Eggnog Trifle Trouble (Murder in the Mix #28) - Addison Moore Page 0,51

and I built up an appetite, I coerced him into heading to the kitchen for a midnight snack with me. I was as hungry for a ghost as I was a jelly donut, but I didn’t spot the creepy man from the portrait wandering the halls. And thanks to Kringle, there wasn’t a jelly donut left for me either.

Lily comes my way as the two of us watch an entire gaggle of women congregating at the tables by the window.

“Why are they here?” Lily grunts as the Santa hat on her head gives a little wobble. Lily Swanson is more or less grumpy all the time, but with that Santa hat on her head, it only seems to magnify this ornery characteristic of hers.

The Santa hats and the Mrs. Claus-inspired aprons were more or less my idea. I thought they’d add a little extra Christmas cheer, right along with a little Christmas fear as far as reminding the customers that the big day was just a holiday hop and jolly skip away.

“I don’t know,” I grunt back as I give Cormack and Cressida, in particular, the stink eye. But my stinky tendencies float to Serena Digby, too, with her witchy cackle that’s been pealing like thunder every few minutes. Suze is here schmoozing with the odd crowd, and Elodie Frost as well. A part of me knows I should probably quiz Elodie about the case, but another part of me—the one that thinks I should find my husband and quiz him about that addendum he added to the pamphlet last night wins out. And I’ll do that right after I quiz my ex about a certain murder weapon.

I’ve already packed up a box of donuts to take down to Ashford. I thought I’d hit the sheriff’s department before I hit the courthouse. I’m having a serious hankering for a little juicy justice, as in juicy kisses. Everett mentioned he had a full day at the office, and I can’t wait to surprise him.

Serena heads this way with her long dark hair swinging with a life of its own, those laughing blue eyes. She’s bundled in a green skintight turtleneck that shows off her curves and matching green velvet jeans. For as long as I’ve known this woman—almost a year, since Cormack and Cressida hired her to place a ridiculous hoax of a curse on me—she has always had the same look on her face. It’s a look that suggests she’s privy to some great secret, a look that suggests she has something over me and I can’t quite place what.

“I’ll take this,” I say to Lily as I step over to the obnoxious brunette coming my way. “What’s with the coven congregating today? Let me guess, there’s a shortage of fresh sage now that the snow has frozen the land?”

Serena averts her eyes. “You think you’re funny. We need a dozen or so more of those fresh baked brownies, please.”

Lily raises a hand. “I’m on it, Lottie.”

Serena cinches her lips. “Must be nice to have someone do your bidding.”

“You would know.” I glance past her at Suze, who seems to be having the time of her life—an oddity all on its own. Suze isn’t exactly known for having a good time or smiling in general. She’s the resident sourpuss as far as people go, but with these women, she seems downright jovial. “What are you doing with this crowd, anyway? They don’t seem quite your speed.” She was irritated with Elodie the other day. In fact, she looked irritated with the entire group.

She shrugs. “Maybe I like the fact I can get them to do my bidding.” She gives a little wink. “Maybe I like to beguile them into doing whatever I want.”

“Beguile?” I suck in a quick breath. That’s right! Greer all but confirmed this to me, as did that little haunted meet and greet at my mother’s B&B. “You really are a beguiler! Oh my God, tell me right now if Suze Fox is one, too.”

Her eyes bulge hard before returning to their natural mocking state.

A dull laugh pumps from her. “Why, I don’t know what you mean.”

She starts to turn, and I reach across the counter and grab her by the wrist.

“I know who you are and what you’re capable of.” Okay, so that last part may not be one hundred percent accurate. “Admit it.”

Her bright eyes search my features before she pulls her hand loose from my grip.

“Lottie Lemon, what do you know about this beguiler