Page 36 of Peach Cobbler Confessions

Noah offers a soft smile my way. “I’ll take paternity leave. The department offers it, and I’ll be right there with you for midnight feedings.”

Everett circles his arm around my waist. “And I’m volunteering my diaper changing services. But I might need a lesson or two first.”

Evie kicks her foot his way. “I’ll teach you, Dad. I’m getting one of those celibacy dolls they give you in school that screams and cries and wets itself, so that we’ll all be used to how annoying an infant can be by the time the baby arrives.”

“Lovely,” I mutter, mostly to myself. “How about that Jade Archibald?” Her name sings from me brightly in an effort to steer the conversation away from all things screaming and crying, or wetting themselves.

Babies sound like far too much work than I can ever wrap my head around. A part of me actually feels sorry for Keelie and Lainey.

Poor things. Their lives are never going to be the same again. And I’m not sure I mean that in a good way.

“Noah?” I blink over at him. “Do you know where we can find Jade?”

His dimples invert as he sinks that smile right down to the waterline.

“I can take you there tonight.”

I look to Everett. “It sounds as if we’re adding a plus one to our date.”

Everett scowls over at his old stepbrother. “Don’t think for a minute he plans on changing that fact.”

Noah shoots Everett with his fingers. “Not with Lottie in the equation, I’m not—or my child.”

I close my eyes and rest my head back over the rim of the hot tub.

Who knew I would relish a murder investigation in hopes of getting my mind off my life?

Jade Archibald, I’m actually looking forward to getting to know you.

Chapter 13

It turns out, Jade Archibald works at the Ashford Super Lot. The night air is warm and humid and holds the slight scent of fumes from the highway next to us mingling with the burger joint next door. Cars of every shape and size are laid out over an expansive parking lot, and there’s a large blowup clown who keeps deflating and inflating as he flails in the wind, holding a sign that readswelcome to Super Lot, where we promise to accelerate you into the future!

“See that?” Carlotta elbows me hard on the arm. “I’m going to zoom out of here so fast I won’t show up until next week.”

“Do you promise?” I ask. I can’t help it. Carlotta insisted on coming down to the car lot where Jade works with Noah and me, citing she needs a new car.

Noah chuckles. “Don’t worry, Carlotta. If you find the car you like, I’ll make sure you get a good deal. I’m great at haggling.”

Everett twitches his brows my way. “Hear that, Lemon? By ditching the detective, you’ve evaded a lifetime of being haggled.”

I giggle up at him before shrugging over at Noah.

“He’s teasing,” I say. “And that’s very nice of you to help Carlotta get a car. Plus, that will make this entire visit legitimate, and Jade won’t suspect that we’re suspectingherone bit. So for that, I thank you, Carlotta. And I hope you zoom your way back to Honey Hollow in your new fancy ride without a single speeding ticket.” Carlotta’s old car pooped out on her recently and has spent more time in the shop than it has in my driveway, so she’s taking some of her inheritance and buying herself a bit of vehicular freedom.

Everett slips his arm around my waist. “Noah and I have a surprise for you, Lemon.”

“You do?” I pull back to get a better look at the two of them.

Everett’s cheeks bounce in lieu of a smile. “You’re getting a new car tonight, too.”

“What?” I squawk. “Oh, please. My Honda is just fine.”

“Lot?” Noah shakes his head. “Your sedan still has the roof caved in from something that happened last fall.”

“And I tried to fix it.” My voice hikes.

Everett nods. “But the insurance company recommended you junk it.”