Two Wicked Desserts

by Lynn Cahoon

  At the thought of his name, she could see her face pinken in the bathroom mirror. Even though last night’s date hadn’t ended in fireworks, the rest of their dates had been exciting and full of promise. Maybe she’s just been too tired or had too many things on her mind. She’d have to make it up to him next time.

  Mia and Christina decided to walk to the winery even though it would add a few minutes to their lunch break. As they strolled, Christina chatted about upcoming events her school club had planned for the summer break. “I thought I’d be too busy to do any of these trips, but if I can keep up with my work here, is it okay if I go?”

  “Of course. Just put it on the kitchen calendar so I know how to plan if we get a catering event the same weekend. What are they looking at doing?”

  She grinned. “A few fun road trips I don’t want to miss. One to Seattle. I’d be gone four days for that one. And one to the Oregon coast.”

  Mia’s first inclination was to wonder how she’d manage without her, but she shook it off. The girl wasn’t going to stay around and be a sous chef forever. Besides, it would be a good lesson in time management for Christina, not to mention a fun time. “You’ll have to bring me back sand from the beach. It’s supposed to bring good luck in potions.”

  “As long as you’re not drinking it, I guess.” Christina pulled her hair up in a twist while they walked, securing it with a clip she’d had on her shirt. “It’s warm today. Summer’s going to be full blast soon.”

  “Yeah.” Mia wanted to ask about Levi, but she let it go. “I met Trent’s mother yesterday. Abigail’s kind of a trip.”

  Christina burst into giggles. “She’s a hoot. The last time I was over there we played cards until two in the morning. Abigail was killing the rest of us. She’s sharp.”

  “I got that feeling.” Mia pointed to the winery sign. “Clam chowder. Now that’s typically a Friday soup.”

  “So, either they haven’t changed their sign or they still have leftover soup. I’m on a hard pass.” Christina shuddered.

  “I’ll have to agree with your assessment. Too bad, though, I could have used a bowl.”

  Christina sighed. “I’ll make you up a batch of soup when we get home. You can thank me for saving your life later.”

  “You’re a complete food snob.” Mia bumped Christina with her shoulder. “But I love that you’re talking with other people about food. It’s a shared experience. You need to expand your experiences and figure out what you don’t know yet.”

  Christina was silent for a while. “Find out what I don’t know: I like that. I should make it a bumper sticker. Or a T-shirt. ‘Tell Me What I Don’t Know.’ It could be fun.”

  “It could get you a lot of interesting comments.” Mia held open the door and they went inside, the sunny day disappearing and a dark, barlike atmosphere surrounding them. Not how she would have designed the winery. In her mind, it should be light and open, bringing in the new generations who wanted a bite or a glass before going off to their outside activity. Magic Springs was in the mountains, and most of the tourists who came into town were hikers or here for the fishing or rafting. Campers tended to stay out of town to get the full, roughing-it treatment.

  “Two for lunch?” a young woman at the hostess stand greeted them.

  Mia nodded. “Yes, please. And could you tell me if Priscilla is in? I’d love to chat with her for a few minutes.”

  “Ms. Powers is in her office, but I’m not sure if she’s available to chat. I’ll drop in after I seat you and let her know you’re here. Can I get a name?” The girl picked up two menus and, without waiting for an answer, walked them over to a booth near the windows. It was in a corner, and Mia sat where she could see the entire restaurant.

  “Sure, tell her Mia Malone wants to talk to her.” Mia settled into the booth and opened the menu.

  “I’ll do that. Your server will be right over.” The hostess left their table and made a beeline to the back of the restaurant that led to a hallway and Priscilla’s office. Mia had visited Priscilla in her office before, when she’d had to hand out the chili cook-off flyers.

  “I haven’t been here since we did the chili cook-off.” Christina glanced around the almost-empty dining room. It was early, but still.

  “I was just thinking the same thing. Which is kind of weird. The winery is close to the school. I don’t know why I haven’t popped in for a meal or a drink.” Mia glanced at the menu. Instead of the light, healthy food she’d expected, it was fried bar food. “I thought Priscilla said she served an upscale clientele when we were here before.”

