Pumpkin Blend (A Paramour Bay Cozy Paranormal Mystery Book 14) Read online

  Heidi pinched the back of my arm when Ivan frowned even more at my light reprimand. It wasn’t my intention to upset a grim reaper. Technically, I don’t think any of us really knew all the power that Ivan held underneath those suspenders and close to his chest. I didn’t want to find out what else he could do, but the best part of living here in Paramour Bay was our supernatural family.

  I counted Ivan as one of those members, which was why it was so important to have him understand how he’d hurt the townsfolk by stealing the prized jack-o-lantern.

  I’m not calling our grim reaper Uncle Ivan. Not happening, Raven.

  “I think we’ve already pushed our luck, don’t you?” Heidi whispered behind me, even going so far as to pull on the sleeve of my jacket.

  “I didn’t want to have to explain why I needed the largest one, which just so happened to be the prized jack-o-lantern that the Stellhorns planned to bring to the festival,” Ivan explained, tilting his head ever so slightly. It was then that I noticed the coastal breeze had died down, along with the owl’s hoots. We all began to tense upon realizing that Norman was about to try to gain access to the afterlife once more. “I took it out of the truck when they parked near town square, when everyone’s attention was elsewhere. It was best for everyone not to know the details.”

  I think it’s best for us to be on our way, but we don’t seem to be moving toward the exit. What if I said there was a zombie headed our way? Would that get you to run to the car?

  “Ivan does make a good point,” Rye replied softly, stepping closer to Heidi and me right when the palm of my hand began to collect energy. “It wouldn’t be good for the residents to start wondering about what Ivan does here at the cemetery. They believe he’s the groundskeeper, and it should stay that way.”

  Amen. That was quite the sermon. We can leave now, right?

  It was clear to see that there wasn’t only a fine balance between us and the afterlife, but also between the supernatural and the non-supernatural. I wasn’t sure there was a right answer when it came to one of us saving the lives of others.

  “Miss Raven,” Ivan began, stepping forward and reaching for my hands. I’m pretty sure that Heidi would have tripped and fell on her butt if Rye hadn’t caught her. “You are correct in that I could have handled the situation better, but time was of the essence. I sometimes forget that time is relevant to those not of the supernatural realm. I thank you for reminding me, Miss Raven. You will find come tomorrow that restitutions have been made to the Stellhorns for their inconvenience.”

  Well, those restitutions better not be coming out of the next poker game. I have my eyes on some pomegranate-filled premium organic catnip. I know, I know. It doesn’t sound too appetizing, but I heard from someone in the catnip market blog that it’s even better than the blueberry-filled edibles. I didn’t mention it before because I thought I was going to jail. I’d take the time to breathe in this fresh air, but I’m afraid we’re running out of time.

  “Leo is right,” Rye said, casting a wary glance over his shoulder. “I do believe Norman is about to try to cross through the veil again.”

  “No worries, my friend.” Ivan released my hands and stepped back, taking up his usual position—thumbs underneath his suspenders while rocking back on the heels of his work boots. “I have things covered here, and I will see you and Leo at the next poker game that is now scheduled for the first Wednesday after All Hallows’ Eve.”

  What’s with this friend stuff? I’m feeling another hairball about to regurgitate, Raven.

  “We’ll be on our way then!” Heidi exclaimed as she began to shake the salt out of the saltshaker. “Goodnight! Good luck! Farwell!”

  The dense fog began to close in on us once again, signaling that Norman was indeed heading back our way. Heidi had grabbed ahold of my arm, this time pulling me toward the entrance of the cemetery. She wasn’t taking any chances that I might stay and try to talk to Ivan some more, but I agreed that being around a misplaced poltergeist this time of year wasn’t such a good idea.

  I’m glad you agree, Raven. Move it!

