My face heats fifty degrees, and I’m pretty certain I’m about to combust. I’m pretty certain Noah is about to combust, too.
Noah coughs so loud it sounds as if a grenade just detonated behind me.
Everett’s brows hike a notch. “The things you do to me—with that mouth”—he touches his finger to my lips a moment—“I’m pretty sure they’re illegal in all fifty states.” Another dark laugh strums from his chest. “But none of them compare to the things I’m going to do to you tonight.” He shoots a wicked look to Everett.
“Bravo!” Dr. Ferdinand breaks out into spontaneous applause. “That was very impassioned. Why don’t you tie a nice neat bow on it? You should kiss her.”
“You should not kiss,” Noah booms dangerously insistent.
But Everett only tightens his grip on me, his head cocked with devilish delight. “Sorry, buddy, doctor’s orders.” He leans in and brushes a chaste kiss just shy of my lips. But, unfortunately, Noah can’t see that. Everett moans his way through it like the insolent brute he is. “Delicious.” He pulls back and nods to Noah. “Give it your best shot.”
I take a deep breath before turning to Noah. His feet are set in a defiant stance, his head tipped down, still shooting Everett with those death rays before he softens and reverts his attention to me. Noah’s lips twitch with a barely-there smile, his lids hood destructively low, and there’s not a question about the fact he’s bedroom eyeing me.
“Lot”—Noah wraps his arms lovingly around me, and I melt into his embrace—“since the day I met you, I’ve known there was something special about you. And after that first kiss we shared, I knew you were the one for me, not just for the present, but for the future, too.” He bears into the words, enunciating hard, and every cell in my body dissolves with pleasure. “When we finally get a chance to take our relationship to that special place”—he dots my lips with a kiss, and my heart explodes on cue—“and we will very, very soon—I will blow doors off anything Essex has ever dreamed of doing to you. And I’m beginning to think you’re a nightly visitor in his nocturnal wanderings.” He shoots the death rays over my shoulder once again. “I love you, Lot. You’re my everything.”
“Beautiful! Beautiful!” Dr. Ferdinand is on her feet, her applause far more boisterous than it was before.
Noah leans in and kisses me with all his heart, all his soul, and every unchaste intention he might be harboring.
And I wholeheartedly approve of all three.
We take off and wait until we’re sealed on the other side of the office door before we pause a moment.
Everett lifts his chin my way. “What’s next, Lemon?”
Noah growls audibly. “You take a cold shower—and for the love of all things holy, do not envision what you would like to do to her body.”
“Actually”—I look to the two of them and sigh—“there is another man I’m interested in seeing, and his name is Ned Sweeny.”
Chapter 11
When assembling gingerbread houses, one must have equal parts patience and equal parts faith it will all work out in the end. It takes a steady hand, a little trial and error, and a mountain of royal icing to accomplish the feat. Not to mention copious amounts of time considering the fact the Cutie Pie Bakery and Cakery is putting together close to twenty of these candied wonders a day.
By the time the bakery closes, my feet move slow as molasses, ironically, and my body feels as if I used it as a rolling pin for the last ten hours. But there’s no hope of cuddling up with Dutch and Pancake in the next hour. In fact, the next few hours aren’t looking so good either. It’s the night of Honey Hollow’s official tree lighting ceremony, and the entire town has congregated en mass just down the street. I had the crew deliver dozens of cookie platters for the event about an hour ago. It felt good crossing another huge holiday order off my list.
The Cutie Pie Bakery has really taken off like a sugar-fueled rocket, and I couldn’t be happier about it. I couldn’t be more exhausted either. I’ve yet to take a day off, unless you count Thanksgiving. And considering I cooked and cleaned all day, I’m not too sure it counted.
I walk over with the ever-faithful Dutch by my side. His glowing red eyes add yet another spark of holiday cheer to Main Street, which is lit up with a million twinkle lights. Dozens of carolers are dressed up like Dickens’ characters, and the local elementary school has a booth set up selling both hot cocoa and steaming cups of cider.