  “She did. But the menu looks like this could be a bar and grill, not a winery. I took a class where we talked about restaurant themes last semester. My professor would use this menu and décor as a missed opportunity to brand the winery.” Christina glanced at the menu, then pushed it away. “Fish and chips it is. I hope the fries are good.”

  “I think I’ll have the same.” She studied Christina. “So, you’re liking your classes.”

  “I’m loving them. I can’t believe there’s so much to learn about the business side of restaurants. Isaac always made it seem like it was all about the food.” She examined a fork and, finding it less than clean, moved it toward the side of the table for the server. “The front of the house has a lot to do with how people view a place. This place needs to wow us with the food in order to bring us back, because the rest just feels so 1970s.”

  Mia laughed. “Like you’d know.”

  “I’ve seen pictures.” Christina nodded to the waitress coming toward them. “Black shirt, black pants, black shoes, and hair slicked back into a bun. Typical Robert Palmer minus the miniskirts.”

  “True. But you’re surprising me with your knowledge.” Mia smiled at the waitress, who noticed the fork and grabbed it to tuck into her apron.

  “OMG, I’m so sorry. I’ll bring you out a clean fork. Can I get you some drinks while I’m in the kitchen?” The waitress must have been just out of high school.

  “Iced tea for me.” Mia glanced at Christina.

  “Same.” She pushed the menu toward the girl. “You might as well take our order too. We’re on a lunch break from work and we’re expected back soon.”

  “No worries. I’ll have food out to you fast. Thanks for telling me.” She pulled out a pad. “What can I get for you?”

  After the waitress left Mia wanted to talk more about the feel of restaurants. Maybe she needed to have Christina’s help with the lobby area at Mia’s Morsels. Or even the sign. She had her notebook in her tote. “Hey, can you look at this for me?”

  “Why are you here? Spying on me for your grandmother?” Priscilla had come up from the kitchen, but Mia hadn’t noticed.

  Still holding an old grudge for a guy who was already dead. No way was this chat going to give her anything useful. “Priscilla, I’m so glad you could make time for us. Actually, I’m here to ask you if you called the office this last week. I got a call from the winery, but it was disconnected before I could find out how I could help. Did you need takeout menus? I think I have one here in my purse.” Mia opened her tote and started digging.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Priscilla said, but her gaze went to the door. She must have been hoping no one would see her talking to Mia.

  Alarm bells went off and Mia had a thought. “Please tell me you’re not the one spreading rumors about me packing up and leaving town.”

  “I would never,” Priscilla said, then focused on Mia. “But while you’re here, are you moving your operation to Boise?”

  She’d lied. Mia had felt it. And from the look on Christina’s face, she’d realized it too. “No, Priscilla, I’m not leaving Magic Springs. Mia’s Morsels is doing great and there’s no reason for me to leave. I have to think you know we aren’t in competition with each other’s businesses, so I’m not sure why you feel threatened by me.”

  “Who said I was threatened?” Priscilla’s voice rose, and a few diners glanced ov
er toward them. She turned and smiled at them, trying to calm them before they walked out without eating. She lowered her voice. “Look, you and your grandmother are not my favorite people. But I’m not going after your business. You will succeed or fail all on your own. And I’ve got to get back to work. Thank you for coming in today.”

  “Priscilla, someone called me from the winery. If it wasn’t you, who else could it be?” Mia said quickly before she could stomp away to her office.

  Priscilla turned and studied Mia. “I’m afraid I have no idea.”

  Chapter 18

  Mia tried to call Baldwin for an update several times, but he was avoiding her. Or he was busy. She tried to push Denny’s death out of her mind. She had work to do. She and Christina got the week’s delivery orders ready by six that night. Grans had dinner on the table when they trudged upstairs to the apartment. “Thanks for doing this. I’m not sure I could cook one more meal tonight if I’d wanted to. I’m going to have to add an extra order into the mix so I can just bring it upstairs and reheat it when you go back to your place.”

