Cupcake Explosion ~ Bethany Lopez E-Book

Bethany Lopez

• Herausgeber: Bethany Lopez
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2018

Beschreibung

For the first time in a long time, life is good. I've got a smokin' hot motorcycle man as my fiancé, the best friends a woman could have, a couple of great kids, and things have been relatively quiet on the PI front.

You know what that means... the other shoe was bound to drop sooner or later... 

Just when I was ready to settle down and plan the coolest wedding Greenswood has ever seen, the shit hit the fan, and hit it hard.

My friends are fighting, Cade's been out of town doing God knows what for the club, and my sweet little twins are turning into hair-pulling pre-teens with more drama than my old daytime soaps. 

I feel like I'm being pulled in a million directions, and I've been going so crazy that Elin's swear jar is near to overflowing. I've been eating cupcakes like a woman possessed, and if I'm not careful, there's going to be a Cupcake Explosion... in my pants.

WARNING: THIS BOOK CONTAINS FOUL LANGUAGE, SEX, SOME VIOLENCE, AND SHENANIGANS. IF NONE OF THAT BOTHERS YOU, GRAB A CUPCAKE AND READ ON!

Leseprobe

Cupcake Explosion

Delilah Horton, Book 4

Bethany Lopez

Contents

Prologue

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

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Epilogue

Keep reading for a look at Cupcakes & Macaroons, a Honeymoon Short!

42. Cupcakes & Macaroons

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Also by Bethany Lopez

Cupcake Explosion

Copyright 2018 Bethany Lopez

Published May 2018

Updated Apr 2020

Cover Design by Makeready Designs

Editing by Red Road Editing / Kristina Circelli

Proofreading by KMS Freelance Editing

Ebook Formatting by Bethany Lopez

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please don’t participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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Prologue

For the first time in a long time, life is good. I've got a smokin' hot motorcycle man as my fiancé, the best friends a woman could have, a couple of great kids and things have been relatively quiet on the PI front.

You know what that means . . . the other shoe was bound to drop sooner or later.

I’ve been around long enough to know something bad usually happens when you least expect it. Blindsiding you and turning your life upside down.

And, of course, after a few months of calm, that’s what happened . . .

Just when I was ready to settle down and plan the coolest wedding Greenswood has ever seen, the shit hit the fan, and hit it hard.

My friends are fighting, because Amy May caught Bea and Carmen at my new friend Cynthia’s place, Cynthia’s Coffee and Books, eating pastries. Amy May thinks of it as a betrayal, while Bea and Carmen swear they just stopped to shop for books. Now I’m stuck in the middle.

Cade's been out of town doing God knows what for the club, not giving me input on the wedding at all. But, I guess I should have figured that, he is Cade after all, the man who said he didn’t do white picket fences.

And, my sweet little twins are turning into hair-pulling pre-teens with more drama than my old daytime soaps.

I feel like I'm being pulled in a million directions and I've been going so crazy Elin's swear jar is near to overflowing. I've been eating cupcakes like a woman possessed and if I'm not careful, there's going to be a Cupcake Explosion . . . in my pants.

Chapter 1

“You’re so annoying. Why can’t you just leave me and Cassidy alone and go play with your stupid video games?”

What the hell? Was that really my sweet little Lena talking to her twin brother like a jerk?

“Elena, I don’t want to hear you talking to Elin like that, you understand?” I asked as I turned the corner into her room.

And I kid you not, the little she-devil rolled her eyes at me.

When did my little sidekick turn into a preteen nightmare?

“Elin, go to your room and leave the girls alone please,” I asked my son, ruffling his hair as he walked by me.

“I didn’t want to hang out with a couple of stupid girls anyway,” Elin grumbled.

“Hey, language,” I said, shocked to hear him talk that way. “And, it looks like you’re the one who owes money to the swear jar this time.”

Elin sighed and walked out of the room.

I turned back to my darling daughter, who was sitting on her bed with my best friend, Amy May’s daughter, Cassidy. They’d been inseparable almost since birth. Cassidy was looking worriedly at me, but Lena had a who gives a fuck look that I knew well.

It was like looking in the mirror.

“Lena,” I said, fighting for calm. “Don’t talk to your brother that way or look at me like that. I have no problem taking Cassidy home and letting you spend out the remainder of the weekend staring at that wall.”

I could tell she really wanted to pull a face, or maybe roll her eyes again, but she managed to get her shit together and say, “I’m sorry.”

I nodded, then turned and got out of there as fast as I could.

Lord save me from budding teenagers.

