“Oh, Lottie.” Keelie butts her shoulder up against mine. “I just can’t wait to find out if you’re having a boy or a girl. I’m saving all my baby clothes for you just in case.”
“Me too,” Lainey is quick to add. “But don’t worry. I’m so addicted to shopping for little girl clothes I’ll scoop up a few new ones for you as well.”
Forest leans in, looking every bit like Lainey’s handsome plus one. “And that’s a threat she’s willing to make good on.”
We share a laugh just as Carlotta comes over with Meg and my mother.
“Great news.” Carlotta shimmers in a dress that looks as if it’s solely comprised of tinsel. “It’s all a go for my book. Wiley’s agreed to publish it.”
My mother’s lips twitch, and dare I say, I note a twinge of jealousy?
“What’s your book about, Carlotta? Is it really on how to snag a man?” I ask as I let baby Josie squeeze the life out of my finger.
“It’s a book on love. You know what they say—write what you know. I am writing a how-to novel on how to snag a man.”
Meg belts out a laugh. “And she’s been doing plenty of research at Red Satin.”
“Underground,” Carlotta corrects. “I’m doing the right kind of research.”
Red Satin Gentlemen’s Club happens to have an underground casino and other nefarious clubs quite literally underneath it. It’s pretty much mob central, but Carlotta has never shied away from bad boys.
Mayor Nash pops up behind Carlotta and wraps his arms around her. “And I’ll be there spurring her along.”
I shake my head at the two of them. I still can’t quite figure out how their relationship works, but it seems to, oddly enough.
I spot Noah glaring at Suze, and I excuse myself as I head on over. Suze is sporting her signature boy band hairdo, with her bangs swooping low over her forehead. She’s dressed in a green suit and looks as stiff and sour as usual.
“Merry Christmas, Suze.” I nod her way. She was late to dinner, so I didn’t have a chance to greet her individually. “I’m sure you’re relieved to be off the hook for Gloria’s murder.”
She smacks her lips my way. “I’m just thrilled that my son put another case to rest.”
A dull laugh thumps through Noah.
Noah looks comely tonight in his tweed jacket and dark corduroys. His hair is slicked back and his dimples are on point. As much as I might try to deny it, there’s still a twinge that goes off in my solar plexus whenever I look at him.
“That was all Lottie’s doing, Mom.” Noah nods as he offers up the accolade.
She offers a disconcerting look my way. “You give her far too much credit, Noah.” She glances to my bulging belly. “In fact, I fear you’ve given her entirely too much of everything.” She stalks off just as Everett and Evie appear.
Suze might be pouting now, but I’m pretty sure she’ll be amused in the least come tomorrow morning. I managed to convince Carlotta to gift Suze that painting of Ethan Markus. I know for a fact it’s no longer haunted because his purpose was to help his daughter through a trying time. And who knows? Suze might actually enjoy the company of a man who never talks back. I think it’s a match made in heaven, or in the least at the B&B where her room resides.
“Where’s my gift?” Evie gives a little hop and her long, dark hair bounces right along with her. She’s wearing a dress we picked out together last week, a navy velvet number that falls just above her knees and brings out the mischief in her blue eyes. “I can’t believe I get to open a gift early.”
Carlotta scuttles over. “Not yet, kiddo. I bet there’s something in it for me, too.”
“It’s a big enough gift for all of us.” Everett drops a kiss over our baby girl’s head. “Noah? You want to do the honors?’
Noah nods. “Evie, this gift is from your father, mother, and me. Sort of a joint effort.”
Carlotta gives a husky laugh. “Sort of like that kid in your belly, Lot. I bet this is the first child born into the world with the DNA from three different people.”
Evie gags. “That’s, like, sick and cool all at the same time. I’m so lucky to be in this twisted family.”
I shrug her way. “You’re welcome.” Even though it’s not true in the least.
“Well, Uncle Noah?” She gives his lapel a tug. “Let’s hear it. I’m dying over here. If you don’t spill it soon, they’ll have to drag me out in a body bag.”
Noah’s dimples dig in. “We’re taking you, and whatever friends you want to haul along, skiing this weekend at the Maple Meadows Lodge. All expenses paid—on us.”
I nod. “And I’ll be there, too, sipping cocoa by the fire in the chalet while I try to spot you slicing down that mountain.”
Carlotta slings her arm around my shoulders. “And I’ll be right there with you, Lot, working on my book.”
“I’d like that.” I pull Carlotta in for a quick embrace. “Merry Christmas to my sweet little family.”
“Merry Christmas,” the rest of them chime back.
Evie takes off to invite all of her friends, and before we can catch our breath, Cormack and Cressida head this way decked out in matching green velvet dresses, a fashion faux pas that sparred quite the argument between the two of them upon their arrival.
“Big Boss.” Cormack wraps her arms around Noah before he has the chance to evict them. “I’ve got a surprise for you.” She bats her lashes toward me for a moment. “For all of you.”
