Page 45 of A Whisker in the Night

Come to think of it, my mother might need protection from Georgie and the chaos of the parade. The line of defense needed seems never-ending.

Speaking of protection, I’m about to scan the vicinity for my handsome hubby when the crowd parts like the Red Sea and Macy, her sweet dog Candy, and Jordy appear, with Camila trailing behind them like a glamorous vampire—because that’s essentially what she is.

Macy is rocking a spring dress that probably cost more than my monthly budget at the inn, while Jordy manages to make his handyman wardrobe work for him like only he can. Camila’s fashion choice for the day is polished, prim, and proper, although her thoughts are screaming something else entirely—that’s because it’s laced with white noise.

White noise would be the universe’s way of sparing me the naughty details. I have a feeling her thoughts would make a steamy romance novel blush.

She takes a moment to glower over at my sister.Why should Macy get the best man candy in Cider Cove? Those arms belong on a magazine cover—and they certainly belong around my naked waist.

She looks my way and her hand flies to her mouth as she catches my eye. I’m guessing she’s suddenly remembered my little extraterrestrial talent. I point two fingers at my eyes, then at her, getting my message across: I’m watching you, sister.

We wish one another a quick happy Easter as Macy wraps her arms around Jordy while Candy sniffs and barks at the passing parade still going on full steam.

I smell Cane,Candy barks.Where is he, Bizzy? I haven’t licked or sniffed him in close to a week.

I glance over my shoulder on the visual hunt for my handsome husband because I can sort of commiserate with how she’s feeling.

“Cane is just up ahead,” I tell her, and Candy begins tugging at Macy to take off in that direction. “If I were a mind reader, I’d think she missed licking and sniffing her canine boy toy.”

Camila nods.Same, girl, same.She licks her lips while looking at Jordy—and apparently with no fear of me listening in on her lusty musings.

Jordy laughs as he gives the white fluff ball a quick pat to the back. “Well, Bizzy, I’ve got some good news for you. The trees at the inn are all pruned and ready for spring,” he reports with a grin, completely oblivious to the fact he’s being mentally claimed by Camila Ryder. Either that or he’s picking up on it—and he’s totally enjoying it, too.

Jordy, much like my sister, craves the attention of every and any person of the opposite gender—even the emotional vampires among us.

“Aww,” Macy purrs and bats her lashes at him. “Now that you’ve trimmed my sister’s trees, why don’t you come to my place tonight and trim a few of mine?” She kisses up his face and all but suctions his ear right off his head. “And if you do a good job, I might even whip up my grandmother’s secret scone recipe for you.”

Ooh, my grandmother’s cranberry scones were impossibly delicious.

“I’ve got a killer scone recipe myself.” Camila offers a sultry smile to my sister’s shiny new boyfriend.And I’ll make sure I feed them to him personally.She shoots a side glance my way and gives a curt smile.There’s not a thing you can do to stop me, Bizzy. Not even your sister can stop me. She loves me. She might even love me more than she loves you.

I won’t have to stop her. Camila is wrong. Macy can very well stop her. My sister can hold her own when it comes to hoarding her men. I just hope there’s not another homicide in Cider Cove today. But then, if there was, I might bend the rules and help Macy hide the body.

Macy might love Camila more than she loves me, but she loves her spacious condo more than she does a six-by-five cell and I’d help her steer clear of it.

“Come on.” Macy links arms with both Jordy and Camila. “Let’s help Candy hunt down Cane.”I’m not the only Baker girl who’s looking to get some action today.

I would be the third, I muse to myself as I scan the crowd for Jasper once again.

The three of them take off to check out the parade floats—among other things while Camila’s thoughts flit to white noise once again.

I’m about to follow along when I spot a familiar silver-streaked head in the crowd.

Matilda Westoff stands alone, watching the marching band stride by with an expression that could curdle milk.He would have loved this parade,she muses to herself.If only he hadn’t threatened to expose everything, things could have ended differently between us.

The baby kicks sharply, and I straighten my spine.

It’s time to hop to it. This killer isn’t going to catch themselves.

Chapter 29

The crowd here at the Easter Hip Hip Parade parts just enough for me to spot Matilda Westoff, and I don’t get two steps before Verity Westoff sidles up right next to her. Both women look polished to the nines, and both women happen to be holding a small cup of coffee from the local café.

This screams catfight more than it does cordial holiday greeting.

Speaking of cats, two of my favorite felines run up—sans the tote bag I left them in.

We escaped,Fish says, curling around my ankle.

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