  Rye and Leo were right behind us as we quickly made our way through the old tombstones, leaving Ivan to deal with Norman. We’d solved the mystery, and the reveal hadn’t been exactly what we’d been expecting. Ivan had taken it upon himself to keep the residents of Paramour Bay safe, and I couldn’t fault him for having others’ best interests at heart.

  What is in our best interest is to move faster, Raven. My eyepatch is covering my left eye, and I can’t see behind me without tripping over my own paws. You look!

  “You can disappear and meet us at the car,” I offered, a little breathless. I always tended to forget how far apart the entrance of the cemetery was to the back of the property. “We won’t think less of you. I promise.”

  I didn’t want to point out another vulnerability in front of our grim reaper, but I forgot how to become invisible! I’m sure it will come back to me, but for now you need to step on it! Sweet angel of mercy, I can feel it behind me! Run, Raven! Run!

  Chapter Seventeen

  “You don’t think that there is some other poor sheriff who now has to solve a theft, do you?” Liam asked as we stood in front of the center stage in town square. In the place of the one hundred and eighty-three pound jack-o-lantern was one double its size. “That is quite the display.”

  I couldn’t keep a smile from my face at how Ivan had gone about making amends in such a grand manner. He’d not only done so to the Stellhorns, but he’d also gone the extra mile for the residents.

  A four hundred pound jack-o-lantern had been left on the stage surrounded by mounds and mounds of fall-colored leaves. Carved into the front was the biggest smile I’d ever seen on a pumpkin, with two teeth on the bottom and one on top. In order to get the jack-o-lantern to glow like it was, I could only assume there were quite a few candles that had been strategically placed inside.

  The weekend was upon us, and that meant there were only seven days until All Hallows’ Eve. The mayor’s bid to keep everything in place had worked out well, and all the residents had gathered in town square to celebrate the coming holiday and the fall harvest season.

  Conversation and laughter surrounded us as we’d enjoyed the caramel apples and funnel cakes. Heidi was off somewhere with Jack, Leo had finally gotten up the courage to formally break things off with Aphrodite, and Otis had temporarily taken over the sheriff’s duties to give Liam a break for the night.

  Otis was even being paid for the hours he would be putting into this evening.

  As for the Stellhorns, they were being applauded for the last-minute substitution. Liam had talked Virgil and Beau into going along with the story, assuring them that he’d somehow acquired the larger pumpkin for the sake of the town’s spirit. They weren’t going to enter the State Fair this year, as they didn’t want to win through an unfair advantage. The Stellhorns were just grateful that the festival could continue and that their pumpkin patch now had security cameras to prevent any more thefts from happening in the future.

  Little did they know that the supernatural existed, but there were some things best kept in the dark.

  “After our talk, I’m pretty sure that Ivan is going to be mindful of how he goes about keeping others safe from harm. There might be exigent circumstances here and there, but he means well,” I explained, grateful that the town council had thought to add the standing heaters around town square. It was quite cozy as we stood admiring the view. “Mom and Beetle are returning home tomorrow. We’ll certainly have a story to tell them over dinner.”

  Liam pointed over to where Leo was walking our way, still dressed in his full pirate costume, hat and all. He’d had me alter the eyepatch every morning to the other eye, claiming that he didn’t want to have to get glasses. He had also stated numerous times that he wouldn’t take the Halloween costume off until after the holiday, which was when Ivan would deliver Norman to the appropriate level for interment.

  “Leo loo
ks a bit perturbed,” Liam muttered as he reached into the pocket of his brown leather jacket. He then held up a small package of catnip treats. It didn’t look as if they were made of catnip, but his kind gesture warmed my heart. “Seeing how much Leo loves Beetle, I thought I’d take a page out of his handbook.”

  “Smart thinking,” I responded with a laugh. “Leo, why do you look so upset?”

  I’m not upset, Raven. I’m actually flummoxed, and I’m not sure what to make of my revelation. It’s a good thing that I made my decision to make amends with my soulmate last week, or else she might have thought I’d only returned to her based off of tonight’s surprise.

