My God, the pain.
“Everett”—his name comes out in a puff, and just like that, the contraction begins to subside—“I’m thirsty.” I force a smile as I look up at him. “I just need a drink, that’s all.”
“Your wish is my command.” Everett navigates us through the crowd, and Cormack passes us by in a hurry as she speeds out of the room.
Good riddance. I wish she’d keep right on moving.
Everett lands us at the refreshment table, where both my mother and Evie are wearing the requisite hot pink scullery maid outfits.
“All right,” I say as I hold back a laugh. “I’ll admit it. The two of you look adorable. I want a picture.”
Evie scowls. “Flash your phone my way and you’ll never see it again. I don’t look adorable. I look a-dork-able. Thank God none of my friends are here to see me in this getup. And no offense, Dad, but thank God your friends are too old to figure out how to use social media. My hot pink secret is safe for now.” She frowns at the two of us. “I can’t believe you made me work this event as penance.” She looks to my mother. “I tried to tell them that it wasn’t my fault my study group got out of hand. A lot of people were having trouble with geometry. I know you would never punish me like this, Glam Glam.”
Everett takes a breath. “You had a choice, Evie. Lose your phone for the weekend or work the refreshment table for the night. You were getting off easy, either way.”
Mom opens her mouth to say something just as the lights flicker and the room breaks out into oohs and ahhs.
“Don’t worry,” Mom calls out. “It’s just the ghosts!”
The room breaks out into cheers at the thought.
A crowd bustles over and Everett and I step out of the way, but not before he lands me a cup of cold lemonade, and it does taste a little bit like heaven.
I spot Cormack and Cressida headed this way and groan at the sight.
“I think I’m about to tack on a second item to your honey-do list for the weekend,” I tell Everett. “Please get rid of those two once and for all.”
The two of them step up with snide smiles plastered to their faces. Cressida is wearing an electric blue gown that shimmers in the light, and Cormack is wrapped like a mummy in a white gauzy thing. I’d call it a dress, but I’d hate to insult dresses. Whatever that contraption is, I’m sure it set her back a fortune.
As for me, I threw on a pale pink tent Keelie lent me. If I get any bigger, I’ll have to resort to real tents. I’m about to outgrow both Keelie’s and Lainey’s maternity clothes.
“Evening, ladies.” Everett lifts his head a notch. “What’s it going to take for you to sell this B&B to me?”
A spear of heat travels from my chest straight through my stomach and keeps heading south. There’s nothing hotter to witness than Everett in command and throwing his money around, especially when the end goal is to help my mother out.
“There’s not enough money in the world,” Cormack gravels the words my way while scowling at me like never before.
“What’s gotten into you?” I balk. “Let me guess. You ran out of graves to rob before you found matching shoes for that sarcophagus wear you’re sporting?”
Everett’s chest bumps with a silent laugh. “Good one, Lemon.”
I shrug. “It’s the hormones talking, but this time I happen to agree with them.”
“How did you get in here so quickly, anyway?” Cormack squints my way.
Everett and I exchange a glance.
“What happened?” The words speed out of me.
Cormack scoffs. “You were just out front. I asked you to help me carry in a few of the baskets full of my goodie bags and you told me where I could shove them. How dare you use such crass language with me! And to think, you’re about to be a mother.”
“Lemon.” Everett gives me the side-eye. “That wasn’t you, was it?”
“No. I have no idea what she’s talking about, but I’m impressed with whoever did it.” I give a little shrug because under no circumstances should I be impressed with this creepy woman, or entity running around with my face. I haven’t ruled out a ghost, although the fact so many people have seen her crosses any supernatural phenomenon off the list.
“Stay put.” He lands a kiss to my lips. “I’ll check it out. And I’ll text Noah as well.” He takes off and Cormack heads for the crowd, but I catch her by the wrist before she can take two steps.
“I’ll do it,” I say. “I’ll have my paternity reveal on Getting Candid with Candace if you give my mother back her B&B. We’ll pay you top dollar.” I bite my tongue before I offer them double the money. I’d hate to lose my head, although it already feels as if I’ve done just that.
The two of them exchange a glance just as another one of those practice contractions hits, this time with a fury like never before. My hand tightens around Cormack’s bony arm and she lets out a howl of a cry as she yanks her arm to safety.
“How dare you assault me, Lola! I should have you arrested! I am never selling you this inn.” She darts into the crowd as fast as that mummy wrap will allow.
Cressida leans in. “I know that look. You’re having this baby, aren’t you? Don’t you dare have it under my roof. You get yourself to the hospital, Leanna. The last thing I want is a stain on my new carpets.” She takes off as well.
“So is that a no on my offer?” I call out just as my stomach muscles start to relax once again.
Oh, this is for the birds. On second thought, the birds are smarter. They lay eggs instead.
A woman strides up in a little black dress and
