My face reddens. “We’re not—that’s not—”
“Ida said she saw you two canoodling in the Christmas market.”
“We weren’t canoodling. We were looking for clues. I’m trying to solve the case,” I protest.
“Are you close?”
“Yeah.” I whisper all the clues about Taylor Grace to her as Josie helps me put out more Christmas-themed snacks.
“Damn. I mean, you did think it was her from day one,” Josie remarks as she shoves another tray of reindeer nibbles and stocking-stuffing muffins into the oven.
“Yeah, I’m trying to remain impartial, though. I mean, I can’t pin a murder on her just because I’m jealous of her kissing Hughes.”
Josie grabs me. “She what?”
I can’t stop grinning at her.
“Why are you smiling? She tried to steal your man. Well, the man I’ve picked for you.”
“He says he likes me.” I finally let it out. “I wanted to tell you, but there was no time. I think he almost kissed me in the kitchen today. He was pressed right up against me. I really must be sex starved because it was the most action I’ve gotten in a while,” I admit.
“It’s all the threats of violence that are making you horny. Don’t let him do the nasty in the garden shed. Make him spring for a hotel.”
“You can’t get a hotel during Christmastime. Besides, all the B-and-B owners gossip, and the whole town will hear about it.”
“So stake your claim.”
“He’s a catch.”
“Ooh, girl gossip!” Gran throws her arms around us. “Doris already said that you and Hughes could do your wedding at the Broughton Estate, where she works. She says she’s got an in. But I think you should get married in the gazebo.”
“Everyone gets married in the gazebo,” Josie complains.
“We haven’t even kissed yet. We can’t get married, Gran.”
“You need to get on that. I’m not getting any younger. You want more than one kid, don’t you?” Gran swats my hip. “I’ll be dead and in the ground if you keep waiting. You need to lock Hughes down before someone else does.” Gran throws thefreezer open. “Shoot, are we really out of the maple bacon twists?”
“I made a ton of them, remember, Josie? We made all those a few days ago at the Jingle Bites?”
“IIII—” Josie makes a face. “Forgot to get those from the shop. That’s actually what I went to do, then the sweater thing happened. I’ll go get them now.”
“No, Mace will kill me if you wander off again. I’ll get them. BRB.” I grab my keys.
Gran lives a few streets over from Main Street. Since I’m not carrying anything, it won’t be a bad walk.
For a second, I think I should invite Hughes, maybe sneak in a make-out session, but I don’t see him in the crowd as I grab my coat.
Main Street is bustling. The Jingle Bites Café is dark, though. If I had more cash flow—thanks a lot, Taylor Grace—I could have hired someone to keep it open tonight. Now I’m losing revenue. Maybe it’s better if it just fails.
Josie says Mace can get me another admin job at Svensson PharmaTech. Perhaps I just need to accept my lot in life.
Or,part of me whispers as I heave against the back door that I use to take deliveries,maybe you and Hughes could get married and have babies, and you could stay home with them.
Itdoessound nice to finally not have to lie awake at three in the morning, trying to figure out how to make payroll and conduct a UN-level negotiation with Taylor Grace to keep her from taking money out of the company.
I can’t quite get the door to open. Did something fall behind it? I shove at the door with all my strength and hear something slide across the floor. I squeeze in through the crack in the door and fumble for the light switch. The LED light dims then powers up.
I blink in the bright light, then I see the hand and the pool of blood.
