yowls and howls. Their excitement only highlights my own.
“Bizzy Baker”—Jasper trains his eyes on mine—“they say when you meet the right one, you just know. And if I know anything at all, it’s that you’re the right one for me. I don’t need another decade to affirm this. This is a truth that is unchanging for me, and I hope it is for you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Bizzy. I want to share every adventure this world can bring. I want to have children with you. Together, we can build a family. You are my family. Bizzy Baker, will you do me the honor of becoming my Val
entine for the rest of my days? Will you do me the honor and become my wife?”
Jasper holds up the ring. Its brilliance catches the moonlight and shoots it off in all directions like a prism.
“Yes!” I don’t hesitate with the answer, and just like that, my body bucks and every emotion I’ve been holding back bursts to the forefront in the form of laughter and tears.
Jasper glides the ring over my finger before he stands and spins me in a dizzying circle.
We seal our affection with a kiss, to the sound of the waves, the sound of three incredibly happy pets, and the rhythmic thundering of our hearts.
Chapter 20
Valentine’s Day has always been a cheerful occasion, a bright spot in an otherwise dreary month. But for the rest of my life, this day will mark something momentous for me: the start of my family with Jasper.
News like this is too good to keep to ourselves, so we tuck Fish, Sherlock, and Cinnamon to bed at my cottage and head back to the community center.
The crowd is thick inside as soft melodic music filters from the speakers, inspiring couples to migrate toward the dance floor.
We spot Georgie, Juni, my father, mother, and Jasper’s mother talking by the dessert table.
Macy is still bopping in a circle, dancing to the beat of her own drummer, literally, and I snatch her as we make our way to the back.
“Hey!” She bumps my hip with hers. “I was having fun.”
“How about a quick cheesecake break?”
She moans at the thought. “Good idea.” She waves to Jasper. “I’ll take another sweetheart punch. Make it a double!”
It’s clear Macy has had her fair share of doubles tonight.
I spot Emmie and Mackenzie by the refreshment table and veer left as I link arms with my bestie.
“Excuse us, Mayor Woods.”
Emmie leans in. “Nice save. Did you know it was bad form for the mayor to get in a knock-down, drag-out fight?”
“Lucky you.”
“Yeah, but she said she’d meet up with me in a dark alley. She also suggested I sleep with one eye open.”
Murder Bites Page 16
