Pumpkin Spice Sacrifice

by Addison Moore

  What kinds of things might happen there?

  I’m betting they’re all very, very bad.

  Chapter 5

  It’s not until Tuesday that I’m able to reopen the bakery, and no sooner do I unlock the front door than a floodgate of tourists and morning commuters charge in. It didn’t take me long to realize that fresh baked cinnamon rolls and fresh brewed coffee acted as a siren song to those wandering up and down Main Street. The cinnamon rolls were gone in a flash, but I still have plenty of fresh croissants, apple turnovers, and red velvet French toast—which I am personally obsessed with. Honestly, sometimes I think I make most of the treats to please my own palate.

  By ten in the morning, my feet feel as if they’d voluntarily fall off if they could, my back aches, and my head is throbbing just begging for another cup of quick and dirty caffeination. I’d love nothing more than to fall into one of those pastel chairs Bear hand painted for me. Well, not for me per se, but the Cutie Pie Bakery and Cakery. With its butter yellow walls and nonpareil-colored mismatched furniture, the straggling oak limbs that stretch from the Honey Pot Diner next door and expand all across the ceiling of the café portion of this place, not to mention the fact each branch is wrapped in twinkle lights—this place holds a very real magic all its own. It was Bear’s idea to blow a hole in the wall and create a walkway from the Honey Pot to the bakery—and it’s safe to say it was his brightest idea yet.

  Mom’s travel club is just finishing up a meeting in the café, and I shuddered listening in on their enthusiastic conversations about visiting Manhattan in early December. Sure, the store windows are decorated like no other, there is typically a blanket of fresh fallen snow making the entire city feel like the inside of some magical snow globe, and the shopping—well, that’s to die for year-round—but my own memories of the years I spent living in the city, my college years and a little just beyond that, were fraught with horrific memories. I loved my roommate. I loved my boyfriend, Curt, who quickly became my fiancé. But then, I came home a little early one afternoon and found them loving one another quite aggressively and loud as a fire alarm. I thought my roommate was getting her head sliced off from the sound of it. And to be honest, for a brief moment, I thought she was being accosted, which had me fully ready to slice off a few body parts of her would-be assailant—but as soon as I saw my soon-to-be ex, I hightailed it out of there, out of the city, and straight back to Honey Hollow. It’s almost ironic how I let Bear’s indiscretions chase me out of Honey Hollow and Curt’s chase me right back in.

  The door to the Cutie Pie chimes and in walks Lainey looking every bit the fall princess in a burnt orange coat and matching lipstick. Lainey is gorgeous, and sweet, and I love her all the more now that we’re no longer roommates ourselves. We almost killed one another growing up. Especially when someone borrowed someone else’s sweater without asking. It was a three-way civil war among Lainey, our sister Meg, and me. Although, this last experiment in cohabitation seemed to go much smoother than the last.

  “You’re looking good today. Is there a special event at the library?”

  Her tiny comma-like dimples press in. “We’re hosting a field trip for Honey Hollow Elementary at one. We’re calling it the Cornucopia of Books Festival. I’ve spent all morning pulling out every book in the children’s section that might actually have a fall theme. Do you realize there is a serious shortage of books with fall themes? All I could find were a dozen board books. Oh well. Variety is the spice of life. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.”

  “Do what you can with the Thanksgiving theme, but I’d show off the Christmas books as well.”

  Her light coffee-colored eyes light up. “That’s a great idea! Thanksgiving is Christmas’ underappreciated cousin anyway. That’s all any store in town has been pushing since September. It’s like Halloween jumps straight to Christmas—and, oh yeah, let’s eat a turkey in November to strategize our Black Friday plans.”

  I slide a chocolate-filled croissant her way, and she hums with glee.

  “There are definite benefits to having a sister who’s a baker.” She gives a cheeky wink as she deposits money into the tip jar. Lainey tips regularly because she knows I won’t charge her for a thing. “So, how’s the investigation going?” She makes a face as she takes a bite, and her affect is quickly restored.

  “I’m not sure. Noah has been so busy we haven’t had a second alone together.”

