Page 11 of Peach Cobbler Confessions
“Wow,” I muse. “I guess I’m not the only one thrilled about the truth.”
Noah picks me up and spins me before planting a kiss right over my lips.
“Hey,” Everett barks, carefully plucking me out of his old stepbrother’s arms. “Hands off my wife.”
Everett’s lips curve with devilish delight. “My wifeandmy child.” He pulls me in, and I freeze solid in his arms.
“Are you talking about Evie?” I ask, momentarily confused.
Bear and Keelie exchange high-fives before heading my way.
Bear pats Everett on the back. “Congratulations, Judge Baxter.” He looks to Noah. “You too, Detective Fox. I guess I’m the only man in the room in the clear.”
Carlotta chuckles. “You’ve got yours, buddy.” She motions to Keelie.
“Yup.” Keelie gives a wink my way. “And speaking of which, I’m beat.” She makes a waddling run for the door. “See you all later. Let me know if you want the name of my doctor, Lottie.”
“What in the world?” I take the stick from Noah, who seems to be studying it intently, and drop it cold once I see the plus sign with the wordpregnantright on top of it. “Keelie Nell Turner!”
“It’sFisher! I got hitched, remember?” she calls out as she does her best to speed through the door.
I zip on after her and land in the cool night breeze as we stand on the porch.
“What have you done?” I hiss at this imposter who has taken over my best friend’s body. “You switched my test with one of your positive sticks, didn’t you? That’s why it looked as if you were about to pass out while you were fiddling with your purse.”
Bear barks out a laugh as he closes the door behind me.
“Come on, Lot.” He holds his own burgeoning belly. “You gotta admit, it’s funny.”
“It’snotfunny,” I meant for it to come out like a roar, but instead, my stomach does another roll and the words come out with a whimper instead.
Keelie waves as Bear helps her down the stairs. “Don’t worry, Lot. Just enjoy the ride. Those two men are going to cater to you hand and foot. I bet they won’t even let you open the bakery all by yourself in the morning.”
“Right,” I huff at the idea before heading back inside where I’m greeted by both Noah and Everett as they land me on the sofa, prop my feet up, and land a cool glass of water in my hands.
Noah picks up my hand. “I called Margo from the Honey Pot and arranged for her to open for you tomorrow.”
Everett brushes the hair from my eyes. “And I don’t need to be down at the courthouse until noon.”
Noah glowers over at him. “I can spend the night, Lot.”
“I can spend the night.” Everett raises his voice a notch as I catch Carlotta tittering in the corner.
“You’re going to pay for this, Carlotta.” I’m about to include Keelie and Bear into the equation when a retching sound comes from my throat.
“Gross!” Evie snaps a picture of me. “I can’t wait to show my friends my puking mother and her two baby daddies. I bet you’ll be on TV and everything.” She sucks in a quick breath. “Can we please go on one of those shows where they do the who’s your daddy reveal? Oh please! Ohplease!”
Carlotta scoots next to her. “Can we? Can we?”
“No,” I bark at both of them. “I am not having a baby. I’m just sick. That test was—” I’m about finish the sentence when a hard roll of nausea takes over once again and I take a couple of quick gulps of water.
Eventually, the horrible feeling that my guts are about to come up through my esophagus passes and I lean my head against the pillow.
“Noah, Everett, I’m sorry about your friend.” I decided to take the white-hot spotlight off my uterus in hopes the faux morning sickness will take a hike. “Hey?” I sit back to get a better look at Everett. “So who was that lady who doused you with a glass of water tonight?”
“What?” Evie hacks the word out as if she was about to ask me to hold her earrings. She does love her daddy something fierce. She should. Not only did he give her life, he bought a boat—more like a luxury yacht—upon her request just last month calledThe Lucky Lemon.
Carlotta steps in close. “Who, what, where, when, and how long are you sending them to prison for, Judge Baxter? I smell a life sentence at Super Max on the horizon.”