Page 4 of Peach Cobbler Confessions
Noah pulls back as he examines me with new eyes.
“Lottie, this baby could be mine.”
“No, it can’t.” I shake my head. “I’m not having a baby.”
Lainey makes a face. “You could be.”
Everett steps up and his warm spiced cologne encircles me just a moment before he plucks me out of Noah’s arms.
“What’s going on?” He frowns over at the inquisitive faces surrounding me.
Everett more or less has a sixth sense when it comes to winnowing the truth out of people. It’s not a wonder why he went into law.
Carlotta snags him by the arm. “Our Lot Lot is going to have a baby!”
“What?” He inches back a notch to get a better look at me. “Lemon, is this true?” His lips curve as if he wholeheartedly approves—good to know.
Everett has only ever called me by my surname, and I’ve yet to complain. This man has yet to give me a single reason to complain about anything.
“No, it’snottrue,” I say just as another roll of nausea squeezes my stomach, and I swallow down a groan.
“There’s my man!” Lainey squeals as she points into the crowd. “Come on, Meg. We need to double team Forest with affection. Congratulations, Everett!”
Meg sings the same sentiment and they quickly disappear into the crowd.
“And try not to spread any rumors!” I shout, but it’s no use. A throbbing rock song just started up and the roar of the crowd rose an octave. I’m guessing they didn’t hear a thing.
Carlotta makes a face. “It wouldn’t be the first time. Just last fall we thought you were knocked up. But then you weren’t sleeping with two men. It was just Foxy in the running.” She slaps her hands together and rubs them. “Things just got good.” She squints into the crowd. “Hey—there’s that poltergeist chick. I’ll go check things out while you discuss your carnal past, dates, times, and positions with these two. Hopefully, you can narrow down the baby daddy before Junior arrives.” She takes off before I can swat her.
“I’m not having a baby,” I reiterate to both Noah and Everett.
Everett shakes his head. “What’s going on? Is this like last fall? Did you take a test and it came out positive?”
“It was Lainey’s test that was positive last fall,” I remind him. “But no, I haven’t taken a test.”
Noah carefully places his hand on my shoulder. “Lottie, you could be expecting. We could be having a baby.”
Everett’s face brightens a touch. “Lemon,wecould be having a baby.”
“Never mind the imaginary baby,” I say, desperate to change the subject. “Didn’t you hear Carlotta? There’s a poltergeist among us.”
Both Noah and Everett groan at the thought. They’re both apprised of my supernatural tendencies and what they mean most of the time. It used to be that when I saw the dearly departed—whether a person or a sweet little furry creature—it meant that someone they loved was about to have a really bad day. But as of late, it certainly means their loved one’s doom, as in murder. And the ghost in question always has a part in helping me solve the crime. And then, just as soon as justice is delivered, the deceased heads right back to paradise where they belong.
Everett leans in with those serious eyes. “What did you see?”
Noah smacks him on the side while looking at something straight ahead.
“Hold that thought,” he says. “Hey, hey!” Noah’s voice amplifies as he looks at someone behind me. “Look who’s here.”
I turn just as two men enter our midst and I gasp just a touch when I see one of them is the bald, stalky man who was getting his proverbial cookies handed to him over by the dessert table.
“Dane Gannon?” Noah is first to shake the stalky man’s hand and pull him in. “What have you been up to?” He gives him a quick pat to the back and the man is all smiles.
“Detective Fox.” He nods over to Everett as well. “And if it isn’t Judge Baxter.”
They shake hands and I can’t help but note both Noah and Everett keep sneaking glances my way. It’s clear my barren womb has them both under some false, Carlotta-inspired baby spell.
There’s going to be a homicide, all right.