  “Sorry to hear it. Tanner took me to the movies last night, and we ran into Forest. It’s like no matter where I go, there he is.”

  “That’s because you’re meant to be together. You and Forest—not you and Tanner.” Lainey dated Forest Donovan for as long as I can remember, and the two of them called it quits last summer over some silly dispute. And to make things even sillier, Lainey had the bright idea to land Tanner Redwood by her side in an effort to make Forest jealous. Everyone knows Tanner is a notorious playboy. Even Lainey knows that. But she doesn’t care. There’s a man to be made jealous and, by God, she’ll stoop as low as needed to get the job done—all the way to the movies apparently.

  Mom and her good friend, Eve Hollister, step up to the counter.

  Eve twirls into her green wool coat. That emerald color reminds me of Noah’s eyes, and I miss him all the more.

  “Thank you for letting us linger, Lottie.” Eve presses out a pleasant grin. My mother once told me that she and Eve were the same age, but it’s hard to believe. Eve looks every bit your typical granny with white permed hair, heavily etched face full of soft wrinkles, and a judgmental disposition in general about life. She’s been windowed for a while, has three kids who never visit, and has undergone every renovation known to man at that mansion of hers that sits like the odd man out at the edge of town.

  Mom, in contrast, is fit for her age, her arms are well-toned, her hair cut to her shoulders in a wavy blonde bob, not a gray hair in sight thanks to her weekly trips to the Shear Beauty Salon, and she happens to have a penchant for dressing young and acting that way, too. My mother has been my role model for as long as I can remember, and I certainly hope I have her vitality and zest for life when I’m her age. Not to mention the fact she too has been a widower for years.

  Eve leans in. “You’re welcome to join us next month in Manhattan. Your mother says no one gives a tour quite like you.”

  “No thank you.” I shoot a look to my mother. That woman knows I’d rather chop off both hands than head anywhere near the city. “But with my mother as a guide, I’m sure you’ll have a good time.”

  “Of course, we will.” She nods to my mother, forlorn. “Jackie Jenner was supposed to lead the group. Who would have thought that such a tragedy could have struck someone so young at that? Poisoned!” Eve bellows, and half the patrons look my way.

  “Well, she wasn’t poisoned by me. The bakery received the all clear.” I haven’t officially yet, but there are some details that simply aren’t needed.

  Mom pats my hand. “That’s right, dear. You’re innocent until proven guilty. That’s how our country works.”

  “I won’t be proven guilty. I didn’t do a thing wrong.”

  Eve lifts a finger as she turns to go. “Anyhow, the funeral is Saturday, and I don’t have a thing to wear. Funerals in Honey Hollow are becoming quite the social events. I’ll see you girls there!” She gives a cheery wave as she speeds out the door.

  Lainey makes a face. “I hate funerals. Hey? Do you think we’ve got a serial killer on the loose? I mean, three deaths in three months. Maybe those other people you caught were the wrong people!”

  “Stop,” I hiss. “Customers are leaving.” I nod to a crowd ambling their way to the door. “See what you did? Nobody wants a little conversation about a serial killer with their morning pie.”

  “Speaking of pies.” Mom rubs her hands together in anticipation, and my stomach sinks because I know where this is going. “Tell me when and where they’re hosting that pumpkin pie contest in Ashford. I plan on being there
with bells on. I heard last year they had a panel of ten judges. Six were male and three were widowers!” Her shoulders do that annoying shimmy thing that makes my stomach turn. Rumor has it that three-time winner Crystal Mandrake not only won the prize last year but she won a husband right off the judging panel as well. So I guess my mother isn’t all that far off.

  “Hey, wait a minute.” I pick up the carafe and pour her a fresh cup of coffee. “What happened to Wallace Chad, the man with two first names? Don’t tell me you’ve given him his walking papers already.”

  Mom waves him off as she takes a careful sip of her coffee.

  “You didn’t hear?” Lainey scoots in with an undeniable excitement tittering in her voice. “He got a job in Leeds working for a certain questionable financial institution.”

