Page 11 of Poison Apple Crisp
“I don’t go out of my way to have someone tell me what to do. I’m staying home.”
“Fine,” he says it a touch too curt. “I’ll use my key.”
“Fine,” I say with a touch too much vigor myself. “I’ll be waiting in my bed.”
His lips curve with devilish delight as he takes off, and I all but fan myself in his wake.
“Lottie?” a familiar female voice trills from behind, and I’m shocked to see my bestie cradling a blue bundle in her arms.
“Keelie, what are you doing here with baby Bear?” I coo as I peer over at him and pet the soft blond peach fuzz on his head. He’s so perfect with his big eyes and button nose. Even at two weeks old he looks like the perfect combination of Keelie and that papa Bear of his.
“Please, I’m going to blink and he’ll be a senior at Honey Hollow High. I’ve got to get used to being at events like this.”
“There are people here with germs, not to mention the dead body.” I whisper that last part. “Please go home.”
“I will, but first I have to see if my keys fit that lock. That emerald necklace has my name all over it. Oh, Lottie, the real reason I came is because I’m so excited my best friend is having a baby I just can’t wait to share everything with you.”
I give a hard sniff as tears come to my eyes.
“I’m so glad, Keelie. I feel so alone and afraid. I know I have Noah and Everett, but I don’t even know which one is the daddy. I’m a walking version of a tabloid talk show.”
Keelie sucks in a quick breath. “That’s brilliant, Lottie! You can be onMurry Popovich—the who’s your daddy segment. It’s super dramatic, so don’t be too surprised if Noah pulls out his gun and shoots Everett if he doesn’t like the results. But I’ll be there for you, just like I’ll be there for you through all of this. Oh, and I’ll stop by the bakery with a bag of my maternity clothes. Which reminds me, I’d better load up on dessert before it officially becomes evidence. Lord knows we’ve been down this road before.” She takes off before I can stop her.
Here Keelie has been out of the house with baby Bear twice in one day, and I know for a fact Lainey is planning on sequestering herself with sweet baby Josie until that child hits her teenage years.
Bear will be graduating from high school the same year Josie is graduating from herhouse. I wonder which extreme of motherhood I’ll fall into?
Before I can trip and fall down the baby-shaped rabbit hole, I spot the woman with the pink kitten heels about to walk past me. “Excuse me,” I say, not quite sure of what will pop out of my mouth next. “That was brave of you to try to help Brenda.” I shrug. “I take it you knew the deceased?”
She glances to poor Brenda lying on the floor, not thirty feet away, and what seems to be an involuntary frown takes over her face.
“I knew her.” She shrugs. “We were acquaintances. I used to be a member of the PTA. I guess there’s an empty seat on the board now, isn’t there?”
“Are you up for running?” My ears can’t believe she said those words, and yet Brenda isn’t even cold yet.
“No. Believe me, I’m the last to dive into those drama-riddled waters. And word to the wise, I would think twice if I were you. Have you ever heard that sayingsome girls never leave high school? That accounts for just about every woman in that uptight organization.” She starts to take off, and I thrust my hand her way.
“Lottie Lemon. I own the bakery on Main Street. My daughter will be starting here this fall as a junior.”
“Alyssa Thomas.” She offers me a firm shake, and I’m tempted to like her despite the fact she might just be the killer. “My son is a senior this year. And boy, am I ever glad. Nice to meet you.” She takes a few steps before turning around. “Oh, and good job with the apple crisps.” A dark smile curves on her lips. “You really hit it out of the park with that one.” She dives into the crowd and disappears from sight.
Ha! I bet she used my apple crisp to poison poor Brenda. It wouldn’t be the first time my desserts were featured in some nefarious dealings.
I’m about to look for Everett when I spot the bald man that was having a rather aggressive looking conversation with Cokie. He’s hovering near the body, angling at poor Brenda as if he were trying to get a better look before he backs away slowly and heads to the dessert table.
My feet waste no time in hightailing it over to him, and I reach for an apple crisp at the very same time as he does.
“Jinx,” I say with as much cheer as this situation could call for. I opt to let him have the sweet treat and grab another one instead. “Horrible tragedy, isn’t it?” I glance back to Brenda in the event he thinks I’m talking about my crisps—although they’re not faring all that great right about now either.
“Oh yeah.” He snaps up three cups of my apple confections. He’s built like a football player, seems to be in his thirties like Noah and Everett, and has a washed look about him with his pale skin, pale gray eyes, and pink lips. “That’s my fiancée.” He shrugs. “I guess I should saywas, but I’m not there yet.” He holds up the dessert. “Don’t mind me. I’ve always been one to eat my feelings.” He looks back over at Brenda, and his lips twitch with a crooked smile. “Have a good night,” he says as he walks away, and a part of me wonders if he were saying it to me or tossing it out at Brenda in a vindictive manner.
A shiver rides through me, and out of the corner of my eye I spot that crimson hardback novel lying next to me, unattended. I pick it up to inspect it.
“There you are.” My mother runs up and wraps her arms around me. “I’ve already talked to Principal Hickman, and we’re going to move all of the donations for the auction to my garage. I’ll be hosting a redo at the B&B. No use in letting all that potential money slip away when the school can really use it. I have a feeling that poor woman would have wanted it that way.”
My mother not only owns and runs a B&B, but it just so happens to be happily haunted.
“I think you’re right. Thank you for stepping up like that.”