As soon as I hit the festivities, Dutch begins to run circles around the masses as if people were his new favorite toy, and I’m betting they are, were.
I spot my mother and Mr. Rutherford cozied up near the enormous evergreen, which stands like a dark shadow just waiting for its grand entry into our holiday season. Just past the enormous three-tiered fountain that sits in the middle of Town Square are dozens of miniature trees that will be lit up as well, transforming our rather plain town into a bona fide winter wonderland.
“Lottie!” a cheerful male voice resounds from behind, and I turn to find Noah closing in on me, his arms around my waist, his lips pressed to mine before I can greet him. “Hey, beautiful.” He pulls back with a dreamy look on his face that disappears as quick as it came. “Where’s Everett?”
“Not with me. I don’t make it a practice to keep tabs on him either.” I peck a kiss to his lips before my own mood sours. “Where’s Ivy? Does she know you escaped Ashford?”
“Very funny.” He takes up my hand as we move over to the hundred-year-old oak the town has nicknamed Nelson. “I’m actually doing a little investigating tonight. Just looking to see if I note anything.”
“Hit a dead end, huh?”
“I’m not proud to say it.”
“If it makes you feel better, I’m in the same place.”
“No”—a short-lived laugh bounces from his chest—“it most certainly does not make me feel better. In fact, it makes me feel worse to know you’re inserting yourself into a potentially dangerous situation. Let me handle this.”
“But the sooner we track down Tanner’s killer, the sooner we can get to the business of being alone for a prolonged period of time. Besides, two heads are better than one.”
“I agree.” He pulls my hand up and kisses the tip of my finger. “And that’s exactly why Detective Fairbanks and I are working overtime to make sure that happens.”
“I wasn’t talking about that head, and I seriously doubt she’s interested in our love life.”
“No, but she’s interested in who the killer is.” He touches his forehead to mine. “I am very much interested in our love life. And I’m going to make certain it’s a good one, healthy, frequently tended to, and exceptionally creative.”
“Creative? I like that.” A bubbling laugh escapes me. I’m just about to say something equally salacious when a couple of figures near the fountain garner my attention. “Hey, isn’t that Dr. Ferdinand and Ned Sweeny?” I suck in a quick breath once I spot that wooden malfeasance. “It is! He’s got that repulsive piece of pine dangling from his limb like an extra appendage. I still can’t get over the fact that Dr. Ferdinand said she was relieved over Tanner’s death. I mean, who says that?”
“Someone who’s glad he isn’t around anymore—if indeed she was talking about him.”
Noah and I watch as the two of them engage in a pretty heated conversation. Ned picks up Dr. Ferdinand’s hand and gives it a tug, but she pulls away and takes off.
A spotlight is thrust near the tree and lands on a rather cheerful Mayor Nash.
“Good evening, residents and visitors alike. Welcome to our annual tree lighting ceremony. We are thrilled to have you as a part of the celebration.” He drones on, but I can’t seem to stop following Ned Sweeny with my eyes as he struggles to navigate his way through the crowd.
I give Noah’s facial scruff a soft scratch. “That ended badly, wouldn’t you say?”
“Agree. But it doesn’t necessarily mean anything.” He scans the area as if looking for Dr. Ferdinand.
The crowd chants backward from ten and we join.
“Three, two, one—” I leap in Noah’s arms as our world explodes with a million colorful lights. “It’s magic!” I cry as I steal a kiss and Noah steals one right back, his lips conforming over mine with a fire all their own. They say things between us are about to get exceptionally creative. They say I own you—and he does in the very worst way.
A piercing whistle goes off across the way, and we look up to find Ivy waving Noah over.
“Good Lord”—I mutter—“it’s as if she senses we’re together and she’s determined to put an end to our good time. She’s rather creative herself.”
Noah groans, “I’d better go see what this is about.”
“I’ll give you the long and short of it. It’s about her keeping you from me. She might throw in a conversation about those package thefts because I seriously doubt she has a lead on Tanner’s killer.”
