Chocolate Chip Cookie Conundrum (Murder in the Mix Book 32) Read online

  “Mystery and Mayhem Fest?” Mom blinks back. “This is the first I’m hearing of it. But I can assure you I’ll be there.”

  And she will—as the scullery maid. Cormack and Cressida have let her continue to live at the B&B and work as the head housekeeper. Wiley, the moron, was elevated to the head groundskeeper. Mind you, there is only one housekeeper and one groundskeeper.

  “I’ll see both of you gals around!” She beams a giant smile as if it were the best day ever. “The future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades.” She pulls out a pair of sunglasses and slips them on as she zips for the door.

  Mom scoffs. “She’s not too broken up about Candace, now is she?”

  “No, she’s not, is she?”

  I look to my right and note Burt Walker staring off down that fated corridor, and I’ll be darned if he doesn’t have a smile on his face, too. It looks as if we’ve got more suspects than needed to kick this investigation off in the right direction.

  The baby starts to fuss and I take the carrier from my mother and land my sweet Lyla Nell right where she belongs, with me.

  “Poor thing”—Mom adjusts the pink knit cap over the baby’s head—“she still doesn’t know who her father is.”

  “It won’t change anything. She has two,” I say, rocking her right back to sleep.

  Two very loving men who are very attentive to her every need and mine. And I’m willing to bet both of those men will help me hunt down the person who really killed Candace Cottonwood.

  Somewhere in the distance a rooster crows, and I have no doubt that ornery bird will be right on the case with me, too.

  “Sorry, Lyla Nell,” I whisper over her sweet head as I take off my scarf. “It looks as if my life is just as chaotic as ever. But don’t you worry. I won’t let a single person hurt a hair on your precious head.” I walk over to a chair a few feet away and set my scarf down as if planting a seed, and I am. One that will demand I come right back here to claim it.

  There were so many people at this studio today, so many of them were my loved ones—and here danger was lurking around the corner for Candace Cottonwood.

  That woman who looked as if she could be my reflection runs through my mind, and I can’t help but wonder if both Lyla Nell and I are in danger, too.

  Noah

  The Ashford County Sheriff’s Department sticks out like a white stone in a sea of gravel. Inside, the air conditioning is on a little too high, it smells of cologne and perpetrators, and the sound of Carlotta cussing up a storm has every deputy here on edge.

  I spot Everett talking to Fiona Dagmeyer, his defense attorney for his upcoming trial, and she just so happens to be his ex, too. Although she was never really his girlfriend. Everett specialized in one-night stands more than he did relationships, which is exactly why I seem to be forever suspicious of his intentions with Lottie.

  Intentions.

  I should laugh at that. I know he cares, and it does seem genuine, but I guess I can’t get my head out of the past. I know I wounded his ego pretty bad back in the day. A part of me has always suspected that, in the beginning at least, his sudden need to land Lottie Lemon as his one and only had something to do with the fact she was my one and only. And who knows? Maybe along the way he fell head over heels. It’s not hard to do when Lottie is involved. He’d be an idiot if he didn’t. And if Everett is anything, he’s no idiot. That seems to be my department.

  “What’s going on?” I nod as I come upon them.

  Fiona takes a breath and offers up one of her bloodthirsty smiles. Her dark hair is pulled back into a tight bun, her features are sharp, her cosmetics are caustic, and she’s head to toe in black. Fiona Dagmeyer has always reminded me of a classic cartoon villain. And to be honest? She seems much more Everett’s speed in general than Lottie.

  Everett takes a moment to glare at me. It’s been his go-to greeting with me for as far back as I can remember.

  “Fiona’s not interested in taking on Carlotta,” he says. “This is where you come in. Go over there and make this go away.”

  “It will go away because she didn’t do it.” I offer Fiona a short-lived smile. “Not to worry. Your services won’t be needed as far as Carlotta is concerned. This is just routine, a few questions and she’ll be out of here. I’ll drive her home myself. What’s going on with this goon’s trial? Are you ready?”

