8. Hattie

HATTIE

Murder Club Group Chat

Chevy: ?? Breaking News! Hattie found another body! That of a man!??

Tipper: What?! Who did she find this time? Details, please! I've been so busy with Henry Holiday's new restaurant. I swear that man can't survive without me! Most men can't.

Hillary: Chevy, are you serious? This town is turning into Murder Central. Who was it? ??

Kick: We need to get to the bottom of this. Any clues or suspects yet? ????♀?

Bunny: What do you mean, we? Hillary and Kick have hardly been present for our last few murderous meet-and-greets. I vote we kick them out. My bestie found the body. Thus it's my murder investigation. And by the way, Tipper, it's me that men can't survive without.

Peggy: Wait, what's going on? Did someone say, men? Can we talk about the ones who are still breathing? ??

Clarabelle: And more importantly, can we talk about chocolate? 'Tis the season!

I can't believe Nora all but shooed me away from Killion.

On second thought, I totally believe it.

It's Nora's MO to shoo me away from Killion on a permanent basis. I bet if Nora has her way, she'll be doing it more often and won't stop until she's successful. I have some news for her, she'll never shoo me away from Killion for good. We're in love. And that won't change, no matter how many Venetta Brandts she throws at him.

Anyway, let the record show that I voluntarily stepped away from Killion and his mother, giving them some much-needed one-on-one time.

It's a relief, really. Nora Maddox isn't exactly my favorite person to be around.

Cricket leaps in front of me while Rookie trots along beside me, his tail wagging like a metronome on overdrive as he holds Jolly Beary's arm in his mouth.

Puddles the Pug is here! Cricket yowls as she threads her way through the tables.

Rookie gives a soft woof. The one who likes to tinkle on all the chairs?

That's the culprit, Cricket mewls. They don't call her Puddles for nothing. The trick is to stop her before she marks the entire country club as her territory.

What? Rookie growls lightly. Everyone knows this club belongs to me.

It belongs to me , you big hairy buffoon, Cricket mewls as they take off around the corner.

I spot my mother and brother seated nearby and decide to join them instead. I'm pretty sure Cricket and Rookie can take on the territorial tinkler.

"Well, if it isn't two of my favorite family members," I say, sliding into the seat next to my mother. "I was just given the boot by Nora." I make a face as I nod that way. "That woman is never going to be thrilled with the thought of Killion and me seeing one another."

Mom glances in their direction. "Oh, Hattie, Nora means well." Sounds to me as if Nora can't control her emotions when it comes to her son. She made that clear as crystal to me. I get it. I'd love to micromanage my children's lives, too. But she's working on it. None of us are perfect. "I'm sure she's just being a little protective of Killion. Don't you worry. Her heart will warm up to you in no time."

"Protective? That woman would lock him in a tower if she could." I sigh. "And she's got a heart as warm as a snowman's nose. I don't think it'll be warming up for me anytime soon."

"The Grim Reaper is the only one who seems to be warming up to you." Henry chuckles at the thought.

"Very funny," I flatline.

Henry is my older, far too handsome, far too smart for his britches, dark-haired, blue-eyed brother.

"You've always had a way with words, Hattie." He leans back in his seat, looking more relaxed than I've seen him in months.

A part of that reason just might be because he eschewed his law practice and decided to get into another business altogether—the restaurant business. He bought the Lobster Boil, a beachfront seafood restaurant right here in Brambleberry Bay.

I can't help but frown at the thought, but only because Tipper Luxemburg, one of the women from my book club—murder club—take your pick, dumped her fiancé a few months back and has been awfully chummy with my brother while helping him run his new place.

Tipper is tall, minimally processed as far as fillers and Botox go, and she dyes her locks a shade of blonde so brassy you can hear her coming down the street half a block away.

"How's the Lobster Boil treating you?" I ask, eager to change the subject from Nora and her wicked ways—and focus more on Tipper and her wicked ways. "Rumor has it, you're planning something big."

"You bet." A giant grin takes over his face, and I'll admit, it's nice to see him so happy as of late. "I'm changing the name and doing an official grand reopening right after Halloween. It's going to be epic."

" Ooh , what's the new name?" I ask, genuinely curious. And Mom leans his way as well.

He winks. "You'll have to wait and see. But trust me, it's a game-changer."

Cricket hops into my lap and mewls, I hope it involves seafood. Lots and lots of seafood.

And maybe a few scraps for us loyal customers? Rookie barks in agreement as he strides up to Henry and my brother gives him a generous pat.

"I assume you're keeping seafood on the menu?" Mom teases as she picks at the red velvet waffles on her plate.

"It wouldn't be a successful restaurant in Maine without lobster, now would it?" Henry says before motioning to the bacon on his plate as he offers me one and I quickly decline. Having Nora in the vicinity seems to decrease my appetite. I'll have to remember that the next time I need to lose a few pounds.

"You mean it wouldn't be a successful restaurant in Maine without Holiday lobster." Mom is quick to correct him.

It's true, my father, Henry Holiday, Senior, owns an entire fleet of lobster boats, and most of the restaurants around these parts serve genuine Holiday lobster from my father's company. My brother has been purchasing the same for his place ever since he took over.

"So what's going on with Tipper?" I ask, stealing a slice of bacon and slipping it to Rookie. "You two seem close."

Mom groans to herself. Did she really have to go there? Tipper is the last person I want to see Henry end up with. And it's been clear to everyone that they're spending an awful lot of time together. Must Hattie bring up the woman even when she's not around? Her eyes widen a notch. Hey? Aren't Hattie and Tipper friends? I bet Hattie is thrilled at the thought of welcoming Tipper into the family. She's always had such low standards for her brother.

I outright frown at the woman who bore me.

Nice to know Nora has already rubbed off on my mother. Although if I'm being honest, I'm not too thrilled with Tipper and Henry hitting it off in the romance department either.

"Tipper's great." Henry's grin widens, and here I didn't think it was possible. "She's helping with the marketing and event planning. She's got a real knack for it."

My stomach does a little flip-flop. "Marketing and event planning, huh? Sounds like she's pretty involved."

"She is," he says with a twinkle in his eyes that neither my mother nor I are fans of. "What's up?" Henry nods my way. "You worried about your big brother?"

"Maybe a little," I admit. "Just want to make sure she's the right fit—you know, for the restaurant."

Henry laughs. "Don't worry, Hattie. I've got things under control." Both in and out of the bedroom.

That's what I was afraid of.

Tipper is a gold digger. And apparently, not a very good one because heaven knows my brother doesn't have any nuggets to spare.

My mother leans in with a frown of her own. "Speaking of Tipper, I've heard some interesting stories about her at parties."

Cricket chitters out a laugh. And now we're really going to get the party started.