  I slap my hand over my mouth in shock. “No!” I told Mom and Lainey all about my adventures at the Martinelle Finance department where Everett and I posed as a couple last month to try to catch Hunter’s killer. And, believe it or not, they offered a vital clue in the investigation. “He’ll be in prison before you can say Thanksgiving dinner. I happened to know for a fact they’re being investigated. But don’t say a word.” I slip my finger over my mouth.

  Lily Swanson swoops in and grabs a couple of brownies out of the case. “Don’t say a word about what?” She lifts a villainous brow. Come to think of it, everything about Lily is villainous. She’s Naomi Turner’s best friend for starters, and one is just as wicked as the other. But since I’m still short on a crew of my own, Keelie who does all the hiring for the Honey Pot Diner next door, and now the bakery as well, brought her onboard to help out. As much as I hate to admit it, she does have a way with moving people through the line at lightning speed. She’s been a real godsend.

  “About the contest—” My mouth opens as I look to Lainey for help, but she just shrugs over at me while stuffing the rest of that croissant into her mouth. “I may not be eligible to participate in the bake-off.” I glower at Lily a moment for making me confess it in front of her of all people. “But if you want to keep your job, I’d keep that little bit of info close to the vest. I still have a healthy order of Thanksgiving Day pies coming in on the regular.”

  Her little pink mouth rounds out. Lily is a dark-haired, honey-skinned stunner who has made no secret about her crush on Everett. “It’s because of the poisoning, isn’t it?”

  I frown over at my mother. She and Lily have been vying for top spot on the gossip food chain for a while now, and here I am about to feed the frenzy.

  “Yes,” I say reluctantly. “But it has nothing to do with the bakery, so don’t go chasing any of my customers away just yet.”

  Lainey cringes. “Is it because you’re being investigated?”

  I nod just as another crowd waddles through the door, and a few golden maple leaves blow in right along with them. Fall in Honey Hollow is all about the magical show the leaves put on.

  Lily takes off to help them out, and I pull out a pumpkin pinwheel cookie and take an angry bite.

  Mom shakes her head at the thought. “Don’t you worry. Once you’re in the clear, they’ll have to accept you. You already filled out the application long before the deadline. This will all work out in the end, and you’ll be the owner of a brand new van for the bakery in no time!”

  “From your mouth to—”

  “Meg’s ears!” Lainey’s phone blares a happy little song, and she holds up the screen where Meg glares back at us with her over-dyed black hair and neon yellow contacts, her blue nails exposed as she flashes a peace sign.

  Lainey picks up, and we FaceTime with our younger sister. Lainey fills her in on all the happenings at the library, and Mom regales us all with the tale of how she dumped Wallace—embellished as it were, it still brings me joy.

  Meg peers over at me. “And what about you, Lottie? Trip over any more dead bodies?” She chortles into her latte. Her hair is pulled back into a messy bun, and yet she still manages to achieve supermodel status. Meg is a stunner when she’s not trying to break anyone’s back on the female wrestling circuit in Las Vegas.

  Lainey and I groan in unison as our mother quickly rattles off all the gory details.

  Meg’s jaw unhinges, and it looks quite literal. “And she just dropped dead right there at the ceremony? After clutching her throat and screaming she was poisoned?” She looks over at me. “You’re my new hero, Lot.” She bursts out laughing. “Not only do you find the bodies but you’re giving the morgue a fresh supply!” Tears are actually spouting from the corners of her eyes.

  “Oh stop.” Mom holds up a finger, her very real threat whenever we FaceTime. Our mother is not afraid to shut us down by way of that looming red button.

  The door jingles and in walks a tall, handsome detective whom I might need to investigate to see if his pucker is still working. I haven’t had a single kiss since Saturday.

  “Noah!” I wave him over, and he’s slow to break into a smile, which only makes him all the more comely. Noah has the body of a football player, and he’s chosen to cover it with the suit of a well-dressed mobster. Noah is a god among us that accidentally escaped Olympus. Just having him in the bakery has caused every ovary in the vicinity to pop.

  His dimples press in as he nods to the three of us. “Ladies.”

  I turn Lainey’s phone in his direction. “Say hello to my sister, Meg. She’s the wrestler in Las Vegas.”

