Baby Bundt Cake Confusion (Murder in the Mix Book 31) by Unknown (reading eggs books .txt) 📗

cute but long dead pooch in Carlotta’s arms a quick pat on the fluffy head. “Well, if it isn’t just the supernatural specter I’ve been waiting to talk to.”

“Meet Lil’ Mama,” Carlotta says as she positions the pretty girl my way. “Lil’ Mama, meet Big Mama.”

“Very funny,” I say.

“You are pretty big, Lottie.” Greer grimaces my way. “Are you sure there’s just one tiny baby floating around in there? Judge Baxter is a bit of an overachiever. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if you had two or three future legal eagles hiding out in there.”

Carlotta’s entire body shakes as she laughs. “Foxy might be an overachiever, too. You might have an entire litter of homicide detectives floating around in there.”

“Oh, I’ve had a litter,” Lil’ Mama snorts in the cutest cartoonish voice I ever did hear. It’s light and bright, and I can’t help but smile at the sound of it. “I’m what Mrs. Albright used to call a super breeder. And Mr. Albright called me a cute little”—she looks to Carlotta and tips her head—“witch. Carlotta here made it clear that the true word is a bit too salty for her little ears.”

A soft laugh bounces from me. “It’s nice to meet you, Lil’ Mama. Do you know if there will be another ghost joining us for the investigation? There was another victim that night.”

“It’s just me as far as I’m aware.” She gives a little yip. “Perhaps the man who perished had no one that he held a particular affection for?”

That’s usually what calls the ghosts back to Earth, the fact the person who passed away loved them with all of their heart.

“That would be terribly sad,” I say. “And almost unheard of. But it’s clear Jasmine had a very real affection for you. Hey? How many litters would you say you had?”

“Oh, I had six. Four pups apiece. That seemed to be my magic number.” She cranes her neck to get a better look at my belly and her silky long hair shimmers. “Oh dear, judging by your size, I reckon you’re having about sixteen. Will you have enough teats for them?”

Carlotta and Greer explode with laughter just as Greer’s official plus one, Winslow Decker, floats into the room. Winslow is a cutie with dirty blond hair, a pair of well-worn overalls, and a lazy smile that still makes the girls sing—at least the one girl, Greer. He’s about two hundred years old and once owned a pig farm on the land under the B&B.

“Lottie,” he says with a pleasant smile. “You’re practically glowing. And a double homicide right before the big day? Dare I say you’re going out with an investigative bang.”

Greer leans his way. “A bang is what got her into this predicament, too.”

“Mother!” a tiny ghost shouts. It’s little Azalea, or Lea as she prefers to be called. She’s perennially six. Lea floats in with her long dark hair combed over her face so you can’t tell if she’s coming or going. Her family was slaughtered right over this land, and she’s been roaming the premises ever since with a machete attached to her hand in hopes to avenge their blood. She’s still wearing a dirty little pinafore and scuffed Mary Janes and is as ornery as a chicken with its feathers on fire. “Lottie Lemon, what’s with all the madness? Is it true all these gifts belong to that goldfish swimming in your belly?”

“Puppy,” Lil’ Mama corrects.

“Baby,” I further clarify. “And I don’t really know what they are or who they belong to. I for sure know there’s not enough room in my new rental for all of those boxes.”

A spray of onyx stars emits from the floor, and with a poof of purple smoke appears the sweet little kitty that belongs to this ghostly family, a black cat who goes by the name of Thirteen.

Thirteen floats on and immediately his attention is snagged by Lil’ Mama.

“Well, well, what have we here?” Thirteen purrs. “Who, or should I say what, is this heavenly creature?”

Lil’ Mama gurgles out a laugh. “Oh, come now, you handsome devil. Aren’t you laying it on a little thick, big boy?”

Big boy?

Greer flicks her wrist at the two of them. “Never mind these two frisky creatures. Carlotta told us all about that humiliating proposition Cormack and Cressida had for you.”

“A million dollars, Lottie?” Winslow’s voice echoes with his words. “That’s a tremendous amount of money.”

Little Lea lifts her machete and comes shy of slicing off his nose. “And she refused it. Good on you, Lottie. Who needs money that will only bring ruin? You’re a wealthy woman. You don’t need to exploit the men in your life as well as yourself and that little banshee you’ve got brewing in your belly. Don’t fall for their evil schemes.”

Greer nods. “I’ve got a better way. Tell them you’ll do it, but only if they give the B&B back to your mother.”

Winslow, Lea, and Thirteen all give a raucous cheer at the thought.

“Oh, go ahead and do it, Lottie,” Lea wails. “We can’t bear any more of the torment those nitwits have bestowed upon us. They’re scaring the ghosts. Think of what they’re doing to the guests who dare to stay here.”

“You’ve got a point,” I say. But I can’t bring myself to let them know there isn’t enough money, or enough B&Bs for me to whore my paternity out. “I’ll think about it.”

Greer growls, “Think about it quickly. We’re at our wits’ end with these twits. We’ve pulled some of our best haunting stunts, and it’s as if both Cormack and Cressida are unfazed by books falling off shelves, chandeliers shaking, and doors opening and closing on their own. They simply don’t care. We need to get them where it hurts. Start a rumor, Lottie.”

“I can’t start a rumor. That would be like starting a war with them, and believe me, I have my hands full at the moment.” I hug my belly. “I don’t need any more trouble.”

“Start a