  She pumps out a light laugh. “I’m not worried about Essex’s trial. The defense you dreamed up was brilliant. So much so that I think I should hire you on as a consultant.” She offers a quick wink my way. “So I hear there was no resolution as far as the paternity goes.” Her crimson lips purse. “How in the world that girl wrangled you both, I will never know. But I suppose one of you gets to walk free soon enough.”

  “I’m not going anywhere.” Everett flickers the hint of a smile my way, and I have no doubt he’s mocking me in every way.

  “I’m immoveable,” I tell him.

  “Really?” He inches back with an amused look on his face. “Because I’m pretty sure Lemon removed you almost a year ago.”

  Fiona chuckles. “No wonder she keeps the two of you around. You’re ceaseless entertainment for her. Who wouldn’t want a warring set of brothers? And don’t tell me you’re not—I’m painting you that way for the trial. Feuding old stepbrothers who work tirelessly to get under one another’s skin.” Her eyes narrow over mine. “The entire defense strategy relies on this, Noah. Let’s hope that stunt the two of you just pulled was viewed by more than one potential juror. Arguing? A spontaneous fistfight? Keep up the good work. The more public feuds the better. Once the jury sees how volatile your relationship is, how desperate Essex is to hang onto his wife—the fact that this war of yours had seeped into his subconscious, it will be all that much more believable.” She glances his way. “I’ll stop by that bakery your wife runs and we’ll talk again. I’ll admit, the woman knows how to make a mean dessert. And apparently, a cute baby.” She blinks a smile at me. “Essex showed me pictures. I suppose congratulations are in order for one of you. When you unravel the genetic mystery, let me know. I’m curious as to what the outcome will be for the three of you. You’re a runaway train at best. I’ve seen enough of the world to know this is going to get messy.” Her lips twitch toward Everett. “Does he know?” she asks lower than a whisper, and Everett shakes his head just enough.

  She says goodbye and whisks off, leaving a thick trail of strong perfume in her wake.

  “Do I know what?”

  Everett gives a dark look in her direction. No doubt regretting she ever brought it up.

  “Nothing. I’ll see you back in Honey Hollow with Carlotta.”

  He starts to take off and I hold out an arm to block his path.

  “What the hell is going on?”

  He sighs as if he was considering his options. “Nothing you need to worry about.”

  “It’s about that hit the Canellis put out on you, isn’t it?”

  Let’s just say the Canellis didn’t take too kindly to the fact Everett moved Florenza’s body. She was their blood, and dead or alive you don’t mess with them.

  Everett glances down before his eyes do a survey of the room.

  “I’m right,” I say. “So tell me, what’s new? Did they make you dance again by way of bullets? Another car bomb? It’s me, Everett. You don’t need to keep this a secret. If you’re worried I’ll tell Lottie, I won’t. I’m in the business of protecting her, not making her worry within an inch of her life. I can help.”

  “You can’t help,” he seethes. “You’re the reason I’m in this position to begin with. And I’m not looking for an apology, so you can save it. Just know that Lemon trusted you. She walked into a fire because you led the way. I had no choice but to step in. And you should thank your lucky stars I did. If I remember correctly, you sleep like the dead. That little quirk I had as a kid? Here’s hoping it’ll work in my favor.”

  I shake my head at him, trying my hardest to read between the lines, read his cold expression.

  “No. You’re holding back. Something happened, Everett. Do I need to head to Red Satin and talk to Jimmy Canelli myself?”

  “Only if you want to get yourself killed.” He gives a long blink. “Look, Noah, I’m not looking to land you underground. You might have generated my problems, but now they are mine alone. Stay out of it. Don’t even breathe Jimmy Canelli’s name. I’ve got this handled. No one is going to be shooting bullets at me anytime soon.”

  Everett’s got this handled?

  I blink back. What the heck does he know about handling the mob?

  Ivy and Carlotta head this way, and it looks like I’ll have to hold off on the inquisition until later.

  “How about this?” Ivy pulls her lips back as she looks to the two of us. “If it isn’t a family reunion.”

  “That’s right.” Carlotta quickly wraps an arm around both my shoulder and Everett’s. “Now get me back to the ranch, boys. Ivy untangled the knot, and I’m good to go.”

