Cookies and Buried Secrets

by Amber Crewes

  COOKIES AND BURIED SECRETS

  A Sandy Bay Cozy Mystery

  By

  Amber Crewes

  Published by Pen-n-a-Pad Publishing in 2018

  All characters and events in this publication, other than those clearly in the public domain, are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  Copyright © Pen-n-a-Pad Publishing

  The moral right of the author has been asserted.

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  CONTENTS

  About Cookies and Buried Secrets

  Newsletter Signup

  1

  3

  4

  5

  6

  7

  8

  9

  10

  11

  12

  Thank You!

  About Donuts and Disaster

  DONUTS AND DISASTER CHAPTER 1 SNEEK PEEK

  ALSO BY AMBER CREWES

  Newsletter Signup

  About Cookies and Buried Secrets

  Released: August, 2018

  Series: Book 3 – Sandy Bay Cozy Mystery Series

  Standalone: Yes

  Cliff-hanger: No

  When a beautiful stranger sashays into a birthday party, Meghan Truman, along with other invited guests, is surprised to discover her relationship to the birthday celebrant.

  This beautiful stranger attracts more shady characters to Sandy Bay. When one of these characters is found dead in an alley, the whole town is set on edge.

  Will Meghan’s attempt to link the owner of a golden antique gun to the murder prove helpful to handsome Officer Irvin’s investigation or will the discovery of a buried secret lead to more murders?

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  1

  IT WAS A BRISK MORNING, and Meghan Truman pulled the collar of her blue coat to cover her exposed neck as the chilly breeze nipped at her bare skin. She shivered as the salty air flew off of the ocean and ruffled her dark hair, but she did not move from her spot on the beach. Meghan had moved from Los Angeles to Sandy Bay a few months ago, and while she wasn’t quite used to the cool weather and dark skies of the Pacific Northwest yet, she was enjoying the change of pace.

  “Hey! Meghan!”

  Meghan’s heart fluttered as she heard the deep, familiar voice of Jack Irvin. She took a long, deep breath, trying to contain her excitement before turning around to greet him.

  “Meghan!”

  Meghan slowly pivoted to look up into Jack’s handsome face. She grinned, her dark eyes dancing as Jack smiled down at her, his blue eyes sparkling.

  “It’s good running into you! What are you up to? All alone at the beach, huh?” Jack asked.

  “I don’t mind,” Meghan said, tucking a lock of dark hair behind her ear. “It’s so beautiful here. The beaches in LA were always so crowded, and I love having some peace and quiet.”

  Jack chuckled. “I wouldn’t say you’ve had a lot of peace and quiet since you’ve been here,” he said, and Meghan lowered her eyes, shifting uncomfortably as she stood in the white sand. “You opened your bakery and then Norman Butcher was murdered, and then that couple was murdered, and you just seem to find your way into the middle of it all!”

  Meghan’s jaw dropped. She was shocked by Jack’s words, and her dark eyes filled with tears as she recalled the murders that had scandalized Sandy Bay and almost ruined Meghan’s bakery, Truly Sweet.

  “Hey,” Jack said as he saw the look on Meghan’s face. “I didn’t mean to say it like that. I’m sorry. The murders in town weren’t your fault, and it wasn’t your fault that your name got tied up in both situations. I shouldn’t have said that.”

  Meghan turned away from Jack to face the sea, struggling to keep the tears from spilling onto her pale cheeks. She and Jack had finally started getting along; Meghan had even developed some romantic feelings for him, but his joke was simply uncouth.

  “Meghan,” Jack said, reaching out to gently touch her shoulder. “I’m sorry. Let me make it up to you. I’ll be at Karen Denton’s birthday party tonight. It’s going to be a fun time. Let me pick you up for a nice dinner beforehand!”

  Meghan blushed. She and Jack had been out together a few times, but nothing had ever come out of their few dinner dates. Was this the chance for something to happen between her and Jack?

  “Okay,” Meghan said, turning back to look at Jack. “Dinner, and then Karen’s birthday party.”

  “Great!” Jack said, turning to leave the beach. “I’ll see you tonight! It’ll be something, I promise!”

  That night, Jack picked Meghan up in his squad car and took her to dinner at Feast, a farm-to-table restaurant in Sandy Bay. Meghan had worn her favorite dress, a form-fitting green dress that accentuated her curves and brought out her dark eyes, and she felt confident as she sashayed to Jack’s car.

  “You look great!” Jack had said as Meghan answered the door. “Let’s have a good night!”

  After dinner, they drove to Winston’s Bar, a local watering hole. Jack escorted Meghan inside, and she saw that Karen’s birthday party was well underway. Streamers had been hung from the rafters of the bar, and a band was playing in the corner. Jack led Meghan to a stool at the bar and helped Meghan climb onto it.

  “Here you go, ma’am,” Jack said, pushing his blond hair back from his face as Meghan settled in. “I’ll go get us some snacks!”

  “Perfect!” Meghan cooed. “I made all of the food here myself; I hope you like what Karen requested!”

