Bobbing For Bodies: MURDER IN THE MIX 2 Read online

Pancake lets out a howl from the next room, and we all share a laugh on his behalf.

  “To new beginnings,” the four of them chime before imbibing.

  Noah takes a breath, his chest expanding the size of a door, and I can’t help but bite down on my lower lip. Noah and I haven’t taken that next step in our relationship yet. Heck, I haven’t even seen the inside of his rental home yet. We’ve been that busy. But once things settle down, I’m looking forward to rectifying just about everything with that tall, dark-haired, dimpled, headstrong detective.

  Noah gives a wayward glance my way, and a heated line bisects my stomach on cue. Noah Fox is welcome to send a wayward glance my way as often as he likes. And now that we’re within a stone’s throw of one another, I expect one on the regular.

  “I’ve got an announcement to make,” Noah says as he looks to Everett and me.

  Everett’s chest thumps with a dry laugh. “Don’t tell me I’ve chased you out of the neighborhood so soon.”

  “Not funny,” I say, wrapping my arms around Noah. “You’re not moving, are you?”

  “Well”—his head inches back, and his dark brows dance over his eyes like caterpillars—“I sort of am, sort of not. Captain Turner called last night and offered me a position with the sheriff’s department.”

  “What?” I shriek as the rest of the room breaks out into cheers. Noah worked as a detective back in Cincinnati but was fired after he discharged his weapon at the man his ex was cheating on him with. A completely understandable malfeasance in my opinion. I hop up and crash a congratulatory kiss over his lips. “Is it true?”

  “Yes, it’s true.” He looks to Keelie. “Your dad is a great guy. He said I could work alongside Detective Fairbanks since the department is short on staff, and once the probation period is through, he’ll evaluate and see if I can get in for good.”

  A pang of grief hits me, for no other reason than jealousy. Detective Fairbanks just so happens to be a gorgeous leggy redhead with the face and body of a supermodel.

  “But what about your office next to the bank?” The feeble protest sounds both foolish and rife with spite just coming from my lips.

  “I’m keeping it for now. That way if things don’t work out, I’ll have a fallback plan.”

  Everett raises his glass. “They’ll work out.” He frowns as if they wouldn’t. “They didn’t call you the golden kid in high school for nothing.”

  I’m about to demand all the dirty deets concerning my newly minted boyfriend’s high school hazy days when Pancake hisses from the next room.

  “He’s been acting up ever since we set foot in this place,” I say, glancing over. It’s an open floor plan, but with the endless tower of boxes, we’ve effectively walled him in.

  Lainey rolls her eyes. “And you’ve been blaming that poor cat for everything. How about I take Pancake home with me?” She gives a sly wink. “I think he likes me better, anyhow.”

  “You wish.” Another hiss emits from the sofa as I detangle myself from Noah. “I’ll be right back.”

  Keelie starts in, a mile a minute, about how she knew all about Noah’s big surprise and the fact that she put in a good word for him. I’m sure Jack, Captain Turner—I’ve grown up with the man as a second father, so I can’t seem to call him Captain—anyway, I’m positive he’s seen for himself what a great investigator Noah is. I’m thrilled he thought of him to fill the need on the force. I’m not thrilled that he’s working with Detective Redheaded Barbie.

  Another hiss expires and I glance over to the sofa, but there’s not a sign of Pancake.

  I do a quick sweep of the vicinity and spot his rust tipped tail swishing back and forth from under the couch.

  Odd. Pancake’s tail never swishes. In fact, the last time it did so, he thought he was defending me against a giant predator—aka the tiniest, cutest little mouse with big brown eyes you’ve ever seen.

  The door has been open all day. I bet an entire fleet of mice ran in. Just perfect. I happen to detest the thought of mice anywhere near where I sleep or eat, no matter how cute their big brown eyes might be.

  Laughter erupts from the kitchen as Keelie continues to regale them with one bubbly story after the next.

  “Come here, you.” I get down on my knees and do my best to excavate Pancake, but judging by the way his claws are fighting every inch of it, he’s not a willing party. “No, no, no, you have to love this house. I love it so much I want to live here forever, and if that pans out, I can’t have you clawing your way through the furniture. This is your home, too, you know.” I amble back to my feet with Pancake squirming to get out of my arms, but I’m too stubborn to let him go. He cranes his neck past me and hisses so hard I turn in a dizzying spin, fully expecting to find a human-sized rat, but it’s not a rat by far. “Everett,” I pant, closing my eyes for a second. “You scared the daylights out of me.”

  “I did?” a deep voice booms from behind, and I spin back on my heels to see the handsome judge on his way toward the door.

  “How’d you do that?” I marvel for a moment.

  “Do what?” he says as Lainey and Keelie come over and offer me a quick embrace before heading out into the icy autumn air.

  “Congratulations again!” Keelie calls out as they make their way to their cars.

  I frown over at Everett “You know…” I glance over my shoulder and spot those glowing blue eyes of his staring right back at me and let out a sharp howl.

  “Whoa.” Noah comes over and takes Pancake from me. “I think your mom is in desperate need of a nap.”

  “And maybe vodka,” I say under my breath. And that’s a big deal, considering the fact I don’t make a practice to drink. Standing behind me a good five feet is Everett. For a second, I scan the vicinity for a mirror because standing in front of me a good five feet is Everett as well. “You wouldn’t happen to have a twin, would you?” I ask weakly.

