Pecan Pie Predicament (Murder in the Mix #27) - Addison Moore Page 0,13
next time someone does tick you off, can I come with you to hunt down your next victim? Anyway, I totally get your motive to kill Hot Hannah. She’s been infuriating you for months by showing off her hot moves in front of Dad and Uncle Noah. And you’re frustrated. I mean, your house burned down. Dad’s house burned down. We’re all essentially homeless and living with Uncle Noah.” She looks Noah’s way. “And don’t tell me you’re thrilled about my parents sleeping in your bed at night.”
Noah looks momentarily fit to kill. “Yes, well, your father claims to have a bad back. And he did break a limb looking for me in a burning building. And your mother is most likely carrying my child. It’s the least I can do. Besides, I didn’t get home until four in the morning anyway. The couch was fine.”
Noah does look a little rough around the edges today. Actually, both he and Everett look a little more rugged than usual with that dark stubble that peppers their faces holding a bit more prominence. And don’t think for a minute that these hyperactive hormones of mine haven’t noticed. Both Noah and Everett look exceptionally handsome on a normal day, let alone when they’re doing their best impression of a lumberjack.
“Poor Uncle Noah.” Evie leans her head his way. “You don’t even get to sleep in your own bed.”
“That’s right.” Carlotta slaps her hand on the counter. “Once Mr. Sexy stepped into that cabin, he was ruling the king-size roost.”
“Not true.” I shoot her a look. Sometimes I think Carlotta loves to stir the pot. I would be right, by the way.
Carlotta chuckles. “Don’t worry, Foxy. Mayor Nash and I will make room for you in our bed. You can sleep in the middle.”
Mayor Nash, aka my biological father, and Carlotta have been enjoying a fling for about the last year. They claim to have an open relationship, which is both weird and off-putting, but then again, that’s how I came about almost three decades ago, so I guess I can’t knock it.
“No thanks.” Noah frowns her way. “I’ve got Toby.”
“Aww.” Evie offers him a sideways hug. “You’ve got all of us.”
“That’s right.” I give him a little wink as I toss a donut onto his plate. “We’re family, Noah. You’re stuck with us forever.”
“Best news I’ve heard all day, Lot.” He reaches over and gives my hand a squeeze.
I know it hasn’t been easy for Noah to see me with Everett, but in truth, he suggested that Everett and I see where things went. Everett had said the same thing a while back regarding Noah and me, and that was Noah’s way of returning the favor. Although I had already come to that conclusion on my own. It was time for Everett to either continue or finish things off and I chose to continue. But I love them both so much, and they know it. The three of us haven’t had the easiest time when it comes to matters of the heart.
“Anyway”—Evie is right back to looking at me with that devious gleam in her eye—“I know the killer’s motive. I know why you hunted Hot Hannah down and poisoned her with a piece of your pecan pie. You need a house to live in, and she had the rental next door. It was a murder of convenience.”
“Good job, Evie.” Carlotta hoots and hollers and claps up a storm. “That’s my Lot Lot. I’ve always told her, if you see something you want, go after it at any cost. And now look. She’s got two hot men, a sticky bun in the oven, and a brand new house on the horizon. So what if she had to break a few hearts, burn a few homes, and kill a few people to achieve her goals? She’s determined.”
“Don’t listen to her, Evie.” I moan as a spear of nausea burns through me. My morning sickness loves to come and go as it pleases, and right about now it’s making a reprise. “I’m not an arsonist, or a killer. I’m a magnet for corpses is what I am.”
“Equally as cool,” Evie points out. “I’m sticking with you more often. Believe me, I’m ticked I missed the last corpse. And it was Hannah, our neighbor whose house is now down one occupant, by the way.” She elbows her father. “Call the landlord and see how soon we can move in. Do I really need to draw you a