Chapter 21

CHAPTER 21

T here is something enchanting about a snowy evening in general, but a snowy evening on Christmas Eve is darn right magical.

The ballroom here at the Country Cottage Inn is brimming with bodies once again, although this time the ugly sweaters are few and far between. Instead, the entire town has shown up for tonight’s festivities while donning their very best—and that goes for Fish, Sherlock, and Jingle as well, seeing that they each let me put a bright red bow onto their collars.

Everyone I know, my friends and family, have all arrived looking polished and dressed to the nines.

Christmas carols strum through the speakers, cookies and desserts of every variety are laid out on the tables, and there is enough eggnog on hand to fill a small lake. But the most stunning sight of all is a three-tiered cake, covered with white fondant and decorated with candied mistletoe. Next to it lies a cake knife that’s been with the inn for as long as this building has been erected. The handle is ceramic and has a hand-painted Santa on it. I only pull it out once a year. And once a year, everyone threatens to steal it.

The din of chatter in the room is practically electric, the intermittent bouts of laughter assure me that a good time is already underway, and the mountain of gifts under the tree lets me know that the people of this cozy town have more than a big heart.

Tomorrow all of those gifts will be distributed to needy families, brightening the holiday for those in need of a helping hand. That’s what makes this gathering extra special. The hearts of the townspeople looking to ease the burden of others.

Jasper wraps an arm around my waist, his hand resting briefly on my belly as he lands a kiss on my cheek.

“Have I mentioned that you look stunning in that red velvet dress?”

His spiced cologne is enough to make my insides pinch with heat, but add the dark inky suit, svelte red tie, and that cutthroat handsome face of his—I’m pretty much a goner.

“Only seventeen times,” I say. “But who’s counting? And I have to say, you’re not too shabby yourself, Detective Wilder.”

“We do make a good-looking couple, don’t we?” His chest rumbles with a quiet laugh. “And I know for a fact our child will be beautiful both inside and out, just like its mother.”

“ Aww , spoken like a true parent—and a wise husband.”

Georgie comes this way with my mother in tow and all three pets among us perk up to attention.

Look cute. Sherlock barks at Jingle. Georgie is extra generous at Christmas. She thinks she’s Mrs. Claus.

She is Mrs. Claus, Fish yowls his way. She’s told me all about the cad she was married to who ran around the world filling other women’s stockings.

My lips invert as I stifle a laugh.

I glance at Georgie who is clad in a red kaftan paired with a white fuzzy scarf and white furry boots to match. I’ve never heard the Santa story before, but Georgie is generous to the pets pretty much year-round. Although there might be a few extra treats handed out on this special day.

“All right,” Georgie says, looking at the three furry cuties all seated at attention as they look up at her with more than a glimmer of hope in their eyes. “Who’s been a good boy and girl?”

All three yip and mewl at the very same time.

“Get ready, because it’s about to rain bacon,” she shouts as she produces handfuls of the salted meat from her pockets and, sure enough, there’s a meaty storm hitting hard.

Sherlock and Jingle eat most of it before it ever hits the floor, and Fish is quick to grab a piece before heading under the dessert table where she can eat in peace.

Can’t say I blame her. It’s pretty much a bloodbath between the dogs.

“Would you stop with the bacon deluge?” Mom tells her. Mom looks sharp in a cranberry-colored suit and a white crisp blouse underneath with the collar popped up next to her ears, per usual. “You’re making these poor creatures go insane. And with all that growling and moaning, it sounds as if they’re about to eat every person in the room, alive. Believe me, this town has been terrorized enough.”

I wouldn’t eat a living soul, Jingle whimpers.

Sherlock nods his way. We’d better make puppy dog eyes at everyone for the rest of the night just to reassure them.

Good thinking, Jingle says. Puppy dog eyes not only get you a pretty decent belly rub, but they usually get you a cookie .

I’ve seen it yield both of those things for Sherlock Bones as well. And I’m usually the one delivering the belly rubs and cookies.

“Come on.” Mom links arms with Georgie. “Let’s go check out this dessert spread. I didn’t wear an elastic waistband for nothing.”

Georgie nods. “And it’s about time I start working on my bowl full of jelly if I plan on taking over the family business,” she says, patting her tummy as they make their way to the table behind us where Emmie is helping serve sweet treats to the masses.

A familiar brunette crops up before us looking gorgeous in a green velour dress.

“Ember,” I say. “So glad to see you here.”

“You’re positively glowing, Bizzy. And I wouldn’t have missed this,” she says, giving both Sherlock and Jingle a quick scratch behind the ears. “Seeing these two cute, furry faces has already made my entire night.” I would do anything to have one of these sweet angels in my life. She sighs at the thought while giving Jingle that belly rub he was looking forward to. Hey? Maybe I’ll visit the shelter soon. It can be a Christmas present to myself, one I would cherish with all my heart .

“Dogs make great pets,” Jasper tells her as if he, too, could read her mind. “Do you have one?”

“No, but I was just thinking about how wonderful it would be if I did.” She nods to the two of us. “You’re both very lucky.” She takes off for the dessert table just as Jasper’s phone pings.

He pulls it out of his pocket and blinks with surprise.

“Looks like we may have just gotten a Christmas miracle. It’s one of my buddies from forensics. They have evidence they want to go over. I think I’ll take the call back at the cottage. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He lands a kiss to my lips and lingers. “Do me a favor and stay out of trouble.” His hand drifts protectively over my belly once again.

A laugh bubbles from me as I bat my lashes at him. “Do I look like someone who’s looking for trouble?”

“Not unless trouble means spending some serious alone time with me.” He waggles his brows as he says it. “How about we have a cup of hot cocoa in front of a fire after this wraps up?”

“Now that’s the kind of trouble I’m looking for.”

Jasper takes off with a smile cresting on his lips, and I give another quick glance around at the festivities well underway.

I spot Mackenzie, aka Mayor Woods, whooping it up with her constituents, and my mother and Georgie each with a dessert plate piled high. Georgie wasn’t kidding about the bowl full of jelly she’s working on. And my mother seems to be working on one as well.

I don’t see why I shouldn’t join them. Elastic pants are all the rage—only I prefer to call them yoga pants. And with the baby on the way, I’ll be wearing tents until at least next fall, so I’m good to go in the all-you-can-eat sweet treats department.

Fish shoots me a look and I frown down at her.

“Why are you looking at me like that? Everyone knows that cookies are a perfectly balanced meal when you’re eating for two.”

I didn’t say a word. She sighs. But since we’re headed to cookie paradise, toss me one of those snowflake-looking treats, would you?

“Of course, I’ll toss you one. And I’ll toss myself two—dozen at least.”

I can’t help it. I’m craving carbs these days just as much as I’m craving justice.