  A genuine, warm smile graces his face and those adorable dimples dig in, and he looks every bit as scrumptious as those praline pumpkin bars I whipped up this morning.

  “Nice to finally meet you, Meg. You have an amazing family.”

  “Oh, I know it.” Meg’s voice chirps from the tiny device. “So, what exactly are your intentions with my sister? If you even think about breaking her heart, I’ll be moved to hop on the next plane and bust a rib. Believe you me, I know how to inflict maximum pain in all situations.”

  “Okay,” Lainey says as she pulls the phone back. “And on that note, I have a library to tend to. My break was over fifteen minutes ago.”

  We say a quick goodbye to both Lainey and Meg just as Mom puts on her coat.

  “I’ll see you kids soon. I’m meeting the plumber in ten minutes.”

  Noah lifts his chin her way. “Trouble at the B&B?”

  “There’s always trouble at the B&B,” she assures him just before squeezing his cheeks together with her hand. “Don’t you worry about Meg and her mean threats, mister. Everyone knows you’re a kind soul who would never break my daughter’s heart.” She speeds to the door, and her affect falls flat as she looks back at him. “But the threat is real if it has to be.”

  “I will make note of that.”

  The door closes behind her, and I can’t help but cringe at Noah. “I’m sorry. And she’s right. You’re the kindest soul on the planet. Coffee and a cranberry scone?”

  Any trace of a smile he had for my mother glides right off his face.

  “I’m not feeling so kind, Lottie.” Those serious eyes narrow in on mine. “I just found out there was a potential break-in at Collette Jenner’s house the night she was murdered. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?”

  I suck in a quick breath. Noah is either going to arrest me or break up with me for good. Both if I’m very unlucky, and God knows I have been extremely unlucky for a very long time.

  A couple of customers turn this way and pick up on the tension, expecting a show, I’m sure.

  “Would you like to take a walk, detective?”

  Noah gives the hint of a nod. “And you are going to tell me everything.”

  Chapter 6

  Never offer a man a cranberry scone when you know his favorite treat in the world is a fresh baked chocolate chip cookie.

  Noah and I step out into the crisp autumn air. The sky is veiled with dark clouds, and the streets are lined with crimson, gold, and bright orange leaves as if a ticker tape parade went through town and we forgot to clean up
the mess.

  “Mmm.” Noah moans his way through another chocolate chip cookie and nods approvingly. I wised up quickly and threw a half dozen into a bag on our way out the door. Lily said she’d hold down the fort, but if I wasn’t back by noon, she threatened to walk off the job. That’s been her favorite threat to wield ever since she started. But Lily doesn’t have to worry. I don’t ever plan on leaving the bakery in her hands for too long.

  “Truce?” I ask as he wolfs down another bite.

  “Truce.” He rolls the bag closed and picks up my hand as we make our way toward the enormous stone fountain in the town square. The park surrounding it is decorated with enough pumpkins to bake all of North America a pumpkin pie, not that anyone would eat it coming from me. And there’s an oversized scarecrow staked into the center of the sprawling lawn where currently a line of tourists wait patiently to take a selfie with it.

  Noah and I pause just past the fountain under the semi-covering of the town’s hundred-year oak tree that we affectionately refer to as Nelson. Nell once said that this one inspired the oak in the Honey Pot Diner.

  “Lottie”—his tone is sharp but tender, a true feat considering the contrast—“tell me that you didn’t break into Collette Jenner’s house the night she was murdered. Neighbors reported seeing Bear’s truck there at eleven thirty. That puts it at about the same time he drove you home.”

  “How do you know Bear drove me home?”

  His lips twitch just enough to make my insides melt. I’ve been craving them, and if I stare too long, I’m sure my mouth will water.

  “Because you just admitted it.”

  “Ugh.” I tip my head back in exasperation. “So not fair. Please do not use your ninja detective tactics on me.” I look up at him pleadingly. “I’m your girlfriend, remember?”

  His chest rumbles with a warm laugh as he pulls me in with the hook of his arm. “Yes, Lottie, you are. And I care about you more than anyone in the world. That’s exactly why I don’t want to see you getting mixed up in something you’re already way too involved with.”