4. Hattie

Summer has always been my favorite time of year, behind fall, Christmas, my birthday, and maybe Valentine's Day—up until this year I didn't have much happening on that aforementioned heart-shaped day. Although, this year Killion made sure to bring his heart-shaped A game. And let me tell you, I was not disappointed. Flowers, chocolate, candlelight kisses—he checked off all the boxes and then some.

Okay, so summer isn't first, second, or third on my list, but then, it can get unreasonably hot and muggy here in coastal Maine. And who could blame me for putting fall before summer on my list of favorites? I've always been a sucker for pumpkin spice everything.

But right now there's not a pumpkin on the horizon. Instead, I'm back on the sand below the Brambleberry Bay Country Club as a tangerine glow touches down over each and every one of us.

Thesky is a canvas of vibrant colors, with strokes of deep orange, fiery red, and soft pink blending seamlessly into the calm blue of the early evening. The sun is slowly dipping into the horizon, casting a golden light over the gentle waves lapping at the shore. It's a moment of breathtaking beauty, nature's artistry at its finest as it paints the Maine sky in glorious hues that leave me and just about everyone else spellbound.

Miles of twinkle lights work their otherworldly magic as swarms of the who's who of Brambleberry Bay walk barefoot through the sand while wearing designer duds that could put any runway in Milan on notice.

Everything about this evening is magical. And I'm glad about it, because I plan on using the same tents and twinkle lights for the Fourth of July festivities as well but with far more sparklers and buntings. Finally, an event that's practically planning itself. Not to mention that the mayor's office is pitching for the fireworks display off the nearby pier, so that's one less thing I have to think about.

I'm pretty sure I would have blown off a finger or six if I were in charge of the pyrotechnics, so it's probably best this way.

Cricket and Rookie happily yip and yap as they take turns running this way and that.

Good idea strapping Jolly Beary to the back of this big beast,Cricket chirps. Now all we have to do is make sure the big beast doesn't do anything goofy like try to scratch an itch by way of the punch bowl. I'd hate to see the little cutie meet a tragic end.

I knew you cared about me,Rookie sniffs her way.

Not you, you big oaf,Cricket chimes. I'm talking about Jolly. Getting fruit punch out of his delicate fur will be murder to get out—for Hattie at least.

"Well, I'll have you both know I was kidding when I suggested we strap that cute thing to Rookie's back with a belt." Although they were looking for a surefire way not to lose him.

It's a great idea, Hattie,Rookie says with a soft bark. This way Jolly gets to see the fine members of the country club, and I get to gobble down whatever they drop from their plates. Tonight is going to be pawesome. He sits up straight as he spots something in the distance. Speaking of pawesome, there's Killion! And he's talking to Grandma!

Rookie wastes no time in leaping in that direction, and despite the fact Killion's mother is nearby, I don't hesitate to follow.

Cricket hesitates for her own reasons—I might be a bit averse to Killion's mother, but Cricket seems a bit averse to both Nora and Killion alike.

Oh, good grief,Cricket mewls as she leaps in front of me in an effort to keep up. Can you at least try to keep the smooching at a minimum?

"Not on your life," I tell her as we traverse sharply dressed men and women whose expensive colognes and perfumes mix to create an intoxicating backdrop that rivals the cerulean Atlantic. "That man's lips deserve to be smooched." Come to think of it, so do mine.

"Hattie." Killion sheds an easy grin and sets off an entire swarm of butterflies in my stomach. It's true. After all these months, I still get a stomach full of flutters whenever he's around. "You look beautiful," he says as his eyes slit to nothing. And just like that, those butterflies are exchanged for a searing heat that makes me sizzle all over.

He waggles his brows as he comes in for a kiss. How quick can we get out of here?

I giggle at his naughty thought and linger on those lips of his for more than a second. Killion doesn't know about my sneaky ability to pry into his mind, and neither does anyone else in Brambleberry Bay.

And despite Peggy and Clarabelle's efforts to procure my so-called party trick, I'd like to keep this a private endeavor.

His mother clears her throat and we quickly pull away.

"Nora," I say, forcing a smile. "So nice to see you here this evening."

Not entirely a lie. I haven't seen her in a good long while. And believe me, I appreciated the break. She hasn't exactly been welcoming when it comes to having me in her son's life.

Last Christmas, she practically threw her assistant at him. A woman who just so happened to have the hots for Killion.

Not that I can blame the woman. He is a rather hot commodity with that dark hair, commanding verdant green eyes, and a body that looks as if it could stop a freight train, let alone a bullet.

Have I mentioned that he's traded his suit for jeans and a T-shirt this evening? He's still got his sneakers on and it gives him that sporty look I find so yummy.

Nora shares the same dark hair as her son, albeit slicked back into a bun, same green eyes, too, although hers glow with a hint of greed.

Nora is the owner of the Velvet Vanity Spa chain, and according to Killion, she's looking to park her money somewhere else as well in hopes to double her fortune. Not that it's a greedy prospect per se, it's just that, well, her eyes are green, and for some reason, greedy rang a bell when I thought of her.