  “What surprise?” I asked, though I had caught Liam up-to-date on the conversation. “Weren’t you over at Aphrodite’s house?”

  Liam and I moved off to the side so that no one could hear us have a conversation with Leo. We sat on one of the bales of hay, though Liam didn’t show his bag of treats just yet.

  It’s a sad state of affairs when a feline doesn’t like catnip. I’m not even talking about my premium stash, either. It turns out that my former perfect mate isn’t so perfect, after all.

  “Aphrodite doesn’t like catnip,” I repeated with a bit of disbelief. I wasn’t so sure that I’d ever heard about a cat not liking catnip. “That’s a new one on me. Well, I’m sorry to burst your bubble, Leo, but Heidi is with Jack right now.”

  I’m not worried, Raven. I look at that oaf of a detective the same way as I view the squirrelpocalypse—good old-fashioned competition. I’ll win in the end. I just have to come up with various battle plans to get rid of that nincompoop.

  I would have to warn Heidi of such plans, so that she could intervene if one of Leo’s schemes went too far. Jack had no clue about the supernatural or the fact that Heidi was training to be a hedge witch. She kept all of her ingredients and components at the cottage to practice on, though she still had a long way to go. I’d have to let my mother know about the saltshaker, because there were much better ways to protect oneself from evil spirits.

  I’d once again shared the gist of our discussion with Liam, indicating that now might be a good time to give Leo some treats. A distraction was definitely needed until I could warn Heidi of Leo’s intentions to scare Jack off back to the city.

  I can hear your thoughts, Raven. Nothing can distract me from—

  Liam had opened the bag of treats and spilled some out in front of Leo.

  What in Hades are these, Raven? Did that bag say that there was no catnip in these treats? Does the good ol’ sheriff not know me by now? Shame on him, Raven. Shame on him.

  “Give them a try, Leo,” Liam pressed when he saw that Leo was curling his top lip in disgust. “I think you’ll find that they’re pretty good.”

  I leaned into Liam and slipped my arm through his, sighing in happiness. Everything was back to normal in time for All Hallows’ Eve. The case of the missing prized jack-o-lanter was solved, Leo was once again infatuated with Heidi, and I was spending time with the love of my life. My birthday also happened to be on Halloween, and I couldn’t wait to ring in another year with my family and friends.

  Life was absolutely perfect.

  You know, these things aren’t too bad. They taste like chicken. No. Beef. I take that back. They taste like salmon.

  Leo licked his lips as he stared down at a few morsels that were still in front of his paws. He tilted his head as he pondered on the new edibles that Liam had been so thoughtful in buying for him.

  Give the good ol’ sheriff some props, Raven. I guess he’s not so bad, after all. What were you saying about life? I was chewing too loud to hear you, but it almost sounded as if you said life was perfect. I know you would never declare something like that, because we all know what happens when we tempt fate.

  I bit my lip when Leo had pointed out the flaw of my statement.

  Had I just tempted fate?

  Sweet angel of mercy, here we go again!

  ~ The End ~

  Someone is making a list and checking it twice in this festive holiday whodunit by USA Today Bestselling Author Kennedy Layne…

  Click HERE

  What better time for a wedding when the sleigh bells are ringing and the snow is glistening this frosty season in the quaint coastal town of Paramour Bay, Connecticut?

  Raven Marigold has been busy putting the finishing touches on her mother’s wedding. Everything has been going according to plan, and there are only twelve hours left before the big ceremony. Raven doesn’t see the harm in taking a few minutes to herself to enjoy the merriment of the season and the special occasion, but her frolic through the town square’s winter wonderland has her stumbling headfirst into a snowman…and a brand-new mystery!

  Someone doesn’t want Raven’s mother getting married, and the mysterious individual is going to great lengths to make sure that the ceremony never takes place—even resorting to attempted murder!

