Page 14 of Toxic Apple Turnovers
“Lottie.” Kelleth tips her straight blonde locks to the side while inspecting my proximity to Noah. Her lips are heavily glossed, but other than that she’s more or less a natural beauty. Kelleth is tall and impossibly thin. I’m not her favorite person. She’s still bitter because I helped land her fiancé behind bars for swindling the elderly out of their retirement funds. “I see you’re wasting no time in stealing someone else’s man. I guess that whole finding bodies routine is just another way to kiss up to the cute homicide detective.” She gives a hearty wink to Noah, and my stomach sours at the thought of drop-dead gorgeous Kelleth tossing her Prada hat into the ring for his affection.
Aspen cackles before I can get the chance to respond. Aspen is a blonde version of Betty Boop, complete with the racy curves, bouncy curls, big eyes, and a luscious pucker.
“Lottie isn’t as innocent as we thought, is she now?” She bats her false lashes my way.
Lainey’s face turns a strange shade of purple. “You leave my little sister alone. Nobody talks to her that way.”
Aspen rolls her eyes. “She’s our little sister, too. We can talk about her however we want.”
I’m not quite sure if I’m their younger sister, but I go with it for now.
Meg jabs Lainey in the ribs. “They’re not that off base. Sure, she says she stumbles upon these bodies by sheer coincidence, but look where it’s landed her. She’s got the lead homicide detective wrapped around her little finger. And don’t get me started on that judge she’s got in her back pocket—and, believe you me, he’s enjoying his time back there.”
Everett pops up and hands me a glass of clear soda. “That I am.” He gives a wistful shake of the head.
He’s impossible.
I give a little wink as I take the drink from him. I’m a bit impossible, too.
Mom wrangles everyone through the buffet she’s set up on the granite counters built against the north wall like a sideboard where an entire row of elongated silver chafing dishes sits filled with amazing goodness from the Honey Pot. Once dinner is through, she brings out a couple of delectable pumpkin cheesecakes I sent over with Keelie and Bear earlier.
The room breaks up again in groups as we mingle one last time before saying goodnight.
Alex comes our way with a greedy grin on his face, and Noah’s chest bounces with a quiet laugh at the sight of him.
“See that face, Everett? That’s the face of the one that’s ready to dethrone you as the official playboy of Vermont.”
Everett grunts, “I’ve long since abdicated the throne.”
Alex comes up, and Everett slaps him on the back. “Go easy on the girls, would you? It’s a marathon, not a sprint.”
Alex laughs because he’s guilty of sprinting with both Naomi and Lily. Personally, I’m getting tired of listening to Lily expound the details of their nightly dalliances. She pointed out that both she and I were officially on an even playing field having slept with both a Baxter and a Fox. She even went as far as to ask if I wanted to compare notes, and, of course, that was a hard pass.
Mom waves me over, and I excuse myself as Alex regales them with tales from the bawdy bedside.
I speed over to my sweet mother and Pastor Gaines who stands glued faithfully by her side. I wonder if he has any idea that she’s been going out with Mayor Nash behind his back?
“What can I do for you, Mother?”
She frowns for the first time tonight. “You went to business school, Lottie. How did I do?”
“How did you do with what?”
“With theshindig? Carlotta said the best way to convince the public that this place was safe and sound was to have a great big party as soon as possible. I even asked every news affiliate if they’d cover the event. I had eleven room cancellations right after that poor girl died. And my insurance company called and threatened to cancel the policy I have on this place.”
“They can’t do that.” I think. “And yes, Carlotta gave you sage advice. I’m sorry about the cancellations. I thought the haunted aspect of the B&B is what they liked most?”
“It’s true. But it turns out they don’t actually want to be the ghosts. We’ll have to turn this around somehow, Lottie. This is all I’ve got. It’s my livelihood.”
“I’m sure the positive press will help.”
Pastor Gaines offers a solemn smile—still there. Never leaves. So eerie.
“Any word on how the poor girl perished? That last step on the porch was slicked with dew—and she did have awfully high heels.”
“Good speculation, but you would be wrong,” I say. “Although I’m sure poor Amanda would have rather gone that way. Please don’t say anything until it’s official, but she was poisoned.”
“What?” My mother shrieks so loud, half the room quiets down for a second.