Baby Bundt Cake Confusion (Murder in the Mix Book 31) Unknown (good beach reads .txt) 📖

out at the chaos, wondering how I’ll ever get my mind off the baby for a couple of weeks.

That double homicide bounces through my mind, right along with that twenty-point detour we just took to get home.

I know exactly what I’ll do to get my mind off the baby. I’ll speak to a suspect or two, and an ornery mobster as well.

My stomach squeezes tightly, and I grip my belly as I breathe through it.

Something tells me this baby isn’t going to let me forget a thing.

Lottie

The next afternoon, there’s a modicum of organization in the house. Everett, Evie, and I worked hard to try to put the nursery together.

“I can’t believe how adorable this crib is,” I say as I take in the white wonder. “And this bumper set with the giraffe prints is perfect.” Tears come to my eyes as I run my finger along the wood rail.

This Granny Smith green room is a sacred space. The exact spot where this little sugar cookie brewing in my belly will log some serious shut-eye. Everything is about to change forever. And it won’t be at all like when Evie came into our lives. Evie is my daughter, and I will never deny that. But this child is coming in hot and helpless and completely dependent on me to keep it alive for the first few years. God help us all. Some days it’s all I can do to keep myself above ground. How am I ever going to be a good mother to this sweet thing?

“It is perfect,” Evie says, setting diapers in the cloth holder that’s attached to the changing table. “It’s going to be a zoo around here once he or she gets here.”

“It’s already a zoo,” Carlotta says, poking her head into the room. “Didn’t that fancy doctor tell you to ignore the baby until it screamed in your face, Lot? I think we should skedaddle and get some fresh air. No reason to be in this room for another year according to Keelie.”

“She’s right,” Everett says as he finishes taking the tags off of all the tiny clothes for us to wash in preparation of the tiny angel about to occupy them. Although, with the mountain of clothes that were generously given to me, I doubt this baby will have a chance to wear half of this stuff before it grows out of it. “Why don’t you step out for a minute? Do some shopping or go to the bookstore and pick up something new to read. We’ll be spending plenty of time in this room once the baby arrives. I’ve got a meeting I need to be at.”

“A meeting?” I cock a brow his way. “With Fiona? Is this a strategy session that has to do with the case? Because if it is, I want to be there.”

His lips twitch from side to side. “No, Lemon, it’s not.”

Evie gasps. “He’s hiding something from you, Mom! That’s the same look I get on my face when I’m trying to avoid spilling a dirty little secret. What’s your dirty little secret, Dad? Inquiring minds want to know.”

“No, you don’t.” Carlotta navigates Evie right on out of the room. “Your daddy’s dirty dealings are for grown-up ears only. And no matter how grown-up you get, you’ll always be disqualified for the mere fact you’re his kiddo. Go call that cutie patootie boyfriend of yours and tell him you want dinner and a movie. That’s about all they’re good for at that age.” She slams the door shut behind her before turning around. “What is it, Sexy? What’s got your tongue all twisted? It’s just us big girls now. We can take it.”

“Everett”—his name comes from me stern as I grip my belly—“I’m about to squeeze our love child from my loins in a matter of days. If you owe me anything, it’s an all-access pass to whatever it is you’re trying to keep from me.” I leave Noah and his paternity possibilities out of the equation for now. Everett’s keeping something from me, and I need to grab the mileage wherever I can.

“Fine.” He pulls out his phone and glances at it. “Noah and I are headed to a place called Fortune in about two hours to speak with Stassi.”

I suck in a sharp breath. “The two of you were going to investigate this case without me? How dare you! I’m about to crack my body in half to carry on the family name and you’re keeping me from the double homicide of the century?”

“Watch out, Sexy,” Carlotta bleats. “She might just kick both you and Foxy to the curb.”

“I might.” I bite the air between us and Everett’s lips curve as if he we’re amused.

“Lemon.” His lids hood a notch. “We still have a few hours. Why don’t you lie down and I’ll do my best to convince you of all the reasons you should keep me around.”

Carlotta hustles us to our bedroom and seals us inside before I can blink, and Everett begins his argument, one delicious kiss at a time.

Fortune is some ritzy underground club out in Fallbrook. Carlotta hitched a ride with Noah since Everett and I were running a tad bit late.

Suffice it to say, Everett is a keeper.

Fortune is dark inside with dazzling pulsating lights and music. There are white sofas set out in the front, and the deeper you get there are a few tables lining the periphery and a dance floor that’s brimming with bodies who look as if they’re having a lively conversation with one another. Each person here is well polished, more or less put together in fancy clothes, and they all seem to be holding a drink in their hands.

The waitstaff is running around with silver platters laden with champagne and shot glasses with dark brown liquor, and a few of them are peddling what looks to be the most delicious canapés I’ve ever seen.

“Ooh, shrimp on a skewer.” I don’t hesitate