Eggnog Trifle Trouble (Murder in the Mix #28) - Addison Moore Page 0,32
Carlotta says. “Foxy’s probably already sniffed the sheets to see if there’s a trace of Lot Lot left in there. He’s not dragging another woman into his bed.”
Cormack snarls my way. “Nevertheless, Cressie and I are here on official business. As new members of the Christmas Angels, we’re dropping off that tacky painting you won.”
Carlotta’s head jerks up a notch. “My stud muffin on a stick is here?” She trots to the door and squawks, “It is! Quick, I need some strong men to help carry this inside.”
Before I can protest or pass out from the artistry, that enormous oil painting is hung above the fireplace where it suspiciously had a nail at just the right height waiting for it.
Every living soul, and one tiny deceased soul, gathers to look up at the dark painting of a man dressed in riding gear, and his dark eyes seem to be set on each one of us individually. In the bottom right-hand corner, the initials E.L.M. are painted in thin white letters. The gold gilt frame, the moody oil painting itself stands out like a supernatural sore thumb in my newly minted home.
Mom sighs. “I don’t care what anyone says. He’s perfectly dreamy. If you ever want to toss it out, I’ll proudly display it at the B&B. In fact, I think it’s inspired me to write a horse or two into my next steamy book.” She gives Wiley a playful nudge. “I think there’s some fun research to be had in that. I’ve already got the riding crop.”
Carlotta shakes her head aggressively. “No way, no how. This bad boy is mine all mine.” She staggers forward. “Speak to me, kind sir. Haunt me in my dreams! I want to see you roaming these halls at midnight with that shock of dark hair, those piercing eyes that hold the promise of a punishment or two, that—”
“And on that note”—Lainey takes Josie back from my mother—“I think we’d better get this one to bed. Take care, Lottie. Stop by the house or the library!” she calls out as she and Forest take off.
“Wait!” Carlotta calls after them. “I didn’t set my kinky candles up yet! I’ve got new inventory!”
Soon, Meg and Hook follow them out the door, as do Wily and my mother—citing something about getting right down to research brass tacks. I’m betting there’s a riding crop involved. Lily, Seven, and Naomi, along with Cormack and Cressida, stick around long enough for Carlotta to sell about sixteen candles. And honestly? At twenty-four ninety-nine, I can’t wrap my head around the purchase.
“Here you go, Foxy.” She hands a gray candle his way. “It’s called Heartbreak Hotel, and it can keep you company tonight.”
“Carlotta,” I give her the evil eye for going there.
“All right, fine.” She tosses her hands up. “Sit down and I’ll give you a deep tissue massage to go along with it. You too, Sexy. If my Lot Lot can take the two of you on, then so can I.”
Noah takes a seat on the couch, as does Everett, so I decide to make my way to Cormack and Cressida before they infiltrate Evie’s gray matter with their socialite speak.
Evie shrugs my way. “Cressi-duh hates everything.”
Cormack chortles. “Including me.” She grimaces. “I mean, I hate everything, too. Not that Cressida would ever hate me.” She sucks in a quick breath as she looks to her blonde counterpart. “You don’t hate me, do you?”
Cressida pinches her fingers together. “Just a smidge to keep things exciting.”
“Well, I’m about to get really excited,” I say just as I’m about to give them the old heave-ho when a thought occurs to me. “I’m thinking about joining the Christmas Angels myself. Where do I sign up?”
Cormack flicks a wrist my way. “Oh, Lou Lou, you can’t just join a coveted league like this one.” Her eyes widen a notch as she nods to Cressida. “You’ll have to undergo an initiation of sorts before we can let you in.”
Cressida chortles like a wild hyena. “That’s right, Luella.”
Both Cormack and Cressida enjoy getting under my skin by mixing up my name with everything that begins with the letter L—with the exception of my proper moniker, of course.
Cressida and Cormack continue to give one another wide-eyed stares and slight nods as if having an entire wordless conversation of their own.
“What kind of initiation?” Evie squints over at the two of them with the look of distrust in her eyes. “Does it involve a snake pit and a game of