“Maybe. But if she was the one to pull the trigger, she won’t live to stand trial for my murder. I’ll take care of her myself. I’ll meet you in the van.”
Within minutes, Carlotta and I pile into my minivan as Flo leads the way to our mystery destination, and I happen to notice another all too familiar minivan following us from behind.
“We’re being tailed,” Carlotta whoops. “By Keelie, Lainey, and the rugrats. I hope they don’t mind zucchini bikinis.”
Flo wheezes out her signature braying laugh. “No bikinis where we’re going, but there might be zucchini. Trust me, Lottie. Your witches are going to be glad they tagged along. They might even be upset with you for not extending the invite.”
“How could you not invite us to tag along?” Lainey smacks me on the arm. “I could have missed out on all this delicious goodness.”
Keelie moans like one only can when faced with unbelievable yummy treats. “I may never forgive you from attempting to hold me back.”
Both Keelie and Lainey head to the front of Sophia’s Sweet House as if they were hypnotized by the offerings, and I have no doubt they are. It smells like fresh baked chocolate chip cookies and fresh brewed espresso, and I have a feeling this place can keep every delicious promise those heavenly scents make.
Carlotta groans, “Lot Lot, if these desserts are half as good as they look, the Cutie Pie might be in real trouble.”
I’m afraid she’s right. I’ll admit, once we exited the highway and headed for Leeds, I thought that whole zucchini bikini scenario was still a go. But I was never happier to be wrong. I’d hate to drag little Bear and baby Josie to any dicey facilities. As soon as we pulled up and saw a line of people inside snaking toward the exit, not to mention the fact more than eighty percent of the tables in here are occupied, I knew this bakery meant business. The sign behind the counter reads a little taste of the old country. We make sweets, sandwiches, and coffee the way God intended.
Flo leans in, and a sprinkling of tiny silver stars flutters around her.
“There they are.” She points a ghostly finger toward the corner, and I spot Lorena and Donata sitting at a table with a couple of other women. “It’s a Ruthless meetup.”
Ruthless as in Ruthless Witches, her girl gang that’s supposed to mirror the mobsters that rule this town.
Lorena does a double take our way before squealing with delight and waving us over. Her long dark hair is encrusted to perfection, her lashes are so long they look as if they’re about to brush over my cheek, and she’s donned a hot pink sweat suit with the words Flo’s Hos emblazoned over the front of her sweatshirt in sparkling rhinestones that glitter as she moves. And next to her is a redheaded beauty with her lips in the same matching hue, Donata.
Lorena stands to her feet. “Come on over. We’ve got an open table right next to us!”
Carlotta and I do as we’re told, and soon we’re standing next to an empty table for six with plenty of room for Keelie and Lainey.
“Everybody”—Lorena cups her hands around her mouth—“this is Lottie Lemon and her mama, Spider. Lottie is a world-class private investigator, and she’s working on Flo’s case.”
A round of oohs circles the table.
Donata winks my way. “I bet I know why you’re here. You’re scoping out the competition.”
“You caught me.” I shrug. “I guess I’d better get in line if I want to get to eating.”
“No way.” Donata motions for me to take a seat. “My cousin Jackie runs this place for her mama, and I’m going to make sure they give you the treatment.”
She zips off just as Carlotta leans my way. “Let’s hope the treatment doesn’t involve a shiny new pair of cement stilettos.”
Flo rolls her glowing eyes. “My witches wouldn’t hurt anyone, including me. Take a seat, girls. This is going to be epic.”
I’m about to do just that when I spot a familiar blonde at a table nearby and a familiar dark-haired man with her. A quick breath catches in my throat.
“Just a minute. I think I need to say hello to someone.” I trot on over to the canoodling pair and clear my throat, garnering their attention.
The blonde with the big hair looks up, and her glossy red lips round out.
“As I live and breathe!” She gasps as she jumps to her feet. “It’s Mrs. Judge Baxter herself. And here I thought you never left the bedroom unless commanded to by a court of law.”
“Hi, Annie.” I nod to my fellow ex-juror. “And hello to you, too, Mr. Wolfe.”
The handsome, albeit slightly scruffy, deputy DA offers an apprehensive smile my way.
“It’s nice to see you again, number twenty-three.” He sheds an easy smile. There’s quite a sandwich and dessert spread in front of them, and it’s safe to say we are clearly in lunch date territory.
“You can call me Lottie,” I say with a warm laugh.
“Nice to see you, Lottie,” he corrects. “Please give my regards to Judge Baxter. The verdict may not have gone in my direction, but I think I came away a winner.” He flashes a greedy grin to the blonde next to me, and Annie gives a husky chuckle.
“Oh, honey,” she gurgles. “I always get what I want.”
“I’ll let you get back to your dessert.” I wince over at her. “So how do you feel about the verdict? Still standing strong with what we decided?”
“You better believe it.” She flicks her wrist. “As soon as I saw those pictures, I wanted to go back in time and kill the guy myself.”
“Good to know we did the right thing.” I wish them both well before heading back to my table, only to find Keelie and Lainey already seated and shoving an array of Italian goodness into their pie holes.
Every inch of the table is covered with sweet treats, and both Lorena and Donata have chosen to join us.
Carlotta motions to the empty chair between her and Donata.
“I saved a seat for you, Lot.” She gives a hard wink. “And wait until you taste these desserts! I’m sorry to break it to you, Lot, but I’m telling everyone I know in Honey Hollow about this place.”
Lainey nods. “Your dessert days are numbered,” she mumbles through a mouthful.
Flo is stuffing her pie hole, too, with a little help from Carlotta. Each time Carlotta puts something to her lips, Flo swoops in and gulps it down. I’ll admit, it’s a bit of an unnerving sight.
“Wow,” I say, plopping in my seat. “Where do I begin this culinary adventure?”
“Don’t worry, hon.” Donata pulls an empty plate my way and quickly begins to fill it. “I’ll give you the tour.” She lands a slice of something divine in front of me. “Ricotta cheesecake,” she says. “Once you go ricotta, you’ll never go back.”
“I don’t doubt this,” I say, slicing my fork right through it and shoving an ample bite into my mouth as fast as I can.
A hard moan escapes me.
Lainey reaches across the table. “I’ll take another slice myself. All that baby weight I lost? I gained it all back today, and then some. And you know what? This is worth it.”
“Oh wow.” My eyelids flutter as I try to comprehend what just happened. “This is ridiculously light as a feather, and yet the creamy ricotta is taking over. I’ve never experienced anything like this.”