  “Probably a good idea. Or have one from last week in the freezer; that way you don’t have to eat the same thing you’ve been cooking all day. I bet it will taste better.” Grans filled the water glasses on the table as they sat to eat.

  Cindy shook her head as she looked at Mia and Christina. “You guys look wiped. I don’t understand why anyone would cook for a living. Especially if they didn’t have to. I order in all my meals if I’m not going out or they aren’t provided on set.”

  “You have food. That means someone is cooking,” Mia pointed out.

  “I know. But why would someone choose to actually cook for a living? I thought only people with limited opportunities for their future went into the service fields.” Cindy pushed back her perfectly highlighted hair—that someone else had done.

  She was impossible. Mia could feel Christina’s annoyance rising.

  “You sound like my mother. According to her, if you’re not a professional like a doctor or lawyer, you’re wasting your life. I’m pretty sure she’d feel that acting, like dancing, is a total waste of brain cells.” Christina didn’t even look up at Cindy while she spoke. “So, I guess it all depends on what you enjoy doing for a living. Have you ever had a real job?”

  “Acting is a real job,” Cindy responded.

  “Okay, fine, we’ll just have to disagree on this.” Mia was too tired to mediate a truce between the two women, especially when she thought Christina was right.

  Christina picked up her plate and glass. “I’m going to finish eating in my room. I’ve got a study group chat coming up in a few minutes.”

  “Thanks for your help today. You were awesome,” Mia said to Christina’s back before she disappeared.

  She paused and turned, throwing a smirking look at Cindy. “It’s easy when you love your work.”

  The kitchen was quiet for a few minutes while the other three ate. Then Cindy stood up and announced, “I’m going into town to meet with my Realtor. He has an offer on Father’s property. Mike has already green-lighted it, so I should be out of here sooner rather than later.”

  “If we can clear the spell work you did,” Grans reminded her.

  Cindy shrugged. “Maybe I should just let it stand. I’ve gotten three new parts scheduled in the last month. Maybe the repercussions won’t be so bad.”

  “Like getting someone killed?” Mia said.

  Cindy shook her head. “There is no evidence that it was my spell that killed Denny. It could have just been a random murder for his wallet or something. Like that guy who broke into your house. He was after money. There has to be more of that type around this backward town.”

  “We can’t make you stay, but there are a few more lessons you need to complete before I think you’re ready to have the grimoire.” Grans stared at Cindy. Mia had seen that look before and wondered if Cindy could withstand it. Mia never could.

  Cindy dropped her gaze, but Mia still felt the defiance. Man, Dorian had messed up raising this child. She was totally out for one person: herself.

  “I could leave the book here with you. Then I wouldn’t need the lessons,” Cindy offered.

  Grans paused, thinking. “It doesn’t work that way. You need to accept your inheritance.”

  “What if I don’t? Mike might be better at this. He’s better at everything. And Father was a witch, so it means it doesn’t have to be a female, right?” Cindy looked like she was trying to convince herself more than Grans or Mia. “I’ll just send him here to pick it up, and then it will be on his conscience. And I can be free to go back to my life without worrying about doing something stupid again.”

  “Mike may not have the power,” Grans pointed out.

  “If I don’t want it, you can’t make me take it.” Cindy picked up her plate and put it in the sink. “Thank you for dinner, but I need to get to this meeting.”

  Mia and Grans didn’t speak until the door shut behind Cindy as she left the apartment. Even then, Dorian was the first to express his displeasure with a loud and long meow.

  Grans reached her hands down to the floor where he sat, watching her. “I know, Dorian, but I’m doing my best. Sometimes people just aren’t ready to pick up the mantle.”

  Mia knew she was talking about her mom. The power in her family had skipped a generation because Mom had decided that being any kind of witch just wasn’t in the cards for her. By contrast, Mia couldn’t wait once she’d found out about her talent. She wouldn’t ever give it up willingly or turn away from it.

