Just Buried Read online

  Just Buried

  Country Cottage Mysteries 9

  Addison Moore

  Bellamy Bloom

  Contents

  Let’s Connect

  Book Description

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Recipe

  Books by Addison Moore

  Acknowledgments

  About the Authors

  Copyright © 2020 by Addison Moore, Bellamy Bloom

  Edited by Paige Maroney Smith

  Cover by Lou Harper, Cover Affairs

  This novel is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to peoples either living or deceased is purely coincidental. Names, places, and characters are figments of the author’s imagination. The author holds all rights to this work. It is illegal to reproduce this novel without written expressed consent from the author herself.

  All Rights Reserved.

  This eBook is for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this eBook with another person, please purchase any additional copies for each reader. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Copyright © 2020 by Addison Moore, Bellamy Bloom

  Created with Vellum

  Let’s Connect

  For up to the minute pre-order and new release alerts be sure to subscribe to Addison and Bellamy’s mailing list for sneak peeks and updates on all upcoming releases!

  Book Description

  The Country Cottage Inn is known for its hospitality. Leaving can be murder.

  My name is Bizzy Baker, and I can read minds. Not every mind, not every time, but most of the time, and believe me when I say, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.

  It’s September and that means two things: fall is descending on Cider Cove and my wedding day is almost at hand. And as if preparing for my wedding wasn’t enough, there’s another wedding at the inn that I have to tend to. An old friend from college is getting married right here at the inn. Add a pushy mother-in-law to-be and a wedding party at war, and it's enough to make me want to elope. But when someone in the wedding party ends up dead, it puts a damper on the festivities all the way around.

  Bizzy Baker runs the Country Cottage Inn, has the ability to pry into the darkest recesses of both the human and animal mind, and has just stumbled upon a body. With the help of her kitten, Fish, a mutt named Sherlock Bones, and an ornery yet dangerously good-looking homicide detective, Bizzy is determined to find the killer.

  Cider Cove, Maine is the premier destination for fun and relaxation. But when a body turns up, it’s the premier destination for murder.

  Chapter 1

  “Fun fact: one hundred percent of divorces start out as marriages.” The tall, dark-haired man before me seems to be reaching from the bottom of the barrel, seeing that he’s been hitting on me for the last ten minutes.

  “Fun fact”—I say right back—“seeing that I’ve been both married and divorced, I believe you.”

  He belts out a laugh. “Just a little marital humor, seeing that tonight’s show is in honor of the bride and groom.”

  My name is Bizzy Baker, and I can read minds. Not every mind, not every time—but it happens, and believe me when I say, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Like now for instance.

  And speaking of marital humor, I’d love to cut right to the honeymoon with this one. This tasty little tart is exactly what I need to get my mind off of things.

  I can’t help but frown at the tall, dark-haired gentleman standing before me at the reception counter here at the Country Cottage Inn. I’ve been the manager here for going on half a decade, and I’ve grown to love this slice of Coastal Maine as if it were my child.

  The man currently staring me down, with his mind filled with lascivious thoughts, has bushy, dark brows to match his bushy, dark hair, and dark eyes that look as if he’s casting a spell on me.

  I’d better invite her to the show tonight. Once she sees me in action, she’ll want a part of the action—a part of my action.

  His lips curve with malevolent intent, and my sweet cat Fish and I exchange a look that’s tantamount to an eye roll.

  Jordy Crosby stands a few feet away, shaking his head at the man before me as well. Jordy is my best friend’s brother—whom I may have accidentally married once a very long time ago. It involved Vegas, a bad Elvis impersonator, copious amounts of booze, and not to mention a quickie divorce. But Jordy works for me now, right here at the inn, and he’s currently decorating the place for fall with strings of colorful autumn leaves and bright orange pumpkins.

  “Everything okay here?” He gives the man before me a hard look. Jordy has dark hair and light eyes—and thanks to those muscles, he can look every bit the bouncer when he needs to.

  “It’s fine.” I pull a tight smile. “If you can help with the setup for tonight’s show in the ballroom, I’d appreciate it.”

  Jordy scowls at the man in front of me before heading that way.

  The dark-haired man with the dicey thoughts leans in a notch. “Would you believe me if I said I could read your mind?”

  “No.” The word comes out flat. If he could read my mind, he would have known three minutes ago that I wasn’t buying any of his cheesy pick-up lines. “Would you believe me if I said I could read your mind?” It comes out a little harsher than intended. As the manager of the inn, I try to maintain a level head with just about every customer, no matter how ornery they can be, but I’ll admit, this one in particular is pushing me to the brink.

  He barks out a laugh just as a familiar, friendly blonde shows up and laughs alongside him, and she just so happens to be holding the sweetest little gray kitten with downy fur and bright blue eyes.

  She scoffs over at the man. “Please tell me he’s not hitting on you, Bizzy.”

  “McKenna Harvey!” I howl as I make my way around the counter and pull my old friend into a tight embrace.

