Page 16 of Macaron Massacre
“Nice to know,” I say as I manufacture a short-lived smile as Naomi and the usual cohorts of her naughty book club file in.
Naomi scuttles up to the counter with her hair freshly dyed the color of a black hole. Naomi is gorgeous with or without hair, but that commanding hue only seems to exemplify her beauty.
“We’ll have macarons, lots and lots of macarons,” she barks at her bestie. Lily and she have been inseparable for almost as long as Keelie and me. “Well, well”—Naomi heads my way—“if it isn’t the mother-to-be. Come to think of it, you do look a little green around the gills. Puking much? I’m guessing Essex’s child doesn’t want to be doing time in your belly when it could have been doing time in mine.”
My mouth opens and closes like a marionette’s.
It’s no use. If Lily doesn’t believe my protests, then Naomi won’t either. So, I don’t bother wasting my breath.
“What’s the book of the day?” I ask, pulling a decorative platter my mother picked up for the bakery. My mother has been hitting the estate sales hard for gorgeous antique silver pieces and bone china for the bakery to use as serving platters. I just love the eclectic look of it all. It goes with the mismatched pastel furniture that Bear painted for me way back when.
Naomi shakes her head. “The book club isn’t meeting for another three weeks. This is the very first meeting of the Homicide in Honey Hollow Club. We solve mysteries and gossip about the suspects. We thought we’d hold it here since you’ll undoubtedly solve this one, too. In fact, I bet if we put our heads together, we can put this mystery to bed this afternoon. Come, come, Lottie. You’ll sit next to me since you’re the guest of honor. After all, you did find the body. Just like you found the rest of them.” She leans in stern. “Hey? You’re not the killer, are you?”
“Yes, I am. In fact, I’ve killed them all, cleverly pinning the blame on whomever I wish.” I openly glare at her, and Naomi bounces on her heels as she scuttles back a few steps.
“Now, now, I wouldn’t say anything that might incriminate you. We all know you’ll be nothing but a ball of raging hormones from now until you deliver that Essex bundle of joy. Lily, put together the goodies asap. The table is filling up.”
Sure enough, the entire café is filled with women eager to dissect the latest tragedy to befall our small town.
“A homicide club?” I shudder at the thought.
“What’s the matter, Lottie?” Lily grouses. “Afraid they’ll beat you to the punch?”
“No way, no how. I don’t really care. I’m staying out of this investigation.” A sly smile settles on my lips. I didn’t see Nell this morning either, but I’m sure she’ll pop by soon enough. I bet she’s like a kid in a human candy store just whizzing around from one loved one to the next. Once a person passes on, they’re pretty much banished from the planet.
“Staying out of the investigation?” a familiar female voice chirps, and I look over to see Meg and Keelie looking personally affronted.
“That’s right, Keels,” I say as Lily takes off with the platter of my colorful macarons ready to feed the masses. I’ve been experimenting with a new lavender and honey flavor. It’s so preciously beautiful, the palest hue of purple, and the entire bakery holds its fragrant scent. We’ll see if anyone chucks it back my way. But I’m betting they’ll love them. “I just figure I should give the Ashford Homicide Department a fair shake at solving one, all by their lonesome.”
Meg grunts, “Well then, the case is as dead as the victim.”
“Funny. That’s basically what Everett said.”
Keelie leans in. “And how dare you have a baby without letting me know. I’m your best friend. I should have been holding the stick while you peed on it or something important of that magnitude.”
I avert my eyes. “There’s no baby. It’s just a silly rumor.”
Meg chuckles. “Way to save your reputation, Lot. So, when’s the big day? I bet Mr. Sexy will do right by you. Just don’t upstage Lainey. She’s stressed enough as it is.”
As if on cue, Lainey and her wedding planner, Jana March, breeze into the bakery.
Lainey lifts a brow. “Well, if it isn’t my sister, the one housing my precious nephew or niece.” She lunges at me with a hug. “What are you doing on your feet? I’m surprised Judge Baxter has let you out of his sight.”
“We’re not having a baby. We’re just practicing. A lot.”
The entire room breaks out into titters as if they were listening in—and apparently, they were.
Jana fans herself. Jana March is a sweet soul that has bravely taken on my anxiety-riddled sister at, this, the most tumultuous time of her life. Jana is a dark-haired beauty with heavily squinted half-moons for eyes when she smiles, and I’ve never seen her without an easy grin gliding across her face.
“Judge Baxter is a hot commodity, Lottie.” She tips her head my way. “And if he proposes, I’ll give you half off my services. I know every woman in Vermont would storm that wedding of yours just to get a sneak peek of him in a tux.”
“That’s a very nice offer, and that’s probably true about the women of Vermont. I’ll let you know if he pops the question.”
Naomi swoops over and shuttles me to the table, right smack-dab next to her just the way she threatened.
Britney and Cormack are present as are a cast of thousands, all of which I recognize from our quaint little town.
Naomi has a bright yellow legal pad at the ready with a small circle bearing Rich Dallas’ name written in the center. She draws a bunch of lines around it until it looks like spokes of a wheel.