Page 10 of Macaron Massacre
“Would you look at that?” I lean against Everett’s chest as if I needed him to hold me up. “I think I just lost my invite to my own sister’s wedding.”
“I doubt it. She just needs a little time to digest what happened. Did you see anybody flee the scene?”
“No. I was so caught up with Nell, I hardly noticed Rich was dead. And as much as the world doesn’t seem to be missing him, it doesn’t change the fact that a cold-blooded killer is running lose in Honey Hollow. Do you know what that means?”
“It’s you and me, Lemon.” Everett twitches his brows. “And that’s exactly why we’ll be heading out to the firing range tomorrow afternoon.”
“But—”
“No buts. I need you safe. And this is why.” He leans in and lands a soft kiss to my lips that tells me exactly why without a single word.
Chapter 4
Nell Sawyer.
As soon as I get home that night, I find her cozying up on the sofa with both Pancake and Waffles in her lap, purring away contentedly. Waffles belonged to Nell, but once she passed, the cat was bequeathed to me. And Nell happened to gift me Pancake a little over a year ago. They both share the traditional Himalayan markings, cream with a rusty tip over their tails. They’re brothers, and right now the three of them look like peas in a pod.
The scent of fresh apples hits me once again the closer I get to her.
“I’m never letting you leave,” I say it plainly as I build a fire and land two tea cups brimming with chamomile tea on the coffee table. I’m pretty sure Nell can’t have any, since none of the ghosts so far have been able to imbibe—and not for a lack of trying. It used to be that I could only see them, but, about last winter, I began to hear them, too. Then shortly thereafter, they acquired the ability to move things in the material world. Which was the most frightening development of all.
I quickly brief Nell on just that as I curl up right next to her on the sofa. I couldn’t get much closer if I tried. As it stands, my knee is protruding right into her hip, but she doesn’t seem to mind.
“They can move things?” She shakes her head. “That’s a true testament that your powers are growing.”
“I wonder what will happen next. Maybe you’ll be able to eat? How I would love to share with you some of my sweet treats from the bakery. I just so happen to sell a double chocolate coconut crunch cookie in your honor. It’s only fair you get a bite.”
“Oh, that does sound delicious. But, honey, I don’t need a thing. As for what comes next, that’s not for me to determine. So, tell me about these boyfriends you alluded to earlier. Certainly that’s not something I expected, but I can’t say I’m too surprised. I always did think you were quite the catch, Lottie Lemon.” She pulls Pancake and Waffles up to her face and offers them each a kiss over the furry forehead.
“You’ve met them both. It’s Noah and Everett. It turns out, Noah has a wife who is still punching into the matrimonial clock. And that little legal tidbit turned me off plenty. Not to him, unfortunately, just to the thought ofus. I slept with a married man, Nell! I feel like a beast, I tell you.”
The lines around her mouth pull back as she squints out a smile. “And the judge? You’ve found him to your liking?”
“Please. All women on Earth have found him to their liking. Have you seen him?”
She chortles at the thought. “Oh my dear, I must confess. He has the other side a titter as well. A few of the women even hoped it was his time when they heard I was called to Honey Hollow.”
“That’s horrible! I can never lose Everett. I’m desperately in love with him.” I wince. “And I’m in love with Noah, too. It really is no fun to be me right about now.”
“Yes, well. It sounds like it’s actually quite a bit of fun to be you right now.” She gives a cheeky little wink. “It will all work out in the end. I happen to be in the know on a juicy little tidbit. You, my dear, will be a mother someday—and to more than one child. But I won’t dare say another word. I’ve said too much already. I apologize for ruining any surprises you might have been looking forward to.”
“Are you kidding? It’s a relief. A baby?” I look to the fireplace as a goofy grin buds on my lips. “I can’t believe I’ll be a mother. This is fantastic. Who will the father be?” I offer Nell a stern look. “So help me, if you know and you won’t tell me—you won’t live to see paradise again.” I groan at my own lack of a euphemism. “You know what I mean.”
“I do, and I plead the fifth. How is Becca? How are the girls? And William and his children? Of course, I’ve visited them, but I’d like the earthly rundown.”
Becca and William are Nell’s natural children. And obviously she knows how Carlotta is doing because they were lucky enough to have a chat with one another earlier at the Honey Pot.
“William is suing for your estate. Honestly, I wish you would have left it all to him to begin with, sans the bakery, of course.Nell”— I reach over and grab hold of her hand—“thank you so much for your generosity. I certainly didn’t deserve any of it.”
“You did, too!” Her voice hikes a notch, and Waffles tips his head toward her as if he heard. “Boy, am I steaming mad. I’ll gladly straighten out William even if it means I need to come back from the dead to do it.”
“You are back from the dead, but unfortunately he can’t hear you.” A thought comes to me. “Which reminds me.” I lay my palms over Pancake and Waffles, my fingers sinking into their downy cream-colored fur. “Go ahead and say something. They’ll hear you. I don’t know why, but I seem to act as a conduit. And don’t get any ideas about me laying a hand on William. Even if you did convince him it was you, he’d have me committed.”
“Well, that’s probably true.” She looks lovingly down at the purring creatures in her lap. “Hello there, my loves. My, how I’ve missed you both!”
And just like that, both of those sweet cats tip their heads in her direction. Their purring increases until it sounds as if a helicopter were about to land in my living room, and the three of us bask in Nell Sawyer’s glorious presence the rest of the night.
Aside from the murder of Rich Dallas, it’s a good night indeed.