  Fish, my black and white long-haired tabby whom I’ve grown to love like family, lets out a yowl.

  I was about to leap on the man, Bizzy. Fish mewls. I could still give him a nice scratch along the cheek if you like. I don’t like the way he’s looking at you.

  Yes, I can read the animal mind, too, and believe me, most of the time, they have more interesting things to say than humans.

  Sherlock Bones gives a quick bark. I agree, Bizzy. Sherlock is my fiancé’s dappled red and white mixed mutt. And for reasons I can’t explain, the animals can seem to understand one another. Jasper wouldn’t approve of the way this guy has been sizing you up. I can bite his ankle. Just say the word.

  Sherlock barks again as if to back up his potential threat.

  Both Fish and Sherlock love to hang out in the foyer of the inn with me, right here at the reception counter. And because of that, they’ve become the official greeters of the Country Cottage Inn. The interior of the inn itself has rustic wood floors, a white marble counter that runs the length of the reception area, and dark wood paneling along the walls. There’s a grand stairway that leads to the second level, where the rooms are located, and on any given day we have hundreds of guests.

  I pull back and examine my ol
d friend. McKenna is a sweet girl I went to college with. She still wears her hair in a blonde bob, her eyes still glow a pale shade of green, and her smile looks as if it could restart the sun if it ever went out, it’s just that bright.

  “McKenna, you haven’t changed a bit! And does this sweet little angel belong to you?” I give her cat a quick scratch between the ears.

  “She sure does. This is my baby, Misty. And please.” She gives my dark locks a tug. “You’re still the blue-eyed cutie you’ve always been. I was so relieved when I called and you said the inn was available to host the wedding. Caleb and I are so excited.”

  “Well, it’s just a couple of weeks away.” I give a little hop. “Are you excited or nervous?”

  “I’m thrilled.” She grips my arm as if to annunciate her point. “You’re going to love Caleb. We met a couple years back while I was working as a project manager at his construction company. We may have butted heads over that project, but he came around eventually, and now we’re ready to spend the rest of our lives arguing about much more exciting things.” She laughs. “I should ask you the same question. Are you excited? Your wedding is right on the heels of mine.”

  It’s true, my fiancé, Jasper, and I are tying the knot the last Saturday of September, right here at the inn, out at the gazebo in front of the majestic Atlantic.

  “I don’t know what to feel,” I confess. “I still have a few odds and ends to pull together, but I’m sure it will all work out.”

  Fish mewls and it sounds like a laugh. By odds and ends, you mean finding a dress, ordering floral arrangements, and deciding on a menu. Oh dear, Bizzy. Even I’m worried for you, and I never worry about anything.

  I shoot the snide kitty a look.

  She’s right. There is still so much to do.

  A horrible foreboding feeling falls over me, about as welcome as a wet towel, and I can’t seem to shake it. The truth is, I’ve been unsettled the last few days. And I can’t stop thinking that something very, very bad is about to happen.

  I land my attention back to my old friend.

  “Never mind me, McKenna. You’re my concern. The inn is at your total disposal. Let me know if you need anything at all.”

  “Oh, I have it all taken care of. The Country Cottage Café is catering the event. I’ve got the flower shop up the street taking care of the flowers, and you were nice enough to lend us the ballroom for the party Caleb’s friends are throwing us tonight.” She wrinkles her nose. “His friends are sort of a rowdy but entertaining bunch. Speaking of which.” She pulls the man with the bushy brows and naughty thoughts toward us. “I see you’ve met Julian Fletcher. He’s one of Caleb’s old college buddies. He’s the entertainment for tonight and he’s actually officiating the wedding.”

  “Mystic and magician.” He holds a hand out my way, and judging by that shifty smile curving on his lips, that white noise taking over his thoughts, I can tell he’s still very much wrapped up with naughty intent.

  The white noise is usually the way my powers go about sparing me from prying into the perverse. I learned a long time ago not to judge other people for their inner ramblings, so I won’t hold it against the guy. But trust me, it’s not easy.

  “Julian Fletcher,” he continues. “I work down at the Magic Castle in Edison. I’d invite you to come down sometime and see my act, but my psychic powers tell me, we have a date tonight in the ballroom.” He lands a kiss to the back of my hand before I can stop him. “I’ll save a front-row seat for you.” He nods to the two of us. “I’d best supervise the set up of my equipment. I’d hate for any of my stunts to go awry.” He winks my way before heading off.

  McKenna giggles. “Ignore him. But come to the show. In fact, open it up to the entire inn. Caleb’s friends are a hoot. And this way you’ll get to meet the rest of the wedding party, too.”

  “McKenna?” a rigid voice calls from behind just as an older woman, broad shoulders, boxy build, short hair with curls that cling to her scalp—and well, for lack of a better descriptor, the face of a bulldog. She has two adorable children attached at the hands and I can’t help but smile at them, each with a mop of red hair and freckles. A boy and a girl.