I’d thought dealing with Elin and his hormones was going to be what pushed me over the edge, but, nope, it was going to be Lena’s new found attitude that was sure to give me gray hair way too early.

I walked through the house, CB following at my feet as always, and decided a cupcake break was just what the doctor ordered.

I opened the fridge, pulled out the box of cupcakes Amy May had dropped off with Cassidy and took out custard filled with chocolate icing, which was a current favorite.

My mouth was full of custard when my phone rang.

“Ha . . . bo,” was my greeting when I answered.

“May I speak to Delilah Horton?”

“Mmnhmmm.”

“Is this Delilah Horton?” the woman on the other end asked again.

I swallowed and replied, “Yup, you got her.”

“Of Horton Investigations.”

“Yes,” I said, beginning to get annoyed.

I’d started off as an investigative photographer, after the picture I’d snapped of my ex with his face full of snatch had made its way around town. And, yes, it made its way around because I’d taped it up all over town.

Anyways, I’d started working for Moose, who was a private investigator. Unfortunately, during a crazy case with a Mexican drug cartel, Moose had been killed, and, to my surprise, had left all of his worldly goods to me.

His PI firm, his house, everything.

My fiancé, Cade, and I . . . Man, I get a buzz every time I realize Cade’s my fiancé . . . I digress. Cade and I had totally flipped the house and made it something the kids and I were proud to call our own.

I felt awful about the way Moose died and the fact that I was the closest person to him in his life, but I would be forever grateful to him for everything he’d given me. He’d taken on a bitter, divorced, single mother, and given me a purpose. A job I enjoyed and was actually good at.

“Are you listening to me? Hello . . .”

Oops. I stopped woolgathering and replied, “Sorry, can you repeat that.”

There was a sigh on the other end.

“My daughter is missing. The police say because she’s eighteen, they can’t do anything. But, she’s a senior in high school and hasn’t been home all week. They keep trying to tell me that she ran away, but I know my Misty, and she wouldn’t do that. I’d like to hire you to find her.”

I walked to my office and grabbed a pen.

“Tell me everything,” I said, then started writing as the distraught mother on the other end gave me her daughter’s description, names of her friends, and the last place she’d seen her. “Okay, ma’am, I’ll get right on it and let you know when I find her.”

“Thank you.”

I shoved the rest of the cupcake in my mouth, then sat down at the computer to do a little research, figuring it was best to start by looking at Misty’s social media.

My phone pinged again, this time signaling a text.

I’ll be a little late, want me to pick up grub?

I smiled at the picture I had saved as Cade’s contact photo. It was from our trip to Hawaii. He had a huge smile on his face, his skin was darkened by the sun and he was wearing nothing but board shorts. He looked like a sexy badass.

Sounds good. I just caught a case, so I’ll probably be out late, too.

Anything I should know about?

I rolled my eyes.

Cade expected me to get into trouble every time I started a case, but that really only happened a couple times. Sure, the times that it did happen, I’d stumbled across some pretty scary dudes, but I was positive that wouldn’t be the case with this missing person.

At least, that’s what I’d tell Cade.

Nope, just a runaway. Easy peasy.

All right. Let me know if that changes. Later

My fiancé wasn’t the hearts and flowers type, but I was content with him feeding me and constantly giving me the D the way I liked it. We were pretty much a perfect match.

Chapter 2

I’d parked in a coveted spot along Main Street and was walking, intent on Clarice’s Nail Salon where a couple of Misty’s friends had posted they were getting pedis, when I looked up and saw the sign for Cynthia’s Coffee and Books.

Hmmm, maybe I need a coffee, I thought. And, it didn’t hurt that Clarice served up larger-than-life cupcakes. Shhhh, don’t tell Amy May.

I opened the door and recognized the voice of my bestie screeching.

My first instinct was to shut the door and run, but I looked toward the commotion and saw Amy May standing, hands on her hips, and yelling at our other two friends, Bea and Carmen. They were sitting on one of the plush couches looking up at Amy May with guilty expressions.

Uh-oh, I thought, mentally pulling on my big girl panties and walking over there.

I waved at Cynthia, who was eyeing my friends with a worried look, and gave her a reassuring smile.

“Amy May, what’s going on? Why are you screaming in the middle of the book store?” I asked softly, keeping my tone light so as not to fuel her flame.

She turned to me, eyes narrowed, and I knew it was too late. That flame was stoked.

“Can you believe this?” Amy May seethed, throwing her hand out toward Bea and Carmen. “I was walking by, minding my own business, when I look in the window to see these two Benedicts sitting in here eating her cupcakes.”

