Raspberry Tart Terror (Murder in the Mix Book 30) Unknown (christmas read aloud .TXT) 📖

says as we head downtown in my minivan with Everett at the helm of the steering wheel. “You’re just not the type who believes in ghosts.”

“Oh my word,” I say as I get momentarily sidetracked by the army of people clogging up Main Street.

There’s not a parking spot left in sight, and there are a legion of women all lined up along the right side of the street, braving the elements as they wait their turn to enter into the Head over Heels Bookshop.

“We’ll park in the back,” Everett says as we change directions, and I take a moment to turn to look at my feisty daughter.

“I do believe in ghosts, Evie. More than you know. But I also believe that whoever sent you that message wasn’t Verity Prescott, and that they’re very much alive.”

It’s true. Evie got a rather sinister message—sinister simply by its presence—that read How are you enjoying your new kingdom? You are officially now the queen of the Insta Pictures scene. But with great power comes great responsibility. I’ve attached a few of my cheat sheets to help guide you in what to do next. But whatever you do, don’t share them with anyone else. They’re for your eyes only. You’re on your way to the top of the world. This could open many doors for you. Walk this path carefully. I’d hate to see you get mixed up with the wrong crowd of people. Remember to keep this a secret. And be on alert for more messages in the days to come. Have the time of your life! As evidenced by mine, you never know when it could all come crashing to an end.

Ominous, I know.

And yes, I very much thought that last bit sounded like a threat.

Everett, Noah, and I poured over those downloads that they sent Evie, and it was nothing more than a few suggestions on what to post each day of the month. It wasn’t anything charged, or even all that innovative. It was just a list of ubiquitous things like post something black and white on Wednesdays, take a selfie next to a body of water on the weekend, so we let her keep the files.

Everett parks behind my bakery, and Evie hops right out of the van.

“I’ll see you both at the bookstore!” she calls out with a wave. “And don’t worry about me. Glam Glam and Carlotta are there. Carlotta has already sent me like three different pictures of the women mobbing her.”

“We’re coming with you,” Everett says, turning the van off in haste. “Just give us a second.”

“You move like an old couple,” she shouts as she starts to take off. “Besides, I’ve got content to post!”

“We’re not old,” I call out, but it’s too late, she’s already down the street. “So much for keeping her safe,” I say, trying to untangle my huge belly from the seatbelt.

Everett comes around and helps lift me out of the van.

“I hate that someone is essentially stalking Evie,” I pant.

“We don’t know that it’s a stalker.” He lands a kiss to my lips as he says it.

“You’re just trying to make me feel better,” I grunt as we make our way through the snow and into the back of the warm bakery. “I hate that they’re telling her to keep their presence a secret. It’s beyond creepy. And I’m going to work overtime to put an end to it. We have enough on our plate. We don’t need to add some maniac after our daughter to the mix.”

“I hear you,” he says, taking a fresh brownie wedge from a cookie sheet. “Noah’s at the station, dropping off Verity’s phone, which is also something that highly concerns me. Someone stuffed that phone into Evie’s purse the night of the murder. They’ve been planning on using her from the beginning.”

I scoff at the thought as Everett and I enter the front of the bakery and I pull out a couple of empty pink boxes from under the register and hand one to Everett.

Lily is working with a couple of customers, but for the most part the bakery is almost bare of people. And considering we’re closing soon, I’m okay with it.

“I wish I had never brought Evie with me to that stupid party.” I hand him a tissue and we both start filling the boxes with cookies to take across the street. “And when you get right down to it, the real blame lies with Cormack and Cressida. It was their ridiculous love your selfie party.”

“Believe me, I’m having one serious talk with the both of them. Evie said the B&B was hot pink.”

“And it’s not called the B&B anymore.” I pause a moment, holding one of my conversation heart cookies that says I think you’re cute and wag it in front of Everett while biting down a smile.

“And I know you’re beautiful.” He lands a searing kiss to my lips.

I make a face. “Thank you. But my mind is still stuck on whose fault that fiasco was. You know if you pull the curtain back far enough it was Wiley who caused this tornado to come barreling through our lives.”

“True. But I doubt that a change of venue would have stopped Verity Prescott from being killed. Someone was gunning for her. Verity’s days were numbered no matter where she was that night.”

“Maybe, but what I wouldn’t give to not have dragged Evie into the thick of it.”

We button up our boxes, and I look up at my handsome husband.

“Are you ready for this impromptu book signing?”

“As long as I’m with you, I’m ready for anything.”

I steal a kiss from his lips and the baby gives a kick that sends him backing up with a laugh caught in his throat.

“I think we have a bookworm tucked in there. Let’s go buy this baby a book or two.”

Everett and I make our way through the snow and across the street, each with a box of sweet treats in hand. We bypass