Pecan Pie Predicament (Murder in the Mix #27) - Addison Moore Page 0,30
it just so happens to be where Noah grew up before his family imploded and his father moved them to live in Fallbrook with his new bride, Eliza Baxter. For the life of me, I will never know how Eliza was roped into that relationship. Eliza, Everett’s mother, is a hotel heiress and a socialite. And Wiley, well, he’s as wily as his name suggests. Thankfully, for the sake of Eliza’s fortune, and most likely sanity, the relationship didn’t last long. I’d ask what she saw in Wiley to begin with, but it’s evident those green eyes and dimples did her in. Noah is his exact replica, so I can see the appeal.
Evie and Dash have been giggling up a storm in the backseat for the duration of the drive over.
I can see Evie bouncing in her seat from the rearview mirror. Actually, I can see clear to the back of the van. I’ll admit, I love everything about this minivan I bought a few months back. Technically, Everett and Noah went in on half and bought it for me. Then at the last minute, Everett paid for Carlotta’s minivan as well. We actually weren’t at that car lot to purchase anything. We were there to question a suspect, but as usual, things got out of hand and Carlotta and I each went home with a new set of wheels. My minivan is red and hers is green. Carlotta thought it would look like Christmas each time we parked side by side. It’s one of the few things she was right about.
Carlotta leans my way. “I gave Barry and Greer the heads-up, and they said they’d meet us at the poop festival.”
Evie gasps from the backseat. “Greer Giles?” She practically shrieks at the mention of the deceased’s name.
“No, not that Greer,” I say while shooting Carlotta a look. I’m nowhere near ready to share my supernatural supersensual skills with Evie.
“Greer Giles!” Dash shouts with the glee that only the dead can sponsor—says no one ever. I catch Dash and Evie high-fiving each other from the rearview mirror. “I heard she’s haunted your Glam Glam’s B&B. I say we sneak over at midnight and go ghost hunting.”
Evie nods. “We should like totally double date and do that. My Glam Glam won’t care at all. She lets me do whatever, whenever. She’s totally cool like that.”
Glam Glam is the nickname my mother came up with for herself in lieu of Grandma. It’s not only catchy, but it fits her to a glamorous T.
“Ixnay on the ghost hunting,” I say before turning to Carlotta. “Who knew being a mom would mean being such a killjoy?”
“That’s why you’re a natural, Lot. That’s why you’re a natural.”
Evie pokes her blonde bestie in the arm. “Hey, I wonder if there will be any cute guys at this poop fest?”
Carlotta ticks her head to the side. “I’ve been wondering that same thing, kiddo. With a name that includes the words cow chip toss in it, I bet this place is crawling with cowboys.”
“Giddy-up!” Evie shouts, and the three of them break out into hysterical laughter.
“What’s the matter, Lot?” Carlotta gives me the side-eye. “Are you too good for a little cowpoke humor?”
I make a face her way.
Evie and Dash are right back to having one of their high energy conversations that sounds as if it’s bordering on a screaming match, so I don’t mind telling Carlotta exactly what I think.
“I don’t want Evie to think everything is about boys, or trolling for boys. There’s more to life than men, you know.”
Carlotta snickers. “That’s funny, because I don’t think you got the memo. Besides, Nell used to tell me all sorts of stories about your time in high school back when she would write me. Face it, you were boy crazy, Lot.”
“Maybe so. But the one boyfriend I decided to settle with kept cheating on me. Bear Fisher wasn’t exactly a prize back then. I’m sure Keelie will have better luck with him now that he’s changed his womanizing ways.” Or at least he better have. Keelie married Bear last summer. And Bear and I have moved beyond our sordid past. He works for himself as a contractor and is an upstanding guy now. As he better be if he wants to live to hammer another day.
Carlotta titters. “That’s because he got it all out of his system with you, Lot.”
I glance back to Evie, who is cackling it up with Dash.