Sneak Peek!
Vanilla Glazed Valentine Vendetta
Book Description:
Chapter 1
The Victim
The ballroom is all gloss and glitter tonight, decked out with gaudy, heart-shaped decor that looks like something a lovesick teenager dreamed up.
Red and pink balloons everywhere, lace hearts draped over every surface—it’s nauseating. But perfect. It hides me, lets me blend in with the rest of these wide-eyed fools who think Honey Hollow is this quaint, sleepy little town. This place is practically a homicide factory, and they don’t even realize it.
Innocent? Hardly. And tonight, it’s about to add to its tally.
They’re here, of course, soaking up the spotlight. Laughing, sipping champagne as if they’re royalty, basking in their own inflated sense of importance. The more I watch them, the more my adrenaline kicks up a notch.
They have no idea. None at all. They think they’ve beaten me, that their precious little world is untouchable. So smug. So disgustingly smug. And oh, how I’ll enjoy watching that crumble.
My gaze sweeps the room, taking in Honey Hollow’s so-called finest. There’s Lottie Lemon, bless her heart, looking chipper and insufferable, passing out trays of those overpriced desserts of hers, her little belly growing more gargantuan by the day.
Not that I pity her—no, she’s nothing but a busybody with a bakery and two lapdogs she’s convinced herself are in love with her. Well, maybe they are. But still, what a fantasy world those three have wrapped themselves up in.
And those men? Everett, with his nauseating protectiveness, hovering like a guard dog ready to growl and bite. And Noah, that so-called morally superior, straitlaced detective who can’t take a hint if it was spelled out in a neon sign.
And let’s not forget Carlotta. A self-satisfied cawing crow in heels—and in perpetual heat. The woman pecks at anyone who dares cross her path. I can’t stand her. She thinks she’s so clever, so funny, with her foul-mouthed antics. I’ve got news for her—that little act of hers has worn thin. She’s like every other person in this town—blissfully, ignorantly happy, convinced that Honey Hollow is just a cozy dream come to life.
But tonight isn’t for them. No, tonight is for someone else entirely.
The lights dim, casting a warm glow across the room, softening the harsh lines, making everyone look just a little surreal.
I watch as my target moves closer, smiling, laughing, hand in hand with those little gestures that practically scream they own this town. And, of course, the room eats it up, just like they eat up those cutesy little cookies and pastries they jam down everyone’s throat.
Everyone thinks they’re perfect. They don’t know the truth—the lies, the betrayals, the hypocrisy that rots beneath that gleaming smile. They are so very far from perfect.
But the night is young, and I’m in no rush to exact my revenge.
Timing is everything, and tonight they will finally know that for all their schemes, their charm, their hold on all of Vermont—they’re not invincible. They’re as vulnerable as anyone else, and I will be the one to remind them of that.
I edge closer, weaving through the couples swaying to the music, through friends chatting with that obnoxious small-town warmth that turns my stomach. One step at a time, with every footfall bringing me closer to my destiny.
The music grows in volume, drowning out the murmur of voices. And I’m there, standing close enough to see the faint lines at the corners of their eyes, the joy in their face. And all of it is about to shatter.
I’m going to shatter it myself.
A dark smile curves on my lips at the thought.
I’m just about ready to end this little charade.
It’s time to take control of my destiny.
And theirs.
Chapter 2
Lottie
“Would you look at all these delicious men here tonight.” Carlotta dances and drools while inspecting the crowd as if they were her favorite snack. “Why, they’re looking like sweet treats themselves, don’t you think, Lot?”
“Behave,” I chide, while arranging a tray of my double iced conversation heart sugar cookies. They’re each as big as my hand, and each one has a cutesy little saying on it like be mine, you’re cute, and meet me out back. I gasp at that last one.
How the heck did that get in here? And who was the saucy culprit? I snap that last one up for myself and take a quick bite.
Mmm, so good.
February is about to bring a lot to Honey Hollow, and Valentine’s Day is just the tip of the sugary iceberg. Lainey is due to have her baby. And Meg and Sam are going to have a double wedding on the heart-shaped day itself.
“And I mean you had better behave,” I say sternly to the hot-to-trot senior vixen by my side. Carlotta is my biological mother, which explains the fact we look identical, save for the wrinkles on her part. Time hasn’t been kind to Carlotta, but then, Carlotta isn’t kind to anyone else so there’s some symmetry there. But we do share the same hazel eyes, same caramel curls, and same ability to see the dead, but I’d rather not think about that right now.
