roadmap?”
Everett raises a brow in her direction. “Not a bad idea.”
Evie nods. “Dibs on the dead woman’s bedroom.”
“Can we not fixate on death for five minutes?” My stomach does a hard flip and then an equally hard flop. “Noah, Everett? More coffee?”
“Please.” Everett holds out his mug, and I quickly fill it.
“Black, just the way you like it,” I say as I fill his mug to the brim.
“Ugh,” Evie grunts as she watches me pour it. “How can you drink your coffee like that, Dad? I think it tastes like a punishment.” She sticks out her tongue just as her friends walk in, and she joins them at a table near the window.
Carlotta chuckles. “Hear that, Lot? Mr. Sexy likes a good punishment, and it’s your responsibility to dole it out.” She squints his way. “And I can tell by that large and in charge look in his eyes, he likes to dole out a good punishment himself.”
Noah glowers over at his old stepbrother. “There is a strict no punishment rule while under my roof.”
Everett’s chest pumps. “You can keep all the rules you like. I’ll find us somewhere else to stay.”
Carlotta leans in. “I bet Mr. Sexy had a strict no-stealing-my-girlfriend rule back in high school. Rumor has it, you didn’t mind breaking that one, Foxy.”
I gasp. “Carlotta, that’s old Featherby water under the bridge.” It’s true. Noah and Everett were stepbrothers long enough for Noah’s wily father to rob Everett’s wealthy mother blind. But before they split ways, Noah stole Everett’s girlfriend from under him, a woman by the name of Cormack Featherby. Cormack has been a thorn in our side ever since. She not only still has the hots for Noah, but she happens to be best friends with Evie’s biological nightmare, Cressida. It’s a sick and twisted history that likes to rear its ugly head every chance it gets.
“That’s funny.” Noah shoots Everett a sly look. “I happened to have that very same no-girlfriend-stealing policy in place when you made a play for Lottie.”
“Tit for tat,” Carlotta hums. “And I’ve got a feeling Mr. Sexy needs to have the last say.”
Thankfully, the door whooshes open before any of us can have another say. An icy breeze barrels this way right along with my mother wrapped in an orange and white houndstooth wool coat.
“Miranda.” Everett leans back. “Just the woman I was hoping to see. You wouldn’t happen to have any rooms available at the B&B, would you?”
She cringes. “Sorry. Would you believe I’m all booked up right through the new year? We have so many tourists, and on top of that, we have the extended families of those looking to spend Thanksgiving with their loved ones. I’d tell you to try the Evergreen Manor, but I know for a fact they’re booked solid, too. Speaking of bookings”—she looks my way—“the conservatory is free for that surprise party you’re looking to throw.”
“Mother.” My eyes round out as I look from her to the birthday boy himself.
Everett stops his fork midflight. “Is that for me? No way. Not necessary. I don’t need a party. Every day is a party with my family. You and Evie are all I need, Lemon.”
“Too bad,” I say. “I’m throwing you a party. You’re my husband. And it’s going to be your birthday. I want to do this. Maybe we can have it at Noah’s?”
Noah looks up with a mouthful of donut.
“Or”—I tip my head to the side—“I can get very creative. Don’t you worry, Everett. You’re going to have a great time.”
His lips twist to the side. “Don’t go overboard, Lemon. You’ve got enough on your plate already. The best gift you could give me is resting up for the baby.”
Mom sucks in a quick breath. “Reckless Baby!” She gives a silent applause before looking to Noah and Everett. “I’m trying to find a title that really sizzles for my next book. Noah, your father’s marketing skills are brilliant. Wiley Rose Publishing has really helped my writing take off. Who knew I could start a new career after sixty?”
It’s true. Noah’s father has selected my mother as his next unwitting victim. Wiley Fox has made it a habit of bilking widows out of their hard-earned money, and now he’s claimed my own mother as his next target.
I nod. “And such a spicy career at that. I’d steer clear of the title Reckless Baby, though.”
Carlotta snickers. “Lottie doesn’t want you stealing her thunder.”
“Reckless Thunder!” My mother snaps her fingers and points. “You are