A commotion near the entrance catches my attention. Mackenzie Woods strides across the lawn, looking harried and slightly murderous. Her dark hair is pulled back into a severe ponytail, her dark eyes scan the gathering with the intensity of a predator, and she moves with the confidence of a mayor who has a soul made of pure soot. And yet, she’s the love of my brother’s life and the mother of my favorite nephew. My only nephew, but still.
“Sorry I’m late,” she announces, settling into the chair next to mine. “Had to deal with three noise complaints, two parking violations, and one very angry tourist who claimed our seagulls were aggressively entitled.”
“How does a seagull become aggressively entitled?” I ask, even though I might agree with the tourist just a bit. Cider Cove has the feistiest seagulls you ever did meet.
“Apparently, by stealing an entire lobster roll right out of someone’s hands,” Mackenzie grunts. “In broad daylight. While making eye contact.”
I shrug at the thought. “I can respect that seagull’s commitment to the hustle. Besides, who could resist a lobster roll?”
Emmie appears with a tray of what look like tiny works of art—miniature lemon tarts topped with fresh berries, delicate strawberry shortcake bites, and what appears to be lavender honey macarons. Everything screams summer and sophistication.
“Finger foods for gossiping fingers,” she announces, traveling around with the tray and offering everyone a bite.
“Perfect timing,” Mackenzie says, then turns to me with a look that could freeze champagne mid-bubble. “I suppose you know this little murder situation is single-handedly destroying Cider Cove’s reputation? We had three wedding cancellations this morning alone.”
“I didn’t murder anyone,” I protest. “I just happened to find the body.”
“You alwaysjust happento find bodies. It’s becoming a brand for you.”
“Look on the bright side,” I say. “At least there’s no community gathering at the end of the week where I can wreak more havoc on the town’s image.”
Mackenzie’s smile turns predatory. “Oh, but there is. There’s a wedding. And if that goes sideways, too...”
“That’s right, there’s a wedding!” Georgie interjects with a hoot. “And if I’m lucky with thathunka hunkabest man, it will be a double doozie.”
“A double doozie?” Mom raises an eyebrow. “Georgie, you can’t plan a wedding in the middle of a murder investigation.”
“Why not? I’ve done stranger things. Remember when Iorganized that flash mob funeral for Mrs. Peterson’s garden gnome collection?”
It’s true. Georgie takes her love of garden gnomes very seriously.
“That was not a funeral,” Mom corrects. “That was a public disturbance.”
“Tomato, to-mah-to.” Georgie waves her off.
“Ladies, ladies!” Charlotte claps her hands together. “There’s still so much more gossiping to do! But first, how about another round of juicy secrets? The bar is set pretty high after Georgie’s mail revenge scheme. And that affair with the pool boy is almost too hot to handle!”
“Ooh, ooh!” A woman with bright purple nail polish waves her champagne flute frantically. “I’ve been secretly feeding my neighbor’s prize-winning roses with coffee grounds and banana peels. She thinks she has a green thumb, but really, she just has me trespassing in her garden at midnight. I can’t help it. She won’t take my advice, and she was about to send them to an early grave. Someone had to step in.”
“Now that’s dedication to some lucky roses.” Macy nods approvingly. “I respect the commitment, but there are far better things you could be doing at midnight.”
Leave it to Macy to know exactly what those would be.
“My turn!” Another woman bounces in her chair. “I’ve been leaving fake parking tickets on my ex-husband’s car for six months. He’s paid over three hundred dollars in fines that don’t actually exist. The city has no record of them, but he’s too embarrassed to ask questions. All the proceeds go to yours truly.”
The entire circle erupts in shocked gasps and applause.
“Why didn’t I think of that?” Mom looks genuinely stumped. “That’s both brilliant and illegal. Everyone knows that’s the best kind of revenge.”
“You bet it is,” the woman agrees cheerfully. “I’ve alreadyconned him out of ten grand.”
More applause follows suit.
Camila’s eyes light up behind her phone camera. “This is gold for Gossip Gal. My subscribers are going to eat this up.”
“Wait, wait!” Georgie holds up her hand dramatically. “I have another one. Remember when Gladys Pemberton told everyone at the church social that I was too old to be chasing men?”
“Georgie, no,” Mom warns.