“Do you mean like, Eggs Benedict, or Benedict Arnold, cause the second one makes a bit more sense,” I asked, hoping to distract her and get her to calm down.

It didn’t work.

“Don’t get cute with me, Lila, you know very well I’m talking about the traitor . . .”

“Hey,” Bea said, standing up and crossing her arms over her chest. She was still in her police uniform, obviously having just gotten off work. “Carmen and I met here to look at books, and since they happen to serve coffee and pastries, we decided to treat ourselves. There’s nothing wrong with that, Amy May. It’s not like we’re boycotting your bakery in favor of Cynthia’s, it just happened.”

I looked at the table, and sure enough, there was a stack of historical romances, Bea’s favorite, and in front of Carmen, some self-improvement books.

“See, it’s not a big deal,” I started, but Amy May wasn’t having it; instead, she turned on me.

“And, what are you doing here? You stepping out on me, too?” she asked, her eyes beginning to fill.

Oh no, she is going from pissed to hurt, real quick.

“No, Amy May, come on . . . You know we all love you and your baked goods to pieces. I was coming in to grab coffee, because I work tonight and because Cynthia is my friend. I wanted to say hi. Bea and Carmen have already said they came in to shop for books . . . No one is stepping out on you.”

“Whatever,” Amy May said, wiping angrily at her cheeks. “Enjoy your books,” she told Bea and Carmen, then looked at me and said, “And, enjoy your new friend.”

I watched, mouth hanging open as she stormed out of the shop.

“What the hell was that?” I asked, swinging my head back to Bea and Carmen.

Carmen looked shocked.

“I don’t know. One minute we were talking about Bea and Shannon trying for adoption and the next Amy May was towering over us letting it all out. I have no idea what happened, but I’ve never seen her so mad.”

“There must be something else going on,” Bea guessed. “Because she’s never blown up like that before. And there’s no way she was just walking by, I think she saw us come in and came down to bust us.”

“Hmmm, I’ll have to check in with her and see what’s up,” I said, just as Cynthia came over.

“Everything okay?” she asked, her voice serene.

Cynthia was pure hippie with a side of gypsy. Totally cool with her long curly hair and flowing skirts. She had so many bracelets on her wrist, they jangled with every movement, and she had the coolest bookstore I’d ever seen.

“Yeah, sorry about that, our friend Amy May was a little upset,” I replied, then I gestured to the couch. “Have you met my friends, Bea and Carmen? Guys, this is Cynthia, the owner of this rad shop.”

“Nice to meet you, Officer,” Cynthia said to Bea, then to Carmen, “And you’re the journalist, right? I believe you did a piece on the shop after we opened. Thanks for that.”

“It was my pleasure,” Carmen said with a delighted smile.

“Nice to meet you too, you have great coffee,” Bea added.

“Well, I just wanted to check and make sure everything was all right. I hope your friend’s okay.”

“Thanks, Cynthia, she’ll be fine,” I assured her. “I’ll be over in a minute to grab a coffee.”

“Sure, I’ll get that started for you. Remember, don’t even think about trying to pay. Your money’s no good here.”

I smiled gratefully at her. A while back I’d caught a thief who’d been terrorizing her shop, which had earned me free coffee for life.

“Do you think I should go talk to Amy May?” Carmen asked, worrying her lower lip.

I shook my head.

“Give her some time to cool off. Amy May can be hotheaded, but she’s usually quick to come to her senses and listen to reason. Don’t get worked up about it, she’ll be okay.”

Carmen tended to take things to heart and stress over them, and I hated to think of the anxiety she’d have, worrying about Amy May being upset with her.

“Okay, I’m gonna grab a cup and get to work, got a runaway to find,” I said, then added, “And, I think we’re due for a Ladies Night. We’ll have to get one on the books.”

“Need any help with your runaway?” Bea asked.

“Not yet, but I’ll let you know,” I said.

“Oh, let me know too, you know I love to help you investigate,” Carmen added, her tone conveying her excitement.

I chuckled and said, “I will, promise,” then went off in search of free coffee.

And, a cupcake.

Chapter 3

“Clarice, how’s the world of beauty?” I asked as I walked into her salon.

“Hey, Lila, long time. What’s new?” she returned, glancing up from the leg she was currently pounding on.

“Oh, not much,” I said airily, walking up to her with my hand outstretched.

