Three days later…
The end of summer had arrived, and with it, had brought a day that was too hot for comfort. How could the start of fall be signalled by a day that was fit for the underworld? For Hades? I got off the rendezvous bench—I’d wanted a time-out outside to avoid what was going on inside the Gossip Inn—and sweated my way toward the front steps of the building.
I paused on the porch, folding my arms.
You’re seriously going to let a man keep you out of your own inn?
Detective Goode was in there conducting a final interview with Lauren. They had everything they needed to convict the goons, Colton and Brian, but he was tying off loose ends.
Just go inside. You’re not going to run into him.
I hovered on the threshold, considering it. If I ran into Goode, would it be so bad? It wasn’t like he could accuse me of anything. And, heavens, I didn’t care if he smelled great or looked like a crabbier version of an Abercrombie and Fitch model, or—
Detective Goode appeared at the end of the hall, and I tried darting out of sight, but there was nowhere to go.
“Miss Smith,” he said, from a distance, and I froze, wavering between darting down the stairs into the front yard and diving into the flowerbed.
Dignity! What would Gamma think?
“Goode,” I said.
“I’m glad you’re good.” He emerged onto the porch. “Nice to see you again.”
I didn’t say anything, biting down on the side of my tongue instead.
“You know, I’m starting to think you really like cable ties.”
“Excuse me?”
“Cable ties. Ah, come on, Smith. You don’t think I’m that dumb, do you?” Detective Goode asked, in that smooth, seriously attractive drawl. Did I have problem? Why did I like arrogant men?
No. You don’t like him.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Sure, you don’t.” He took a step closer to me, and the heat of the day went up about twenty notches. “I believe I told you to keep your cute button nose out of my cases.”
“And I believe I told you… uh, goodbye,” I said.
“Smooth.”
“Whatever.” I made to walk past him and he caught me by the wrist, his grip firm and warm.
“You know, one of these days you’re going to crack,” he said, “and ask me out on a date. I’m just letting you know that I’ll have to refuse. I don’t date.”
I pulled my arm free. “Yeah, you flatter yourself enough all on your own. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out, Goode.” I entered the inn, redder than a sun-ripened tomato.
“I’m already outside,” he called after me. “How would the door hit me if I’m already outside? Huh? Hey, Smith, I’m talking to you!”
I ignored him, grinning to myself, even as my heart pitter-pattered away at the memory of his touch.
Silly woman. He’s not worth your time. That was my internal voice rather than the one who sounded like Gamma.
I entered the kitchen and found Lauren preparing a pitcher of lemonade. “Isn’t it the hottest day?” she asked, stroking her belly. “I mean, talk about the end of—oh!”
“Oh?”
“It’s nothing,” she said. “Just a Braxton-Hicks thingie. Contraction. They’re fake contractions, you see?”
“Fake contractions? Lauren, are you sure they’re not—?”
Lauren’s phone rang, and she hurriedly retrieved it from the kitchen table. She answered it, ignoring me even as she frowned and touched a hand to her belly. Gamme joined us, stopping to stroke Cocoa Puff and Sunlight in the doorway on her way in.
“The detective has left, I see,” Gamma said. “You’ve decided to end your self-imposed banishment?”
“It wasn’t about him. I just needed some fresh air.”
“And I need to have a tea party with Jessie Belle-Blue. See? We’re both liars.”
I rolled my eyes like a teenager.
“No!” Lauren shrieked, her face lighting up. “Are you serious? You can’t be serious? Are you serious? No! Yes?” She squealed and threw her phone up in the air.
“What’s going on?” Gamma asked.
“No idea.”
The phone dropped onto the tiles and shattered, but it didn’t affect Lauren’s good mood. “I won!” she shrieked. “I won the Tri-State Baking Competition! My key lime pie recipe won! They’re going to have a prize-giving next week.”
“Wow, that’s amazing, Lauren,” I said.
“Fantastic. I knew you had it in you.” Gamma applauded. “We’ll have to celebrate. We’ll—” Her eyes widened, and I followed her line of sight.
A large pool of water had appeared underneath our chef. “I won! I won!” Lauren danced on the spot, completely unaware of what had happened. “I won! I won! I won! I—what? What is it?”
I pointed at the tiles.
Lauren looked down and colored pink. “Oh. I think my water just broke.”
“I’ll call Jason,” Gamma said.
“I’ll clean the kitchen,” I offered.
Lauren blinked then grasped her stomach, groaning, “And I’ll have a baby.”
Ten long hours and one kitchen scrubbed from top to bottom to prevent a visit from the local health inspector later, the nurse permitted us into Lauren’s private room at the hospital. She sat up in bed, holding her little bundle of joy wrapped in a pink blanket. Her cheeks were flushed, her red hair in disarray, but her smile was so wide I couldn’t help but grin back at her.
Jason sat in a chair beside her, Tyson fast asleep on his chest. The little Tyke, as we loved to call him, was tuckered out after waiting hours for his sibling to make an appearance.
“There you are,” Gamma whispered. “Is she sleeping? I’m assuming it’s a little girl?”
“Yes,” Lauren whispered. “We’ve named her Rebecca. I’m so glad you came!”
“It’s good to see you ladies,” Jason said, rather stiffly. I doubted it was good to see us. We’d never liked Lauren’s husband overly much. “I’d better take Tyke home to rest. We’ll see you in the morning, honey.” He kissed Lauren on the forehead, then little Rebecca too, before heading out of the room.
“How was it?” I asked, softly, and took the seat he had vacated.
The hospital room was decorated in pinks and creams, and Lauren looked positively radiant in the setting. “Grueling,” she said. “But worth it. Same as the last time. Would you like to hold her?”
“Me?” I pointed at my chest.
Gamma gave me an encouraging nod. “Go on, Charlotte.”
“You’re an auntie, now,” Lauren said. “At this point, we’re basically related, Charlie.”
“Thank you.” I took the baby carefully, supporting her little head, and instantly fell in love. She was a warm lump in my arms, one tiny hand with five perfect fingers thrown above her head. Her mouth sucked in her sleep then settled. “She’s gorgeous.”
“Isn’t she?”
“I can’t believe it,” I whispered, admiring the little girl. I’d always thought Tyke was cute, but I hadn’t been there when Lauren had given birth to him. This was different.
Rebecca was tiny and precious, and a fierce need to protect her settled over me.
“See, Charlotte? There’s more to life than gun battles and bringing down bad guys,” Gamma said. “Perhaps you should start a family of your own.”
“Yeah, sure,” I said, but my usual sarcasm was lacking. “I’ll get right on that.”
Gamma took the baby from me, gently, and rocked her back and forth. “Now, of course, you’ll have to take time off work. I’ll need to find a replacement for you until your maternity leave is done. I’ll pay you for the time, naturally, Lauren.”
“Thank you, Georgina. I’ve got to say, winning the competition came at the perfect time. Jason’s been struggling at work and…”
The background noise of their conversation dropped away. Another baby had been born in Gossip, and whether I’d planned it or not, I had a family. Lauren and Gamma, Rebecca and Tyke. With each passing month, I became more and more ensconced in this slow-moving life.
And I loved it.
I loved living a boring life in Gossip. I didn’t want to leave.
I just wanted to figure out how I fit in.
But that was a question for another time. Now all that mattered were my cats, friends, and family. And definitely not that handsome Detective Goode.
Charlie and Gamma’s adventures continue in The Case of the Custard Conspiracy. Get you copy by clicking this link.