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

ball, and you can go off-roading with it if you like. There’s no better SUV on the market.”

“That’s why I bought it.”

“I should have figured it was yours. It must be nice to be rolling in it. Throw some extra cash at your legal team and get yourself out of that tangle you’re in.”

“I’m in a bigger tangle with the Canellis.” Not sure why I just spilled the beans to Bear, but he has a way about him. I’ve seen a defendant display his level of affability to a jury and wiggle their way out of a conviction. This might just be a cosmic hint.

“Throw some money at the Canellis, too. And while you’re at it, grease the judge.” He shrugs. “Hate to break it to you, but there are some less than honorable judges out there. That way, if the jury does find you guilty, you could get away with community service.” He grimaces a moment. “On second thought, with the Canellis after you, well, you might just be safer in prison.” He nods to the house. “Go get Lot, we’ll start the day off right.”

I head over to the house, the house that I ironically am paying for while Noah does his best to play house. I don’t bother knocking, simply let myself in with my key and it’s warm inside. The thick scent of bacon makes my stomach rumble.

“Daddy!” Evie sings with the right amount of happy-to-see-me glee and sarcasm. She does a little dance while balancing a plate of bacon and eggs in one hand and Pancake, the fuzzball, in the other. “Carlotta and I started a fire, and Uncle Noah made breakfast. Don’t worry. There’s plenty for you, too.”

“That’s right, Sexy.” Carlotta holds up a plate of her own. “Get yourself a feast going and join us on the couch. We’re about to watch Guess that Singer. The rat is my favorite, but Lil’ Mama has a hankering for the silver fox.”

My eyes widen a notch because I happen to know that Lil’ Mama is the ghost that came back to help with the case. With Jasmine’s case in particular. No one has come back for Owen. Not that I’m surprised. The guy had a black heart from the get-go. If he weren’t already dead, I would have pegged him as the killer.

“Don’t worry, Dad,” Evie says as she makes her way to the sofa. “I know Lil’ Mama is totally a figment of Carlotta’s imagination.” She gives a hearty wink to Carlotta. “But I think it’s cool she finds creative ways to cope with things.” She puts down Pancake and holds out her arm. “Come here, Lil’ Mama. I need some lovin’, too.”

Wonderful.

“Where’s your mother?” I ask as I head for the kitchen, fully expecting to see Noah hand-feeding Lemon. Not that I could blame him. I’ve been expecting him to up his game, and food is a good start.

“They’re still in bed, Sexy,” Carlotta says with a slight remorse in her tone as if she hated breaking the news to me.

“In bed?” I head straight for the bedroom and knock before swinging open the door to find Lemon finishing up her meal and Noah drooling by her side with his hand on her stomach. “I’ve got to give it to you, Noah. You move quick.” I head over and land a kiss to my wife’s lips and she reciprocates with a hearty moan.

“I missed you,” she whispers. “Are you hungry?”

“No. I’ve lost my appetite.” I shoot Noah a look. “Bear is here,” I say to Lemon. “It’s go time. He’s grading the land. It’s time to break ground, and he wants you to do the honors.”

“Oh!” She holds out a hand and I help her out of bed. Her belly looks markedly bigger and yet markedly lower. I think the baby is dropping. Heck, I can see it’s dropped. But I don’t want to alarm her. I know she’s still feeling apprehensive about the birthing process. I can’t blame her. I’m feeling the same as of late.

“Oh, Everett, this is so exciting!” she squeals. “Give me a second to get dressed and I’ll be right out.”

Noah and I step out of the room, and I take a moment to glare at him.

“Still in your jammies?” I muse. “Did you have a good night’s sleep, princess?”

He glowers right back. “Don’t worry. I was merely warming your spot for you. Guess what? Lot stopped by Red Satin and tried to talk Jimmy Canelli into sparing you of a bullet-riddled fate.”

“That’s because she loves me.” I shed a quick smile. “But I don’t like that she went. I’ll talk to her.”

“Have you met her? I wouldn’t bother. You’re still wearing a bullseye, by the way.”

“Good to know. Now I’d like to tell you something. I saw that woman in the silver sedan. She took off about fifteen minutes ago. She was parked in the woods down the street. Who do you think she’s after?”

An expletive slips from his lips. “I don’t know. But she’s dangerous. And I don’t think either of us needs a road map to figure that one out, princess.” He takes off for the kitchen. “Eggs are getting cold, Baxter. Get over here.”

Once Lemon is ready and I’ve scarfed down my weight in eggs and bacon, we head next door and both Lemon and Evie dig a shovel into the ground while Carlotta howls like a werewolf.

Noah and I applaud the effort, and this sacred ground we’re standing on already feels like home.

Here’s hoping it’s me in that new bedroom with Lemon when the time comes. The last place I want to be is locked away in a prison cell while Noah warms the spot next to my wife for the next fifteen years.

Fiona was right. I do know something. I’m protecting Noah as much as I am Lemon and Carlotta. We’re all perfectly culpable in that body-snatching scheme.

Protecting Noah Fox. Boy, have I ever changed.

Lemon comes over and wraps her arms around