Sealed with a Hiss by Addison Moore (read 50 shades of grey .txt) 📕

go beating yourself up thinking should’ve, would’ve, could’ve. You buck up, young lady—and you take care of yourself and that sweet little kitty of yours, too.”

“I agree,” I tell her. “In fact, I can watch Sugar for you until you’re out and about.”

“Would you?” Bobbie quickly wipes down her face. “I’d appreciate that. You wouldn’t mind if I had one of those cookies you’re holding, would you?”

“Absolutely not,” I say, landing the entire plate on the small table in front of her. “I think you deserve a cookie or two, or the entire platter.”

“Knock, knock,” a cheery voice calls from behind, and we turn to find Lacey waltzing into the room with her blonde hair in a whippet of a ponytail and a red coat bundled around her body.

Her eyes grow wide as she spots us. “What’s this? A party and nobody invited me?”

A dull laugh expels from Bobbie. “Bizzy was just bringing Sugar by to say hello. She’s going to keep her for me until I get better.” She tips her head my way. “Lacey isn’t into pets. She’d probably lock Sugar in the bathroom and forget about her for days.”

Sugar lets out a sharp mewl and we all share a laugh.

Lacey comes over and gives Bobbie’s hair a slight tussle. “Can you believe this one? Didn’t I tell you she was bulletproof?” She sighs down at her friend. “You’re looking good, kid.”

Personally, I’m surprised to see her on such friendly terms with Bobbie. Last night, she all but called her a killer. But then, tensions were high. And if I’ve learned anything in the years I’ve been inadvertently prying into other people’s minds, it’s that you can’t judge anyone by their thoughts. Even the kindest person can think inexplicable things. It’s not fair for me to decide which thoughts are wrong or right.

“So?” Bobbie nods up at Lacey. “Is everything still a go for the Perfect Pairing’s Valentine’s soiree?”

“You bet it is.” Lacey fluffs her pillow. “Do you think you’ll be up for it? I mean, you were shot at. And regardless of the fact Chip was being a jackass, he was your jackass.”

Bobbie snorts out a laugh. “You know me, I need the attention. And I’m not ready to grieve Chip just yet. I’m still plenty angry with him. Believe me, whoever killed him, just beat me to him.” She looks my way. “And don’t worry, Bizzy. I’m planning on hiring a full security detail to follow me everywhere I go until they catch whoever did this. I’m hoping it wasn’t personal. One of the deputies who came by this afternoon said it could have been a mugging gone wrong. He said they’ve seen it all.”

I thought the very same thing.

She looks up at Lacey. And now we’ve seen it all, too.

Lacey offers a knowing nod as if she had just read Bobbie’s mind. But then, they are close friends—sometimes that’s as good as being a mind reader.

I wonder what she meant by that? Now they’ve seen it all, too? It sounds to me as if Bobbie suspects someone.

“Bobbie”—I practically whisper her name—“who do you think could have done this?”

She looks to her friend, and Lacey gives a slight nod as if giving her permission to speak.

Bobbie takes a deep breath. “I think it might have been Keegan Merritt. She’s been spending an awful lot of time at my house lately. That’s where I have my home office. She was doing some side work for Chip as his personal assistant.” She scoffs. “I guess we know what she was assisting him with.”

Lacey gives a circular nod. “She was pretty bitter after her divorce. And she was struggling financially. Working with Chip was her second job. She works down at a bar called the Match Box where she hosts some kind of a dating game. Couples go head to head while she asks them random questions and the winners get a free dinner out of it.”

“Sounds fun,” I say.

“I’m in.” Georgie slaps her thigh. “And don’t you worry, Bizzy. I’ll find a man to accompany me. You and Jasper had better watch your back. My man and I are pretty competitive.”

“A bold statement, considering you’ve yet to meet your man,” I tell her, and both Bobbie and Lacey share a laugh.

“I’m in, too,” Juni calls out from across the room. “Buck and I can practically finish one another’s thoughts. I’d be quaking in my winter boots if I were the two of you.”

Bobbie chuckles. “Maybe something good came out of this, after all.” She kisses Sugar on the nose and hands her back to me. “If you don’t mind, I think I need some shut-eye. Hopefully, I’ll be out soon and I won’t have to trouble you with another visit.”

“It was no trouble at all.”

We say our goodbyes, and I place Sugar back in the carrier as she purrs and warms me with her furry little body.

“Well?” Georgie elbows me as we step outside of the room. “What’s cooking in that good-looking head of yours, Bizzy Baker Wilder? I’m not the mind reader around here, you know.”

“I think we’re heading to the Match Box to see if we can pair up with a killer.”

Chapter 6

The Country Cottage Inn gleams against the backdrop of the dark, stormy sky.

It’s a bitter cold day this February morning as I head toward the structure. The inn is comprised of blue stones on the outside of the building despite the fact the front of the establishment is covered with ivy. A trail of blue cobblestones snakes around the facility all the way to the cove and throughout the walkways that lead to the individual cottages scattered about.

Last night, I called the Match Box to see if Keegan Merritt was working, but as it turned out, it was her night off so Jasper and I snuggled up next to the fireplace and noshed on pizza from the Country Cottage Café. Let’s just say we didn’t need that fire to keep us warm.