“Funny. But an impossible feat for anyone to keep me from you.” He takes off just as Ned Sweeny and that creepy wooden toddler he keeps with him pass me by.
“Ned!” I say brightly as if we were old friends and he pauses a moment, his own features smoothing out into an affable expression. “Just thought I’d say hello to Darjeeling.” Liar, liar, I’d rather set my hair on fire. True story.
“Sure thing,” he says just as Dutch bounds our way and, oh my word, it looks as if he’s about to leap—“Oof.” Ned takes a stagger step forward. Right through him. Wow. Good Show, Dutch. Good show. “My goodness, it’s as if a breeze just came out of nowhere.” He gives a nervous laugh as he straightens the dummy, and the wooden monster’s eyes and mouth move at once.
“Hello there, young lady,” Darjeeling’s wooden teeth clatter.
A dull laugh pumps through me. “He’s so charming. Do you ever leave the house without him?”
“Just for work, but I like to make sure he’s out and about at festive occasions such as this. It gives the children such joy to see him.”
What Ned calls joy others call nightmares. I note the fact their suits are matching again, different from the checkered ones they wore the night of that disastrous holiday party.
“Your suits, they match.” I try to sound cheery and not creeped out at all by the fact.
“Oh yes. I am meticulous about it. In fact, we have a dozen or so that go together. My father and my grandfather were also ventriloquists. I have quite the collection in my downstairs study. If you ever find yourself up for an afternoon of inquisitive fun, you should stop by sometime. We’re the last house up on Farmington Way.”
“That’s not too far from me at all. I might just take you up on that someday. Um, you said we?”
“My wife and I. Hannah Carter and I married a few years back. Perhaps you know her?”
I shake my head, drawing a blank.
“You probably know Bella and Mason. My stepchildren.”
“Bella!” I catch myself off guard as her name flies from my lips. “Yes, I believe we’ve met.” Mason must be the brother she mentioned that had a knack for going berserk on her behalf. It’s a miracle she still works at Bazingas if that’s really the case.
“In fact, I’m in a bit of a hurry. My wife is a little under the weather, and I was just about to pick up some soup for her.”
“Your wife.” I nod, stunned by this matrimonial tidbit. “Well, I hope she feels better soon,” I say, walking to the curb with him. That’s right, he did mention he was married with two children the night of Tanner’s murder. That entire night was a bit overwhelming it’s no wonder I can’t keep the details straight.
We part ways, and I watch as he jumps into a dark navy minivan and straps Darjeeling in as if he were a child.
“So weird,” I say it lower than a whisper.
Ned waves my way as he waits for a crowd to pass before him. I take a step forward, my hand lifted in the air, and I freeze as I see it. A rather impressive dent just above the broken taillight in the back. Two white lines streak over the paint next to the busted taillight like lightning.
I take in a lungful of iced December air as he takes off.
So it was his car that Bella Carter hit. It had to be. It makes sense. They were both at the community center that night. I bet he’s well aware of who hit him since they’re both in the same family. Weird coincidence though.
I watch as he struggles to navigate his way down a street full of people and wonder what it all means.
Chapter 12
Winter has spread her wings over Honey Hollow, turning the entire tiny town into a virtual icebox. By the time I closed up the bakery, it felt as if I had stepped out into a snow globe with the lights, the carolers, and the virtual powdered sugar falling softly from the sky. Thick crowds stormed Main Street, clutching packages in one hand, steaming cocoa in the other, and laughter in their mouths. There is no better time to be in Honey Hollow, to be alive than December.
After an entire day of nonstop baking, Dutch and I head for home. There were six different holiday parties the Cutie Pie Bakery catered today. Lily helped me zip across town making all of the deliveries, which consisted of mostly iced sugar cookies, but there was a fair amount of double chocolate cookies, cranberry white chocolate cookies, braided peppermint candy cane cookies, molasses drops, German spice cookies, dark chocolate truffles, and rum balls—we can never forget the rum balls. The bakery smelled divine, and even now as Dutch and I make our way up the steps, I take in the thick scent of sugar and vanilla. It’s better than any perfume on the planet.