"Hattie." She frowns while patting down the navy shift dress she's wearing. "You've really gone all out for the event. Did you really have to put the ax on the dinner portion of the evening? And I won't believe for a minute that budget cuts had anything to do with the fact I'm not enjoying a juicy slice of prime rib right about now. This country club is a lot of things, but poor isn't one of them." More like poor taste on behalf of the event planner, she thinks to herself before turning to Killion. So help me, if my sweet son gets stuck with this moppet of a girl because he's not giving himself the opportunity to explore his prospects, I'll jump in an early grave.

Stuckwith me? I gape her way for even thinking it.

Rookie gives a quick bark and Killion looks down.

"Hey, buddy." Killion laughs at the sight of his cute pooch with a teddy bear strapped to his back. "What in the heck is happening over at your mom's?"

I all but wink at Nora as she tries to digest the fact that her sweet son just called me his dog's mother. She may not be so hot on Rookie either, but she's downright green around the gills at the prospect of Killion and me sharing custody of any living being.

Good gravy,Nora snorts to herself. If this keeps up, they might make me a grandmother yet. The situation is far more dire than I ever thought possible.

I shake my head at her.

Is she serious?

What in the world does she find so revolting about me, anyway?

Killion seems to like me just fine.

He wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me in as if to prove my point.

"Thanks for watching him, but I can take Rookie to work with me tomorrow," he says. "The meetings with the bigwigs are over and it looks as if I survived the ax."

"Oh?" Nora quirks a brow his way. "Are they having budget cuts down at the station? Don't tell me they're not serving hot meals there either."

"Very funny," he says with his brows swooped low. "Just some internal reviews that are mandatory every now and again. I can assure you that my job is safe."

She glares at something over my shoulder. Speaking of murder. Nora clears her throat along with the thought. I might just provide a little job security for Killion yet.

I'm about to turn around and see what's sparked a homicidal tirade in her when a woman crops up and Nora feigns a smile.

"Jane, darling"—Nora purrs—"so nice to see you here this evening. A pop of real personality among all the plastic people." The personality of a pig with lipstick trying to win a beauty contest, she thinks to herself.

My mouth falls open at the dig.

Jane Jordon is a long-time icon in Brambleberry Bay. She used to work for some big accounting firm in Bangor before opening a boutique firm here in town. In fact, she's done my father's books for some time now, and she does the books for my sister Winnie down at her shop, the Crafty Treehouse.

Jane is a stunner. She's around my mother's age and one of my mother's oldest friends. She wears her graying blonde hair curled around her ears, has on her signature oversized tortoise shell framed glasses, and happens to be wearing an even bigger smile.

Jane is petite, yet all five feet of her is a powerhouse. She's smartly dressed in a white dress shirt and dark pencil skirt this evening, but her best accessories are her commanding presence and a no-nonsense attitude.

She's the epitome of a successful woman. I can see why Nora would take issue with her. The idea she's not Jane Jordan probably drives her nuts.

"You're a real personality among all this so-called glamour." Nora's eyes flicker with an unspoken challenge, like a cat eying a mouse she'd like to toy with.

Nice to see I'm not the only one Nora likes to toy with.

But still, poor Jane.

However, in Jane's defense, she seems unfazed.

Jane smiles right back, her eyes twinkling behind her glasses.

"Nora, always a pleasure," she responds, her voice smooth as silk. She turns to me, her smile widening. "And Hattie, you look absolutely radiant tonight. I must say, your knack for organizing such a stunning event never ceases to amaze me."

Her praise washes over me like a warm summer breeze—a welcome change from the bucket of ice water Nora offered up before her.

"Thank you, Jane," I tell her. "It's always good to see a friendly face." I give Nora the side-eye without meaning to.

Jane's gaze shifts to Killion and her expression softens. "Killion, nice to see you as well. Keeping out of trouble, I hope?" She gives a lighthearted laugh, but there's a hint of maternal concern there that I'm sure he appreciates.

"Always, Jane." Killion chuckles as he tightens his arm around my waist. "Thanks to Hattie here, I'm on my best behavior." And on occasion my naughtiest. He gives a wry smile along with the thought.

Naughty indeed. I can vouch for that.

Jane Jordan turns to Nora with a glint in her eye. "Nora, I heard about your recent business venture." I can't help but note her voice is laced with feigned innocence. "It's always so inspiring to see someone striving, even when the odds are—shall we say, less than favorable?"

I glance at Killion, but he doesn't flinch.

Sounds as if Nora's latest venture isn't going to scratch her monetary itch, after all.

Nora's smile falters as her eyes narrow. "Now, Jane, you know what they say about underestimating the underdog," she says with her voice restrained and far too calm. "Sometimes, they have a way of eliminating the competition. Permanently."

Permanently?

Killion and I exchange a glance.

I always knew Nora had a bark, but it sounds as if she's not afraid to bite either.

Oh heck, I knew that, too.

Nora's menacing words hang in the air, momentarily darkening the festive atmosphere around us.

A sharp laugh erupts to our left and we look over, only to see a curious sight.