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

I never thought I’d get hitched. Heck, I never thought I was the marrying kind. And now look at me.” She thrusts her engagement ring my way. “I’m about to tie myself at the hip to your brother, of all people.”

Emmie clucks her tongue. “If it’s that painful to you, then by all means call it off. Save both him and you the trouble.”

Leo frowns over at her. “This isn’t like you, Mack. You’re surefooted in everything you undertake. You said yes to the guy for a reason.”

“I proposed to the guy for a reason,” she corrects.

Technically, they proposed to each other at the very same time more or less.

Leo shakes his head as he and Jasper get back to the task at hand.

“Have a shot of whiskey and get to bed,” Leo says. “It’s getting late. You’re probably overworked. Your mind needs to unwind.”

“What do you think, Bizzy?” Mack all but rattles my arm and the cats shake right along with me.

“What do I think about Dr. Granger’s whiskey prescription? I say take two shots and call my brother in the morning.”

She takes a moment to glower at me. “About the wedding, Bizzy. Should I go through with it?”

“Do you love him?” This pop quiz is starting to sound familiar. “Can you see a future with him? Or turn the question around. Can you see a future without him?”

Mack’s lips twitch. “Yes, yes, no. God help me, I really love that man even if he does have a smart-aleck remark for just about everything. You do realize, Hux doesn’t have a serious bone in his body.”

Fish purrs, That’s what makes Uncle Hux so fun.

Sugar looks my way. Is that why you kissed him, Bizzy? He is a looker.

Oh, good grief. I knew it was a mistake for Jasper to snitch me out to the pets last night, even if he was laughing about it.

I wasn’t laughing.

And now Sugar thinks I was putting the moves on my brother, of all people.

Gross, gag, yuck.

“He doesn’t have a serious bone in his body,” I echo. “He’s marrying you, isn’t he?” I wince. “Sorry, I couldn’t resist.”

“I don’t think I would have respected you if you did.” Mackenzie tugs her purse over her shoulder.

“Look, Mack. If you love my brother, and want to be there until his dying breath, or yours, then take the plunge. Marriage doesn’t degrade a relationship, it makes things better. Jasper and I feel closer and far more intimate than ever before.”

She nods. “I can tell by that kiss he gave me, he’s pretty into you.” She gives a sly wink. “All right. I’m in. I’m marrying Huxley Baker because I can’t live without him.” She exhales, and a goofy grin takes over her face. “I’m going to be a bride.” She giggles like a madwoman as she rises out of her seat. “I’ll be wearing pearls, so those are off-limits to you, Bizzy.” She snatches up a handful of red velvet cookies. “Jasper, if you could wear a black tie for the family photos, it would be appreciated. Hux is wearing red, and I want him to stand out.”

Emmie shakes her head at our old friend. “I can’t believe you, of all people, are going to be the next Mrs. Huxley Baker.”

“I’m not going to be a Baker,” she corrects as she takes a bite.

“Ah”—Leo muses—“you’ll be pulling a page out of Bizzy’s wedding playbook and become Mrs. Mackenzie Woods Baker.”

“Nope.” Mack snatches one last cookie. “Just Woods. I’m marrying the guy, not stealing his identity. Solve that homicide, Detective. I’d like Cider Cove killer-free on the day I say I do.” She glances my way. “Who are we kidding? Do your thing, Bizzy, before I do mine. Ta-ta.” She speeds off before we can give her a proper sendoff.

“Enjoy the whiskey,” Emmie calls after her.

“My work here is done,” I say.

“Not so fast.” Emmie flicks her fingers at the laptop, and Jasper spins it our way. “Let’s see if we can spot anything.”

Leo ticks his head to the side. “There’s nothing to see, but give it a go.”

The footage rolls from the night of the killing, and both Sugar and Fish perk to attention and watch right along with us.

First, we’re treated to the security camera that captures the action at the front of the inn. We see Bobbie running after Chip, and then they quickly drift out of the frame. Diane comes out shortly thereafter with Gizmo, followed by Keegan Merritt. Each of them is headed in the same direction. Each of them falls out of the frame of the security camera one by one. No sign of Tiger leaving the inn, but after a small spate of time, Tiger is seen walking past the fountain that sits between the front doors of the inn and the back exit of the ballroom.

“Okay.” I nod to Jasper. “Let’s see the footage from the cottage.”

He cues it up and spins the laptop back around.

The world looking out from our tiny cottage looks spherical as our camera does its best to capture the widest shot possible.

Jasper peers over the top of the laptop. “In the lower left-hand area of the frame, you’ll see the bottom of a pink gown wafting in and out of the screen. That’s Bobbie.”

Sure enough, the lower half of her gown pops into view, and it almost looks as if she’s dancing as she takes a few steps forward then a few steps back. A dark shadow suddenly appears to her right. Something pale freckles the screen by her feet, and then she’s out of the frame again.

“I guess you’re right,” I say. “Nothing new there.”

Nothing but Bobbie dancing in front of my cottage—dancing with death.

And something about the sight doesn’t sit well with me.

Someone drove her to that fancy footwork, the very same person who attempted to end her life.

Tiger is right, I should speak to Lacey again. But I have a feeling I should speak to Bobbie again, too.

And I’ll do just that