A small yellow piece of paper sits taped to the door.
“Huh. What’s this?” I pluck it off and read it.
Come over in five minutes. I would say turn around and head on over right now, but Pancake probably deserves his dinner.
Love, Noah
“Aww. Would you look at that?” I turn toward his cabin-like rental and give a hearty wave before heading inside and giving Pancake a double helping of his Fancy Beast cat food. Salmon delight, his favorite. I always figure when I’ve had a rough day both Pancake and I should be treated.
I steal a quick moment to freshen my hair and dab on a little lipstick. I consider perfume, but then think better of it. There’s not a man on the planet who doesn’t prefer the scent of a fresh baked cookie. And just like that, Dutch and I speed across the street before giving a gentle knock on Noah’s door.
It swings open, and Noah greets me with a slow blooming, devilish smile. His frame is wide and daunting, and suddenly I have the urge to explore every menacing inch of it. The scent of his cologne envelops me first, and I note a roaring fire crackling behind him. It’s perfectly romantic, and it only adds to the fact I’m exploding with lust for him.
“Why hello, you handsome man,” I say as he reels me into a hearty embrace. “You look stunningly like my boyfriend, same vibrant green eyes, same chiseled features, that dark glossy hair I would love to run my fingers through all night long, and that facial scruff that just drives me wild. But since he’s far too busy to spend any time with me at all, maybe you and I can have a little fun instead?”
His head pitches back, and he moans a dull laugh. “Fine.” Those smiling eyes penetrate me deeply. “But if the rumors are true, he’s got a gun. We’d better hurry.”
“Not to worry. I’ll shield you with my own naked body.”
His head cocks to the side, eyes slit to nothing. “I like the naked part. I suggest we get to that right away.”
“In a second. Is that pizza I smell? Does that mean Ivy is here? That is her homing beacon, isn’t it?” I tease.
Noah’s chest rumbles with a laugh before he presses a firm kiss to my lips. “That’s our pizza.”
“Ours? I like the sound of that. It almost makes us sound like a couple.”
Noah sweeps me off my feet with a twirl and we’re on the sofa before we know it, with me on his lap and a slice of pizza in each of our hands.
“Are you ready?” He takes an aggressive bite of his piz
za, his hungry eyes never leaving mine. The sexual tension radiates off him like heat off a New York sidewalk in July.
A sharp breath fills my lungs. “This is you being spontaneous, isn’t it?”
“I may not be able to pull off three hearty days, but I can give you one wild night.” His voice is low and commanding while his fingers swirl circles over the back of my head and it feels amazing.
“Yes,” I whisper. “I want anything you’re willing to give me.”
His thumb glides gently over my cheek. “I want to give you everything. The world.” His brows bounce. “I want everything with you, Lottie. The house with a white picket fence, kids—lots of kids.”
My mouth falls open. “Lots of kids? I love kids.” My head lands over his shoulder until I’m looking up at him from under my lashes. “How many are we talking? One, two dozen?”
He belts out a laugh. “I love kids, too. How ever many please you. How about that?” He brushes the hair from my forehead and hitches it behind my ear. “And I know that you are going to be one spectacular mother. You’re a wonderful person, Lottie.” There’s a sadness in his eyes, and I can’t quite put my finger on why.
“Hey?” I pull back a bit. “You’re not upset over that office visit with Dr. Ferdinand, are you? The only reason I brought Everett was because I didn’t think you’d approve.” I wince when I say it because we’ve both determined that I don’t give too much thought on whether or not he approves about anything, but I mean that in the very best, the very nicest way. I get why he’s like that, and it has everything to do with my safety.
“No, I’m not upset.” He blinks toward the fire before looking as if he wanted to shoot Everett. “I mean, I’m not thrilled. It’s Everett.” He shakes his head, his gaze still set at the fire as if it were a portal to the past. “He’s not my favorite person. And I can guarantee he feels the same.”
Murder in the Mix Books 4-6 (Murder in the Mix Boxed Set Book 2) Page 9
