Page 56 of Macaron Massacre
“That, my love, is for you to discover on your own—and I have a feeling you’ll have the ability to enter those waters very, very soon.”
A groan works its way up my throat. “You can’t go, Nell. You have to help me with my life—with mylovelife. Noah’s wife might actually grant him that divorce soon, and it scares the pants right off of me!”
Carlotta nods as if agreeing. “Honey, Noah lives to scare the pants right off of you—and anything else you might be wearing.”
“Oh, stop.” I take a moment to scowl her way. “See what you’re leaving me with, Nell? I need the help only you can provide. Not to mention the fact you said some very cryptic things about Everett—and now he’s got this crazed person who’s been acting erratic and following him around.”
Nell pulls back a bit, her affect serious and sullen. “Yes, Lottie. I am aware.” She looks to Greer and Winslow. “Perhaps the two of you can offer my dear sweet one some sage advice when she needs it most. I’m afraid it’s my time to leave once again.”
“No, Nell,” I bark so loud I’m shocked bodies aren’t streaming out of the conservatory to see what’s the matter. “You can’t leave. I command that you stay.” Hey, it was worth a shot. Who knows? My new superpower might actually consist of being able to control what others do—at least in the celestial realm.
But, alas, Nell begins to fade right back into the pink and blue iridescent bubble surrounding Greer and Winslow.
“I love you both so very dearly,” she whispers to Carlotta and me. “Please take care of one another. As we have all learned so many times before, our time spent with family, even those you choose for yourself, is so very precious. We never know when someone’s time might come to an unexpected end. Love one another in the now. It’s the only moment that truly exists.”
And just like that, she’s gone.
Tears blur my vision as I try to take in everything Nell spoke over us. My heart aches for her just as desperately as it did the day she left us the first time.
“Lottie!” Keelie’s voice bubbles from behind, and I turn to spot Keelie along with her mother, Becca, and Naomi and Lily Swanson as they stride our way.
Becca and Naomi exchange polite greetings with Carlotta and me before ducking into the conservatory. Carlotta spots Mayor Nash sneaking off down the hall and heads over to accost him.
Lily hands me a small folded note. “Found this on your desk in the office. Pretty cryptic if you ask me.” She heads inside, and before I have a chance to read it, Keelie starts in on me.
“Lottie Kenzie Lemon,” Keelie scolds. “How dare you shoot down a man without me? You know I’d love nothing more than to put a bullet in one of those testosterone meatheads trying to come at my bestie with the intention to kill.”
“I had no problem doing it for you. And testosterone meathead? Has Bear goofed up already?”
“Nope. In fact, I get Jana March’s newsletter, and she says there’s a big wedding expo being held at the Ashford Convention Center in a couple of weeks. Bear has agreed to come with me.” She bumps her shoulder to mine. “You might say things are definitely heading in the right direction.”
“Keels, you’re moving way too fast again. Slow your roll before you let him slip a ring on your finger.” And knowing Bear, he would have appreciated me saying just that. He’s not exactly the marrying type.
“Too bad. I’ve got bridal fever, Lottie. And there’s not a thing you can say to stop it.”
“In that case, I’ll have a cake tasting booth at the expo, and I fully expect you and Bear to stop by.”
“We’ll be there with wedding bells on.”
Greer and Winslow let out a low moan that sounds spooktacular, and I follow their eyes to Carlotta and Mayor Nash where their voices are escalating.
Greer swoops over and leans in. “Things are really heating up over there. Maybe you should break it up?”
Mom comes out of the conservatory, along with my sisters, and just in time. I swear Carlotta is ready to slug him.
“Never mind, there he is.” Mom sighs with relief as Mayor Nash and Carlotta head this way in haste.
Mom attaches herself to his side rather aggressively. “You don’t know the scare you gave me, disappearing like that for so long!”
Carlotta grabs hold of Mayor Nash by the elbow and spins him her way. “Don’t you think we’re finished. You don’t get to talk to me like that. It’s the last time I let you put me down. You think I can’t do anything good? Take a look at that girl, right there.” Carlotta jabs a finger my way. “I did somethinggreat—we both did. Lottie Lemon—meet your father.”
The air stills around me. Can’t breathe. Mayor Nash and I look at one another like a couple of deer staring down a semi about to run us over—and strangely I already feel as if I’ve been flattened.
“Lottie?” a familiar voice calls from behind as Noah jogs up. “I hate to interrupt,” he says, gently pulling me into his arms, his evergreen eyes doing their best to hold my attention. “I’m sorry, but I have some bad news.”
“What?” I have a feeling I’ll welcome whatever it is after the trauma that just ensued. “What is it?”
“It’s Everett. The security guard from the courthouse called the sheriff’s department about an hour ago. His car is in the lot with the door wide open. His briefcase and phone were found in the bushes not far off. It looks like foul play. I’m sorry, Lottie. Everett is missing.”
“What?” The floor feels as if it’s gyrating beneath me as I drop the note in my hand and Noah quickly scoops it from the air, only to unfold it to reveal a black paper heart. There’s something scribbled on the front in white, and we lean in to get a better look.
Just two words.
He’s mine.