Page 44 of Toxic Apple Turnovers

“Oh my gosh.” Lily clasps her hands to her chest. “Lottie, we need to step up security around here.”

Keelie shudders. “And to think, you’re here at ungodly hours all by yourself!”

Lily wraps her arms around her body. “I don’t like it.”

Keelie nods. “Idon’t like it.”

“Neither do I,” a deep voice strums from behind, and the three of us jump as we look across the counter to see a handsome devil who just so happens to be packing some heat.

“Noah,” I pant through my next breath. “You scared me. What are you up to today?”

“I was wondering if you were up for a drive. I hear there’s a preacher you’d like to talk to.”

“Sounds like a date,” I say, taking off my apron and tossing it to Lily.

Lily catches it midair. “While you’re there, reserve the church for Alex and me. I’m hearing wedding bells!”

Keelie belts out a laugh. “And Bear and me! I can’t wait to get me some wedding bells!”

“Wedding bells,” I mutter under my breath as Noah and I take off into the icy arms of autumn.

Something tells me the last thing we’ll be discussing is marriage.

* * *

All of Vermontis bathed in orange and gold. Autumn has hit hard, turning our green belt of a state into a virtual playground for every citrine color. The lush fields and pines remain true to their verdant color, but every leaf has transformed into a thing of beauty as it masters the art of dying.

Noah and I park just outside the offices of Honey Hollow Covenant Church and head on in where it’s toasty and warm. The office is light and bright—and surprisingly, it’s Hazel Wellington here to greet us. She’s sitting behind a desk, her red hair in a ponytail as she smiles up at us as we head her way. She’s donned a cranberry sweater and a matching scarf, and she looks like fall personified.

“Hello, you two. Can you believe how chilly it is out there?” Her expression dims a notch. “Are you here because you have news on my sister’s killer?”

“No.” I wince because I can only assume the torture she’s going through while she waits.

“Oh.” Her shoulders droop with disappointment. “Then what can we do for you? I’m covering for the secretary.”

Noah wraps an arm around my shoulder. “We’re here to get married.”

We share a warm laugh. “Yes, a quickie wedding without a stitch of friends or family to witness the event.” I avert my eyes at the thought. Although, the more I think about it, the more romantic it sounds.

“All right.” She thumbs around the desk until she procures a clipboard. “Sign here and here and Pastor Gaines will see you soon enough.”

About ten minutes go by before a couple exits his office and we’re ushered inside in their place.

“A marriage, Hazel tells me,” he teases with those smiling eyes.

“Yes,” I say equally sarcastically. “And a few questions if you don’t mind.”

“Not one bit. I always suspected it would be the two of you in the end. You have what they call chemistry. A wedding was bound to happen.” He hands me a basket of dried flowers no bigger than a paperback. “It never hurts to give it a go.”

A shy smile comes to me as I look to Noah. “I suppose not.”

His dimples press in as he links his arm with mine. “I couldn’t think of a soul I’d rather do this with.”

“Sure wish I had Amanda here for the big day.” I shoot the words right to Pastor Gaines to see if he’s biting.

That perma-smile contorts into something shy of agony. “How I wish dear sweet Amanda were with us as well. Any luck with the killer? Your mother says you’re the best, Lottie.”

“None.” Great. No wonder his defenses are up. He knows we’re investigating. I’ll have to play up the wedding angle. I’m about to do just that when a swirl of stars spray up above and Owlbert Einstein materializes in his ghostly form.