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

like a miniature teddy bear come to life with his soft curly hair and big button eyes. If he were my dog, he’d have the waistline of a whiskey barrel. I couldn’t deny him a thing.

I redirect my attention back to Diane and Lacey—and suddenly realize exactly why my handsome hubby has decided to stick around. Suspects galore.

Diane opens her mouth to say something, and Georgie cuts her off.

“You’re not planning a wedding, are you? What the heck. I’ll offer my services to the both of you at a discount. If you act fast, I’ll throw in a Valentine’s Day tree while I’m at it.”

Both Diane and Lacey look as confused as can be. Can’t say I blame them.

“No, actually.” Diane sighs. “I’m here to ask a favor of you, Bizzy. Those books we were hoping to sell the other night are awfully heavy. Would you mind if I stored them here at the inn until the Valentine’s event? Now that Bobbie is on the mend, I think it’d be appropriate to sell them that night instead.”

“Not a problem,” I tell her. “I had my groundskeeper move them into the utility closet last night so they’ll be safe until the big day.”

Lacey lifts a finger. “And I had something I wanted to ask you, Bizzy. After you left, Bobbie and I had a thought. Would it be okay if we ran a scavenger hunt here on the grounds that night as well? I bet our fans will fall in love with this place. You never know, it could bring you a little business.”

“I’ll take it,” I’m quick to tell her. “Of course, it’s fine.” The inn could use a shot in the arm this time of year as far as guests go. Now that I’m the owner, I’m seeing things through an entirely new lens—a green one, as in fiscal. The inn is doing okay in general, but the truth is, our head is just above water this time of year. “I’ll take any guests you want to send my way.”

“Great.” Lacey takes a breath as she looks to Jasper. “Good morning, Detective. I suppose you’re still sifting for clues.”

“Oh”—I glance to my official plus one—“Diane, Lacey, this is my husband, Jasper. He’s the lead detective on the case, but he was just coming in to say goodbye to me. He’s on his way to work.”

Thanks. He winks my way. Would you mind asking if either of them remembers anything suspicious from that night?

I nod. “Say”—I lean their way—“have either of you remembered anything that might be of help to the case? Do you remember noticing anything odd? Anything at all?”

Diane purses her lips. There’s no way I’m telling the homicide detective in charge of the case that I was at the murderous ground zero. It’s bad enough I shook like a leaf while he was jotting down my name the other night.

“I’ve got nothing.” She hikes her shoulders to her ears.

Lacey tips her head to the side. “Come to think of it, I saw Keegan heading out toward the parking lot. But like I said the other night, once I saw Bobbie and Chip arguing, I decided to back off and give them their moment. I went to the restroom and headed right back into the ballroom.”

Diane nods. “And I saw the same thing—Bobbie and Chip arguing. I took Gizmo out to use the bathroom and after he finished up, we turned right back around.”

I glance down to the sweet dog still sitting at attention, and he lets out a small whimper.

It’s true. I had to go number two!

There’s that. Maybe that’s why he said Diane was near the explosive couple? His proximity might have been off.

But I’m not letting her off the hook just yet.

Diane rocks back on her heels. “Wait a minute. I think I saw Keegan heading their way, too.” Thank God for Keegan’s obsession with Chip. It doesn’t even matter if I saw her or not. The girl needs to be taking the limelight, not me.

I shoot a glance to Jasper and his brows dip low as he studies me.

Why do I get the feeling you’re not buying what she’s selling? he asks.

Because you’re intuitive, I want to tell him but choose to restrain myself.

Jasper nods to the women before us. “Thank you both. I’ll look into Keegan Merritt with a little more interest.” He dots my cheek with a kiss. “Have a great day, ladies,” he says, giving both dogs a quick pat before taking off. Don’t turn your back on anyone, Bizzy. Love you.

I love him, too. And I’m always sad to see him go. The only bright spot is knowing I’ll get to see his handsome face at the end of the day.

Mackenzie steps our way. “Mayor Woods.” She nods to the women before us. “Nice to meet you both. I’m sorry about the unfortunate incident. The inn seems to have had its fair share of trouble as of late. I’m considering putting a warning label on it.”

“Oh?” Lacey looks my way with an expression that suggests I might be slightly responsible for the tragedy. Which brings us right back to that whole litigious thing.

“It’s nothing,” I shake my head.

“Nothing? Try ten different homicides,” Georgie howls. “Right here in Cider Cove. And Bizzy Bust-’em Baker has solved every last case.” She shrugs my way. I couldn’t fit Wilder in there, kid. It threatened to take away some of the pizazz.

“It’s hasn’t been ten,” I try my best to refute it.

My word! Has it been ten?

Mackenzie sniffs. “It’s been thirteen counting Chip Buckingham.”

“Thirteen murders?” Diane shrieks, and about a dozen guests pause to look this way.

“But who’s counting?” I give them a little wave, and they quickly turn away.

“I’m counting,” Mack snips. “And oddly enough, Bizzy here always seems to haul in the killer.”

A dull moan comes from me.

Way to blow my cover. It’s bad enough Diane knows Jasper is sniffing around. Now she’ll clam up around me as well.

“Mackenzie”—I sigh—“don’t you have