Page 10 of A Whisker in the Night

I nearly choke on my second chocolate egg. “Oh, that’s so sweet of her! Wow, I can’t wait. When? Where? How long will this bliss last? And how far do we need to drive to get there?”

“Actually, it’s coming to us.” She laughs, absently rubbing her belly. “I get to schedule it. How does tonight at my place sound? That way you can see where I’ve hidden all the loot from my baby shower. And Leo and I have been adding new touches to the nursery every day.”

Tell her you want to see the stuffed bunny collection, Jellybean pipes up.I spotted at least twenty through the window when Fish and Sherlock took me on a tour of the grounds this morning.

I nod at the cute little kitty. “We’ll be inspecting every inch of that place,” I assure her before turning to Emmie. “I’ll let Jasper know. We wouldn’t miss it.”

I can’t help but smile at the thought of Emmie’s over-the-top baby shower that was held right here at the inn just last month. Between the custom-made cake that looked like a sleeping baby made by Emmie herself (slightly creepy, yet delicious), the mountain of designer baby clothes, and enough baby gear to stock a small department store, it’s safe to say her baby shower was a hit. Not to mention she could probably open her own baby boutique at this point.

A group of guests pauses near the giant Easter egg topiary set by the counter, and while they start snapping selfies of it and the pets as if their lives depended on it, I help Emmie wolf down what’s left of her chocolate peanut butter eggs. And oh my word, a new addiction slash craving is born just like that.

“Speaking of mothers and mothers-in-law”—I start—“which grandmother-to-be is claiming squatter’s rights in your guest room?” I ask while sneaking another chocolate egg.

Emmie shoots me a look. “This is exactly why I shouldn’t have upgraded to a three-bedroom cottage. Both our mothershave threatened to move in permanently—and they both live in town!”

I can’t help but laugh. “Better you than me. I’m staying put in my two-bedroom. You’re going to have one serious baby war on your hands in no time,” I tease, adjusting the pink satin bow on a nearby chocolate bunny. My own little one gives another kick, clearly offended that I’m touching the chocolate rather than eating it. “I’m lucky in the mother-in-law department because despite having five children of her own, Jasper’s mother isn’t all that maternal.” I give a contented sigh at the thought. “And well, my mother has her hands full with baby Mack.”

That tiny human is a menace,Fish meows.He tried to smash his beanie onto my head last week until I was forced to run for cover. He was determined to suffocate me. I lost at least six of my nine lives.

It’s true. I’ll have to keep a better eye on my sweet nephew when he’s around Fish. But the joy on that sweet boy’s face was unforgettable. Besides, Fish survived and we even got a few cute pictures of her wearing his beanie while pinned strategically in Mack’s little chubby arms. I’m going to frame them they’re that hilarious.

Baby Mack is the son of my brother, Huxley, and his surprising choice of a bride, Mayor Mackenzie Woods. The fact that my brother married my former nemesis still gives me whiplash. Hux has always been a renegade that way.

But baby Mack has been the light of our lives since he arrived. He’ll be two this fall, and somehow his existence has made me actually like Mackenzie a little more. Mostly.

A commotion erupts at the door and interrupts my thoughts as my sister Macy sweeps in, managing to knock over a display of cellophane-wrapped Easter baskets in her wake.

Her sweet Samoyed, Candy, prances dutifully by her side like the fluffy cloud on a leash she is, complete with bunny ears because she is indeed the queen of every season.

Candy stops short.What’s this I smell?Her bright pink nose twitches, her furry little neck jerks around, and once she spots Jellybean, chaos erupts and the chase is on.

Suddenly, fur zips in every direction at once as barking ensues, yowling pierces our eardrums, and the entire foyer explodes with both laughter and screams from our guests.

But that doesn’t stop Macy from stomping my way looking lean, mean, and dressed for success in a sharp powder blue pantsuit. Speaking of renegade siblings.

“Get ready to meet your maker, Bizzy Baker,” she growls. “Because I’m going to end you.”

Chapter 6

The soft hum of spring mingles with the sweet aroma of chocolate as sunlight filters through the inn’s windows, catching on the glittering pastel egg garland I insisted on draping everywhere. Easter has definitely exploded in the Country Cottage Inn, and I have a feeling my sister is about to do the same.

“What’s this I hear about you poaching my customers?” Macy’s blonde bob bounces as she points a glossy red fingernail my way. “Bizzy, why did you have a booth out on your lawn yesterday that featured both candles and soap? You know that’s my territory!”

Macy’s words are laced with loose threats dipped in sarcasm. It’s her signature tone. One I’m all too familiar with.

“Macy, what are you talking about?” I ask, managing to keep my voice even. With Sherlock and Fish joining Candy as she chases poor Jellybean, the inn has enough chaos and drama at the moment. Sorry to inform Macy, but we’ve met our quota for the day.

The baby gives a swift kick, clearly not enjoying the chaos either. Or maybe he or she is just politely asking for another chocolate egg. Honestly, it could go either way.

Come to think of it, it’s definitely the chocolate.

Macy doesn’t even let me finish before she launches into her rant. “Hammie Mae Westoff has plastered that cheap gift shop of theirs all over social media, letting the world know they sell far more than chocolate. As in candles and soap, Bizzy!Candles. And.Soap.” She pauses with all the drama she can afford. Never mind the fact her words are laced with enough venom to make a cobra envious. “She’s letting everyone know they were the best sellers at that Hop Until You Die Festival you hosted. Every last comment mentioned what a great time they had at theCountry Cottage Inn.” She stops just long enough to narrow her eyes at me. “Okay, some of them mentioned what a house of horrors this place is and that it should be demolished as an act of public safety, but I digress. My sales are down this morning—and you’ve singlehandedly demolished them.”Sometimes I wish I had another sister,she seethes that last part to herself and I gasp.One that wasn’t successful at anything she did. An unmarried sister, unpregnant, and unemployed. One that lived in my mother’s basement playing video games—so that my light could shine a little brighter for once.

I press my lips tight to keep from laughing.

“Macy, you’ve only been open for an hour,” I counter, popping another pastel chocolate egg into my mouth for the sustenance I need to deal with the sister who wishes I didn’t exist. “All business is down at this time. Besides, Easter is this Sunday. You know your customer base is too busy filling baskets and baking sweet treats to do any shopping. It’s as if all time stops for a few days in their lives and they have chocolaty things to tend to.”

Which reminds me… I snap up another chocolate peanut butter egg as if to prove a point.

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