“Did he say something about a couple of deputies?”
Carlotta, Evie, my sisters, and Keelie speed this way, laughing as if they were all in on some great big joke, and I have a feeling I’m the butt of it.
Keelie bounds over. “Aww, look at the three of them holding hands!”
The entire lot of them breaks out into a cackle, but neither Noah nor Everett lets go of my hands.
Meg nudges Lainey. “Go ahead and show her.”
Eliza and Meghan step this way, as do Suze, Mom, and Wiley.
“Fine.” Lainey pulls what looks like a postcard out from behind her back. “Keelie and I went ahead and made up your Christmas card for you, Lottie.”
Suze groans. “Now this I’ve got to see.”
Lainey holds it out, and not one second goes by before the entire room seems to erupt with laughter.
“Very funny,” I say, snatching it up to better inspect it. There I am, right in the middle with Noah and Everett kissing me on either cheek.
Evie cranes her neck for a better look. “The giant question mark on her belly was a good touch, Keelie.”
Keelie nods. “And Lainey is the one who thought of writing who’s the daddy in a bubble up above them.”
I wave the picture in the air a moment, eliciting more laughter from the crowd.
Noah takes it. “Ah yes, taken the night of Everett’s now infamous birthday party.” He chuckles as he looks to Everett. “Are they still razzing you down at the courthouse?”
“All week”—Everett ticks his head to the side—“but I’ve been a pretty good sport about it.” He looks my way. “Those cookie platters you sent over helped smooth things out a bit.”
“I had to do something.” I make a face. “They still think it was me who had them come dressed as clowns to your party.”
Keelie shrugs. “At least you’re not still under that curse that fell on you last month.”
Mom nods. “Noah’s house is still standing, so that’s a good sign.”
Carlotta chuckles. “I don’t know, Miranda. This is Lot Lot we’re talking about. Anything can happen.”
Greer and Winslow appear from nowhere, hovering just above my mother and Wiley to my right.
Greer leans in, her dark hair floating as if she were underwater. “Oh, Lottie, there’s trouble.”
Winslow gives a grim look toward the door. “Brace yourself. Things are going to take a dark turn for you this evening.”
“What?” A pinch of panic hits me as little Lea runs up, swinging her machete hard.
“I tried to cut them off at the knees,” she snips. “But, alas, my blade is useless.”
Thirteen hops onto Lea’s head before jumping onto Noah’s shoulder.
“I can scratch their eyes out, Lottie, but it might cost me my time on the planet,” he yowls.
Everett leans in. “Lemon, what the hell is going on?”
“That’s what I’d like to know.”
Mom gasps as she looks to the door, and we follow her gaze to see a handful of deputies looking around intently. She quickly speeds over, and the rest of us follow suit.
Noah’s chest broadens. “What’s going on?” He nods to the men, and I’m betting the odds are good he knows them since they are from the Ashford Sheriff’s Department.
The tall one with a stern expression, muscles for days, and serious eyes looks to Noah.
“We’re looking for a Carlotta Lemon?”
“Hold on there, big boy with the beefy chest.” Carlotta postures as she muscles her way to the front. “That might just be me.”
He’s got half the name right, so I suppose it could be. It looks as if that whole lotta touchin’ she’s been doing has finally caught up with her.
The deputy takes a step toward her. “Carlotta Lemon, you’re under arrest.”
“What?” Carlotta squawks so loud all four ghosts in the room fly straight to the ceiling. Leave it to Carlotta to spook the dead. “I’m sorry. You’ve got the wrong woman, Mr. Muscles. That right there is Carlotta Lemon.” She points my way before scowling over at him. “Besides, I’m taken.” She yanks Mayor Nash in close and uses him like a human shield.
Believe me, I’m moved to do the same thing.
“You’re here for me?” My hand covers my belly protectively. “What on earth for?”
Mr. Muscles frowns my way. “Murder for hire—the attempted murder of Detective Noah Fox.”
“What?” Noah shakes his head. “Explain yourselves.”
The deputy nods my way. “Mickey Amaretto, otherwise known as the Mad Hatter, was arrested this afternoon in a sweep that took down half the Canelli crime family. And he’s singing like a bird. We have surveillance video of the meeting the