Cressida giggles. “Cormack got her PI license for the state of Vermont.”
A horrible croaking sound comes from Cormack as she glowers at her blonde bestie—or more to the point, her frenemy.
“Hey!” she barks. “That was my big secret. Get a secret of your own.”
Cressida shifts her eyes my way. “Oh, I might have a secret or two just yet. But unlike Cormack, I’m not spilling any tonight. I like to spread them out over the course of the year to keep you on your toes.” She winks, and every hair on my body stands on end.
“Like another kid?” I blurt out without meaning to. But let’s be honest, Cressida is capable of pulling a few doozies.
She shakes her head. “Not to worry. You won’t have to raise any more of my children.”
Noah’s brows dip as he frowns over at Cormack. “How could you get your PI license? You need to complete at least two thousand hours before you can even get to the board to apply.”
She waves him off. “I’ve been around Luella and her manhunts enough to qualify. My daddy took care of all that pesky paperwork for me. The best part? I rented that same office space you had when you first came into town. Featherby Sleuths Investigative Services is officially open for business.” She walks her fingers up his tie. “I guess that means we’ll be working closely together in the very near future.”
I scoff as I look to Everett. “Can she do that?”
He shrugs. “Sounds as if it’s already done.”
“Ha!” I balk over at Cormack. “You won’t get a stitch of business. You’ll be closed in a month.”
She sheds a wicked smile my way. “You’re just jealous because I’m going to take all of the investigative business away from you. Oh wait, you never had any. You were just sticking your nose where it didn’t belong. From now on, I think you should stick to baking, while Noah and I stick to solving crimes.” She curls a finger under his chin. “I’ve always thought we made a good team.”
A flood of heat fills me as my blood begins to boil. She is not stealing Noah away with a simple wag of her finger, or the lure of helping him solve his next case.
Carlotta nudges me. “She knows darn well crime fighting is Foxy’s love language. She’s bringing out the big guns, Lot.”
A growl strums from me and Everett pulls me in close.
“Easy, Lemon.”
“Come on, Mack.” Cressida pulls her along. “Let’s get some more of that trifle to celebrate. Who knows? It might even be poisoned? If one of us drops dead, you can start on your very firs
t case.”
I shake my head. “I’m not even going to touch that.”
“Don’t worry, Lot.” Noah offers a mournful smile. “You’re still stuck with me. I’m not going anywhere.”
Mom speeds this way. “Oh, Lottie, before I forget, your mail has been piling up again.” Mom pulls out a stocking from the Santa bag in her hand and gives it to me.
Once my house burned down, I forwarded all of my mail to the B&B, and Everett had his sent to his office.
Mom gives the bells hanging from her necklace a little jingle. “I thought the stocking would be a cute way to make a postal delivery to you, seeing it’s the big day.”
“Very cute indeed,” I say, pulling out a stack of envelopes, mostly bills, and a few Christmas cards intermixed. But one thin oversized rectangle catches my attention with the words official jury summons emblazoned across the front. “Oh, please God, anything but this,” I moan as I pull it in close. “I think I just got jury duty.”
Carlotta quickly runs her finger over the name printed on the front of the envelope.
“Oh, thank God it’s you and not me.” She gives a hard sigh of relief. “Harry, where are you? It’s time to celebrate!” She takes off, and I frown over at Noah and Everett.
“I refuse to do this.”
Noah chuckles. “Sorry, Lot. It’s your civic duty. But don’t feel bad. Even though I’m a member of the Ashford County Sheriff’s Department, I’m not exempt from it either.”
Everett’s lips flicker. “I’m not exempt either. Only active members of the armed forces are exempt without excuse.”
I make a face. “Is it too late to sign up for the Army?”
Noah chuckles. “Look on the bright side. Not every potential juror makes the cut. They may not select you.”
“Here’s hoping.”
Everett’s chest rumbles with a quiet laugh as well. “And on the even brighter side, we might get to spend some time together down at the courthouse.”
“There’s that,” I say without the proper enthusiasm. I’d much rather spend time with Everett down at the courthouse on my own terms.
The night wraps up and we make our way out into the snowy night.
The sound of bells chiming in the distance quiets us down to a hush, and Evie points to the sky as I hold her hand.
“Look at that!” she cries with delight, and we look up to see the silhouette of a sleigh driven by eight tiny reindeer as they glide across the brilliant full moon. And if I’m not mistaken, I see a shimmer of red and green stars sitting in that sleigh right next to the man of the hour, and I do believe that’s Kringle himself.
“Merry Christmas to all!” he shouts in his sweet ghostly bellow. “And to all a good night!”
“I heard it, Mom!” Evie trills as she hops up and down. “Santa is real! We have to get to bed.”
She races off for the van, and Noah pulls me in tightly. “I’ll see you in the morning, Lot.” He lands his hand over my belly. “Goodnight, Sugar Cookie.” And the baby gives him a kick.
