“Are you okay, Lottie? You look as if you’re in pain. It’s not the baby, is it?”
“Oh no. I’m sure the baby is fine. I’ve got those practice contractions, and believe me, this is one event I wouldn’t voluntarily practice for.”
She gives a little laugh and her blonde hair looks platinum even in this low lighting.
“My sister had those at the end of her pregnancy, too. If it makes you feel any better, she said some of the Braxton Hicks contractions were worse than the real deal.”
“That actually does make me feel better. Way better than you’ll ever know.” A thought comes to me. “Can I ask you a question? Have you heard anything at all about Ariella keeping Door-to-Door Gourmet open?”
“You know, I’ve heard whispers. But like I mentioned before, I told her that my kitchen was no longer available. Once Jazzy was gone, as far as I was concerned, her food venture was out of my kitchen, too.”
I nod with a mournful smile. “Jasmine was blackmailing you, wasn’t she?”
Jen blows out a hard breath. “She was. And I’m sorry she’s gone, but I’m not sorry she’s not threatening me at every turn.” Her shoulders sag a moment. “Boy, I’ve just made myself sound like the killer, haven’t I?”
“No, not at all. You made yourself sound like someone relieved not to be blackmailed into oblivion. I’m sorry you had to go through it to begin with.”
“You and me both.”
“Jen? Do you know if Jasmine smoked?”
She blinks back. “Nope. Not with her sensitive lungs. She had asthma. That’s why perfume bothered her, too.” Interesting. She glances past me. “I think I’ll go eat my weight in your lemon Bundt cake. That frosting makes my mouth water. Excuse me.” She takes off for the dessert table just as Carlotta heads my way with Lil’ Mama in her arms, and by her side is—
I suck in a sharp breath.
“Nell!” I cry out as the ghost of my grandmother glides on over and I throw my arms around her as tight as I can. It never ceases to amaze me how solid the ghosts can feel when they want to, and am I ever glad Nell wants to. Even though Nell is my grandmother, I didn’t know her as such while she was alive, so I’ve always continued to call her by her proper name.
“Lottie Lemon.” She pulls back and we take one another in. Nell is a vision with her lavender gray hair, matching lavender eyes, and a glowing green gown on as if she, too, got spiffied up for the occasion. “You haven’t had that baby yet.”
“Maybe it’s been waiting for you. Oh, Nell, I’ve got so much to tell you. Noah might be getting his job back, and Everett has a solid defense lined up. And well, there’s this creepy mystery woman wandering around who looks an awful lot like me and—”
“Psst.” Carlotta tosses her head to the side so hard I’m afraid it’s going to roll right off. “Suspect at six o’clock.”
I turn around, only to have Ariella nearly spill her drink right over my belly. Her auburn hair is the exact same hue as her beaded dress with its high neck and above the knee hemline.
“Whoa!” She raises what looks to be a cup of lemonade in the air and Lil’ Mama zips over barking as if an intruder just broke in.
“Watch where you’re going, lady,” Lil’ Mama thunders. “We can only be so careful, Lottie. I once had a Pomeranian nearly ram me off the sidewalk while I was expecting. I was steaming mad. Nobody hurts my puppies. Or yours.”
I bite down on a smile. How I love her ferocity. I can tell Lil’ Mama made an excellent mother.
“I love your dress, Ariella,” I tell her as I admire the ruby-colored gown. “The beading is just gorgeous.”
“Thanks. I like it better than what I wore the last time. The glitter on that dress came off on everything and everyone. I threw it into the donation pile as soon as I got home. But never mind me. Are you okay, Lottie?” Ariella holds her hand just shy of my stomach.
“I’m fine.” I wave her off just as Carlotta steps up next to me.
“Lot Lot comes from a sturdy stock.” She pats her own belly. “Her stomach is practically made of steel.”
“I wish my nerves were,” I’m quick to confess as I look to Ariella. “My due date flew by, and I’m wondering if I’m ever going to have this baby. I think my body is shooting for a world record.”
She gives a jovial laugh at the thought. “I’m sure you’ll have the baby soon. Who knows? It might surprise you and show up tonight.”
“That would be nice, considering tomorrow is my birthday. I guess you could say that would be my present to myself.”
We share a laugh and I get a waft of her warm perfume. It smells just like brown sugar melting into butter. And I appreciate it even more than I did the last time.
“Well, happy early birthday,” she says. “I was just thinking I hope tonight ends on a better note, and by the looks of you, it just may. Hey, give me your address. I can set you up with some meals for the first week after you have the baby.”
“So it’s true? You took over Door-to-Door Gourmet?”
Her lips round out. “Actually—well, not really. I was just thinking you could use some help. You know, with the baby.”
“Stop by the bakery anytime and I’ll make sure my staff gives you my address, but only after you accept a box of my sweet treats.”
“That sounds great.” Her expression hardens for a moment as her attention gets diverted, and I follow her gaze to see both Stassi and Slater having what looks to be a tense conversation by the entry to the room.
“That looks heated,” Carlotta whispers my way.
“It sure
