36. Lottie

LOTTIE

N eedless to say, we sped all the way to the hospital. Speed limits may have been broken, but thankfully bones weren’t.

Then in a blur, we flew to the labor and delivery room where Meg and Sam ended up sharing a suite.

Hook and Jed, the proud papas to-be, showed up in record time, and the next thing we knew, there were lots of panting, very little breakdancing, and a tremendous amount of bodily fluids.

To our surprise, Jed stayed by Sam’s side after all, even though she wouldn’t let Noah or me out of her sight either.

And before we knew it, Meg’s little darling arrived, a precious bouncing baby girl named Piper Miranda Lemon, and on her heels, Sam’s angel followed suit—another precious girl named Willow Grace Silver.

“Oh my word,” I coo at the tiny cutie pie in my arms as I hold Meg’s sweetheart, Piper. “You are just a little angel sent from Heaven.”

It’s been a couple of hours since the arrivals, and my mother, Lainey, Suze, Carlotta, and I are all gathered around the new additions to our family. And while we coo and kiss the sweet babes to our heart’s content, Noah and Everett are off to the side congratulating Jed and Hook.

There’s a calm buzz in the room, and it feels like that moment just before the champagne gets popped and everything erupts into celebratory chaos.

Piper Miranda Lemon is the sweetest little bundle of joy I’ve ever laid eyes on—dark hair, soft skin, and the tiniest of hands clutching at my fingers as if she already knows Auntie Lottie is going to spoil her rotten.

I rock her gently in my arms, smiling over at Lainey, who’s holding Willow Grace Silver, who is equally perfect, with her own head of dark hair and a sleepy little smile that melts everyone’s hearts. She is Lyla Nell’s twin in every way, it’s almost spooky.

“You know”—I say, glancing over at my mother, who’s fawning over both babies like they’re the little miracles they are—“these kids don’t even know how spoiled they’re going to be with us around.”

“Spoiled?” Mom gives a gentle laugh as her eyes soften with that grandmotherly glow. “Oh, please, they’ll be loved and nurtured and—okay, fine—spoiled rotten.” She gently strokes Piper’s tiny hand. “But that’s our job, isn’t it? To make sure they know they’re the center of the universe.”

Carlotta snorts as she shakes her head at the two of them. “The center of the universe? Please. Back in my day, we had to earn our keep. I was out selling Girl Scout cookies at three.”

Suze balks, “I bet you were sneaking those same cookies out of the box and blaming the dog.”

“Details, Suzie Q. Let’s not get bogged down with the deets.” Carlotta waves it off and fixes her gaze on Willow. “I’m just saying, these kids are going to grow up in a world of participation trophies, endless compliments, and praise just for breathing. What kind of life is that?”

“A happy one,” Lainey chimes in. “Which, might I point out, none of us are lacking in. These precious girls deserve the same.”

Mom coos as she steals Piper from me. “You know, I think there’s something to be said for letting these little angels grow up knowing they’re special. That’s what I did with you girls.” She gives Lainey and me a sweet, almost too innocent smile. “And look how well you turned out.”

Carlotta groans, “Please. Lot and Lainey turned out all right because they learned from their mistakes. We can’t have perfect lives. It’s not natural. Besides, mistakes are a part of the adventure. Why do you think the Good Lord invented bad boys? Or running illegal money laundering operations out of a bakery?”

We both shoot a covert glance at Suze since we’ve yet to hash that one out.

Lainey bursts into laughter. “Carlotta, only you could think that money laundering is a reasonable career path.”

“Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it,” Carlotta shoots back with a wink. “Right, Suzie Q?”

Oh, good grief.

I glance over at the new mamas in the room.

Meg beams over at her little girl, still glowing from the delivery and looking like she could take on the world. And lying in the bed across from her, Sam wears an ear-to-ear grin, albeit an exhausted one.

Jed clears his throat and Hook follows suit, both of them looking a little nervous all of a sudden. The room quiets down as they step toward their respective baby mamas.

