Page 44 of Peach Cobbler Confessions

Kent glances back to the sound studio where Ridge took off to.

“There were more than a few pickles, I can assure you of that. But one of them—” He looks genuinely hesitant to finish his thought.

I lean forward. “Did it have something to do with a string of low quality mystery movies?”

Kent’s brows furrow as if he hadn’t the foggiest idea of what I was talking about just as Ridge steps out of the sound room.

“Yes.” Kent gives a frenetic nod. “That’s exactly it.”

Shoot.

I gave him an out. I can tell by that strange expression of his something else is going on.

Ridge offers a mournful smile. “I’m afraid Kent and I are needed to finish some dubbing work. But I guess we’ll see you all at the B&B for the taping of the finale.”

“Yes,” I say. “We wouldn’t miss it for the world. In fact, half of Honey Hollow will be there. Everyone is so excited. Especially the women.” Both Noah and Everett look mildly amused, and yet mildly irritated all at the same time. “But not this woman.” I wince over at him. “I mean, I am, but I’m not. Am I still talking? We’d better go now. We have leftover pizza growing old in the car. And it’s a new car with new car smell. You can come and sniff it if you like. But then, that might be weird.” I cower. “I’mweird, aren’t I?”

Ridge laughs. “You, my dear, are adorable. We’ll see you tomorrow.”

Noah, Everett, and I take off and land back in my pizza-scented new car.

“I can’t believe I botched that,” I say as I snap my seatbelt angrily. “I ruined everything by feeding him the answer. It’s clear he was going in another direction. Now we’ll never know what pickle Kent was trying to get Dane out of.”

Noah rumbles with a dull laugh. “Don’t get down on yourself, Lot. You were doing fine. But you’re the baker and I’m—”

“The detective,” I say, lackluster. “Noah, that man was holding back from us. And now we may never know why.”

“Don’t worry, Lemon,” Everett says as he drives us back to Honey Hollow. “I have a feeling you’ll figure it out on your own. Having someone hold back information has never stopped you from getting to the truth. I’ve got faith in you—as both a baker and a detective.” He glances back at Noah in the rearview mirror and a sly smile flinches on his lips.

We get back to Country Cottage Road where the three of us happen to live. Noah lived here first, and then I moved into a rental across the street. And, well, Everett wanted to be close to me so heboughtthe house next to mine.

Noah kisses my cheek as he says goodnight and heads off to his place. Everett lands a wet one to my lips as we say goodnight ourselves.

Everett’s lids hood dangerously low. “Should I come by and tuck you in?”

My lips knot up. “You know what? My stomach is still playing topsy-turvy. I think I’m going to get some shut-eye and see if I can’t get this tummy ache to disappear before I need to open the bakery.”

“You bet.” He dots another kiss to my lips. “I love you, Lemon. If you need anything at all, call me.”

“Youbet.” I poke him in the chest and wink.

He takes off, and I run into my rental house.

“Carlotta?” I call out as I scoop up Pancake and Waffles into my arms. Both of my sweet cats are far too fluffy for their own good this time of year. At this point, with all that fur, they’re more pillow than they are pet.

“What is it?” Carlotta staggers out of the hallway holding a bottle of whiskey with a white face mask on, her hair in rollers, a ratty old pink bathrobe on, and cotton balls wedged between each of her pink painted toes. “Is it time? Are you having the baby?”

“You wish,” I growl over at her. “I’m having aninvestigation. How about you and I take that Green Greased Lightning of yours out for a spin?”

She shuffles her way over, doing her best rendition of Frankenstein’s creature.

“Where are we going, Lot?”

“Fallbrook. Kent Noble’s house—his office to be exact.”

A dark laugh strums through her. “Why do I get the feeling we’re not inviting guests?”

“I think you know me.”