Murder in the Mix Boxed Set 28-30: Cozy Mystery Addison Moore (the reading strategies book .txt) 📖

I had better not.

“We’re going to get our miracle,” she whispers with her eyes intent over mine. “You aren’t going down for something that I authorized.”

Something that Noah authorized, I’d like to remind her but won’t. I know she doesn’t want the heat to fall on him either.

“Let’s put it all out of our minds.” My finger caresses her cheek. “I believe I have a hot baker to dance with.”

And a bullet to dodge from the Canellis, but I don’t dare bring up that brewing nightmare either.

“Come here, Hot Judge.” Lemon places her hands on the back of my neck and pulls me to her.

My lips find hers, and I kiss her deeply, passionately, as if it were our very last kiss, and every kiss will feel just that way until I hear that jury’s decision.

But the fight isn’t gone from me yet. I’ll fight for Lemon, for our children, to protect her from any more boneheaded moves that Noah might want to drag her into. I want to protect her from the world and all the wickedness in it.

And I want to serve her, too, in and out of every day, in and out of the bedroom. This woman right here has become an altar where I’ve come to worship.

She has made me a believer in love, in marriage, in her, and in us.

“Wow, that was some kiss.” She pulls back with a dazed look in her eyes. “You’re pulling out all the stops. Let’s go get that dance in so we can start the real party. Do you think we can squeeze a hot bath in there somewhere?”

“For you, cupcake, I plan on squeezing in every last bit of this hot night.”

We take off for the conservatory lighter and less burdened than we were once we arrived.

We’re ready to take on the rest of the night.

We’re ready to take on the rest of our lives, the best way possible—together.

Lottie

Valentine’s Day has always been a holiday I’ve approached with mixed emotions. So many romantic expectations. So much effort into making one night shine above the rest, in the name of love. It feels unholy to peg all that perfection on the shoulders of a single day, and I think that’s why so many expectations fall short. But this year, nothing has fallen short for me. Things are looking brighter and far more beautiful than ever before.

Everett takes me by the hand and leads us deep into the conservatory, where the soothing music has bodies rocking in time, and just before I’m about to pull him close, Carlotta and Mayor Nash crop up.

“Congratulations.” Mayor Nash pulls me in. “Now no more crime-solving for you, young lady. The only thing you need to solve is what to name your baby. Got anything special picked out?”

“Not yet,” I say, holding my belly. “I’m still open to all suggestions.”

Carlotta waves me off before patting my belly. “This here is Carlotta Junior.”

“And if it’s a boy?” Everett looks her way.

“Carl works, too.”

We share a quick chuckle as Mom and Wily step up, as do Lainey and her husband Forest.

“Where’s the baby?” I ask with a mild sense of panic as if they could ever forget their sweet peanut.

Lainey looks up at her dapper plus one. “We’re letting Josie have her first sleepover at Grandma’s. Forest’s mother said she was happy to have her.”

He nods down with a lascivious look in his eyes. “Mom and Dad need some uninterrupted alone time.”

Mom coos at the thought, “That’s exactly how second children come to be.”

“Hey lady,” Lainey snips playfully at our mother. “Watch it. We’ve got our hands full. The only newborn around here will be Lottie’s baby.”

“That’s right.” Keelie pops up and pulls me into a warm embrace from behind. “But before that baby is born we need to party!”

Mom moans, “Keelie, you just ruined her baby shower. It was supposed to be a surprise.”

My blonde bestie shakes her head. “I wasn’t talking about a baby shower. I’m talking about a hatchelorette party. It’s sort of like a bachelorette party, but it’s for new moms before they hatch. There are still a ton of things you need to do before the baby gets here, Lottie, and not all of them involve counting diapers. We need to go out and have a no-holds-barred good time. I’m talking booze, boys, and—”

“Banana hammocks!” Carlotta whoops at the thought.

“No, thank you,” I say, leaning against Everett’s strong chest. “I’m taken, and I can’t drink.”

Keelie scoffs my way. “Who said the booze was for you?”

“You can’t stop us, Lot.” Carlotta pulls out her phone. “I’m getting on the horn right now and nailing down the dirty details.”

I shake my head up at Everett. “There won’t be any dirty details. I promise.”

He tucks his lips close to my ear. “There will be plenty tonight.”

My cheeks heat just as Noah and his mother Suze step up. I can’t help but grow sour as I look her way.

Keelie waves a hand. “And don’t forget the push presents!” she says as she looks to Noah and Everett. “Those are gifts bestowed to the mama by the daddy—or in this case daddies—all because she pushed out the kid. Think sparkling pressed carbon, new car, expensive purses.”

Lainey nods. “I got French perfume and a charm bracelet.”

Keelie raises a brow my way. “That should be double for you, Lottie. It was pure genius to have a bonus dad on the sidelines. You’re going to score big for that double duty move. I can feel it. Good thinking.”

“That’s me,” I tease. “Always thinking.”

The entire lot of us shares a quick laugh.

Suze looks right at me. “And I’ve been thinking about what you said outside, and I’ll do it.”

I glance behind me. “Are you talking to me?”

“Yes, I’m talking to you,” Suze all but snaps as if she were affronted by the fact I’m not playing along.

“Suze, we didn’t talk outside, did we?” Oh my word, it’s finally