Page 74 of Poison Apple Crisp

“Make it two,” Everett shouts, and Noah gives a thumbs-up from afar. “See that, Lemon?” He wraps his arms around me. “We’ve got our very own cabana boy.”

“Ha-ha.” I give his ribs a quick squeeze. “You’re very funny,” I tease. “I’m just glad the two of you are getting along.”

“I’d get along with my worst enemy for you—oh, wait.” A dark chuckle pulsates through his chest.

“You’re two-for-two, Judge Baxter. You’re a real comedian.”

A dark shadow catches the corner of my eye, and I turn my head a notch but don’t see a thing.

“Dad?” Evie calls out. “Can you help load my presents into this wagon? I’d like to take them home and open them tomorrow. You’ll have to make two trips to the car at least.”

“Sure thing,” he says before turning back my way. “You want to hang out here? I’ll be right back.” His brows dip a notch. “On second thought, I have a feeling I’d better keep an eye on you.”

“Now you’re pushing it,” I tease as I dot his lips with a kiss. “I love you, Everett.” I swoon as I look up at his blessed by God features.

“And I love you, Lemon. You make me the luckiest man alive.” He lands a heated kiss over my lips and makes my heart thump wildly. “I’ll be right back.”

“You’d better be,” I say. “That was one heck of an appetizer. I can’t wait for the meal.”

“I like how you think.” His brows twitch as he takes off.

I head for the refreshment table and come upon it just as a juicy red apple rolls right off. I take a few steps forward in an attempt to pick it up, but it inches out of my grasp and begins to pick up pace as it rolls its way into the orchard to the left.

A breath gets locked in my throat as I slowly follow it.

There’s nothing natural about the way this apple is moving on its own. I watch with morbid fascination as it hurries along, and my feet match its clip as I drift farther from the crowd.

The sky lights up with a shard of fractured light, followed by an intense peal of thunder—so loud, so horrifically barbaric, my eardrums feel as if they’re about to burst from the trembling effect.

That shiny red apple stops cold, and just as I’m about to pick it up, the sound of something rushing in this direction comes from behind.

I spin on my heels just in time to see an enormous Great Dane, black as night, with pointed ears, and a thick spiked collar around its neck bolting in this direction. He scoops the apple up into his mouth and trots right off with it.

It’s him!

It’s that dark shadow I’ve been seeing all over town.

“Wait!” I call after him as he takes off into the night and disappears into a swirl of black stars. “Come back!” I shout as my feet slow to a stop.

Another smattering of stars appears in a rainbow of pastel colors—pink, blue, and yellow—as slowly a familiar form begins to appear, and a small cry evicts from me.

“Nell!” I shout as I wrap my arms hard around her and take in the faint scent of lilacs emanating from her skin. For all my life I’ve just called her Nell. I didn’t find out she was my grandmother until she passed away a little over a year and a half ago. But as my transmundane status is lucky enough to afford me, I get to see her ghost every now and again. “Oh, you’re here.” I pull back to get a better look at her curly gray hair with a twinge of lavender. Her eyes seem to be the same matching hue, but her friendly face and that warm smile—it’s just the way I remember. “Oh, Nell, so much has happened since I last saw you. I’m having a baby.” I place my hand over my stomach. “But you probably already know that. I mean, you all but told me I was going to be a mother a few months back. And now it’s happening. Nell”—I pant out a laugh—“it’s happening, and I’m so glad I get to share it with you.”

“I’m happy for you, Lottie.” She gives a frenetic nod, but her face—it’s rife with worry. “You must listen to me.” She grabs ahold of my shoulders just as Everett runs up.

“Lottie?” he shouts, and in a moment he’s holding my hand. “What’s going on?”

“It’s Nell,” I whisper as if I’m in a trance, and it’s just about true since I can’t seem to take my eyes off of her. I give his hand a squeeze, assuring him he can hear her, too.

“That creature you saw”—Nell’s voice trembles in a manner I’m unfamiliar with—“you must never follow it ever again. You have to promise me, Lottie. Listen up. There’s going to be another murder in Honey Hollow, very, very soon. And this time, I’m imploring you to not have anything to do with it. Do you hear me?” Her voice hikes an octave, and I inch back. I’ve never heard Nell speak to me this way. “I mean it, Lottie. You can’t step into the middle of this one. I forbid you to involve yourself in the case. It poses a very large risk to both you and your unborn child. There are some realms of darkness we simply aren’t allowed to tread, and this is one of them.” She looks past me. “Everett, watch over my granddaughter. Promise me you won’t let her get caught up in the evil coming this way. Make Noah promise, too. Promise me, Lottie.” Her lavender eyes bear into mine as she evaporates to nothing.

“Nell?” I shout as I run out a few steps, but it’s too late. She’s gone.

The sky flickers with light just before another growl of thunder lashes out, and I can feel it echoing right down my bones.

Everett comes over and wraps his arms around me tightly, his heart pounding like a jackhammer.

“You heard her, Lemon. This next case is far too dangerous for you.”

Noah jogs over with our drinks in hand, and Everett quickly fills him in on what’s just happened.

“Don’t worry, Lot. I’ll handle this one,” Noah is quick to assure me.

A howl goes off deep in the orchard, and I look in that direction to see a glimmer of dark stars swirling in the night as a chill rides through me.

Something wicked is coming to Honey Hollow, and Nell is imploring me to stay away. Someone is going to die, and Nell has forbidden me to involve myself in the case.

But I’m certain I can no more stay away than I can stop breathing.

Something wicked this way comes, and I’ll be ready for it.