“I have a feeling that one is coming home with me,” I say as Macy hands it my way, and Fish all but falls into an instant catnip coma.
Raven laughs. “Let me whip up a little something for you, too, Bizzy. I have a good feeling about this.”
Macy scoffs. “Please. She’s married. She doesn’t even need to shower anymore.”
Raven cuts a quick look my way. Yes, she is married. Camila told us all about it. That homicide detective is one hot side of beef. Some girls get all the luck. She openly scowls my way before getting back to the task at hand.
Raven gives me a short quiz on my favorite scents, and the scents that Jasper might like, and soon enough, I’ve handed over some serious cash—far more than I care to think about—in exchange for two bottles. One for Fish and one for me to seduce my husband. Not that Jasper cares if I’m wearing perfume. Come to think of it, he prefers I not wear anything.
Sabrina flashes a smile my way. “It looks as if you’ll have one happy husband.”
Macy groans. “Believe me, he’s happy. They’re both delirious. They just got back from their honeymoon.” She pretends to retch.
“Nice.” Sabrina turns around. Honeymoon? Maybe that’s why the detective hasn’t made his arrest yet. His head isn’t in the game. I mean, the clues are right in front of him. Blair was knocked up. You have to figure he has this information by now. If I were Billy, I’d be quaking in my two-timing boots.
I nod over to her as if she said those words out loud. Sabrina thinks Billy did this. And I’d have to agree with her.
Sherlock barks up at me. I don’t want a perfume that smells like bacon. I just want bacon, Bizzy.
I reach into my pocket and toss both him and Sprinkles a tiny treat. It may not be bacon, but neither of them seems to be complaining.
Sprinkles gives a happy little bark. Raven used to give me treats all the time when Blair visited her at the salon. And Sabrina used to feed me right off her plate whenever I spent the weekend with her. She would watch me while Blair and Dr. Feel Good had their getaways.
“Well, that was very nice of her,” I whisper.
Macy nods. “I know, right? She gave me two bottles for free.” She shrugs as she collects her haul. “I’ll let you ladies know how I fare. I plan on bathing in this tomorrow night. And I’ll be right back here putting it to the test. Let’s hope I get a vampire who knows how to bite in all the right places.”
We share a laugh as a crowd moves in.
I give both Raven and Sabrina a wave. “I’ll see you girls tonight!” I can’t wait for this shroud of secrecy to end.
And that’s exactly what I’m hoping will happen.
It’s Friday evening, heavy auburn and purple clouds hang above us in the angry sky, and the twinkle lights have lit up every inch of the acreage around the Country Cottage Inn, casting an enchanted glow over the land. The pumpkin patch set to the left of the cove is the busiest I’ve yet seen it—as it should be, considering tomorrow is the spookiest day of the year. And there are not one but two bounce houses set up next to those happy orange globes.
The west side of the property is brimming with bodies as well, each one of them in costume as the evening revelry gets underway. And every now and again couples make their way down to the waterline with a stuffed bear that was just won from the midway.
Emmie and Jordy helped me set up an elongated table along the back patio of the Country Cottage Café, and Jordy even spent the day adding a few more twinkle lights so we would have enough light for our dinner party.
Emmie said she would work the table for me just to make sure we receive the best service. I may have let my bestie in on the fact that a few suspects were afoot. And I may have heard her promise Jasper that she’d keep a careful eye on me as he left the café this morning.
It’s just a few minutes until six and Fish, Sherlock, and Sprinkles and I have just arrived at the cove. I’ve bundled up in jeans, my coziest fluffy sweater, and threw a heavy black peacoat on over that. I dug up an orange and black scarf my grandmother knitted for me when I was still in college, and it adds just the right festive appeal to an otherwise drab outfit. I bet Camila will show up looking like a supermodel in some ridiculous off-the-shoulder couture dress.
No sooner do I have the thought than Camila comes up the walk wearing jeans and a black peacoat with an orange and black striped scarf.
A hard groan emits from her once she spots the fashion debacle.
“We have got to stop with the Bobbsey Twins act.” She glowers my way as she says it, and Fish hisses up at her from the ground.
“You’re so right.” I take her in and marvel at how identical our accouterments are right down to the tall black boots. “You’ve heard of people sending memos to dress alike? We’re going to have to send memos to stop this nonsense.”
Look at her, Fish grouses. She’s trying to be you, Bizzy. I bet she’s been sending all those threatening notes, too.
Sprinkles barks and her little head bobs wildly as she looks up at Camila. I’d bite her ankles, but she’s got leather boots on. I’ve chewed through a few of Blair’s boots, but it took some time. How much time do we have, Bizzy?
I shake my head down at the cute pooch in hopes to avoid the shoe-pocalypse.
Sherlock joins in on the barking. I’ll chase her to the water and push her in for you.
