Eggnog Trifle Trouble (Murder in the Mix #28) - Addison Moore Page 0,70

fists.

“Can you believe that Elodie Frost? It’s like she doesn’t even care that Wiley is taken. When I brought it up, she said a man of a certain age is fair game until he’s tied the knot.”

“Any hope of that happening?” My December is already ruined. Why not have my mother marry a con artist?

Mom shakes her head. “I doubt it. I ran a few ideas past him for my new book, and he’s rejected them all. He says I should pivot and write beach fiction, something with less heat, more friendships, and a whole lot of sand.”

“Actually, I think I like that idea. You could have those dreamy covers of Cape Cod beaches and lighthouses. In fact, I think I’d pick that book up right now. I can really use an escape.” My hand warms my belly.

“Me too, Lottie.” She frowns over in the direction Wiley just took off in. “Before I forget, I’ll need you to cater dessert for Christmas Eve dinner. Oh, and I’ve already invited Eliza and Everett’s sister. So that’s one less thing you’ll need to worry about.” She pats my hand before taking off.

Serena swishes by in her floor-length deep purple dress, and I catch her by the wrist. Her dark hair is set in long ringlets, and her face is so pale it matches the snow piling up outside.

“Not so fast,” I say. “I demand to know right now if the women at those ridiculous magic mavens meeting share your strange talent.” Namely Suze. “Look me in the eye right now, Serena. Are you a true beguiler? And is Suze Fox one as well?” My heart beats wildly in my chest at the prospect. And just as Serena’s lips part, my phone bleats. I quickly fish it out, but it’s not Everett or Noah for that matter, or even Lily at the bakery. It’s a text from Dr. Barnette letting me know that my iron levels are low and that she’s already called in a prescription for me.

“Ha,” Serena balks while peering down at the screen. “I called it.” She lifts her chin in a smug manner before ditching back into the crowd.

“What about Suze?” I call out after her.

Serena did say I had low iron that day she was swinging old wives tales over my belly by way of that pendant hanging from her neck. Wait a minute… if she was right about that, is she right about Noah being the father?

I wrap my arms protectively over my growing stomach. If that’s right, then there’s another chasm between Everett and me.

Maybe Everett is only with me at the moment because of the baby? And once he finds out it’s Noah’s, he’s going to leave me outright.

This is terrible. A tragedy unfolding right before my eyes, and this time it’s happening to me.

But in order to keep my sanity together, and make it through this holiday season, I’d better focus on something else—like the tragedy that unfolded for Gloria Abner.

“Where to now, Lottie?” Kringle whips my ear with his tail.

“It looks as if we’ll be visiting the Evergreen Manor tonight, long after office hours. I have a feeling if we do a little digging, we’ll find something new.”

Something that just might lead all the way to the killer.

Chapter 15

The Evergreen Manor is a large, stately beast of a structure that looks like it eats little establishments like my mother’s B&B for breakfast.

It’s aptly festooned with garland and lights, and a tall evergreen stands out front bejeweled in white twinkle lights from top to bottom. A giant sleigh driven by two gorgeous beasts with long flowing manes offer rides around the property, and a couple is currently taking what looks to be a perfectly romantic adventure on a snowy moonlit night. The sleigh is decorated with garland and twinkle lights and a giant wreath strapped to the front with a bow on it. And to the right of the entry to the Evergreen there is a snowman out front to greet us with his cute carrot nose and fancy top hat and scarf.

Nice touch.

I’ll have to pass it along to my mother, and maybe Wiley could build her one out in front of her place. Come to think of it, I wouldn’t mind having one in front of the bakery to greet my patrons, too.

I pull out my phone to take a picture of it—lest I forget about my snowman endeavors, as I’m prone to forget just about everything these days. The baby is