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

But Everett? I thought we were golden.

How could I be so wrong?

Chapter 13

Country Cottage Road is covered with virgin snow by the time we get back to Honey Hollow.

Evie ejects herself from her best friend’s car just as Noah parks in front of my new rental. He comes around to help me out, and at that moment Everett happens to pull into the driveway as well.

Carlotta’s green van screeches down the street and she comes just shy of rear-ending Noah’s truck.

“Did I miss it?” she barks. “Did I miss the fireworks?”

“Nope.” Evie motions for her to come to the porch. “I’d go inside and grab the popcorn, but I don’t want to miss a word. And don’t worry, Mom. I postponed the sleepover so you and Dad could have a blowout in private.”

Suffice it to say, Carlotta caught wind of the fact I was icing out Everett and quickly spread the news to my daughter. A wonderful move on her part.

Everett steps up, his lips are pursed, his eyes searching both of mine.

“Why do I get the feeling I’m not welcome here?” His voice is low and threadbare.

Try as I might to correct him, I can’t seem to find the words to do it.

“Hear that?” Carlotta trots over to Noah and smacks him on the arm. “I feel a swap coming on, Foxy. This might be your best Christmas yet. Offer to rub her feet. I’ve got enough hot oil and kinky candles to keep you busy until morning. That should get you in the bedroom door.”

“Lottie—” Noah starts as I lift my chin.

“No,” I say it sharp without taking my eyes off of Everett’s.

“I was going to say”—Noah takes a step our way—“maybe the two of you should talk.”

Noah asked on the ride home what the deal was with Everett and me tonight, and when I told him I wasn’t sure, he said he wouldn’t push it.

Everett studies me a moment, his body unflinching.

“Maybe tomorrow,” I say, blowing a plume of icy air toward the house. “I’m cold and I’m tired.”

Everett’s chest expands before letting out a sigh. “I’ll be across the street—if it’s all right with you, Noah.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Noah is quick to respond, albeit looking more than perplexed by what’s playing out before him. He helps me up the stairs and does his best to hook his gaze to mine. “I don’t know what the heck is going on, but I need you to know I’m here for you. Call me anytime.”

He takes off, and I seal the door shut behind him. Evie plugs in the Christmas tree lights, and it quickly envelops the room with a peachy glow. I flick on the lights, and just like that, the entire house takes on a cold, sterile appeal without Everett in it. Six red stockings hang from the mantel—one for Evie, Carlotta, Noah, Everett, the baby, and me. And just the sight of it makes me want to bawl. I thought Everett and I were going to have it all. I guess a handsome leopard can’t change his spots after all.

Carlotta gets straight to lighting a few candles on the sofa table, and Evie scoops up both Pancake and Waffles as she heads my way.

“Cool, so, like, are you guys going to get a divorce? Because I totally need to know before next semester gets going. Jana Nicholson’s parents are getting a divorce and, like, three different teachers said she didn’t have to do homework.”

“Great. I’m glad it will work out for you if we do.” I give Waffles a kiss and he mewls right back. “Evie, would you mind feeding them? I think I’m going to head straight to bed.”

Carlotta fires up a few more candles, and I’m right there blowing them out behind her.

“What are you doing, Lot?” She bats me away.

“What are you doing? It’s bedtime. And I’ll never fall asleep knowing there’s a chance the house will burn down while I’m out cold. I’ve got Evie and a baby to look after.”

“Aren’t you forgetting someone?”

I press my hand to my chest. “Pancake and Waffles. I’m sorry, boys,” I shout to them in the kitchen. “Mommy loves you!”

“But you don’t love your mama?” Carlotta snarls as she stalks over and shuts off the lights.

“What they heck are you doing?” I try to navigate my way in that direction to turn them back on, but she intercepts me.

“If we want Elm to show up, we gotta kick up the sexy a notch. A man like that needs to be wooed.”

“What are you talk—”

“Elm is coming over?” Evie shrieks as she heads this way. “So freaking cool! I gotta get my phone.” She runs down the hall.

“And turn out the lights,” Carlotta calls after her.

“Elm?” I whisper as I look up at that creepy painting glowing in the candlelight and catch the initials painted over the bottom right. “E.L.M. Elm.” I shake my head. “Do you really think he’ll show up tonight?”

“After that smoke show he and I put on last night?” Carlotta shakes her wrist. “Woo-wee. Let’s just say not even the Grim Reaper could hold him down tonight.”

A spray of miniature red and green stars breaks out over by the Christmas tree, and Kringle appears, causing both Pancake and Waffles to growl and swat.

Evie sucks in a quick breath in that direction. “Carlotta! Has your emotional support mouse shown up?”

“His name is Kringle,” Carlotta bleats as she leads Evie and me to the living room by the hand. “You gotta show the spirits a little respect.”

“Hey, Kringle!” Evie jumps and waves with excitement.

Kringle traipses across the floor and hops onto the coffee table with his wobbly little body and gives a happy wave himself.

“Well, if it isn’t Evie Stevie.” Kringle looks genuinely pleased to see her.

Evie lets out a little scream. “I heard him! I really really heard him!” she howls with a laugh, and I yank my hand from Carlotta’s.

My dear God, I completely forgot I act like