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

“Ooh.” Keelie pulls a gingerbread man from the platter I set out for Carlotta and Meg when they walked in. “What kind of a ghost?”

Carlotta chuckles. “The tall, dark, and handsome kind that stalks the halls at night.”

I take in a sharp breath at what this might mean just as Evie waltzes into the bakery.

“What’s up?” she calls out as she makes her way over. “Why does everyone look as if they’ve just seen Carlotta’s hermetically sealed boobs?”

“We didn’t,” Keelie says. “A ghost did!”

“A ghost?” Evie hops into the empty seat at the counter next to Carlotta and snatches up a cookie for herself. “Go ahead. I hope you saved the juiciest details for last.”

Meg leans in toward Carlotta. “Spill the deets. Was it that creepy dude from the painting you hung up in the living room?”

“That’s the one.” Carlotta smacks her hand over the table. “He came by the other night and started hitting on me as if he hasn’t seen a woman in years.”

“Well, duh.” Evie rolls her eyes. “He’s dead. He may not have seen one for centuries.”

Carlotta frowns over at her. “Well, his moves weren’t dead. We moaned and groaned so loud we could wake the dead.”

Evie gasps. “That was you? And here I thought that was my parents going at it again. I was ready to stuff my ears with concrete. The next time he comes by, give me a knock on the wall and I’ll put a glass to my ear so I can hear you better.”

“That’s disgusting,” I quickly interject. “And, Carlotta, please tell her you’re kidding. Evie does not want to live in a house with a ghost.”

“Pfft.” Evie averts her eyes. “Are you kidding? My sleepover cred would go through the roof. Of course, Dash is spending the night tonight, first night of Christmas break, but I’d like to invite the whole cheer team, too. And just a heads-up, Mom. They think Dad is hot.” She sticks her finger down her throat to punctuate her disapproval. “I’m just saying, they’re probably going to run around in their bikinis. But don’t worry. Now that we have Carlotta’s ghost man, they’ll do their best to seduce him instead.”

“Good to know.” I glare over at Carlotta a moment. Thanks to her, I’ll have a dozen girls in bikinis all doing their best to impress my husband with their bodies because we both know they’re not going to see any ghosts. Those spooky specters are for our eyes only, and a part of me wonders why I haven’t been treated to this particular otherworldly wonder just yet.

Lily gives Carlotta a skeptical look. “So what’s this ghost man’s name? How did he die? When did he live?”

“Hold onto your supernatural horses.” Carlotta holds her hand up. “We’re still at the fun part.” She nods my way. “And that’s why you haven’t seen your daddy popping over these past few days. I’m not like you, Lot. I can only take ’em one at a time.”

“Good Lord,” I mutter just as the bell chimes and in walks Candy Brighton with an adorable red knit cap and matching red mittens. “Hey, Candy.” I meet her about as far away from Carlotta and her tales from the coital party that I can. “What can I get for you?”

“I’ve got a Christmas Angels meeting in a few minutes,” she says, doing her best to warm her arms with her hands. “I’m running late, but I thought I’d drop off the check for the Christmas Ball and maybe pick up some dessert for the meeting tonight. Does the amount look right on this?”

She hands the check my way. “You’re really on top of things.” I glance at the amount and make sure she signed it and she did.

“It’s perfect. I can put together a party platter of Christmas cookies if you like?” A thought hits me, and my antennae go up. “Are you meeting up at my mother’s B&B again?”

Her lips purse. “I’m not sure we’ve ever met there.”

Shoot. That was Suze’s cheapskate club and then her coven.

“I meant here at the bakery. Pregnant brain.”

“No.” She laughs. “We’ll be at the Evergreen Manor. Well, most of us will. We’re thinking of revamping the event a little. You know, give the people something new.”

“Will Chris be there?” I try to sound casual as I pull a box from under the counter. “My husband has some accounting issues, and he mentioned something about Chris Holiday.”

Her mouth contorts. “Actually, I don’t think he will. He’s only at the big stuff.”

“Do you know where he works, by chance?”

She winces. “I think he’s mentioned it before, but it went in one ear and out the other.”

I slide a box filled with my tasty treats her way. “That’s okay. I’m sure my husband can track him down.”

“Oh right.” She laughs. “Is that the detective or the judge? I still can’t get it straight. Cormack and Cressida are always buzzing about them.” A glimpse of guilt flashes through her eyes. “Sorry.”

“Never apologize for those ninnies.”

She laughs. “Hey, did you hear what’s going on with Cormack?”

“No, what?” I bet it has to do with the ridiculous secret she was flaunting the other day.

She gives a quick shake of the head. “I think I’ll let her break it to you.” She slides a rather large bill my way. “I’ll see you next week at the Jingle Hop Ball.”

“You bet.” I sigh as she takes off. “Wait! I forgot to give you your change!” I call after her, but she’s already up the street. “Shoot.” I head back to where Carlotta has the girls all riveted.

“And then poof!” She slaps her hands together. “The sun came up and he disappeared.”

Evie’s jaw has become unhinged, which undoubtedly means she approves of what she just heard. It’s not easy to knock her socks off, you know.

“No way,” Evie bleats.

“Way,” Carlotta bleats right back.

Meg nods over to me. “What’s the matter, Lot? You look as if