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

Big Boss.” She cranes her neck past me. “Speaking of which, I think I smell his cologne.” She trots off into the main artery of the B&B and my nausea subsides a smidge with her absence.

“Stuffed animals?” I riot at no one in particular.

The middle of the room has a cluster of chairs brought together in a circle, and I’m shocked to see more than a few familiar faces. Lainey is here, as is Keelie, her twin, Naomi, my stepsisters, Kelleth and Aspen, Britney, Noah’s ex-wife, Suze, his battle axe of a mother, my mother, Lily Swanson, Sugar Hartley, and a whole slew of other women. And each of them seems to be knitting up a storm. At this point in their projects they all seem to be working on a scarf, but I know so little about knitting they could be pants for all I know.

Of course, Juliet Jackowski is here going from person to person and praising their work. And right now my sights are set on her. She’s wearing jeans and a red and white knit cardigan, and yet oddly, everyone else here seems dressed to the nines, my sister and Keelie included.

Teddy bounds over on all fours before floating up our way.

“Welcome to the party, Lottie!” she warbles. “Pick up some sticks and get to knitting with the rest of them. Carlotta and I have already mined the suspect for all she’s worth. You just go on and enjoy yourself. Knit up a pair of booties for yourself, or better yet, the baby.”

“Booties?” I make a face over at Carlotta. “Would you please tell this sweet little girl that you’re not the primary, whatever that means. I’m the one in charge here. Teddy, you came to help me.”

“Not true, Lot,” Carlotta is quick to contest. “Technically, she came to help the deceased. And whether you like it or not, I’m going to be the primary sooner or later. Who do you think is going to take over once the baby arrives?”

Juliet pokes her head our way and gives an apprehensive smile. “Everything okay here, ladies?”

My lips part, but before I can answer, the lights flicker on and off as Cressida Bentley jumps to the center of the room.

“All right, nitwits!” She tosses up her hands, and I do believe Cressida meant nitwits in the traditional sense. She’s just that mean. “It’s seven o’clock. You know what that means!”

The entire inn vibrates to life as shockingly loud rock music bellows from the hall, and I look that way to see the lights have dimmed and in their place flashing pink and blue spotlights highlight the chaos as that mass of bodies starts gyrating to the music in tandem.

“What in the hell?”

“Lot Lot.” Carlotta smacks me on the arm. “You’ll have to excuse her, Juliet. My daughter can’t help but get salty in front of mixed company. She was raised by wolves.”

“I was raised by Lemons,” I’m quick to correct.

Carlotta nods. “Too bad there’s no lemon law on getting a return for your childhood. That’s a part of the reason why I came back on the scene to try to right all the wrongs in this poor girl’s life.”

I shake my head at Juliet. “She came back because she needed to be present to get her full inheritance. That, and I suspect she wanted to live rent-free with me.” Never mind the fact she lived at Nell’s old place for five hot minutes before it burst into a moldy flood zone.

Carlotta clucks like a chicken. “I suppose you’re going to accuse me of tweaking the test results in that black mold study we had done on the house to work in my favor.”

I gasp at the thought, and Carlotta quickly darts out the door.

“Why that little…” I choke on the expletive begging to come forth. “Never mind. What’s done is done. Or I should say what’s manipulated has been manipulated.”

Teddy wraps her furry arms around my neck and sits on my belly. “That’s Carlotta for you. She told the girls at bingo that manipulation is the best way to move ahead in the world.”

I have no doubt.

Juliet gives a short-lived laugh. “I think Carlotta is a hoot.”

“She’s something.”

Cressida claps her hands over her head. “Come on now, you’re not really a bunch of nitwits, are you? Now shoo! The party just started and we need to transform this room into the snuggle lounge.”

Keelie raises her hand. “Is that what the stuffed animals are for?”

Cressida lowers her lids as she growls at my bestie, “Those are for snuggles and ambiance during daylight hours. At the Rendezvous after dark, we like to take things in a spicier direction. So scoot, all of you.” She gives Lainey’s bag a nudge with her foot. “Come on now. Vámonos!”

The crowd of knitwits quickly mobilizes as they scoop up their belongings, and Juliet shrugs.

“I’d better gather my things, too,” she says. “I had no idea that this place turned into a club every evening.”

“Neither did I, but I’m guessing by the way these women are dolled up they had more than a clue.”

Juliet nods just as Mom runs over.

“Lottie, isn’t this fabulous?” Mom trills. “And that Evie, what a diva she’s become!”

Juliet’s mouth falls open. “I’m sorry, did you say diva?”

Mom gives a frenetic nod. “She’s always been a bit of a queen, but this just took her right up to another level.” She laughs.

“Well, I’m sorry to hear it.” She looks my way mournfully. “Excuse me, I’d better clean up my mess,” she says as she takes off to gather her things.

“I didn’t mean it like that.” Mom waves me off. “I just knew Evie would make it big one day. I had no idea how soon she’d hit the big time. Anyway, can you believe this, Lottie? A real party every night at seven o’clock. Cormack and Cressida have really taken the B&B to the next level.” Her lips swim as she says it, and I can tell she’s not buying a