  It just wasn’t in her DNA.

  Grans pushed her plate aside. “I was wondering if you’d help me. I might have found a spell in Dorian’s grimoire that might free him from Mr. Darcy’s body.”

  “Should we copy it just in case Cindy decides to leave and take the spell book with her before we can get it perfected?” Mia glanced over at the front door. It was apparent their hospitality was all but over for her.

  “Probably.” Grans looked down at Mr. Darcy. “Okay if we appropriate one of your spells? I know in life you were really tight with them.”

  The cat rubbed his head against Grans’s leg, then looked up at the cat treats sitting on the cabinet. The box floated down to him and he took his paw to grab a treat out from the opening on top.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Mia looked from Grans to Mr. Darcy and back to Grans. “When did he learn that?”

  “Dorian is teaching your cat bad habits.” She picked up the box and put it back on the counter. “You shouldn’t just take treats. They should be freely given.”

  Mr. Darcy, or maybe Dorian, meowed and ran out to the hallway. He pawed at Christina’s door, and Mia heard it open and close for him. Hopefully, Christina had been listening for him and he hadn’t just opened that door too.

  “Well, let’s get started, then.” Mia stood and started clearing the kitchen table to get ready to work on the spell that might just free Mr. Darcy from his guest. Before Dorian decided to stay around for a while.

  * * *

  The next morning Grans and Mia were at the table again. They’d cleaned up from several failed attempts at working the spell late last night. Mia had spent more time carefully copying the spell into a notebook. She wouldn’t put it into the grimoire until she actually got it to work. She studied her grandmother over the top of her coffee cup.

  “You look tired. Maybe you should have slept a little longer.” Mia didn’t like seeing her this way.

  “I’ll just be glad when I’m home. Muffy and I love visiting you, but I fear we’re wearing out our welcome.” Grans put a hand down to rub Muffy’s ears. The little dog leaned into the contact.

  “You know you’re welcome as long as you want to be here.” Mia set down her cup and went to check on the strata. “I’ve never had all four bedrooms filled with people before. The apartment feels like home, doesn’t it?”

  “A little crowded for my taste. I’m afraid Cindy isn’t going
to be leaving after all. Mark Baldwin called before you got up and asked if I’d bring her down to the station for another round of questioning.” Grans glanced toward the hallway that led to the bedrooms. “She’s not going to be happy about that.”

  “I take it he doesn’t have any other suspects.” Mia thought about what she’d found out about Denny and realized if she was in law enforcement, she’d go with the person she could prove knew the victim. Otherwise, the murder was just random. And she didn’t feel like that was true.

  The house phone rang. Mia stood and went to answer it. The lines were attached to the business line downstairs. So if someone desperately needed to talk to a live person at Mia’s Morsels, the phone would transfer the call to the house phone. It was a little early for a business call, but it could be about the delivery schedule today. Mia refilled her cup as she answered. “This is Mia, how can I help you?”

  “This is Priscilla. Look, I was thinking about what you said yesterday.”

  Mia blinked, surprised. “What part?”

  “The phone call? Duh?” Priscilla’s tone was sarcastic, but Mia let it ride. It was too early in the morning to play games.

  “Oh yeah. What did you realize?”

  “What time did the call come in?” Priscilla asked. “That was on Saturday, right?”

  Mia thought about the day. She’d finished picking up things from the party, so it was after lunch. But not long after. “Maybe one, two at the latest. Why?”

  “We’re weren’t open for lunch last Saturday. My chef needed a personal day, so I just closed up the kitchen. And the winery doesn’t open until five on days when the kitchen is closed.”

  “So no one was at your restaurant?” Mia leaned against the wall. Now she was getting random calls from an empty building. Great. Sometimes magic was a real pain in the butt.

  “I didn’t say that. My day manager was here. You can call Heather at this number.” Priscilla rattled it off.

  “Thanks.” Mia didn’t know why Priscilla was being helpful, but she did appreciate it. “Look, I know we didn’t get off on the right foot, but . . .”