“ Bizzy, do you have a moment?” Magda Cooper asks just as I was about to help myself to a nice cup of hot apple cider.
“For you? I think I owe you more than a moment.” I don’t dare bring up the fact I accused her of murder just a few short hours ago. Although I have a feeling I don’t have to. It’s something this poor woman will remember forever. “What’s on your mind?”
She hesitates for a moment, glancing around to make sure no one is listening. “I’ve been thinking about those poor cuties.” She nods in the direction where the dogs are busy rolling a few balls around while Fish watches perched on the chair in the corner. “Blythe’s babies.”
“Chestnut and Acorn?”
She nods. “They seem like such sweet things. Have you found a home for them yet?”
“No, I haven’t.” My eyes widen at the woman because I think I know where this might be going.
“Well, I’ve been wanting to get a dog for a good long while now. And I wouldn’t mind two. I have a feeling they’d welcome every guest into the grocery store. Pets will be forever welcome in my life and my business.” She bites down on a ruby red lip. “Well? What do you think? I have plenty of room, and they’d be spoiled rotten with love and attention. Do you think they’d like to be a part of my family?” I did love Blythe for so many years. And now that she’s gone, all I can think about is the good times we had. She may not be around for me to forgive her, but I can love her babies and express the sentiment just the same.
Tears come to me and I blink them back. “I know they’ll be in great hands with you. Chestnut and Acorn are going to love their new home.” I pull her in for a quick embrace. “Congratulations on your new family members. I’m sure they’re going to be very happy. But you’ll have to visit the inn with them.”
“Oh, I will! And you have to visit me at the store.”
“I’m already planning on it. I can’t get that smoked chicken out of my mind.”
We share a laugh as she takes off to say hello to her new babies.
I spot Jasper, Emmie, and Leo near the fire, each holding a mug of hot apple cider, so I pour myself one and head on over.
“Everything was perfect,” I tell Emmie as Jasper pulls me close.
“I couldn’t think of a better way to end the day,” Jasper says.
“Oh, before I forget—” I grab the giftbag I tucked next to the fireplace earlier. “Emmie, I have a little something for you.” I hand her the festive bag with a cartoon turkey on it as well as gold and orange tissue paper pluming from it.
“What in the world?” She shakes her head at me. “It’s not my birthday and it’s not Christmas.”
“You deserve a gift every day of the year for having me as a boss,” I tease. “Go on and open it.”
She does just that and pulls out the lavender scrapbook I made for her at Memories and More.
“I only filled in a few pages. The rest are for your sweet little angel,” I say quickly. “And I volunteer to take a million pictures when he or she gets here so we can fill the rest of it, too.”
“Thank you.” Emmie wipes tears from her eyes as she looks at all of the pictures of us growing up. “This is so sweet and adorable. How have we not done this before?”
I shrug her way. “I have a feeling we have a new hobby on the horizon.”
“A harmless new hobby?” Jasper chuckles. “For that I’m grateful.”
Leo wraps an arm around Emmie’s shoulders. “I’m just grateful we could all be together.”
“ Ooh , that’s what we forgot,” I say, snapping my fingers with regret. “I wanted us all to go around the table and say what we’re thankful for.”
Jasper clinks his mug to mine. “How about we do it now? Just the four of us. I’ll start.” He clears his throat dramatically. “I’m thankful for the amazing meal we just had, my beautiful wife, and for friends who feel more like family.”
Emmie smiles, her hand resting on her tiny belly. “I'm thankful for this little one, for Leo, and for all of you. This has been such a special day. I’m glad you survived it, Biz.”
“You and me both,” I say.
Leo nods, and his expression softens as he looks at Emmie. “I’m thankful for you, our baby on the way, and for the fact my mother didn’t bring up one embarrassing story from my childhood.”
“That’s because she was too busy eating,” Emmie points out. “But she’s all done now.”
We share a quick laugh at that one.
“Your turn,” Emmie says, nodding my way.
All eyes turn to me, and a rush of emotions hits me.
I take a deep breath as my heart begins to pound. “I’m thankful for so many things. For this inn, which has brought so many wonderful people into my life. For Jasper, who makes every day an adventure. I’m thankful for your new baby,” I say, nodding at Leo and Emmie. “And for mine.”
Not one of them moves, breathes, or says a word.
“Bizzy?” Emmie tips her head as her eyes widen.
“ Bizzy? ” Jasper’s voice spikes as he looks at me with wild eyes himself.
I bite down on a smile and give a little nod.
There’s a moment of stunned silence, and then the three of them erupt with joy.
Jasper wraps his arms around me, and both Leo and Emmie quickly join in.
“How could you keep this from me?” Emmie practically shrieks.
“I just took a test before I left the cottage,” I say.
“ We’re having a baby ,” Jasper shouts, and soon the entire room explodes in celebration.
“We’re having a baby.” I laugh as Jasper rocks me in his arms.
Fish and Sherlock run this way, both with their mouths hanging open.
Say it ain’t so. Fish looks as if she was told there wasn’t any more catnip on the planet.
“It’s so,” I tell her. “But don’t worry. Nothing changes between the four of us.”
We’re having a whole baby hooman? Sherlock hops and dances. More scraps under the table for me!
I won’t let you near that baby, Fish yowls at him before chasing him around the room.
“I think they’re happy,” I say as Jasper wraps his arms around me tightly.
“I’m delirious,” Jasper says, landing a kiss on my lips.
Things may not change between the four of us, but everything else is about to change.
Our family and friends wrap their arms around us as they offer up their congratulations, and I’m thankful for every one of them.
Here’s hoping there won’t be a single mystery to solve in Cider Cove for the next nine months and counting.
A mean growl of thunder rattles the windows as if contesting my thoughts.
A baby might be on its way, but knowing Cider Cove—so is murder.
Thank you for reading! Be sure to head back to Cider Cove and click to pick up — Christmas Party Murder (Country Cottage Mysteries #28)!