Page 55 of Macaron Massacre
“Right,” Jana squeaks as if fearing for her life, and at this point she probably is.
“Great,” I say, trying to lighten the mood. “And don’t forget. You and Forest still need to come in for a cake tasting. It’s very important that you get a cake you’ll be happy with.”
“We will, for sure. Oh, and before I forget, that design you sent me, the triple-tiered lavender cake with the gold dripping off the edges and the magnolia blooms? I must have that cake. It’s to die for!”
Meg cackles. “Now who’s calling out some seriously bad juju?”
Jana leans in. “Hey, Lottie, there’s still time to sign up to be a vendor at the convention. Why don’t you set up a cake tasting booth? That way, while you’re preparing all of those delicious flavors for Forest and Lainey, others can partake, too? I bet you’ll drum up a ton of business. Most of these brides are booking out up to two years in advance.”
“Two years? Two years ago, I didn’t even know Everett or Noah existed. I can’t imagine what the next two years will bring.”
Lainey pulls me in with a sideways hug. “They’re going to bring great things, Lottie. I just know it.”
A peculiar sight catches my eye from the corner, and I groan when I see it.
“Excuse me, ladies. I’ll be right back,” I say as I make my way over to a couple of spooks chatting it up with Carlotta.
I shake my head at this older, perhaps not wiser version of myself. “You really have no problem portraying yourself to be a lunatic, do you?”
Carlotta scoffs, and her hazel eyes avert toward my mother and Mayor Nash. “Some have called me worse.”
Greer shakes with glee. Both she and Winslow are glowing luminescent, and Greer’s dark hair looks as if she’s got an entire constellation trapped in her tresses.
“Lottie Lemon!” Greer beams. “You got another one!”
“That she did.” Winslow offers me a congratulatory nod.
“Yes, and there’s not a part of me that feels like celebrating. Hey? I hear you’re looking to adopt. Do I want to know how this otherworldly process might work?”
Greer wrinkles her nose. “It’s a bit long and drawn-out, but as soon as we hear some news, you’ll be the first to know. Nell is assisting us, just the way she assisted you. Now tell us everything.”
I offer Carlotta a forlorn look. “Nell may have helped me out just a little too much, and she was taken back to paradise before we had a chance to say a proper goodbye.”
Greer and Winslow exchange a knowing look.
“Come with us, Lottie.” Greer takes me by the hand and leads the four of us just outside of the mouth of the conservatory next to the overgrown silk plants my mother has dotting the B&B. Seeing that my mother has a brown thumb, this has been the way to go as far as offering her boarders a touch of nature indoors—never mind the touch of supernatural she offers them. Greer and Winslow really are the best when it comes to shaking chandeliers and bookcases alike.
“What is it?” I look to the two of them as an iridescent aura takes over the area, and soon there’s an all too familiar—beautiful,beautifulface floating between the two of them as Nell Sawyer comes fully to fruition. “Oh my goodness, Nell!” I leap forward to wrap myself around her but land hard on my feet, my arms meeting with nothing but air.
“Mama!” Carlotta does the same, and we both back up to get a better look at her. “You’re back.” Her voice breaks as we look to Nell in wonder.
Her ghostly frame is far more translucent than it has been. A heavenly spray of stars glitters inside her person as if she were forming an entirely new universe.
“I’m back, if only for a moment. Let’s just say it’s nice to have connections with the one in charge, upstairs.” She gives a playful wink, her warm voice chortling with delight. “Rich wanted me to extend his thanks for bringing his killer to justice. He apologizes for being such a brute while still among the living. He also asks that you give your precious mother a warm embrace for him.”
“Please tell him to consider it done. Nell, I’m so sorry you were whisked away so quickly. But I’m thankful you came back, if only for a moment. There’s still so much we didn’t get to do. So many questions I didn’t get to ask.”
“I know, my love. I feel your frustration, and I share that with you. I do have a bit of a surprise for you, however.”
Carlotta gasps. “You’re back for good? You’re about to knock Silly Willy out with a lightning bolt for holding up my inheritance? You’re gonna spill the secrets to the fountain of youth, and I’ll stop looking at Lottie and feeling like a hag?”
A dull huff expels from me. “So many questions, so little time.”
Nell’s features smooth out as she laughs gently at her daughter’s request, and right before our eyes Nell Sawyer is transformed into a beautiful young woman.
“The fountain of youth indeed is real. Unfortunately, you’ll have to cross the great divide to garner its benefits.” Nell is beautiful, resplendent, and she looks so much like Keelie’s mother, Becca, it’s scary. And yet if I squint just a little, I dare say she looks like me as well. “Nonetheless that’s no surprise.” She floats my way, her ghostly hands taking up each of my own. “My little Carlotta.” She offers a peaceable smile. Usually I’m affronted whenever anyone uses my formal name, but just hearing Nell utter it makes it sound like heaven. “Your powers are getting stronger. That also means the ability of those who come to assist you from the other side will be emboldened by your powers as well. You must be careful. You must mind the spirits lest they intermesh themselves where they don’t quite belong.” She takes a moment to glower at Greer and Winslow.
“My powers are increasing? What does that mean?”