Pittie Party Murder: A Barkside of the Moon Cozy Mystery, #8

Chapter

One

The warble of robins and the whoop of whippoorwills laced the air with the sounds of early summer. The energy of the chirpy melodies put an extra pep in my step.

I can’t believe what a beautiful week we’re having. I waved and cooed at my fifteen-month-old gorgeous niece, Journey, and her equally adorable brothers, Jackson and Jericho, who were sitting in a jogger stroller, waiting mostly patiently as their mother, my bestie Nadine Booth, strapped them in. The sleek and wide stroller was specifically built for triplets with seating for three. Yes, we are, I said in a slightly higher voice meant just for them. They rewarded me with toothy grins, Journey with more teeth up top than her brothers. Their dark cinnamon hair and green eyes mirrored their father’s and mine. The Mason genes were strong in them. It made me smile.

Agreed, Lily. Such a pretty day, Reggie Crawford, our other BFF, said. Reggie was a doctor, the elected town coroner, and a board-certified medical examiner.

It sure is, Nadine said as she finished securing her babies. She was my uncle Buzz’s partner and a deputy sheriff for our county. Buzz had become like an older brother to me since I’d moved to the Bootheel, and Nadine was the sister I’d always wanted.

Reggie was weirdly my mother-in-law now, since marrying Parker’s dad, Greer. It had been an intimate ceremony, long overdue, with only a handful of friends and family. It was beautiful, and I cried a lot. In my defense, I was also hormonal due to the baby growing in my belly.

Ready, Nadine said triumphantly as she unlocked the wheels of the stroller. Let’s do this.

By this she meant taking the kids for a walk on the beautiful new walking trail at the city park. Moonrise Parks and Recreation had done a lovely job of paving the two-mile path. It had several rest areas with benches, along with some picnic tables dotted through the grassy center. They even had a brand-new playground. The upgraded bathrooms with running water centrally located in the park were a chef’s kiss for this pregnant cougar shifter.

Since it was Saturday, there were a lot of people and dogs on the trail, and I was glad I’d decided to leave Smooshie at home. I’d make it up to my big-headed girl later.

Ow-wooooo, Jackson squealed. He pointed as a woman walking four proudly prancing corgis on a split leash skirted past us in the opposite direction.

Yawggies! Jericho shouted with delight. He kicked his little feet with excitement, and it rocked the stroller on one side.

Okay, Jer-bear, Nadine chided. Enough of that.

He laughed loudly in response.

I snickered at my friend. He’s not afraid of you one iota.

Nadine’s chestnut hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail, and she wore a hat that had M.S.D., for Moonrise Sheriff’s Department, on it. She flashed me an annoyed look. I can make a perp pee himself when I bark an order, but my cop-tone tickles my kid’s funny bone.

Journey’s bright green eyes were wide as she took it all in. Her stoicism in the face of her brothers’ jubilation reminded me a little of myself.

Can I just say how awesome I feel? I grinned, resisting the urge to pump my fists in the air like Rocky making his historic climb to the top of the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s steps. My elation wasn’t just because I got to spend time with my wonderful nephews and niece or my two BFFs. Nope. I had a spring in my step that I hadn’t felt in a long time. The last time I had energy like this, I was a freaking teenager. How come nobody tells you that hitting the six-month mark will make the pain and suffering of the first five months so worth it?

The end of my second trimester was going out with a bang. I’d finally managed to gain some weight. Yay. My shifter metabolism made putting on the pounds difficult, and I was already eating Olympian-in-training calories every day to keep from losing more body mass. Needless to say, the extra pounds thrilled me. I’d made a comment to that effect, and my bestie Nadine had threatened to throat-punch me.

Those six-month hormones are amazing, Reggie said. Her glossy black hair was pulled back into a messy bun. She wore a lavender razorback tank top with matching leggings. Even her tennis shoes were lavender. The color looked amazing with her dark brown eyes and pale skin.

Unlike you, Nadine complained. I was a beached whale from six months on, but even I still look back on the energy I had then with some envy. Those days are over.

Nadine looked far from a beached whale in her gray shorts and a Moonrise S.D. T-shirt. She’d lost all the baby weight and had added extra muscle and tone to her physique over the past year. Even so, looking at the three J’s, I could see why she was tired.

I imagine triplets take it out of you. I looked down at my belly, now the size of a volleyball. Thank heavens, this is a womb for one. I had on one of Nadine’s hand-me-down maternity workout tops. The top was light blue with yellow daisies on it. Super cute but a little roomy on me. I didn’t mind one bit, though. I was grateful that Nadine still had maternity clothes to give. She’d originally planned to give them to Goodwill, but after she boxed them up, she’d forgotten they were in her garage. Goodwill’s loss was my gain.

One or three. Nadine flicked her hand in a gesture of dismissal. It’s all exhausting. Enjoy the surge while you got it. That’s when all the nesting happens.

I hadn’t started nesting yet. Not in the way that most people talked about it. Parker and I had discussed getting the nursery painted, but I kept changing my mind about colors. I guess I better get to getting on the crib and stuff. I just hate to spend the money. It’s all so pricey.

Reggie’s knees went high as we picked up the walking pace. The bigger your belly gets, the tighter your wallet gets, she said. I remember worrying about every nickel and dime when I was pregnant.

No lie. Nadine shook her head with a laugh. Kids are expensive. The diapers and food for these three are like adding a mortgage to our monthly expenses. But don’t you even worry about a crib. I have three of them that are about to go into storage.

When I gave her a surprised look, she sighed and said, Journey’s figured out how to crawl over the top of the rail, and she’s rallied the troops for a full-on mutiny. I’m convinced that girl is either going to be a rocket scientist or a criminal mastermind.