  Noah pulls me in, his brows pinched in a vexingly sexy V as his concern brews heavy. “Are you feeling all right?”

  “I’m”—I look to Everett, the one standing by the door, as he pulls on his jacket—“I guess maybe I am tired.” So tired I’m hallucinating! Good grief. Unless, of course…

  I suck in a sharp breath and turn my head abruptly to meet up with those piercing blue eyes of Everett’s questionable twin, and it’s then I note the fact I can see my television right through his vellum-like body.

  “Oh God,” I whimper as Noah slips an arm around my waist and pulls me in.

  “I think it’s officially past your bedtime.”

  “Right.” I look back and catch Everett, the solid, earthbound version just as he’s about to step out of the house.

  “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow night at the Endeavor awards ceremony.” He grimaces at the two of us. “I promised Collette I’d go. She’s really excited. I couldn’t say no.”

  “You never say no,” Noah is quick to remind him.

  “Yes, for sure I’ll see you th-there,” I stammer.

  “Good.” Everett tweaks his brows. “Collette said to remind you that her boss likes pumpkin spice everything.”

  “Good thing for me, I’m bringing just about everything.”

  He gives a dark chuckle. “Sounds good, Lemon. Goodnight, neighbor.” He gives a brief wave as he closes the door behind him. And just as I’m about to glance back at that specter bearing his resemblance, he strides right past Noah and me. He turns his head and looks at me with those same serious eyes, that all too familiar stern expression firmly on his face, and gives a slight wave as he walks right through the door and out into the night.

  “Hey”—Noah pecks a kiss just under my ear—“I think I’m going to scoot so you can get some rest. You’re starting to look pale. I think maybe you should turn in early.”

  “Oh, I will.” Although I don’t think I’ll be able to catch a wink. “Say, whatever happened to Everett’s father?” I’ve heard Everett mention his mother and sister. I never thought to ask about his father.
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  “He died a while back. Everett was in junior high, I think. It was right before my own father came into the picture.” He growls at the memory. “Why? Did he say something?”

  “No, actually, I don’t think he did.”

  Noah shrugs it off. “I wouldn’t think so. His old man was off the table as far as topics went. At least back in the day. I think they had some sort of falling out just before he bit the big one.”

  “That’s too bad.”

  “It is. Once someone’s gone, that’s it. You don’t get a chance to make amends. You don’t get to see them again—at least on this side.” He leans in and lands a gentle kiss to my lips before backing away slowly. “I’ll be in Ashford tomorrow filling out some last-minute paperwork down at the sheriff’s department. Good luck with the awards ceremony.” He opens the door and steps out, but his gaze still remains pinned on mine. “I’m open tomorrow night if you’re up for it.”

  “I’ll absolutely be up for it,” I assure him.

  Noah breaks out into his signature killer grin. “That’s what I like to hear.”

  The door clicks softly behind him, and I turn slowly in the direction of Everett’s home.

  Noah is wrong. On occasion you do get to see your loved ones again—at least I do. I have a feeling I’ll be seeing a heck of a lot more of Everett’s lookalike phantasm than I ever wanted to.

  One thing is for certain. I’m not letting Everett Baxter out of my sight tomorrow.

  PICK UP Pumpkin Spice Sacrifice (Murder in the Mix 3) NOW!

  And be sure to pick up the holiday book that inspired the MURDER IN THE MIX series Just Add Mistletoe!

  Books by Addison Moore

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  WEBSITE http://addisonmoore.com

  Mystery

  Little Girl Lost

  Cutie Pies and Deadly Lies (Murder in the Mix 1)

  Bobbing for Bodies (Murder in the Mix 2)

  Pumpkin Spice Sacrifice (Murder in the Mix 3)

  Gingerbread & Deadly Dread (Murder in the Mix 4)

  Romance

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  Acknowledgments

  Thank you to YOU, the reader, for delving into the MURDER IN THE MIX world with me. I hope you love Lottie and Honey Hollow as much as I do! I hope you’ll join me on the next leg of the MURDER IN THE MIX adventure for more mayhem and mischief!

  A special thank you to Jodie Tarleton for your extraordinary vision. You are amazing and a wonderful support. There are just no words to convey how thankful I am for you.

  A HUGE thank you to the amazing Kaila Eileen Turingan-Ramos. Is there anything you can’t do? I am in awe of your superpowers.

  A mighty big thank you to Shay Rivera, beta extraordinaire! Your ongoing support and encouragement are well appreciated! Your future is so bright, I have no doubt you will move mountains.

  Sister hugs to Lisa Markson. You’re amazing and I love you. Thank you for being a friend.

  To the beautiful Paige Maroney Smith, there is no one like you. Thank you is such a small sentiment when compared to how grateful I really am to know you. Love you, girl!

  And last, but never least, thank you to Him who sits on the throne. Worthy is the Lamb! Glory and honor and power are yours. I owe you everything.

  About the Author

  Addison Moore is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author who writes contemporary and paranormal romance. Her work has been featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine. Previously she worked as a therapist on a locked psychiatric unit for nearly a decade. She resides on the West Coast with her husband, four wonderful children, and two dogs where she eats too much chocolate and stays up way too late. When s
he's not writing, she's reading. Addison’s Celestra Series has been optioned for film by 20th Century Fox.

  Feel free to visit her on Instagram.

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