  Ivy gives a curt nod in her direction. “We’ve fingerprinted and questioned Ms. Sawyer.” She tips her head toward Carlotta’s. “No leaving the state, no funny business. I know where to find you.” She looks to Everett. “I hear your trial is at hand.” Ivy studies him a moment. “I don’t know what happened that night. I don’t want to. But what I do know is the defense you’re batting around just might work. I’m looking forward to having you exonerated of the charges soon.” Her eyes flit my way. “Just a heads-up, the Morettis are in Vermont again. Something is happening.”

  “You think they want to finish what they started?” My adrenaline spikes without warning. They almost finished me off a few months back. The Morettis are a New Jersey-based crime family and, for whatever reason, they’re picking a fight with the crime families we have right here in Vermont, the Canellis and the Lazzaris.

  Ivy shakes her head. “I don’t know. Just be on alert. Moretti’s men have been spotted from Leeds to Starry Falls, and there’s been an odd uptick of their presence in Honey Hollow these past three weeks as well. I’ll keep you posted.” She nods to the three of us before taking off.

  “Don’t worry, Foxy.” Carlotta bumps her hip to mine. “The Canellis and the Lazzaris aren’t about to let some kids from Jersey steal their lunch. They’ll pick ’em off one by one and they won’t come around here no more.”

  Everett shoots a look to the side, deep in thought, as if her words bothered him.

  Crap.

  “Carlotta”—I dig my keys out of my pocket and dangle them in front of her—“get in my truck before they change their mind and lock you up in the back. Don’t leave without me. I need to take care of something. I’ll be less than a minute.”

  “Sounds good to me.” She looks over at Everett. “Don’t worry, Sexy. The Morettis aren’t the only ones who won’t be coming around here no more.” She snatches up my keys and bolts for the exit. “We’re getting a bucket of chicken on the way home to celebrate!” she shouts and I nod.

  “Chicken sounds good,” I say to Everett. “That is something you’ve never been.” I examine him a moment, that dark head of hair, angry eyes, but he’s not really angry, it’s a front he needs to hold up for God knows what reason. “You’re not a chicken, Everett. You don’t run away from things, you fix them. I think it’s a mighty big coincidence the Morettis have been in Vermont these last three weeks. I’ve been monitoring them myself. Three weeks ago Lottie gave birth to Lyla Nell. And you do love Lottie and Lyla Nell, don’t you?” I nod over at him and his lips tug to one side, but his anger only seems to sharpen. He doesn’t like that I’m onto him. “Thought so.” I glance toward the exit. “You have no idea what you’re doing. You’re not playing with matchsticks, you’re playing with dynamite.”

  “Sometimes dynamite is the only way to go. Stay out of it.”

  My mouth opens then closes. “Wait a minute… What did Carlotta mean when she said the Morettis weren’t the only ones who won’t be coming around here anymore?”

  His eyes widen a notch and he takes a breath. I’ve thrown him, twice in less than five minutes. What in the hell is he up to?

  “What does Carlotta ever mean? Stay out of that, too.”

  “I’m not staying out of anything. If you haven’t figured that out, you don’t know me at all.”

  We head out to the parking lot, and I pick up on the fact that Everett is very much morose.

  “So you hired the Morettis.” I shrug his way. “Next time just come to me, would you?”

  “So you could tack a target on my back? Noah, you mean well, but you wouldn’t have had a clue as to what to do.”

  “You’re right. But I wouldn’t have gone nuclear, that’s for damn sure.” I shake my head at him. “Don’t keep me in the dark next time.”

  We part ways, and on the drive home I try to get Carlotta to tell me who it is that’s not going to be coming around Vermont anymore, but she clams up ten times tighter than Everett just did.

  Something is up. And I have a feeling the mob has nothing to do with it this time.

  Carlotta and Everett are holding something back.

  And I have never been more curious in my life.

  Lottie

  It’s April and it’s officially springtime in Honey Hollow. The sun is out, the air is warm, and both the flowers and the evergreens are releasing their fragrant scents to perfume every last inch of our cozy town.

  Easter is right around the corner, and everywhere you look there’s a chocolate bunny for sale, Easter baskets with their neon plastic grass, egg decorating kits from simple to the elaborate, and cutouts of cute little bunnies.