“Besides”—I go on—“you promised Mayor Nash that he’d be your one and only from here on out.”
Carlotta grunts at the thought. “Leave it to you, Lot, to throw my own words right back in my face. And don’t pretend you’re not enjoying every second of it.”
“I’m enjoying every second of this cookie, that’s for sure.”
I give her a playful nudge as we finish arranging the last tier of pastries on my dessert table.
The Evergreen Manor asked my bakery, the Cutie Pie Bakery and Cakery, to cater the desserts for the evening—or at least most of them. And I came through with platters full of cookies of every variety, brownies, cupcakes, éclairs, cream puffs, and I’ve even set up a six-tiered donut display full of every glazed and wonderful deep-fried confection.
The ballroom in the Evergreen Manor is all glitz and glitter tonight, decked out in pinks and reds as if it were Cupid’s dream come to life.
There’s a large pink banner strewn across the front that reads, Welcome to the Heartstrings and Sweet Things Spectacular! Where Cupid’s arrow meets a sprinkle of sugar and a dash of spice!
Lace hearts are draped over tables, pink streamers twirl from the ceiling, and red roses fill every vase in sight. The scent of vanilla and cinnamon from the dessert display mingles with expensive perfumes and colognes, giving the air a sugary, heady appeal.
Classic love songs croon from the speakers, and couples canoodle on the dance floor while the rest of the room chats away. It’s not just a couples’ event, but it’s a singles’ mingle, too. And by the looks of things, any and everyone is doing just that—mingling.
The Heartstrings and Sweet Things event has been the talk of the town as of late. We’re more than a week out from Valentine’s Day, and the Evergreen Manor wasn’t about to miss an opportunity to celebrate.
But tonight is more than just a Valentine’s celebration. It’s actually a showcase for bakers and confectionery brands across Vermont, bringing bakers and baking companies alike together for a night dedicated to sweet treats and culinary creativity.
This sugar-sweet event features the biggest names in baking, and it’s where they can share their best-loved products, introduce new delights, and set up drop-dead gorgeously decorated tables filled with everything from decadent cookies and pies to intricately decorated cakes for all to enjoy.
Last year it was in Burlington, but this year the Evergreen Manor happened to be tapped for the honor, and what an honor it is. I’m just itching to go around the room and nibble on every single sweet treat I can get my hands on.
One of the twins gives me a sharp kick in the ribs as if to say, get a move on. I can’t blame them. I’ve sort of spoiled them by way of sending down a dessert their way at regular twenty-minute intervals.
I’m due next month in March, and I’m as large as the bakery itself. Most likely because I’ve just about eaten everything in my bakery.
Another kick comes, this time sharper.
“Oof.” I double over a bit, or as much as I can with my newly acquired extra-large beach ball of a belly.
“Quit your witchin’, Lot,” Carlotta is quick to admonish. “I know you’re just trying to drum up an excuse before you inhale everything that’s edible in this room.”
“I am not trying to drum up an excuse,” I say, incredulous. “But if you must know, the twins are starving. And they can be quite demanding when they’re hungry. And they happen to have a sweet spot for donuts.”
“I’ve been telling you for months that one belongs to Foxy.”
“Oh, would you stop.” I roll my eyes at the thought. Noah Fox is a homicide detective who happens to have a penchant for donuts, and he happens to be my ex and the father of my sweet one-year-old, Lyla Nell. I gasp hard. “Oh my word, Lyla Nell will be two next month! I’m going to have a two-year-old and newborn twins.”
“That’s right, Lot.” Carlotta picks up a chocolate cupcake with cream cheese frosting. “I can’t think of anyone who deserves it more than you.”
Before I can respond, a brunette and rather irate version of my best friend bops this way, wagging a finger right at me. Naomi Turner’s heels click-clack against the marble floor, and her jaw is set like she’s prepared for battle.
Naomi is the manager here at the Evergreen Manor, and yet she’s never let go of her high school mean-girl persona. Naomi is a looker with her glossy brown hair, bright blue eyes, and bowtie lips. And with that hip-hugging red dress, she’s put every eligible bachelor here tonight on notice. Naomi has always had an acumen for fashion and cruelty. She could strut her stuff at a runway show while kicking puppies and still have a smile on her face.
On the contrary, her twin, Keelie Nell Turner, is an angel and happens to be my favorite blonde bestie. She married my ex, Bear, and they have a two-year-old boy named Little Bear whom I love just as much as I do my old children.