“Ladies and gentlemen”—Hook starts, glancing at Jed for support—“we just want to say how grateful we are for these beautiful women and the miracles they brought into this world today.” He turns to Meg and Sam, his eyes misting slightly. “And we’re glad all of you are here to share this moment with us because there’s something we’d like to ask these incredible mothers.”

Before we can blink, both men drop to one knee and pull out small velvet boxes that glow under the harsh hospital lighting.

Hook holds out the biggest diamond I’ve seen this side of Vermont to Meg. “Megan Lemon, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

And then, Jed looks over at Sam with a greasy smile. “Let’s do this, babe.”

The room collectively gasps, but it’s Meg who breaks the silence with a laugh.

“You had me all those years ago at, ‘You look rough around the edges,’” she says with a crooked grin. “Heck yes!”

The room erupts in cheers, and I swear even little Piper lets out a tiny squeal of excitement.

All eyes shift to Sam, who’s smiling so hard it’s bordering on a grimace. “I’d be crazy not to,” she says, pulling Jed closer with a laugh. “Of course, it’s yes!”

More cheers break out just before Carlotta waves her arms as if she’s trying to land a 747.

“Anyone else think she’s crazy for saying yes?” she deadpans and sets the room off into even more laughter.

The babies are returned to their rightful mothers, and everyone is too busy basking in the glow of the moment to notice Noah waving me over to the corner of the room where he stands with Suze and Everett.

Here we go.

I waddle over and brace myself for whatever this little family meet and greet is about, although I have a feeling I’m well apprised.

“Mom”—Noah says, his voice firm but not angry—“we know everything. Well, just about everything. We need to talk about this money-washing business with Orson Wingate. How did you even get involved in that mess?”

Suze sighs dramatically, rolling her eyes as if we’re making a big deal out of nothing.

“Oh, Noah, I was just looking for a little excitement in my life. You know how it is. One minute you’re a single divorcee and the next minute, you’re laundering money through your daughter-in-law’s bakery.” She winces my way as she says it.

“ Suze ,” Everett says sternly.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” She closes her eyes for a moment. “I didn’t mean to do it. I only did it once, and honestly, I wasn’t very good at it. I was at it for a few weeks and told him I wanted to quit. That’s when he sent that poor man over.”

“The dead Santa?” Noah tips his head as if the dead Santa were driving home a more serious point.

“Yes, him,” Suze grunts. “Anyway, after that, Orson never called me back, which I’m taking as a compliment.”

“That’s because he was also using Francine,” I tell her.

Suze gives a slow nod as if she knew all along. “Since I wasn’t able to wash the money through the bakery, he decided to utilize his wife’s place. From what I hear, Ursula didn’t appreciate that. She wanted to keep the place on the up and up.”

I wrinkle my nose at Noah. “Add that as another motive for murder.”

“He killed his wife?” Suze’s mouth squares out in horror.

“That’s right,” Everett says. “And he wouldn’t have hesitated to do the same to you.”

“It wasn’t Francine who sent that letter,” I tell her. “It was Agatha. She was in on it, too. Suze, those people were very dangerous.”

“That’s right, Mom,” Noah says. “So please think twice before you go looking for excitement. Or in the least, run it by me. I just want to make sure you’re safe.” He shakes his head at her. “I can’t believe you tried washing moneythrough Lottie’s bakery. I wouldn’t blame her for firing you.”

Suze waves me off like it’s no big deal. “Oh, please. Lottie, you actually made a profit off of it. You’re lucky I’m terrible at crime. And you’re welcome.”

“ Mom ,” Noah looks dismayed by the dicey accolades she’s given herself.

“It’s okay,” I tell him. “And Suze, you’re still welcome to work at the bakery. But please, leave it to me to figure out how to make a profit.”

The four of us share a quick chuckle.

Everett wraps an arm around me and lands a kiss on my cheek. “You’re an expert at that, Lemon.”

“So, apology accepted?” Suze asks, scowling at me as if I were the one who owed her an apology. “I promise it’ll never happen again—unless, of course, there’s a really good reason.”

