Juniper locked up for the night, and as she started down the street, someone called her name. The male voice sounded familiar. He called her again, and then said, “Wait up.” With those words, she put the face together with the voice.
Finn Valentine had been Jack’s best friend forever. Pike had been madly in love with him all through college, but she’d been too shy to tell him. The last time Juniper had seen him was on stage with his band at their graduation party.
He reached Juniper just as she turned around, and pulled her in for a warm hug.
“I’m glad I caught you,” Finn said. “Jack said you’re usually here late.”
His cinnamon-brown hair still had the same waves Juniper remembered, and although there were a few lines around his brown eyes now, he didn’t look much older. It made her wonder what he was doing in Bohemian Lake right now. The last she’d heard he was working for a big advertising agency in the city. He’d been a musician once upon a time but that hadn’t worked out.
“I’m actually leaving early tonight. It’s been a long day.”
“Jack mentioned what happened,” he said. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thanks.”
“Have you had dinner yet? I’d like to talk to you about something.”
Now that he mentioned dinner, she realized she was starving. “Sure. I know a cozy little pub not too far from here.”
They exchanged idle chitchat while they drove. After they were seated, she gave him some recommendations on what was good.
“Isn’t this place your competition now?” Finn asked.
“I guess. But it’s a friendly competition.”
Finn grinned, showing off his trademark dimples.
The server brought their drinks, and they ordered burgers. Finn tried a local craft beer called peppermint porter at Juniper’s suggestion, and then Juniper came right out and asked what he was doing back home.
He took a long pull on his beer before he answered. “I moved back here a few weeks ago. My parents are snowbirds now, and their house is empty. I’m house sitting for the moment—at least until I find another place.”
Juniper frowned. “So you’re not working in the city anymore?”
“No, I’m done with agency life.”
He took another drink and pushed his glass aside. “Tell me about the Gothic Haunt.”
Nice change of subject. “What would you like to know?”
“Everything,” Finn said. “Your menu, your plans.”
“Okay, as long as you’re not planning on stealing the Inn out from under me.”
Finn made a devious face and threaded his fingers together like a mastermind. Juniper laughed and started talking.
“Sounds like it’s going to be great,” Finn said after Juniper shared her plans. He lifted his glass. “To new endeavors.”
They clinked their glasses together, and then Juniper thought of Pike, “You know, Pike’s back in town as well. You seein’ anyone?”
“Not at the moment.” He grinned and wriggled his eyebrows.
Easy boy.
“How ‘bout you and Jackie boy? I can’t believe you stole him back from that uptight Snaub.”
Juniper laughed at his play on words.
Before she could say anything else, their meals arrived, and they moved on to reminiscing about the old days. When the server cleared their plates and brought the check, Finn passed him his credit card over her objections. After the server left, Finn said, “Jack told me you’re going to need a new chef.”
“I am. Do you know someone?”
Finn cleared his throat. “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”
“I need someone who can start right away. Like tomorrow. Feliz was completely in charge of the kitchen from the food all the way to hiring the kitchen staff.”
The server brought Finn’s card and the receipt back. As he signed the slip, she said, “So, are you going to tell me who this person is?”
He leaned forward. “It’s me.”
“You?” This had to be a joke. Juniper wondered if Jack had put him up to it. “You’re an advertising executive.”
“Was an advertising executive. I’m now a certified chef.”
“No way. That’s quite the career change.”
Finn nodded. “Yep. I had to do something else—too many sharks swimming in those waters. I always liked to cook, so I started taking classes. I thought I’d open a little café or something like Pike did, but the Inn and Taproom sounds like just the thing for me right now.”
He was serious. This could be the answer to her problem. With the opening coming up so quickly, she needed to act fast. But what if he couldn’t cook or take direction? She didn’t like the idea of bossing around a friend. And did he know anything about tapas?
Finn stood, reached for her hand, and helped her up. “You don’t have to decide right now,” he said as they headed for the exit. “Just think about it and let me know.”
He held the door for her and they stepped outside.
“I don’t need to think about it,” Juniper said. “Come in tomorrow at ten and make me and Pike lunch. If we like it, you’re hired.”
Finn’s smile stretched from ear to ear. “I’ll be there. You won’t regret this, Junie.”
Elf in the Eggnog Recipe:
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups prepared eggnog (light or regular)
1 cup brewed coffee
1/4 cup sugar OR 1/4 teaspoon stevia (depending on your sweet tooth preferences)
1/3 cup Irish Cream liqueur
1/4 cup brandy (or White Christmas = brandy + rum)
ground nutmeg, cinnamon stick and whipped cream, for garnish
DIRECTIONS:
1. Pour the eggnog into a small pitcher or large measuring cup with a spout.
2. Stir the sugar into the coffee until dissolved. Let cool slightly. Then pour into the eggnog to combine. Stir in the Irish Cream and brandy. Warm, if desired, in small bursts in the microwave, or slowly in a saucepan on low heat... or serve at room temperature.
3. Pour into individual serving cups, top with whipped cream and cinnamon stick and sprinkle with brown sugar and nutmeg.
Authors Note:
Thank you for reading another Penning Trouble mystery! I hope I’ve made everyone's Christmas a little more merry and bright, even though Penny was a bit of a fish out of (Bohemian Lake) water in this one. Despite growing up close to a ski hill; I was never a huge ski bunny. Call me a control freak but something about flying down the icy hills with no real braking system and nothing to protect me from the trees set my teeth on edge. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy ski resorts. I love winter vacations; my family often takes them the week after Christmas. Fireplaces, hot tubs—not to mention viewing winter in all its glory—are pretty relaxing. Of course, my son used to get croup every vacation but let’s gloss over that little memory. And there are some winter activities that don’t involve a chair lift, like: tubing, snowshoeing, gondola rides, and my personal fave, cross country skiing. Thankfully I never came across any dead bodies on my trips.
Once again I must thank my talented editor, Susan Croft, and my cover designer, Mariah Sinclair for their flawless work. My writing group, my family and my street team for the support and reviews. My mother, Kelly, and my brother, Zack for allowing me to skip their birthday dinner in order to get this book uploaded on time. Happy Birthday! And, as always, I am grateful to my husband, Dustin and my children. They know my computer history is full of how to poison someone and hide the body, and yet they still sleep in the same house with me.
Once again, thank you for reading my book. Next up you get to know the Vianu ladies of the Bohemian Murder Manor series.
With much gratitude,
Rachael
About the Author
Rachael Stapleton lives in a Second-Empire Victorian home with her husband and two children in Canada where she dashes about aged wood, arched dormers and snowy hills, making up holiday themed whodun
it stories.
Looking for more? Try the Time Traveling Bibliophile
Book 1: Temple of Indra’s Jewel
Book 2: Temple of Indra’s Curse
Book 3: Temple of Indra’s Lies
Book 4: Temple of Indra’s Witch
Follow & Connect with Rachael on Social Media:
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest
And if you’ve enjoyed this book, please leave a review:
Goodreads | Amazon |BookBub
Murder, She Slopes Page 20