“Lottie Lemon,” Naomi growls my name out and bares her fangs in the process as if she were out to prove my point. “You’ve got some nerve waddling around in my ballroom! I want you out of my manor and off the premises before you spread any of that bad luck you’re carting around!”
My mouth opens in protest, but before I can begin my rebuttal, she steps in as close as she can get without bumping into my belly.
“I don’t care what you have to say,” she goes on. “I don’t want you giving birth, whipping out your boob to feed a stray kid, or worst of all, doing the two-step with the Grim Reaper! Honey Hollow has had about enough of you, and so have I.”
A collective gasp circles the vicinity around us, and I make a face at all the people ogling the spectacle.
“In case you’ve forgotten”—I say sharply to the brunette attack dog next to me—“you invited me to bring my desserts. In fact, that invite was quickly followed by a nice fat check. And thank you, by the way, because I do like to get paid on time.”
Some people think that since desserts are so delicious, they should be free. Okay, I’ll admit, it would be a better world, but there would be a lot of homeless bakers out there.
“Of course, I haven’t forgotten,” she snips back. “But maybe you forgot that I asked you to have your staff deliver them.”
“Which they did.” I nod over to the dance floor where three of my staff members are currently kicking it up. “And now they’re having a good time. Which is all I plan on having tonight,” I assure her.
“Ha!” she barks right in my face. “The only good time you know how to have happens to include a homicide!”
More gasps. Although I’m not sure why. At this point, it’s more or less the truth. And I really do enjoy solving those cases.
I’m about to shove a cupcake into Naomi’s pie hole when two of the most handsome men on the planet show up, bringing the drinks they promised a few minutes ago.
Everett and Noah each hold a glowing pink cocktail with a festive, heart-shaped straw poking out the top.
“Love potion for my love,” Everett says, handing me the drink.
“Thank you.” I give a quick wink his way.
Everett is tall, with a shock of black hair, eyes so blue the sky is envious, has enough dark scruff covering his cheeks to make my fingers twitch, and he rarely, if ever, smiles.
He’s drop-dead handsome. Scratch that, he’s lethally handsome. At any given time, there are women in a twenty-foot radius craning their necks just to get a better look at him. Women have fallen on their knees before him in adulation, and that’s just in the frozen food aisle of the grocery store. And on top of that, he has an IQ that rivals Einstein’s, and he happens to be a judge down at the Ashford County Courthouse.
“Alcohol-free,” he assures me while nodding to the drink already to my lips, and it tastes like strawberries. “Knock yourself out, Lemon.” He takes a moment to offer Naomi a curt nod. “Ms. Turner,” he says sternly. He’s never referred to Naomi as Ms. Turner before, so I can tell he’s good and ticked. “As you can see, my wife is in a delicate condition. Please refrain from upsetting her. And furthermore, I promise to keep an eye on her.”
I gasp his way. “What do you mean, keep an eye on me?”
“And”—Noah holds up a finger before Everett can answer—“I promise to keep an eye on her, too.” He waggles his eyebrows my way. Noah is still very much in love with me, and, of course, I still love him. He has dark, thick hair, bright green eyes, and dimples deep enough to curl up and take a nap in. And luckily for me, he passed all of those traits down to Lyla Nell. “In fact, I’ll go one step further,” he says. “I’ll take full responsibility should something go sideways.”
“Sideways?” I practically gag on the word.
“You had better!” Naomi takes a moment to growl at the two of them before she stalks off.
“Goodness,” I grouse. “I mean, do people really think that wherever I go, murder will follow?” I roll my eyes just as the cutest cinnamon-colored poodle strides up and rubs her head against my hip. “Oh my word, aren’t you the sweetest,” I say, giving her a scratch just above the little pink bow sitting between her ears, and she gives a soft woof my way while looking up at me with those adorable button eyes. “Oh my heart,” I say as I blow her a dozen kisses. “Everett, Noah, I want one just like her when the time is right.”
“Just like what?” Noah asks, looking perplexed.
“This cute little pooch,” I say, delighted by her presence. “I mean, she’s obviously not so little. She’s—”
“Lemon,” Everett growls.
“Lottie?” Noah’s eyes widen with a deep level of concern.
Carlotta sighs hard. “It looks like things are about to go sideways.”
***I hope you enjoyed this preview! Thank you for reading!****