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

next breath. “Your big sis is here to protect you from those naughty looking Santas. I’d best go investigate.”

“Wait just a minute.” Georgie scoops Rudolph from my sister’s hands. “The dude magnet stays with me.”

“Fine.” Macy forces a smile to her face. “I’ve got a couple of built-in magnets that can make any man howl ho ho ho.” She takes off, leading with her chest like a woman on a mission to find something sexy in her stocking come Christmas morning.

After that dating debacle at Elora’s Closet, I thought it was best I meet up with Jasper on neutral territory, so I convinced him we needed to pick out our tree tonight. And Macy and Georgie opted to hang out as well. And to be honest, despite the chainsaws going off, the never-ending screams of the children, and the potential to have an eight-foot noble topple onto you, this is a far less hostile environment.

A dark laugh strums from Georgie as she cranes her neck past me. “Hang onto your Santa hat, Ruddy. The fireworks are about to go off.”

I turn to find Jasper and Sherlock headed this way. Jasper has on a heavy wool coat, and with those broad shoulders of his, it gives him the body of a linebacker. Not to mention those pale silver eyes of his are glowing in the night. His expression is stern, but that only makes him that much more handsome. It’s unfair that anger and overall irritation seem to work in his favor. And if I have my way, they’ll work in my favor in just a few hours as well.

“Jasper.” I give a little hop as I press a kiss to his lips.

Sherlock barks. He’s not thrilled, Bizzy. But he chuckled a few times on the way over.

I bite down on a smile. Jasper was probably chuckling to himself because he was plotting on how to get rid of his philandering wife before the new year.

“How was your day?” The words come out a touch too bright. In hindsight, I probably should have emoted a modicum of remorse.

“You go first.”

Fish squirms in my arms and mewls, You’re squeezing the life out of me, Bizzy. Just tell him you were picking up men for the good of the investigation. He’ll forgive you.

Sherlock barks once again. If not, there’s always bacon. Bacon makes everything better. Can you marry bacon?

Sadly, I foresee a frying pan full of bacon in my future, and maybe every day until January as I try to make this up to Jasper. I never thought I’d be bribing my husband to stay in our marriage by way of salted pork fat. And for a second, I marvel at how quickly we devolved to this point.

“Aw, come on, Biz.” Georgie elbows me. “Tell him the truth.”

Jasper nods. “I’m with Georgie. The truth is my favorite place to start.” His expression remains stern but playful. Or not.

“It was Camila’s fault.” I start right in the middle. “She had no business taking that picture.”

Jasper shakes his head. “Wrong answer. Try again.”

“Fine. I went to Elora’s Closet to help Macy get the lowdown on the competition.”

Georgie nods. “And I went, too, for the very same reason. Imagine our surprise when we spotted hundreds of eligible bachelors, all clamoring to get in our pants.”

“You’re not helping,” I’m quick to tell her.

Rudolph gives a few happy yips as he struggles to get down. Tell him about the girls I met and how they’re plotting to steal me in the night!

Good grief.

I bat my lashes up at my ruggedly handsome plus one. “Rudolph just mentioned there are teenagers plotting to kidnap him. We should really beef up security at the cottage.”

Jasper shakes his head. “Nice try, but nobody is stealing that dog on my watch.”

“That’s right.” Georgie kisses Rudolph on the top of his head. “They’re stealing you, Bizzy, right from under Jasper’s nose. I saw the way those men were ogling you. There’s a bona fide Bizzy Baker Wilder fan club forming right this minute.”

“Great.” Jasper gives a short-lived smile. “Can I be president?”

“You can be the only member.” I swallow down a laugh. “Forgive me?”

“There’s nothing to forgive. I hope. Now, what about the case?”

I shrug. “Eve pointed the proverbial candy cane in Arthur Silver’s direction.”

“And I’ll take it from here.”

Before I can contest it, Rudolph wiggles his way to the snow and darts under the huge red and white tent where a majority of the trees are set out on display.

“Don’t worry, Bizzy!” Georgie takes off. “I’ll wrangle him for you.”

Sherlock takes off running and barking himself. Run, run, Rudolph! There’s nothing like slipping and sliding on the fluffy white stuff. You can glide on your paws for a mile, and it makes it feel as if you’re flying!

Fish closes her eyes as she lets out a meow. And he’ll wonder why his paws are frozen tonight. I suppose I’ll have to defrost them once again. A kitten’s job is never done.

Jasper pulls me in and warms me in his arms. “So tell me. How much competition am I up against?”

“Absolutely zero. I only have eyes for you. In fact, I don’t even remember the men that were there.” I give his bright red tie a quick tug just as my phone bleats and I pull it out. “Ooh, it’s Brad Wilson,” I say as I bounce on my heels. “He’s an investment broker, and I really like him—for Macy,” I say as I shake my head up at him. “I wasn’t planning on shopping for a husband for her, but since I had boots on the ground…” I quickly text him Macy’s number. “There.” I flash my phone at Jasper. “Now they can connect. Just wait until you meet him.”

“I cannot wait. I’ve been meaning to do a little target practice.”

A laugh bumps from me as I swat him, and just like that, my phone bleats again.

“Another one?” Jasper is more than mildly alarmed.

“Oh, it’s just Jack. He’s a raunchy realtor. Him, I