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

It’s been one year.” My fingers fly to my lips. “I guess that means our contract is up.” It’s true. We were married under the guise of a business arrangement. And Everett mentioned something about his friends pushing a divorce through for the two of us a while back. I pray that isn’t in the works, but I don’t dare breathe the D word on a magical night like tonight. Instead, I sigh with relief that I’m warm and safe in Everett Baxter’s arms. “Happy Anniversary, husband.”

His lips twitch with a smile. “Happy Anniversary, wife. I love you.”

I bite down on a smile as our eyes lock. “I love you, too.”

My stomach jumps with a pronounced thump, and I gasp as I land his hand over my belly.

“The baby!” I hold my breath, waiting for it to happen once more, and it does—again and again.

Everett and I share a warm laugh.

“Hey, Sugar Cookie.” Everett bends over and lands a sweet kiss to my belly. “Daddy loves you.”

And just like that, my heart melts forever.

Everett moves those kisses to my lips, and we ignite the room with lightning of our making.

Everett and I are electric in the very best way.

We always have been.

Here’s hoping we always will be.

Chapter 18

“Merry Christmas Eve!” Mom lifts her delicate coffee mug, her finest Christmas china, and the rest of us do the same.

Just about everyone I love has gathered right here in the elegant dining room at the B&B. Keelie and Bear, along with their precious baby, Keelie's mother and her sister Naomi. Mayor Nash, Chrissy Nash, his ex, and Carlotta. Wiley and my mother, Lainey, Forest, little Josie, Meg, Hook, and my half-siblings, Kelleth, Aspen, and Finn. Finn’s girlfriend, who happens to be Noah’s ex-wife, Brit. Cormack and Cressida, interlopers who happen to live right here at the B&B, so there’s that. Everett’s sister Meghan and his mother Eliza, Noah’s mother Suze, his brother Alex and his plus one, Serena Digby. Lily accepted the invite, and she’s here with her plus one, Seven. And, of course, Noah, Everett, and Evie.

The entire lot of us has just enjoyed a scrumptious holiday dinner with turkey, ham, and all the fixings. Keelie and my sisters helped me bring the dessert to the table, and we’ve spent the last half hour making quick work of my pecan, apple, and pumpkin pies, not to mention we’ve devoured just about every eggnog trifle I brought over.

Slowly, one by one, we stretch to life as we rise and everyone begins to mingle around the tree, the fire, or the eggnog over at the refreshment table.

Everett lands a tender kiss to my ear. “I’ll go get Evie, and we can give that gift we got for her.”

Noah nods. “And I think I see my mother chewing out my father. I’d better put that fire out.”

They take off just as Keelie and Lainey swoop this way with their tiny tots in tow. Little Josie looks like a fairy in her red frilly dress, with her large curious eyes and glossy smile. And baby Bear looks every bit like the little man he is in a green flannel and jeans.

“Oh, Lottie.” Keelie butts her shoulder up against mine. “I just can’t wait to find out if you’re having a boy or a girl. I’m saving all my baby clothes for you just in case.”

“Me too,” Lainey is quick to add. “But don’t worry. I’m so addicted to shopping for little girl clothes I’ll scoop up a few new ones for you as well.”

Forest leans in, looking every bit like Lainey’s handsome plus one. “And that’s a threat she’s willing to make good on.”

We share a laugh just as Carlotta comes over with Meg and my mother.

“Great news.” Carlotta shimmers in a dress that looks as if it’s solely comprised of tinsel. “It’s all a go for my book. Wiley’s agreed to publish it.”

My mother’s lips twitch, and dare I say, I note a twinge of jealousy?

“What’s your book about, Carlotta? Is it really on how to snag a man?” I ask as I let baby Josie squeeze the life out of my finger.

“It’s a book on love. You know what they say—write what you know. I am writing a how-to novel on how to snag a man.”

Meg belts out a laugh. “And she’s been doing plenty of research at Red Satin.”

“Underground,” Carlotta corrects. “I’m doing the right kind of research.”

Red Satin Gentlemen’s Club happens to have an underground casino and other nefarious clubs quite literally underneath it. It’s pretty much mob central, but Carlotta has never shied away from bad boys.

Mayor Nash pops up behind Carlotta and wraps his arms around her. “And I’ll be there spurring her along.”

I shake my head at the two of them. I still can’t quite figure out how their relationship works, but it seems to, oddly enough.

I spot Noah glaring at Suze, and I excuse myself as I head on over. Suze is sporting her signature boy band hairdo, with her bangs swooping low over her forehead. She’s dressed in a green suit and looks as stiff and sour as usual.

“Merry Christmas, Suze.” I nod her way. She was late to dinner, so I didn’t have a chance to greet her individually. “I’m sure you’re relieved to be off the hook for Gloria’s murder.”

She smacks her lips my way. “I’m just thrilled that my son put another case to rest.”

A dull laugh thumps through Noah.

Noah looks comely tonight in his tweed jacket and dark corduroys. His hair is slicked back and his dimples are on point. As much as I might try to deny it, there’s still a twinge that goes off in my solar plexus whenever I look at him.

“That was all Lottie’s doing, Mom.” Noah nods as he offers up the accolade.

She offers a disconcerting look my way. “You give her far too much credit, Noah.” She glances to my bulging belly. “In fact, I fear you’ve given her entirely too much of everything.”