Eggnog Trifle Trouble (Murder in the Mix #28) - Addison Moore Page 0,30
of marble. The kitchen island is covered with a buffet that consists of six pizza boxes from Mangias and about a thousand takeout containers from the Wicked Wok.
I’m about to ask how we’re supposed to eat all of this when there’s a knock at the door.
And one by one my sisters file in with their plus ones, Forest and Hook. And much to my delight, baby Josie makes an appearance, too.
Lainey hands her off to me as she looks around. “Wow, Lottie, this looks just like your old place.”
Meg nods. “It’s darn right creepy.”
Before I can respond, Mom and Wiley enter the room and, I’ll admit, my adrenaline just spiked a little at the prospect of Suze stalking in behind them. But thankfully, that disaster doesn’t manifest itself.
I give Josie a quick kiss over her feather soft hair. She’s a golden-haired, amber-eyed cutie who I can’t get enough of. I tuck my nose to the top of her head and inhale that baby fresh scent. I can’t get enough of that either.
“She finally feels like she weighs something,” I say as I smile down at her.
Lainey huffs, “Are you kidding? Hauling her around all day is like hauling around a sack of potatoes. And she’s just four months old! If she keeps chunking up, she’ll have to learn to walk before her first birthday just to save my back.”
Josie squeals with laughter as she reaches up and grabs my nose.
“Oh!” I squeal right back. “I’m in love with you.”
Mom comes over with her grabby hands. “Come to Glam Glam. Lottie, you shouldn’t be holding her.” She promptly plucks her out of my arms just as Keelie and Bear walk in with a bouquet of red and white flowers and a tiny baby Bear tucked in Keelie’s arms.
Little Bear has an adorable pout on his lips that just sets my heart on fire. He’s got steely blue eyes and paper white hair and looks every bit as stalky and brooding as his father. And I quickly kiss up his face until he bursts into tears.
The room explodes with laughter as Bear takes him from Keelie and rocks him back to contentment by showing him the cats.
“Come on, everyone!” Carlotta waves the crowd toward the kitchen. “The food is getting cold. Time to stuff your pie hole.”
“What is going on here?” I shake my head at Noah and Everett.
Everett shrugs. “We thought it’d be nice to have a little housewarming party.”
Noah nods. “Get some good vibrations in here.”
“Don’t worry, Noah.” Everett slings his arm around me. “Lemon and I will add a few good vibrations of our own.”
A dark laugh gets buried in my chest, but I don’t dare give it.
Noah’s chest expands. “So did you glean anything from my mother?”
Carlotta strides into our midst with a slice of pizza on a fancy paper plate with pictures of red and green ornaments on it.
“You didn’t tell him?” she quips. “Guess what, Foxy? We ran into your mother’s coven and they strung Lot Lot up with a noose.”
“They didn’t string me up with a noose,” I’m quick to correct. “They had me lie down on a table while they burned sage and chanted around me in a circle.”
Evie and my sisters migrate this way, each with a plate full of food in hand.
“Ugh.” Evie moans. “I miss all the good stuff.”
Lainey shudders. “Burning sage? Clearly they haven’t met you. You’re a walking, talking fire hazard. And all that smoke was probably dangerous for the baby.”
Meg snorts. “I’m shocked either one of these men hasn’t stuck a fire extinguisher into your purse. And that fireplace?” She shakes her head at Noah and Everett. “The two of you really do like to live dangerously.”
“That’s my son.” Wiley pats his look-alike eldest child on the back. “Living large and in charge. Noah isn’t afraid of a few flames. In fact, that’s why he ran into that burning house. We Fox men don’t run away from danger.” He nods to Everett. “Neither do the Baxter men. But you have to admit, Everett, Noah came out unscathed. That’s how the Fox men do it.”
Everett’s lips flicker. “As long as I come out on top with the woman in my life, I’m fine with a few bumps and bruises.”
“How about a bruised ego?” Carlotta is quick to offer up the dig with a wink. “One of those witches at Suze’s evil meet and greet says that little sugar booger Lot is totin’ is a baby girl that belongs to