Bound To Be Dead: Cozy Mystery Bookshop Series Book 3 Read online

  I say, “You’re welcome,” then point toward the door. “Now get off my property.”

  Frank storms toward the door, mumbling something about what a bunch of losers we all are. After he’s gone, I say, “Ding dong, the witch is dead! This will be the best Thanksgiving ever!”

  After hugs all around, I find my Aunt Carol. “I can’t thank you enough for this.”

  “It belonged to you and Meg in the first place, honey. I’m just making things right.” She gathers up the papers and stuffs them in a leather case. “I’m going into the city to spend time with the kids, but when I get back, let’s have lunch. My treat. That lawyer you set me up with kicked Frank’s butt so hard, I’ll always be in your debt.”

  “Nope. We’re even. But I’ll look forward to hearing all the gory details.”

  “It’ll be my pleasure to recount each one.” My aunt waves to everyone on her way out. “Bye, everyone. Happy Thanksgiving.”

  Dylan slips by my side and whispers, “Ready for your next surprise?”

  In all the confusion, I almost forgot about seeing his new house. “Yes! Let’s go.”

  Dylan blindfolded me so I can take in the house all at once, but the car’s bouncing is making me a little sick to my stomach. “Are we almost there?” We’ve been driving for about ten minutes. That’s about as far as the town’s city limits extend either direction.

  “Yep.” The car stops, and then Dylan comes around to my side to help me out. “Hold on until we get inside. There’s lots of debris around yet.”

  “Wait. Don’t I get to see the outside first?” I’m not so sure I like this plan. Maybe I really am a control freak after all.

  “It’ll be better this way. Come on.” He tugs on my arm and guides me to the house and up a few stairs. The aroma of freshly sawn wood, the ocean, and drywall fill the air. Finally, we stop, and he says, “Ready?”

  I’m more than ready to be sick. “Yes, please!”

  He pulls me close. “First, you promised to tell me something. I said I’d show you the house if you confessed your fears about Beth and her powers. Remember?”

  Right. I’d forgotten about that. “Do I have to?” It makes me so upset to think of it.

  “Yes.” His warm breath against my ear sends a pleasant shiver down my spine.

  “Fine.” I start to take the blindfold off, but Dylan’s hand covers mine.

  He says, “Nope. You’ll pretend to get distracted by the house and avoid telling me.”

  It’s times like this I wish he didn’t know me quite so well. “Okay.” I turn and place my hands on his broad shoulders. “Senior year in high school, Beth told me I shouldn’t get too used to you, because you were going to leave me. And you did.”

  Dylan sighs. “She was probably just being mean. So what?”

  “It proves she was right. And that’s not all she said.” This is the part that gets scary. “She told me you’d die from a bullet wound while you’re still young. I’ve tried to blow that off too, but it’s hard. Especially after Emily shot you.” I lift the blindfold so I can look into his pretty blue eyes. “The prospect of losing you again made me stay away all those years. But then I came home, and you went and made me fall in love with you all over again.”

  “Because I’m so mean that way.” Dylan’s lips tilt into a huge grin.

  “Don’t joke.” I punch his shoulder. “It scares me.”

  “I wish you had told me this earlier because Beth was right. I died from the bullet wound you’ve seen on my chest. When I was in the military. The medics brought me back to life to haunt you once more.”

  “Seriously?” I stare deeper into his eyes to be sure he’s not just saying that to make me feel better.

  “Scout’s honor. Now how about we forget about all that and run off to Vegas this weekend? I want to hurry and get married before you change your mind.”

  “No way! I missed out on my first wedding. I’m not getting cheated again. Maybe we can do it in the backyard of my newly restored Victorian this summer?”

  “Or maybe we can do it on the deck of a beautiful house on the cliffs overlooking the ocean? Like here?” He spins me around.

  “Wow.” My hand flies over my mouth in disbelief. The views take my breath away.

  I walk a few steps into the living room and stop. It has tall unfinished ceilings and a wall of glass that makes it feel like we’re standing on the bow of a ship, overlooking the roiling ocean. “This is incredible, Dylan.”

  “Thank you. The land belonged to my mother. Lance and I both inherited lots when she died. I wanted to build something that would’ve made her proud.”

  I nod in disbelief. “She was already proud of you and Lance. But this probably sealed the deal.”

  Dylan laughs. “I want to show you something else that’s pretty great too. Come on.”

  I figure he’s going to show me the kitchen next, but we go down a long hallway. “How many bedrooms are in this place?”

  He stops in front of a closed door. “Enough for all the kids to have their own. Including this kid.” He opens the door. Brittany is sitting on the bare wooden floor looking at her phone. Naturally.

  She looks up and smiles. “It’s about time you two got here. I’m starving.” She slowly stands and says to Dylan, “Have you shown her the kitchen yet?”

  “I don’t care about the kitchen.” I hold my arms out for a hug. “I’m so glad to see you, Brittany. How long are you staying?”

  Brittany’s muffled voice says, “If you don’t hug me to death, until I’m eighteen?”

  My heart nearly bursts with joy before I release her and hold her at arm’s length. “What happened with your mom?”

  Brittany grimaces. “Dylan kept looking into Mica’s background. He’s being investigated for fraud, so he changed his name and they moved to Vegas. They tried to be all nice at first, but when Dylan busted them, they admitted they just wanted me back to run another con. They needed more money.” Brittany crosses her arms. “Go ahead and say I told you so. I deserve it.”

  “I’m just happy you’re home.” I pull her close again and hug her. “And this is perfect timing. You can help me open my new restaurant. I love free labor.”

  “Not free.” Brittany hugs me back. Hard. “But we can negotiate my salary later.” She takes my hand and tugs. “Let’s go make something to eat before I faint.”

  I look over my shoulder at Dylan, who’s following behind. “Thank you for not giving up on that background search. This really is the best Thanksgiving ever.”

  He nods. “Maybe now with your new restaurant, you and Madge won’t have time to help me solve crimes anymore?” His brows arch with question and hope.

  As we stroll toward the kitchen, I say, “Don’t be silly. As long as there’s a crime to solve, Madge and I are your gals.”

  “Yeah.” Dylan shoves his hands into his pockets. “I was afraid of that. So what do you think?”

  I scan the kitchen with its triangle workflow pattern, two huge pantries, and gorgeous stainless steel commercial-grade appliances. “This is perfect, Dylan. Thank you.”

  He frowns. “Really? You wouldn’t change a thing?”

  I’d change a few small things, but then it’d prove his point about me being bossy. And I couldn’t be happier than I am right now. Maybe I will retire my magnifying glass and leave the sleuthing to Dylan going forward.

  But then, maybe not. We’ll have to see…

  About the Author

  Tamra Baumann is an award-winning author of light-hearted contemporary romance and cozy mystery. As a reality-show junkie, she justifies her addiction by telling others she’s scouting for potential character material. She adamantly denies she’s actually living vicariously in their closets. Tamra resides with her real-life characters—her husband and their adorable goldendoodle in the sunny Southwest.

  Visit her at www.tamrabaumann.com

  Also By Tamra

  It Had to Be Series:

  It Had to Be Him />
  It Had to Be Love

  It Had to Be Fate

  It Had to Be Them

  Heartbreaker Series:

  Seeing Double

  Dealing Double

  Crossing Double

  Matchmaker Series:

  Matching Mr. Right

  Perfectly Ms. Matched

  Matched for Love

  Truly A Match

  Cozy Mystery Bookshop Series:

  Plotting For Murder

  A Novel Way To Die