A Christmas to Dismember by Addison Moore (best desktop ebook reader TXT) 📕

a little Christmas shopping out in Rose Glen this afternoon at an exclusive little shop called Elora’s Closet. I don’t see how Jasper could possibly object to that.

“Yes siree.” She leans in and lands a kiss to Fish’s forehead. “I’m ready and willing to check out my competition.” She needles me with her pale blue eyes. “But I’m not willing to watch you interrogate a suspect.” She smears a short-lived smile my way. “I know what you’re up to. Eve is my friend, Bizzy. She’s not a killer. So don’t go trying to see if an axe fits in her hand, or whatever it is you’re up to. This is strictly shopping. And—I want to see what her holiday inventory looks like. I need to step up my game if I don’t want Mom and Georgie to swoop in and steal my lunch.”

“I hardly think they’re going to steal your lunch.”

Sherlock lets out a quick bark. Speaking of which, I’m starving. How about we make a detour to the kitchen? I bet Emmie has a few burgers lying around. I feel like stealing Emmie’s lunch.

Emmie quite literally had a few burgers lying around last night, when Sherlock spotted them and proved to be a burger-eating magician. One second they were on a platter, the next they were in his stomach.

“How about I feed you lunch back at the cottage?” I pick up Rudolph as his tail wags back and forth like a spring. “Nessa, Grady? I’ll be back early this evening. If you need anything at all, give me call.”

Fish belts out a crystal clear meow. What about me?

“Don’t you worry.” Macy scoops the furry cutie off the counter as if she understood the sweet cat and plops her into the black leather tote bag cinched to her shoulder. Fish pokes her head out and wiggles her whiskers, looking as content as can be. “Bizzy’s got her purse puppy, and I’ve got my purse kitty.”

“How do you like that?” I bury a kiss in the back of Rudolph’s neck. “I guess you’re coming with me.”

Sherlock barks. Not me, Bizzy. After lunch I have a serious nap schedule I need to adhere to. I’ll see you all for dinner.

“It’s time to get some shopping done,” I say, giving Rudolph a quick snuggle.

And hopefully, Eve will help me buy a few clues as well.

Elora’s Closet sits at the end of a bustling street in Rose Glen where most of the shops are congregated. The scent of something deep-fried and delicious emits from a fish and chips restaurant across the street, and it’s noteworthy to point out there’s a bakery a few doors down that has a handful of people pouring into it. I predict I’ll be pouring into it soon enough myself. But Elora’s Closet has more than a few people pouring into it and it has us taking serious pause before heading in.

“Macy”—I pull her in close by the arm—“don’t you think it’s weird that there’s an equal number of men and women heading inside? I mean, it’s a women’s boutique. Don’t you think that’s odd?”

Georgie shakes her head. “I don’t know what they’re selling, but dibs on whatever it is because I’ve just all but added it to my inventory.”

As soon as Georgie got wind we were heading off to check out Macy’s competition, she figured it was her competition, too, and jumped into the back of Macy’s car.

Macy grunts, “I knew it was a mistake dragging her out here.”

Rudolph belts out a tiny woof. You don’t think the killer is in there, do you, Bizzy?

“You never know,” I whisper.

Fish gives a rousing meow. What’s everyone stopping to look at out front? She nods her nose that way, and sure enough, there’s a large framed sign sitting on an easel that people are pausing to examine before they head inside.

“Let’s find out,” I say.

We migrate over with a robust crowd and something strikes me.

I glance to Georgie and Macy. “Do the two of you notice anything interesting about the people who are flocking their way to the door?”

Macy squints as she examines the masses and gasps.

“Wait a minute.” Her mouth falls open. “All these men are hot!”

Georgie makes a face. “And the women look as if they were plucked out of a magazine.”

We come upon the sign in question, and while both Macy and Georgie let out a cheer, I groan as if I was just mortally wounded.

“A singles mingle?” I moan at the thought of coming all the way here only to abandon the effort.

“A holiday singles mingle,” Georgie points out. “But don’t worry. The price of admission includes a free Santa hat. That’s a bargain, Biz. Those are hard to come by this time of year. Now come on, don’t be a grinch. Let’s get in there.”

“I’m not single, Georgie. And it’s fifty dollars a person. Serious participants only—it says so right there in the fine print.”

“I’m serious, and I’m in.” Macy pulls out her compact and checks her face in the mirror. “Plus, I have Fish. Once these beefcakes see my nurturing side, their primal instincts will demand they wife me.”

“I’m in, too.” Georgie slaps her hands together. “I double dog dare one of these young guns to wife me. There’s nothing like the taste of fresh, young, juicy—”

“I get it,” I say as Rudolph squirms in my arms.

“Hand him over, Bizzy.” Georgie swipes him from me. “I need to demonstrate my nurturing side in the event one of those young guns wants me to pop out a basketball team.”

Macy and I opt to take the fifth on this one.

“Okay, fine,” Georgie grouses. “This little nugget will be my icebreaker.”

“You have never needed an icebreaker,” I’m quick to point out. “Me, on the other hand…” I shake my head at the influx of bodies and wonder how in the world I can excavate Eve French from this mingle madness.

Macy links her arm with mine. “You can use your wedding ring as an icebreaker. Come on,