  Jack returned five minutes later with two cookies in hand. He handed one to Meghan, and then took a large bite out of his. Meghan watched as his eyes widened, and he swallowed the cookie as quickly as he could.

  “You know I love your treats,” Jack whispered to Meghan, their heads huddled close together. “These spinach-almond-quinoa cookies just aren’t hitting the spot for me. Did you bring any of your brownies? Your brownies are out of this world!”

  Meghan’s eyes sparkled at the compliment, and she nodded at Jack. “Ssshhh, let’s watch Karen blow out her candles, and then I’ll go get some of the brownies I brought. I left a whole pan in the back!”

  Jack grinned, and he gestured at Karen Denton, Meghan’s dear friend. “With her insistence on healthy cookies, not to mention the size of her biceps, you would think she’s turning twenty-three, not seventy-three!”

  Meghan laughed. “Hey, if these spinach-almond-quinoa cookies are the secret to having that much vigor and energy in my seventies, I’ll take them over my brownies any day!”

  Meghan edged off of the stool and made her way into Winston’s kitchen. As she scanned the room for her pan of brownies, she felt a strong tug on her arm.

  “Meghan! Sweetie, hello! I saw you walk in with Jack Irvin. How fabulous! I want to hear all of the details!”

  Meghan grinned as the birthday girl, Karen Denton, peered up at her, her blue eyes glittering. “We had dinner before your party,” Meghan whispered to Karen, pulling her deeper into the kitchen. “It was his suggestion!”

  “Fabulous!” Karen squealed. “I could not ask for a better birthday present. I’ve always liked that Jack Irvin, and you know I just think the world of you! I’ll keep my fingers crossed. Maybe by my next birthday
, you two will be a real couple!”

  Meghan giggled. “We’ll see,” she said, reaching to hug Karen. “Enough about me. How are you enjoying your party?”

  Karen beamed. “It’s exactly what I wanted! I don’t have a family of my own, but everyone in Sandy Bay came together to celebrate my birthday! It’s just fabulous! Everyone is here, Winston kindly opened his bar for us, and those healthy cookies you baked for me are a delight! This old lady couldn’t ask for anything more on her birthday!”

  After finishing their hug, the two women turned to walk back into the main area of Winston’s bar. Meghan had a plate of brownies for Jack, and she could feel her body growing warm as she caught his eye from across the room. Jack looked so handsome in his blue button down shirt, and Meghan turned to gush to Karen about how happy she was to be at the party with him. Before she could whisper into Karen’s ear, however, Karen stopped in the middle of the room.

  “Oh my,” Karen stammered, her blue eyes large. A stunningly beautiful woman was walking toward them; she had waist-length black hair, enormous brown eyes, and tan skin. A flower tattoo snaked around her right bicep, and Meghan cocked her head to the side as the woman approached.

  “Are you alright?” Meghan asked, looking at Karen with concern. “Who is that?”

  Karen’s mouth opened, and she clasped a hand to her chest.

  “It’s my…..my…..my….it’s my daughter.”

  2

  MEGHAN GASPED AS THE WOMAN walked right up to Karen. Meghan leaned over, wrapping an arm around Karen, who looked as though she were about to faint. “Your daughter?” Meghan whispered, feeling Karen’s strong body go limp in her arms. “Karen! You have a daughter?”

  Karen slowly nodded. “It’s a long story,” she said, shaking as the dark-haired woman sauntered over. “I don’t talk about her often.”

  “Well, that’s a shame,” the woman said, catching the end of the conversation. “Why don’t you talk about me, Mamá?” The woman stuck out her lips and feigned a pout, but reached forward to embrace Karen. “It’s good to see you.”

  Karen stepped away from Meghan and leaned into her daughter’s hug. “It’s good to see you too, Sofía,” Karen murmured, stroking her daughter’s thick, glossy hair.

  Meghan crossed her arms in front of her chest, confused at the spectacle in front of her. She had known Karen for several years now; they had previously been neighbors in Los Angeles, and Meghan thought she knew everything about her! Karen had never spoken of a daughter, nor had she ever mentioned having any children, and Meghan was puzzled by the scene taking place in the middle of the bar.

  “What are you doing here?” Karen asked, pulling away from the woman’s hug. “I didn’t know you were planning a visit!”

  The woman sighed. “I wasn’t, Mamá,” she said, her voice tinged with sorrow as she looked down at Karen. “There were some things I wanted to get away from, and I thought the best place for me was with my Mamá.”

  Karen nodded. “Well, of course,” she said slowly. “I can help you with whatever you need, Sofía.”

  Sofía grinned. “Well, the first thing I need is a drink! I’ve been driving all day, and I need a little something to take the edge off.”

  Karen frowned. Meghan knew that Karen didn’t drink, and she decided to introduce herself. “Hi!” Meghan said, smiling warmly at Sofía, “I’m Meghan Truman! I’m a friend of…..your mom!”

  Sofía looked up and down at Meghan, her dark eyebrows raised. “Aren’t you a little young to be hanging out with her?”

  Meghan laughed. “I’m twenty-seven, but to be honest, Karen keeps me young! She’s so fit and in shape, she puts me to shame!”

