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

erratic as she slowly backs up toward the driver’s side of her car. “She could have helped me. That would have been fair. But Verity was never about being fair. That’s when I set the plan into motion. And once Verity was too busy struggling for her next breath, I swiped her phone. I planted it in your daughter’s purse. Verity never deserved those people or the power they gave her. I meant it for good, Lottie. It could give a sweet girl like your daughter the boost she needed in life.”

Everett growls, “She didn’t need any help from you.”

Juliet’s lips curve with a malevolent smile. “Yes, well, it served a dual purpose. That way I’d be able to speak directly to the head investigator. Of course, that would be you, Lottie. I wanted to direct your course, steer the investigation, and I did.” She glares my way. “That night you confessed to trashing my store is when I knew you were onto me. I couldn’t risk it. I had to turn up the heat on both the other suspects. It’s also the night your mother said that Evie was turning into a diva. That’s the last thing I wanted for her. I couldn’t bear her turning into a monster like Verity. I tried my best to scare her away from that celebrity lifestyle. I wanted to undo what I had done. I wanted her to dump her social media.”

Everett takes a bold step her way. “You killed a woman and you messed with my daughter. Juliet, I’m placing you under citizen’s arrest. Lay your arms on the back of your car. Don’t let this get ugly.”

“Okay,” she whispers as her hands rise to the sides of her head. Juliet takes a step away from us, then quick as a gazelle bolts into her car.

Everett is on her door and tugging at the handle as she starts up the car with violent force.

“Everett,” I shout just as Carlotta and Teddy barrel this way.

Juliet takes off with a jerk, leaving Everett slipping in the snow, then she does the unthinkable. She spins the car around in haste, and suddenly we’re looking at her headlights.

“Lot Lot!” Carlotta links her arm through mine just as Juliet speeds this way.

My entire life, this baby’s future, zips through my mind in a flash, and in a blink that sweet little furry mammal lets out a harrowing cry as she flies right through the windshield and turns the steering wheel just enough to send Juliet crashing into the nearest car.

Teddy floats right out of the roof, spinning and tumbling, as she gets sucked out off into the night.

“Well done, Carlotta!” she calls out as she rises ever so higher. “You can learn a thing or two from her, Lottie! Good luck with the baby!” And just like that, Teddy disappears in a spray of silver stars.

“Lemon!” Everett shouts just as another set of headlights rush this way, and soon Noah is running over.

“Lottie?” Noah thunders. “What’s going on?”

“She did it.” I point over to Juliet just as she jumps out of her car. “She killed Verity!”

Noah pulls out his weapon. “Freeze!” he bellows, and this time Juliet holds up her hands with a look of surrender.

A second car pulls up, and it’s Detective Ivy Fairbanks.

“You did it again, didn’t you?” She scowls my way before heading off to take Juliet into custody.

Everett smiles down at me with his chest palpitating wildly “You sure did do it again.” He plants a warm kiss over my lips. “And I’m damn proud of you.”

“What about me, Sexy?” Carlotta puckers up. “I saved Lot Lot’s life. How about planting one on my kisser, too?”

I shrug up at Everett. “Not on the kisser.”

Everett leans over and offers Carlotta a peck on the cheek, and she hoots and howls as if she just won the lottery.

“You, too, Foxy! I saved the love of your life and your baby!” she shouts as she heads his way and coerces a quick kiss to her other cheek.

Everett bears those brilliant blue eyes onto mine.

“Lemon.” Everett’s face is rife with worry and relief. “You were out here with her alone.”

“I know. But I couldn’t help it. The mama bear came out, and as soon as I figured out that she was threatening both Evie and the baby, I wanted to shake her head right off her body.”

“That’s because you’re a good mother.”

“And a bit hormonal at the moment.” I shrug up at him. “One thing is for sure, I won’t tolerate anyone messing with my family.”

Noah jogs over just as a squad car pulls up to the scene.

“It’s done.” He pulls me in for a quick embrace. “Let’s get you back inside. It’s Valentine’s Day.” He looks over at Everett. “And I’ve got a surprise for the both of you.”

Noah

“I called Fiona to come down here,” I say to both Lottie and Everett once we head back into the warmth of the B&B. “She’ll be here in just a few minutes.”

The music is still as raucous and loud as people begin to pair off for the night, and from the corner of my eye, I spot Cormack trotting over.

“You called Fiona?” Lottie gives a hard blink.

Lottie is so beautiful tonight. That red velvet dress makes my heart ache.

It was just a couple of years ago on this very day that I was set to propose to her when my ex walked into the bakery and shook up our lives. Lottie later told me that she would have said yes.

Lottie Lemon would have been my wife, and that baby in her belly would have been mine, no question. Nell herself came back from the great beyond and told Lottie that I was her soulmate. Of course, she mentioned that Everett was Lottie’s soulmate, too, but I choose not to focus on that.

All I know is that I love this woman. She owns both my heart and my soul, and I wouldn’t want it any other