Not my Journey. I reached over the top of the stroller and tweaked her cherubic cheek. She gave me a magnificent, open-mouthed smile that showed off her four top teeth. She’s an angel.

Nadine snorted. Not even. I found her, Jer-bear, and J-man sleeping under her crib this morning with a package of chocolate chip cookies empty next to them. I’d put the darn cookies in a top kitchen cabinet. I have no idea how they got up there to get them. And you know Buzz has great ears. She looked exasperated. He swears he didn’t hear a darn thing. Anyhow, we’re investing in toddler beds this week.

The story made me laugh hard. Reggie was right there with me.

It’s not funny, you guys, Nadine whined.

It kind of is, Reggie said with a snort.

Nadine flipped us off, and we laughed even harder.

Whatever. She adjusted her shorts. You guys are mean. Have you been getting any weird cravings? I wanted bean burritos all the time. The farting was horrible.

I crave everything, I told her. Lots of spicy food, too. I mean, I like heat, but I’ve been taking it to some five-alarm extremes lately. At least it hasn’t been giving me any heartburn.

Reggie grinned. I had heartburn my entire pregnancy.

They say that chronic heartburn when you’re pregnant means your baby will be born with a full head of hair, I said. Is that true?

CeCe had a mess of black hair, so it might be true, Reggie mused. But scientifically, I have no idea why it would work that way.

Maybe all the acid stimulates hair follicles, Nadine interjected.

I chuckled. That would only work if your stomach doubled as a uterus.

What do I know? Nadine shook her hands out as we continued our pace. I’m street smart, not book smart.

I’m not sure that applies to this situation, I said. You can’t street smart medical science.

People do it all the time, Nadine countered.

And that turns out so well. Reggie shook her head. I see those people in my office every week.

Regardless, I haven’t had any heartburn, so I guess my daughter is going to be bald.

Unless she’s a cougar like her mom. Then she’ll be born with fur everywhere, Nadine said.

I stopped in my tracks as the horrifying idea of giving birth to a kitten in the hospital settled in.

Nadine and Reggie walked a few more feet before they noticed that I was no longer beside them.

I was kidding, Nadine told me. You aren’t going to give birth to a fur-kid.

You don’t know that. It had been a worry of mine for several months. She could be a shifter, and if she is, can I even raise her here in Moonrise?

You need to reel it in, Nadine ordered. And did you say she?

My slip made me grin. Yes, I told her. It’s a girl.

Oh my gosh! Nadine gushed. We’re having a girl. She leaned forward and said to Journey. Did you hear? Aunt Lily is having a girl.

Journey looked like she didn’t care, but the boys smiled.

Yep, Reggie confirmed. And she looks like a normal, healthy six-month fetus without any signs of fur, fangs, or claws.

I can’t believe I am just now finding out about this! Nadine’s excited tone allayed my fears and brought back my earlier elation.

We just found out yesterday with the ultrasound, and I wanted to tell you in person. I’d been getting monthly ultrasounds from Reggie, who was acting as my obstetrician. Considering my nonhuman status, I couldn’t take a chance on a doctor who didn’t know-know me. Frankly, I was so grateful to have Reggie. I planned to tell you today, so here I am telling you. You’re going to have a niece.

Nadine’s dimples deepened with her grin. That’s the best news, Lils. I’m so happy for you and Parker.

We start the Beautiful Beginnings birthing course this week. Reggie had recommended the classes for Parker and me. It’s every Wednesday night from the beginning of the sixth month until the end of the ninth. I’m nervous and excited.

Fantastic, Reggie said. You’re going to like Larissa. She’s a good teacher and an even better doula, if you don’t mind the occasional scent of patchouli and, uhm, herbs.

I snorted a laugh.

Nadine arched her brow, and Reggie said, It’s legal now.

True, Nadine said. But it still feels weird hearing about it.

Two pregnant women—a pert blonde and a tall brunette—walked past us at a fast pace. The brunette wore a shirt that said, ‘Closed for Business’ with an arrow pointing to her groin.

I snarfed when they were out of earshot. Hilarious.

It was funny, damn it, Nadine agreed, but she didn’t sound amused. It seems like everyone is having a baby these days.

I gave her a curious look. Are you jealous?

Yes, she admitted. I don’t want any more kids, but I miss being pregnant.

Before I got pregnant, I would’ve scoffed at her response. But I coveted every moment my little girl was cooking inside me. Every time she moved, it reminded me that Parker and I had created a whole person with our love. I could see missing this feeling.

I have a sympathy belly at my office, Reggie offered. You know, if you want to relive the glory days.

Nadine hooted. No, thank you. The weight, I don’t miss. Her expression pinched. When they were inside me, I knew they were safe. Protected. Now that the three of them are walking, I’m afraid all the time that they’re going to get hurt. It makes me feel helpless.

That doesn’t change no matter how old they get, Reggie said. You have to hope for the best because motherhood is the one job where you’ll never be prepared for the worst.

I knew what she was saying was true. I had raised my brother Danny, and while he hadn’t been my son, I worried constantly that I couldn’t protect him. In the end, my fears had proved all too real.

I’m sorry, Lily, Reggie said. I didn’t think…

It’s okay, I told her. They didn’t know me when Danny was still alive. I’d moved to Moonrise less than a year after his death, but I hadn’t told any of them about him for another year or two. Admittedly, the pregnancy had been bringing up all kinds of feelings, though. Stuff that I’d thought I’d dealt with.

I gave Reggie a sympathetic look. "You’re absolutely right. There’s no preparing for the worst, so it’s best not to dwell on all the things that can go wrong. Instead,