11. Lottie
LOTTIE
M y mother waltzes into the bakery with Venus Finnegan on her arm, looking as if they’ve been fast friends for decades, though I know it’s been less than twenty-four hours.
“Oh, look at you, my sweet little dumpling!” Mom coos as she swoops Lyla Nell out of my arms like a hawk snagging its prey.
Lyla Nell squeals with delight as her little chubby arms wrap around her grandma’s neck. She’s head to toe in a white velour dress and tights that have bright pink hearts printed all over it. I’ve never had more fun with clothes than I do dressing my real live doll.
“Lottie, what on earth are you thinking, carrying her around like that?” Mom practically bites the air between us as she says it. “And in your condition, no less. You shouldn’t be pulling a wild stunt like that.”
“I’m fine, Mom. We’re fine.” I pat my belly. “And everyone involved survived the wild stunt,” I say, trying to mask my mild annoyance, even if she is right. My rampant hormones have a way of making me believe I’m right, too. “Welcome, Venus.” I shed an easy smile at the pretty blonde. She’s bundled in a long maroon coat with fur trim along the hat and looks as toasty as can be. “Let’s get you both to a table. I’ll bring out some dessert and coffee, and make you feel right at home in no time.”
“Actually”—Mom scrunches her nose—“I’m here to meet Charlie to discuss the catering menu for the big day.” Makes sense since Charlie owns the Honey Pot Diner next door—there’s a passageway connected to it from my bakery, actually.
“And speaking of which…” Mom gives Venus a playful nudge and a wink. “My new friend here is going to add a little pizzazz to the dessert lineup. She’ll be catering the sweet treats right along with you, of course, Lottie.”
“Mother?” I blink at my mother, surprised to hear it. I’ve catered events at my mother’s happily haunted B&B for years now, and not once has my mother brought another baker into the mix.
“Oh, it was Sam’s request that we bring in another baker,” she says, waving a hand at me as if I’m making a fuss over nothing. “She thought it would be nice to, you know, mix things up a bit.”
I frown at the thought. Leave it to Sam to want to do just that. Sam has been mixing things up for a very long time now, ever since she slept with my husband way back when. Of course, he wasn’t my husband back then, but still. I’m not thrilled with it.
“The more, the merrier,” I tell Venus.
Mom takes off and I quickly shuttle Venus to a table near the window that’s decorated with an entire solar system of little pink hearts. Wait a minute. Those are miniature pink stars!
Well, speak of the sweet not-so-little doggie devil.
“You rang?” Sweetheart materializes in our midst just as Venus and I take a seat.
Perfect timing. Now to get this case off to the races.
Without so much as a nod from me, Lily brings out an assortment of sweet treats and each one is an ode to Valentine’s Day. There are heart-shaped macarons in blush pink, éclairs drizzled with red icing and edible glitter, tiny raspberry tarts with chocolate hearts nestled on top, in addition to a couple of carafes of coffee with both regular and decaf options.
She’s already set out plates, cups, and utensils to go along with it. I didn’t even need to ask. Lily is basically trained to know when I’m about to put my investigative hat on. And Lily wants to see the killer behind bars as much as I do. After all, she’s basically a mother now herself.
“Venus,” I start with a mournful smile.
She holds up a hand. “Lottie, in no way do I want to step on your toes. I’ll turn down the job. Your desserts should shine at your sister’s wedding.”
“You’ll do no such thing. You’re not stepping on my toes at all. Just like I said, the more dessert, the merrier.”
“Oh, thank you, Lottie,” Venus says, visibly relaxing. “I really didn’t want to intrude. Sam was just so insistent, and I figured… well, a little extra variety might be fun for the guests. And I can really use the business. The holidays were a boon, but January and February so far can hardly toe the line.”
“You’re preaching to the choir,” I say and we share a quick laugh.
“Oh, for donut’s sake,” Sweetheart huffs beside me with her coat glowing like a star dipped in molasses. “Can we please step it up with the homicide Q&A? There’s a Doberman tied to the mailbox outside who looks as if he’d love to sink his teeth into my puppy chow.”
I make a face at the racy ghost. If I didn’t know better, I’d say Sweetheart is channeling her inner Carlotta. And I happen to know that the Doberman’s name is Jack, and he’ll be gone as soon as his owner grabs a sandwich from Mangias Italian Restaurant across the street. The entire scene plays out once a day, and twice a day on Saturdays.
Speaking of sandwiches, my tummy is starting to growl so I pick up a macaron and make quick work of it. Raspberry. Mmm , one of my favorite flavors. Come to think of it, there’s not a single flavor I don’t like.
But back to the task at hand. I snap up an éclair and take a bite.
One word. Divine .
Sweetheart growls and I clear my throat. Venus has no idea there’s an apparition
among us. And seeing how sassy this apparition can be, it’s probably a good thing.
“Venus, did you know Romeo and Juliette well?”
The woman blinks as if it were the last question she expected. I watch as her fingers begin to fidget with the edge of her napkin.
“Not as well as some,” she says with a short-lived smile. “They came out to my café now and again.”
“Oh, so you were friends,” I say. “Of course, I mean, you seemed friendly enough last night.”
“I wouldn’t necessarily say friends.” Her eyes hook onto one of the silver foil Cupids and her gaze hardens to stone.
Sweetheart lifts an ear her way. “I think things are about to get interesting.”
And so do I.