I wiggled my fingers for effect, smiling when Clarice’s eyes got wide. She grabbed my hand, hers a bit greasy from the lotion she’d been rubbing on her client’s leg and stood up quickly.

“Sweet Baby Jesus, is that what I think it is?” she asked.

“If you think it’s an engagement ring from a hot, badass, motorcycle man . . . then, yes!” I replied, jumping up and down.

The three teenaged girls sitting in the pedicure chairs were looking at us like we were nuts, but I didn’t care. There were few things in life that were jump worthy and this engagement was definitely one of them.

After I’d gotten divorced from my ex, formerly known as The Douche, now just called Eric, I’d vowed never to fall in love and get married again. Even when I started seeing Cade, he’d been pretty clear he wasn’t the type to settle down and get a white picket fence, but, to both of our surprise, here we were. Engaged, about to move in together and be married, and I’d never been happier.

If that didn’t deserve a little booty shake in public, I didn’t know what did.

Once I was done jumping and shaking my booty with Clarice, who, although wasn’t one of my besties, was a cool chick, I struggled to catch my breath and shot a happy smile to the teens I was here to interrogate.

I mean . . . question.

“Wow, I can’t believe you got that man to settle down,” Clarice said, her voice filled with awe. “What is that?” she asked, her eyes on the stone.

“Sea glass, from Hawaii. Cade made the ring himself,” I replied, my heart getting all squishy. I didn’t tell her he’d made it in class when he was in high school and told his mother to save it for the woman he married. Or that he’d said when he met me and saw my eyes matched the sea glass perfectly, he’d known I was the woman for him.

That was a tale for those closest to me.

“It’s beautiful. Congrats, Lila, you deserve a man like Cade, especially after that shit your asshole ex pulled.”

“Thanks. Now, I need a kick-ass manicure to show this baby off.”

“You’ve come to the right place,” she said. “Go ahead and pick your color, then have a seat and I’ll be with you shortly.”

After I picked my polish, I sat down next to one of the teenagers and pulled out my phone, checking social media as I listened to them chatter.

“She’s like, so crazy to do it at our age. We’re not even done with high school yet,” the girl farthest away was saying.

“Totally. I mean, I want to get out of here and go to college. I can’t believe she’s giving up and staying here.”

“I don’t know,” the girl closest to me said softly, probably not wanting to get the other two all stirred up by disagreeing with them. “I think it’s kind of romantic.”

“Romantic, ugh. I don’t know about you, but I want to play the field, see what’s out there, not tie myself down to one guy. Even if he is hot.”

Taking a stab in the dark, I asked, “You guys talking about Misty?”

Three shocked faces turned to me, before the loudest one narrowed her eyes and said, “Who are you?”

“Just someone concerned over a missing girl.”

Loud girl rolled her eyes.

“She’s not missing, she just left her mother’s house. Not that I blame her, that woman is a hot mess.”

“She ran away?” I pressed.

“She’s eighteen and an adult. She moved out.”

“Do you happen to know where I can find her?” I asked.

Loud girl rolled her eyes again and I began to worry for the effect it would have on her face.

“She’s with Adrian. She’s always with Adrian. We barely even see her anymore, since he came along.”

“Do you know Adrian’s last name?” I asked.

The girl next to me gave me his name and I looked to Clarice and said, “I’ll be back later for that mani.”

Clarice nodded, but shot me a look of disapproval.

I felt mildly guilty about coming in her place of business again, to get information for a client again, but it couldn’t be helped. Clarice’s was one of the hot spots in Greenswood. I couldn’t help it if criminals, perps, and suspects liked to get their nails done.

I made a mental note to actually come back this time and get my nails done. I didn’t want Clarice to think I was just using her and her salon for my own selfish purposes. Besides, I thought as I looked down at my ring finger, my engagement ring would pop if I had a French manicure.

Chapter 4

I knocked three times on the wood door, then stepped back and waited, my eyes surveying the street.

“Hello?”

I looked forward to see a pretty woman about my age standing in the doorway with a kitchen towel in her hands.

“Hi, I’m Delilah Horton, PI, and I’m looking for Misty.”

The woman nodded once, then stepped aside and said, “Come on in. We were expecting the cops, but I guess you’re close enough.”

“The cops?” I asked, walking past the woman and into her tidy living room.

“Yeah, Misty’s mom has made it no secret that she does not agree with her daughter dating our son, we figured it was only a matter of time before she did something crazy. God forbid she stand by her daughter and support her decisions.”

Why did it feel like everyone knew what was going on but me? And, why did it seem like being on the mother’s side was the wrong side of whatever this situation was?