  “McKenna,” the woman gruffs out her name once again a little too rough for my liking. “I’m taking the kids to the beach for a walk along the sand. The wedding planner is looking everywhere for you. I’ve already instructed her on how the floral arrangements are to be displayed, and I’ve switched out that awful nude layer cake you had in mind and opted for something a little more traditional instead.”

  McKenna’s mouth opens and closes as if she wanted to say something but thinks better of it.

  “Bizzy, this is my mother-in-law to-be, Hilda. And these cuties next to her are Caleb’s sister’s children, Mirabelle and Dakota.”

  The little girl gives a hop and her pigtails bounce in rhythm.

  “Call me Mimi,” she trills, and I can see she has a tooth missing, which only adds to her adorable appeal.

  “Hello, Mimi,” I say. “And hello to you, too, Dakota.”

  McKenna gives Dakota’s hair a quick tousle. “These two are in the wedding. Mimi is the flower girl, and Dakota will be her escort.”

  Dakota gives McKenna’s dress a tug. “And don’t forget Misty and Lucky! They’re in it, too.”

  “That’s right.” McKenna laughs. “Misty is already looking forward to being in the wedding.” She holds the precious sweetheart up a notch.

  Am I looking forward to it? She twitches her whiskers up at my old friend. More like dreading it. That dog is going to eat me one of these days. And then you’ll really be sorry you ever got mixed up with Caleb.

  I press my lips together to keep from laughing.

  McKenna motions toward the ballroom. “And Lucky is Caleb’s Siberian husky. They are indeed both in the wedding, too. In fact, Lucky is here somewhere with Caleb.” She points to the ballroom where the setup for tonight’s magic show is currently underway. “I can’t thank you enough, Bizzy, for allowing our furry family to tag along today. Caleb and I really appreciate it.”

  Hilda scoffs. “You won’t appreciate it when half the wedding party is dealing with fleas on your big day. I’m afraid the wedding pictures won’t turn out.”

  She stalks off with the kids sailing behind her like a couple of kites, and McKenna groans.

  “I’ve got a lifetime of that to deal with.” She sighs. “Jealous much?”

  A laugh bubbles from me. “Believe me, my new mother-in-law to-be is a bit of a pill herself.”

  Someone clears their throat from behind and, horror of all horrors, I turn to find my handsome fiancé along with my aforementioned pill-in-law to-be.

  “McKenna,” I squeak. “This is Jasper Wilder, my fiancé, and his mother, Gwyn.”

  Jasper and his mother share the same jet-black hair, same pale gray eyes, but that’s where the resemblance stops. Jasper is warm and funny and doesn’t mind one bit that I can pry into his deepest thoughts. His mother doesn’t know anything about my transmundane status, further classified as telesensual, and I plan on keeping it that way.

  Gwyn, or Gwyneth, just so happens to be engaged to my father. It’s a long and sordid story. I’m not really sure what will become of them. My father has a habit of collecting wives—or ex-wives for that matter—the way some men collect neckties.

  “It’s nice to meet you both.” McKenna is quick to shake their hands. “Jasper, I’m sure you know how lucky you are to have Bizzy by your side. You’d better be good to her or you’ll have me to answer to.” She gives a little wink. “It’s nice meeting you, too, Gwyn. I hope to see the two of you tonight at the show. I’d better get to the ballroom and make sure everything is moving along.”

  “I’m providing the refreshments and your favorite dessert for the night,” I call out. “And don’t worry. I didn’t have anything to do with the actual making of the dessert.”

  She laughs in response.

  It’s a well-known fact my la
st name is more or less an irony. I’ve singed, burned, and incinerated more dishes than should ever be legal. The tragedy of it all is that I would give anything to be able to bake something that is more than palatable, but that in itself is more or less a pipe dream.

  “You’re too nice, Bizzy,” McKenna shouts back. “And after all these years you still remember?”

  “Blondie bars. How can I forget? We must have eaten a mountain of them.”

  We share a laugh as she disappears out of sight, and my laughter quickly dies down as I meet with Gwyneth’s sour expression.

  “I’m headed upstairs to change,” she grouses my way before looking up at her son. “This pill has a date with your soon-to-be father-in-law this evening. We hear there will be magic at the inn tonight. Who knows? I might just dust off my wand for the heck of it.” She sneers my way before heading on up.

  A few months back, Gwyneth’s home flooded and she’s been staying at the inn ever since. Jasper and I just so happen to live on the grounds ourselves, each in our own private cottage. We’re neighbors actually.

  The Country Cottage Inn is laid out on vast acreages, and the site has over three-dozen cottages we rent out for long-term use. We also have a pet daycare center, Critter Corner, that we run off the back of the facility, and the café attached to the inn sits right on the white sandy shores of Cider Cove. I’ve always loved the convenience of the inn, but the thing I love being in proximity to these days is this man right here.