I’m about to laugh or protest, but she cuts me off. “You know, Lottie, you really should learn to let loose a little more. You’re wound tighter than one of your cinnamon rolls.”

Noah takes a breath and his chest expands. “Maybe it’s because my mother keeps accidentally involving her in criminal activity.”

“Or maybe”—Suze says, narrowing her eyes my way—“it’s because you’re not eating enough of your own baked goods. That’s the real crime here.”

“All right, you’re funny,” Noah says with a frown. “Just know this can’t happen again. No more shady business deals.”

Suze holds up her hands in surrender. “Fine, fine. I promise. No more money laundering. For now.” She takes off in Sam’s direction and coos over at her new baby granddaughter.

“I’m sorry,” Noah says with a sigh. “But she’s family.”

“We’re all family,” I tell him as I reach over and give his hand a squeeze.

Everett pulls me closer. “Who knows, this little family of ours might just be the picture of normalcy one day.”

“Please”—I avert my eyes—“we passed normal about five exits ago.”

We share a dull laugh and Noah gives my belly a quick pat. “Normal is overrated,” he says. “We’ve got new babies on the scene and babies on the way.”

Everett nods. “And we need you safe, Lemon.”

“Don’t you worry,” I say. “We’ve got two weddings to plan.” I look over at the new mothers as they snuggle with their brand-new daughters. “So when’s the big day?”

“I’d like to get it over with as soon as possible,” Meg grunts.

Sam nods. “Me, too. Just something short and sweet. Nothing too fancy. Maybe a courthouse wedding?”

Mom’s entire body recoils as if she’s just been shot. “Don’t you girls dare deny us all the wedding bells and whistles. Feel free to leave all the details to me. I can plan both weddings, or maybe you could do one of those double weddings.”

“You mean double debacle,” Carlotta chimes in.

“A double wedding?” Meg looks over at Sam and shrugs. “I’m in.”

“I’m in, too,” Sam speeds it out. “That cuts the costs in half right there.” She shares a quick high-five with Jed.

“Great,” Mom trills. “We can plan for a big June wedding.”

“No way. I want it done yesterday,” Meg grouses.

“Same.” Sam nods at my mother. “Something a lot sooner than June would be nice.”

“Well, what about Valentine’s Day?” Lainey suggests. “It’s just around the corner, and that still gives us a few weeks to get ready for it. And you’re going to need it with the babies and all. You’re going to want to get your rest.”

I make a face. “If they want to be rested up for their big day, they’d have to put it off for eighteen years.”

The room breaks out into a mournful laugh.

“A Valentine’s wedding it is,” Meg says and Sam nods in agreement.

“A Valentine’s Day double wedding,” Mom shouts so loud both babies begin to bleat like little lambs.

A double wedding is coming to Honey Hollow.

Let’s hope Cupid’s aim doesn’t prove to be deadly.

A Valentine’s Day double wedding is afoot.

And something tells me, it’s going to be murder.

Thank you for reading! Head back to Honey Hollow and pick up Vanilla Glazed Valentine Vendetta (Murder in the Mix 52) today!

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Valentine’s Day is around the corner—and so is murder.

And so is a double wedding!

My name is Lottie Lemon, and I see dead people. Okay, so I rarely see dead people, mostly I see furry creatures of the dearly departed variety, who have come back from the other side to warn me of their previous owner’s impending doom.

Honey Hollow is gearing up for not one, but two weddings on what promises to be the most romantic day of the year. My sister Meg and Noah’s sister Sam have decided to tie the knot to their respective plus-ones. But when dark secrets begin to surface, we’re not up to our eyeballs in wedding cake, we’re knee-deep in bodies.

As the blushing brides prepare for their big day, something ominous overshadows the event, and what should be a celebration of love quickly turns into a deadly game of survival.

With a killer lurking in plain sight, I’d better uncover the truth before “I do” becomes “You’re next.”

This Valentine’s Day, the only thing more heart-stopping than a kiss might just be...murder.