  Sofía rolled her eyes. “That’s nice. Look, I’m talking with my Mamá right now. Can you leave us alone?”

  Meghan was taken aback, but she nodded. “Of course,” she said. “I’ll give you two some time.”

  Ten minutes later, Karen wandered over to Meghan and Jack. “Can I talk with you?” Karen asked. Meghan said nothing, but took Karen’s hand and walked with her into an empty back room.

  “Meghan,” Karen whispered, burying her head in her hands. “I can’t believe she is here.”

  Meghan’s eyes widened. “Is she really your daughter, Karen? I didn’t even know you had a daughter!”

  Karen moaned. “She’s been in a lot of trouble, Meghan. It’s not healthy to dwell on trouble, and I try to limit how much I think about her.”

  Meghan stared at Karen. “Where did she come from, Karen? Who is she?”

  Karen sighed. “Her name is Sofía,” Karen began. “Her father is a Mexican doctor I met when I worked as a nurse down in Jalisco. I was so young when she was born, Meghan; I was fresh out of nursing school when I took the position as a traveling nurse, and it wasn’t even a year after my arrival in Jalisco that Sofía was born.”

  Meghan placed a hand on her heart. “What happened to her father? Why did you leave your daughter, Karen?”

  Karen groaned. “Her father is a good man. We were married while Sofía was a little girl. When my visa expired, I had to go back to America, and everything just fell apart. It was a few years before I could get back into Mexico, and by the time I returned home, Sofía was a terror. My husband was resentful that I had been away, and it all went bad. I went home to America for good, and Sofía chose to stay with her father.”

  Meghan could hardly believe Karen’s story, and she took a long breath as Karen choked back tears. “Then what happened?” Meghan asked.

  “Sofía was a wild little girl, and then a wild teenager. Her father sent her to live with me in LA for a bit, but that didn’t go well, and by the time she was eighteen, she was living on her own! She took off with my money and some of my jewelry, and now, twenty five years later, she’s back on my doorstep.”

  Meghan’s jaw dropped. “You haven’t seen her for twenty five years?”

  Karen shook her head. “Not since the day she cursed my name and marched out my door. That was the last I saw and heard of her. Her father’s kept me in the loop of her whereabouts; I believe he still pays for her credit cards, and he can see where she’s been spending money. I’m honestly surprised I haven’t heard from him yet; you’d think that Rafael would have let me know that she’s in the Pacific Northwest!”

  Meghan shrugged. “That’s a lot, Karen. Are you alright? Oh my goodness, how hard this must be for you!”

  Karen looked down at her feet. “I always thought it was my fault,” she said, her voice heavy. “If my visa hadn’t expired, I wouldn’t have had to leave her, and maybe she wouldn’t be so wild. Or, if it had gone better when she lived with me, maybe she wouldn’t be running away from something now as a grown woman!”

  Meghan shook her head. “Hey,” she said softly. “You are a fabulous person, Karen Denton. You treated me like a daughter from the moment we met, and I am so grateful for that big heart of yours! I’m sorry it’s been hard with your daughter, but maybe things will be different now! Maybe she’s here on your birthday to celebrate you, and to make peace!”

  Karen’s eyes were glued to her purple sneakers, and she sniffled. “I think peace is the last thing she’s going to make, Meghan,” Karen whispered. “Sofía doesn’t make peace. Sofía makes trouble.”

  3

  “I’M SO GLAD WE COULD GET TOGETHER!” Meghan gushed as Sofía smiled at her from across the table at Winston’s.

  It was the day after Karen’s birthday party, and Meghan had invited Sofía to Winston’s, hoping to forge a connection with the daughter Karen had never told her about. Karen had been upset when Meghan first told her the idea, but after they talked at-length, Karen was optimistic about the notion of her second-daughter and real daughter getting together.

  “Maybe if she knows you, someone so fabulous and a good influence, she will behave!” Karen had squealed on the phone as they discussed the meeting. “You are a sweetheart, Meghan, and I’m thankful you are trying to help!”

  Sofía had agreed to t
he meeting. She arrived twenty minutes late wearing a tight-fitting, low-cut red dress; Meghan felt churlish and frumpy in her striped t-shirt and olive pants, but Sofía was nice enough, and Meghan genuinely enjoyed their conversation.

  “I know our first meeting was a little awkward, so I’m glad we could have some time to chat one-on-one!”

  “As am I,” Sofía murmured, as she sipped her martini, her long, blood-red fingernails contrasting sharply against the translucent glass. “It was overwhelming to see my mother for the first time in so long, so forgive me if I wasn’t quite my best.”

  Meghan reached her hand across the table, placing her palm over the top of Sofia’s caramel-colored hand.

  “Sofía,” Meghan said softly, her dark eyes wide as she addressed Karen’s daughter. “I hope you know that you are welcome in Sandy Bay. I’ve known Karen, your mother, for several years now, and she is the kindest person I’ve ever met! I know it was….strange to see her again, but I promise you, she is happy to have you here!”