Georgie and Juni are wearing see-through baby blue kaftans with the outline of one-piece bathing suits underneath them. And then there’s Macy.
I groan at the sight as I lean in toward Jasper. “I don’t know if I should cover your eyes or cover her body.”
What body? Jasper lands a careful kiss to my cheek. I only see you.
“Bizzy Baker.” Macy steps up in a red string bikini and matching patent leather heels as she does a slow spin. “First one to find the butterfly gets to kiss it.”
“Eww,” I say as she juts her bottom our way so we can get a better look. Sure enough, her itty-bitty bikini bottom allows for it to be displayed magnificently. “You’ve healed nicely.”
She spins and makes a face. “Jasper told me this morning how you were responsible for the arrest of my tattoo artist and his girlfriend. Now who’s going to do my other cheek?”
Georgie lifts a finger. “I know a guy. And if you bring him a six pack, he’ll do the work for free.”
“Sounds reputable,” I say.
Juni looks my way. “Do you know what else sounds reputable? A vacation. The Fourth is right around the corner. Mom says you’re off to Honey Hollow.”
“You’re not coming with us?” I ask.
Juni makes a face as she shakes her head. “I’m giving Spike another shot at making me happy. He’s got a cruise set for Alaska. I figure while the three of you are roasting in Vermont, I’ll keep cool by checking out the glaciers.”
Macy sucks in a quick breath. “That’s right! We’re going to Honey Hollow!” She does an odd little tap-dance and all sorts of loose parts start to wiggle and jiggle.
Jasper politely turns his head, and I reward him with a kiss.
“Sherlock and Fish are coming, too. Lottie already said we were all welcome at her mother’s B&B.”
Georgie snaps her fingers. “The haunted bed and breakfast! How I can’t wait to see Carlotta again.”
Macy gives a lusty moan. “I can’t wait to see Alex again.”
“Macy.” I shake my head. “Alex didn’t come out last spring with them.”
She postures my way. “Yes, but Lottie’s boyfriend, Noah, did and Lottie said they were practically twins. So it’s as if I already know him. What comes next is merely a formality.”
“I’m afraid to ask what comes next,” I say as Fish runs up, and I scoop her into my arms. “I guess we’re headed to Honey Hollow.”
You mean I get to visit with Pancake and Waffles? Fish mewls with excitement at the thought of seeing Lottie’s cats before jumping out of my arms and running toward the dogs once again. Sherlock! You’ll never guess where we’re going!
Georgie claps at the sight. “It looks as if someone is excited about seeing her boyfriends.”
“I’m excited, too.” I wrap my arms around Jasper. “Our first real getaway together. Nothing but relaxing, reading, and finding interesting ways to entertain ourselves.”
Macy purrs like a kitten in heat. “I’ll drink to that. Just make sure you don’t stumble across another body. Death does not a dream vacation make.” She takes off for the café. “On second thought, Alex and I will entertain ourselves!”
Georgie leans in. “Don’t listen to her, Bizzy. You stumble over a body any time you like. Just make sure you have a couple of cute suspects to go along with it.” She waves as she and Juni head for the sand.
“I’m not going to find a body,” I say as I secure my hold on Jasper. “Are we good? We’re not still locking horns over that whole investigation debacle, are we?”
A dull laugh rattles in his chest. “We’re more than good. We’re great. You know all I want is your safety and happiness. I’m determined to give you both.”
“You’ve already given me everything I need, and that’s you.”
My lips rise to meet with his and we share a lingering kiss under the warm Cider Cove sun.
Try not to find a body, would you?
“Jasper.” I laugh as I gently smack him on the arm. “You know I have zero control over it.”
“In that case, I’ll bring my gun and my badge.”
“You never leave home without them.” I laugh.
“With you in my life, I never will.” He picks me up and twirls me and lands another lingering kiss to my lips that erases all memory of guns and badges.
Jasper and I are heading off on our first couple’s getaway, and our wedding is within touching distance.
This feels like the beginning of something new.
Like the beginning of who we were meant to be all along.
And I won’t stumble across a body, will I?
*We hope you enjoyed your time in Cider Cove! Join Bizzy as she heads off to Honey Hollow, Vermont to visit with Lottie Lemon and her friends in Flag Cake Felonies (Murder in the Mix 23)!
Need the next book in this series? Pick it up today!
Cat Scratch Cleaver (Country Cottage Mysteries 8)
*Would you like to try a new series? Cutie Pies and Deadly Lies (Murder in the Mix 1) has you covered! Happy reading!
Recipe Country Cottage Café
Bite-size Lemon Tarts
Hey there! It’s me, Bizzy Baker! The Country Cottage Café really knocked it out of the park this time with the most delicious lemon tarts you could ever imagine. Let’s just say they were so good I bribed my best friend Emmie, who happens to be the best baker Cider Cove has ever seen, into making me my own batch—more than once. I can’t wait until you try them. Enjoy!
Ingredients
½ cup butter (softened to room temperature)
¼ cup sifted confectioners’ sugar
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup sifted flour
2 eggs
4 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons lemon zest
¼ teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
3 tablespoons of flour
Directions
Preheat oven to 350° (grease mini muffin pan or muffin size if available. An 8x8 pan will work too)
Mix butter and ¼ cup confectioners’ sugar, then stir in flour. Add dough to mini muffin