Noah takes off, and Everett steals a moment to pull me in close.
“Merry Christmas, Lemon.” His lids hood a notch. “You ready for your big gift?”
My teeth graze my lips as I cave to a smile. “Ready and willing. And I might just have something sweet for you, too.”
Everett and I head home and usher in the happiest holiday of the year, the right way.
It’s a merry Christmas indeed.
Three weeks from now
Monday, 12:42 a.m.…
“Stop your bickering,” I shout as I give a panicked look around at the shadowed evergreens. “Just keep digging.” I can’t catch my breath. I can’t hold onto my sanity another moment longer.
Everett wipes the sweat from his brow, his shirtless body gleaming under a midnight moon. “If anyone finds out what we’ve done, we’re going to lose everything.”
Noah lets the body fall from his shoulder, right into the pit. “Give me the damn shovel and I’ll finish the job myself.”
“I’ll finish the job.” Everett takes a moment to glower at Noah before flicking his gaze my way. “The things I do for you, Lemon.”
And he looks as if he regrets every single one.
Recipe
From the kitchen of the Cutie Pie Bakery and Cakery
Lottie’s Eggnog Trifle
Merry Christmas! It’s December in my world, and the bakery is busy filling more holiday orders than I can count. One of the desserts I’m selling out of quickly this year is my eggnog trifle. I’ve got the recipe for you below, and I hope you have a fun time with it! The best thing about trifle is that it’s put together in layers. Once you have all the pieces ready to go, it assembles pretty quickly and is ready to eat!
My sisters and Keelie have asked me to include a few cheats in the recipe, or as I like to call them, holiday fast passes. These are substitutes you can use if you’re running short on time. I hope your family enjoys the trifle as much as mine does! Happy holiday baking!
Ingredients
Gingerbread Cake:
⅓ cup sugar
½ cup butter
1 egg
1 cup dark molasses
2 ½ cups all purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup hot water
*Holiday fast pass = you can purchase a boxed gingerbread cake mix to speed things along.
Directions for Gingerbread Cake:
Preheat oven to 350°.
In a large mixing bowl, combine sugar and butter until creamy. Add the egg and beat into the mixture, then add molasses and vanilla extract.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and salt. Sift well then add to the butter mixture. Slowly add in hot water and mix well.
Add batter into a 9-inch square pan or any smaller cake pan you wish. (This will be broken up into pieces for the trifle later.)
Eggnog Custard Ingredients
Custard:
⅓ cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 ½ cups milk (not low fat)
2 eggs yolks, slightly beaten
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
*Holiday Fast Pass = 1 package of instant vanilla pudding (6 serving size or largest box). You can use two packages to make extra custard, but you will have reserves. Use a ratio of half milk to half eggnog. Or use milk only and add ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg.
Directions for Eggnog Custard:
In a saucepan, add in sugar, cornstarch, milk, egg yolks and combine. Stir continually over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil, then stir for one minute. Remove saucepan from heat and stir in butter, vanilla extract, and ground nutmeg. Let cool, then chill in the refrigerator until trifle is ready to assemble.
Gingerbread Cookies Ingredients
3 cups flour
¾ cup butter softened
¾ cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
½ cup molasses
1 egg
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
*Holiday Fast Pass = You can purchase small to medium-size gingerbread cookies to adorn your trifle with.
In a large mixing bowl, blend flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt.
In another large bowl (or a mixer), cream butter and brown sugar with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add molasses, egg, and vanilla to the creamy mixture and beat together well. Slowly add in flour mixture on low speed until well combined.
Roll or press dough out into a thick flat circle. Wrap in plastic wrap then refrigerate 4 hou
rs or overnight.
Directions for Gingerbread Cookies:
Preheat oven to 350°.
*Use a medium-size cookie cutter (about 5 inches) to adorn the trifle with these tasty cookies later.
Dust a flat work surface with flour. Roll out dough ¼ of an inch. Cut as many gingerbread shapes as you can with the dough, reusing and rolling out scraps as needed. Set on a greased cookie sheet about an inch apart.
Bake 8 minutes or until golden brown and set aside to cool.
*Whipped cream Ingredients
1 pint heavy cream
2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
*Holiday Fast Pass = 1 small tub of Cool Whip whipped topping found in the frozen section of the grocery store. This is a saving grace any time of the year!
Directions for whipped cream topping:
In a large bowl, mix heavy cream and confectioners’ sugar. Whip until soft peaks form.
Dissolve gelatin in water over low heat (microwave will work for about ten seconds until well dissolved). Let cool then mix into whipped topping until stiff peaks appear.
Assembly of the trifle:
A glass footed dessert bowl is highly recommended for this one. The presentation is spectacular.
This is a layered process and moves along quickly!
Break apart the gingerbread cake with your hands into one and two inches pieces, creating a layer of gingerbread cake over the bottom of the trifle bowl.
Murder in the Mix Boxed Set 28-30: Cozy Mystery Page 22
