Page 55 of Toxic Apple Turnovers
“Ethel.” My chest bucks as I laugh and cry at the very same time. I wrap my arms around Nell and sob as she dissolves with my tears.
“Did you see that?” the man with the snake tattoo shouts. “That gun—it just flew!”
Ivy runs up from behind with her weapon drawn, and soon the deputies are here to take them in.
“What about the others?” I ask as Noah holds me tightly.
“I don’t know. I’ll try to make them sing. Get back down there, Lottie. I’ll take care of this and be back as soon as I can.”
Everett runs up and pulls me in hard, and we watch as Noah takes off.
That was one heck of a way to start off the night.
Let’s just hope this night doesn’t hold any more surprises—other than the one I have planned for Keelie and Bear, of course.
But something tells me it will.
Chapter 18
The Apple Festival is well underway.
The sun has set, the sky is glittering with stars, and the twinkle lights strewn about the Grands’ orchard give the grounds a haunted romantic appeal. Although, I suppose it’s not nearly as haunted as it was a few minutes ago. All of those beasts of days gone by have up and disappeared—and each and every one has taken a piece of my heart with them.
I am pretty thrilled to be reunited with Ethel, though. I’ve already stuffed her into my purse for safekeeping—after I made sure there were no rounds chambered. I swing Everett’s hand between us as I bat my lashes up at him.
“I hope with everything in me they find your mother’s ring. You have no idea how bad I feel about that.”
“Don’t give it a second thought.” He pulls me in and carefully brushes the hair from my forehead. “Are you sure you’re okay? I can take you down to the emergency room and have them give you a once-over. I don’t mind one bit.”
“Not on your life. Or mine. There’s no place I’d rather be than at the Apple Festival. I love fall, and I love that Honey Hollow gives it the kickoff it deserves. Besides, Keelie’s surprise engagement party is starting soon. There’s no way I can miss that.”
“I completely understand. But if you change your mind, I’m your man.”
“You’re always my man.” I hug him hard just as a woman moans out his name—his proper name.
“Essex,” she calls out again, and we turn to find Meghan sprawled out on a bale of hay so we head over.
“Feeling better?” Everett helps her sit upright. Meghan’s dark hair is strewn every which way with stray pieces of hay spiking up out of it. Her sweater is on backward and she’s missing a shoe.
Meghan looks up at me. “I’m doing just fine. Could either of you please get the planet to stop spinning?”
Everett and I chuckle at the thought.
“Stay put for a little while longer.” Everett takes up my hand again. “Lottie and I will get you some hot cider.”
“And a handful of my mini apple turnovers,” I volunteer.
“Two handfuls, please,” she moans as she plops back down on the hay. “Don’t mind me. I’ll just be taking a short nap.”
She’s snoring before we get five feet in the opposite direction.
“I’m sorry you have to see this side of my sister.” Everett takes a breath, and a white plume expels from his mouth as if he were a fire-breathing dragon. Everett would make one sexy beast, and he does.
“Please, she’s just having a good time.”
“Too good of a time.”
We step up to the hot apple cider booth, and the line is discouragingly long. A couple walks by, giggling from behind the booth as they head into an orchard markedJonagold.