Page 19 of Toxic Apple Turnovers
Cormack trots back as she wraps her arms around Noah from behind. “Sorry, Luanna. I just asked Eliza if that ring was a replica and she said no. But don’t worry, I didn’t hint at all that you lost it—she guessed that herself.”
I can’t help but glower at her. “I didn’t lose it. It was yanked off my finger.” Okay, so they didn’t have to yank all that hard, but that’s beside the point. “And I’m going to get it back.”
“No, you’re not.” Noah doesn’t mind contradicting me.
Everett takes a breath. “The Ashford Sheriff’s Department will get it back.” He offers Noah a stern look. “Got that?”
Mom and my sisters come up and offer me a group hug.
Lainey wipes a tear from her eye. “I have to get back to the library. Try not to get yourself killed, would you?” She hikes up and whispers, “And you might want to see someone about warding off all that bad luck. I’m genuinely worried about you!” She takes off and Meg steps up.
“I have to get back to my girls. I told them to keep up the deep lunges until my break was over.” She saysbreakin air quotes. “They should have thighs the size of tree trunks by now. See you Thursday night.” She takes off, and both Noah and Everett exchange a glance.
Noah tips his head to the side. “What’s Thursday night?”
Mom bats her lashes at me as if wondering the same thing. Shoot. She would have been a convenient excuse had she not been here.
“Sisters’ night out.” I shrug. “Girls only. Meg is going to make sure we have a rough and rowdy night out on the town. Both Lainey and I need a breather.” Not that Lainey will want to be anywhere near me.
“And me!” Keelie shouts as she jumps on my back with a strangulating hug. “I’m never letting you out of my sight again.”
“Count me in.” Cormack fans herself with her fingers. “After losing Amanda, I thought I’d lose my mind with all the wedding details to tend to. Thank goodness her sister stepped in and saved the day. She’s taken over all of Amanda’s event planning duties. She even mentioned she’s going to get her real estate license and take over Amanda’s position at Redwood Realty if they’ll have her.”
Mom coos as if it were an adorable gesture. Personally, I find it odd, bordering on creepy. If Meg died, I wouldn’t be barking at the girls at Red Satin to do a rep of deep lunges, nor would I be gunning for Lainey’s position at the library. But then, I’ve got my own bustling career and I guess Hazel doesn’t.
Mom glances at her phone. “I’ll text Hook down at Redwood Realty and let him know asap. There’s nothing sweeter than a girl trying to fill her big sister’s shoes.” She looks my way. “You keep out of trouble, missy. Oh, and before I forget, the funeral is set for next Monday. If you provide the baked goods, I’ll foot the bill. That girl was a blessing to your sister.” She sniffs hard as she pulls me in for a quick embrace. “I’d better get back to Pastor Gaines. I was helping with funeral arrangements. Now that Amanda is gone he’ll need to hire an event staff himself. I’ll see if I can get her sister to help out with that.” She dashes out the door with a wave.
Cormack pulls Keelie to the side, and they dive deep into all things wedding-related.
“It seems Cormack is wedding obsessed,” I say to Noah and Everett just above a whisper. “But since she’s got a close connection to Hazel, I suggest we keep it that way.”
Everett wraps an arm around me. “I’m in complete agreement with you.”
Noah averts his eyes. “Fine, but once this case is solved, the farce is over. The last thing I want is an ambush wedding.” His lips flicker my way. “Unless, of course, you’re the bride. In that event, ambush away.”
Everett takes a deep breath as if he were completely relaxed. “She will be a bride. You just won’t be the groom.”
“Pizza anyone?” I ask as I stagger over to a table and fall into a seat.
Noah, Everett, and I each grab a slice as we lose ourselves in mozzarella heaven.
“No matter what the problem, Mangias’ pizza always seems to be the answer,” I point out.
Noah’s chest bounces. “I wish it was that easy. Did you get a read on any of those idiots? Is there anything at all you think would be able to help me out?”
I frown when he says the wordme. I don’t like being locked out of the fun. Not that capturing killers and thieves alike is fun, but a part of me thirsts to do just that.
“There was a diamond pattern on the neck of one of the men. His skin looked pink just under his ear.”
Noah freezes and looks straight ahead for a few seconds before swallowing. He snaps up a stack of napkins.
“I think I’ll take my slice to go.” He gets up and lands a kiss to my cheek. “Everett, if you can, maybe hang out with Lottie for a while. My nerves are rattled, and I know hers are, too.”
“Where are you going?” I ask frantically as he edges to the door.
“To the office. I’ll call you in a bit.” He takes off, and I sigh as I look to Everett.
“You don’t need to babysit me. I’m closing tonight.”