  Now that I have Lyla Nell, the holiday seems ten times as festive as it did before. I can’t wait to decorate eggs with her, bake cookies, and dress up for Sunday service in our frilliest dresses. From here on out, every holiday, every day will be that much more special because of her.

  Currently, I’m standing right in the middle of the Cutie Pie Bakery and Cakery giving Lyla Nell the official tour. I’ve brought her in before, but each time she was sound sleep, unaware of her surroundings, much less how much this place means to me. The walls are yellow, the furniture is mix and match pastel, and the entire shop is permeated with the scent of fresh baked, vanilla rich chocolate chip cookies.

  I had Lily and Suze decorate the counters with bunnies, Easter grass, and string lights in the shape of colorful plastic eggs. This time of year I always have cookie baskets available for purchase, and no matter how many we set out, we always seem to sell out by the end of the day. Of course, I’ve included my current bestseller, chocolate chip cookies, but you’ll find iced sugar cookies in the shape of bunnies, elaborated decorated eggs and carrots, along with raspberry thumbprints, a few peanut butter cookies, macarons, lemon coolers, and snickerdoodles, too.

  “See that passageway into the next room?” I say, holding her close to me in the fuzzy carrier I have her strapped to my chest. Her chest is warming mine as she looks in the direction I’m pointing. “That leads right to the Honey Pot Diner. My grandma Nell used to own it. She owned a lot of things and left the lion’s share to me in her will. I think she felt bad because she was forced to hide the fact we were family for so long. But I don’t hold it against her. She had made a promise to Carlotta that she wouldn’t rat out my true identity and was keeping her word. Anyway, do you see that large oak tree in the middle of the dining room over there? It’s fake if you can believe it. I know, it looks real, especially the way the branches shoot across the ceiling and come right this way over the ceiling of the bakery, too. My favorite part? I love the twinkle lights they’re wrapped in,” I say, pointing up and Lyla Nell’s gaze follows my finger. “We painted this place the color of butter, my favorite food group if you must know, but I’m open to suggestions if you have other ideas. We’re a team now, you and me. I just hope you grow up loving to bake as much as I do. I can’t wait to teach you everything I know. And if you’re extra good, I might just give you my secret recipes, too. Heck, I’ll give you those anyway.”

  A laugh strums from me as I take in her dark hair and sweet large eyes, her lips glossed with drool as she blinks up at me, and don’t get me started on those cheeks. They’re filling in nicely, and I’ve been munching on them every chance I get. I can’t help it. I can’t stop kissing her nose, her toes, and her cute little belly. I’m obsessed with kissing my little girl about as much as I am dressing her up. In fact, I just put her in a frilly pink and white dress with cupcakes printed all over it and finished off the look with a giant pink bow. She has just enough hair to keep the clip from slipping out, so I fashioned a tiny ponytail that shoots straight up from the top of her head like a palm tree.

  “Lottie Lemon”—Keelie calls from the register—“bring that baby here. You’re hogging all my Lyla Nell time. Lyla and I have a special bond because we share the same middle name.”

  Lily scoffs as she finishes up with customers. “Face it, Keelie, you might be Lottie’s best friend, but she named her kid after me. Thanks, Lot. I knew you were secretly obsessed with me.”

  I avert my eyes at that one. “You’ve figured me out, Lily. I hope Lyla Nell lives up to your standards,” I tease.

  Everett and I thought we’d drive to the bakery this afternoon, the very next day after that unfortunate event that played out at the studio. Carlotta came home yesterday with a chicken leg in each hand touting her hard-won victory against the po-po. Evie thought it was hilarious. Me? I wasn’t exactly laughing.

  I head over to Keelie and she quickly excavates Lyla Nell from the carrier, so I take it off and set it on the stool next to Everett. My official plus one looks like a handsome devil today—much like every day, with his powder blue dress shirt rolled up to his elbows and a pair of jeans to go along with it. Since he’s been banned from the courthouse, he’s ditched the suits for flannels and casual dress shirts like this one. And the female population has taken note of his extra sexy wear. And I happen to be leading the pack.