  You’ll want to have a lump of coal on hand when you find out who makes the naughty list in this year’s frosty caper!

  Books by Kennedy Layne

  The Widow Taker Trilogy

  The Forgotten Widow

  The Isolated Widow

  The Reclusive Widow

  Hex on Me Mysteries

  If the Curse Fits

  Cursing up the Wrong Tree

  The Squeaky Ghost Gets the Curse

  The Curse that Bites

  Curse Me Under the Mistletoe

  Gone Cursing

  Paramour Bay Mysteries

  Magical Blend

  Bewitching Blend

  Enchanting Blend

  Haunting Blend

  Charming Blend

  Spellbinding Blend

  Cryptic Blend

  Broomstick Blend

  Spirited Blend

  Yuletide Blend

  Baffling Blend

  Phantom Blend

  Batty Blend

  Pumpkin Blend

  Frosty Blend

  Office Roulette Series

  Means (Office Roulette, Book One)

  Motive (Office Roulette, Book Two)

  Opportunity (Office Roulette, Book Three)

  Keys to Love Series

  Unlocking Fear (Keys to Love, Book One)

  Unlocking Secrets (Keys to Love, Book Two)

  Unlocking Lies (Keys to Love, Book Three)

  Unlocking Shadows (Keys to Love, Book Four)

  Unlocking Darkness (Keys to Love, Book Five)

  Surviving Ashes Series

  Essential Beginnings (Surviving Ashes, Book One)

  Hidden Ashes (Surviving Ashes, Book Two)

  Buried Flames (Surviving Ashes, Book Three)

  Endless Flames (Surviving Ashes, Book Four)

  Rising Flames (Surviving Ashes, Book Five)

  CSA Case Files Series

  Captured Innocence (CSA Case Files 1)

  Sinful Resurrection (CSA Case Files 2)

  Renewed Faith (CSA Case Files 3)

  Campaign of Desire (CSA Case Files 4)

  Internal Temptation (CSA Case Files 5)

  Radiant Surrender (CSA Case Files 6)

  Redeem My Heart (CSA Case Files 7)

  A Mission of Love (CSA Case Files 8)

  Red Starr Series

  Starr’s Awakening(Red Starr, Book One)

  Hearths of Fire (Red Starr, Book Two)

  Targets Entangled (Red Starr, Book Three)

  Igniting Passion (Red Starr, Book Four)

  Untold Devotion (Red Starr, Book Five)

  Fulfilling Promises (Red Starr, Book Six)

  Fated Identity (Red Starr, Book Seven)

  Red’s Salvation (Red Starr, Book Eight)

  The Safeguard Series

  Brutal Obsession (The Safeguard Series, Book One)

  Faithful Addiction (The Safeguard Series, Book Two)

  Distant Illusions (The Safeguard Series, Book Three)

  Casual Impressions (The Safeguard Series, Book Four)

  Honest Intentio
ns (The Safeguard Series, Book Five)

  Deadly Premonitions (The Safeguard Series, Book Six)

  About the Author

  First and foremost, I love life. I love that I’m a wife, mother, daughter, sister… and a writer.

  I am one of the lucky women in this world who gets to do what makes them happy. As long as I have a cup of coffee (maybe two or three) and my laptop, the stories evolve themselves and I try to do them justice. I draw my inspiration from a retired Marine Master Sergeant that swept me off of my feet and has drawn me into a world that fulfills all of my deepest and darkest desires. Erotic romance, military men, intrigue, with a little bit of kinky chili pepper (his recipe), fill my head and there is nothing more satisfying than making the hero and heroine fulfill their destinies.

  Thank you for having joined me on their journeys…

  Email:

  [email protected]

  Facebook:

  facebook.com/kennedy.layne.94

  Twitter:

  twitter.com/KennedyL_Author

  Website:

  www.kennedylayne.com

  Newsletter:

  www.kennedylayne.com/meet-kennedy.html