Pecan Pie Predicament (Murder in the Mix #27) - Addison Moore Page 0,26

she’s been looking to exact revenge ever since. And the happy little ghostly family just so happened to adopt a little black cat named Thirteen a while back. That wily kitty once helped me solve a murder investigation, but for whatever reason, he was allowed to stay. Staying south of paradise is rare, but as evidenced by the fab four, it can happen.

Greer fluffs her hair before popping a piece of fried butter into her mouth.

“Mmm!” She moans. “You’ve really outdone yourself, Lottie. I think it just needs a dash more butter.” She gives a cheeky wink.

Suffice it to say, the ghostly residents at my mother’s B&B were more than thrilled when my powers grew last year and they garnered the ability to eat. I have no idea why their abilities are tied to mine, but let’s just say I’m hoping my powers are on a permanent moratorium as far as growth is concerned.

Carlotta grunts, “Now look what you’ve done, Lot. You’ve woke the dead with these butter bombs. You keep this up, and we’ll have a deep-fried zombie apocalypse right here in Honey Hollow in time for Thanksgiving.”

Greer shakes her head. “I’m not here for the butter bombs, but don’t you dare show up at the B&B without these ever again, Lottie Lemon.” She scoops up a couple more. “I’m here because I happen to have a date.”

“A what?” both Carlotta and I say in unison.

“Greer”—I whisper as I lean in hard—“you’ve already got a man.”

The girly ghoul frowns my way. “That’s never stopped you.”

Carlotta belts out a laugh. “She’s got you there, Lot.”

“Greer.” I shake my head. “What’s really going on? I know for a fact you and Winslow are solid.”

“We are.” She wrinkles her nose. “It’s just that this is Barry Honeycutt.” She nods as if I should know what that means. “He stopped by the B&B yesterday, and I went nuts at the sight of him. Oh, Lottie, I used to have the biggest crush on him back in the day.” She fans herself with her fingers. “Anyway, Barry said he’d loved to catch up sometime and asked if I wanted to meet up for coffee right here at your bakery. Winslow said he didn’t mind.” She waves it off. “That man knows I’m his through and through. It turns out, we’re soulmates, Lottie. Can you believe it? Your Grandma Nell told me herself when she visited last June.”

My lips cinch. “She told me the same thing about Noah and Everett.”

Greer gasps. “You get two? Hey? Maybe I get two?” She gasps again with a lot more force behind it. “Maybe Barry Honeycutt is my second soulmate!” She cranes her neck past me as she looks toward the kitchen where Barry is currently devouring a pumpkin cheesecake I made upon his request. “Before I forget, Lottie, I heard your mother talking about a Friendsgiving event for her guests. She says she’s going to have enough pecan and pumpkin pies to feed all of Vermont. Consider yourself warned.” She waves to someone behind me. “Hey, hot stuff!”

Barry floats out of the kitchen looking lean and mean, his muscles look suspiciously far more inflated than they did this morning, and I get the feeling he’s interested in Greer for more than just a quick coffee klatch.

Carlotta and I watch as the two of them glide over to a table next to the window, already immersed in conversation and laughter.

“Friendsgiving.” Carlotta looks up at me, and I can practically see the pumpkin pies swirling in her eyes. “That means delicious eats. I guess it’s time for me to get on your mama’s good side again.”

A frozen wind sweeps into the bakery and in stride five faces that all but bring tears to my eyes, and this time it’s not just my hormones on overdrive.

“Mother! Keelie, Lainey! Precious baby one and precious baby two!” I come around the counter and pull both my bestie and my big sister into a warm embrace, or at least as much as I can with those two tiny peanuts strapped to their front sides. Mom leans in and offers me a pat to the back as well.

“You look great, Lottie,” she sings. “Your skin is just glowing.”

“Nah.” Carlotta is quick with the commentary. “That’s just the sheen from the butter she’s been rubbing her face in.”

“Ooh,” Keelie squeals. “I’d like a butter facial myself.” Keelie is my bubbly blonde bestie, and her sweet baby Bear, named after his daddy, is just as cute as