by Lyndsey Cole
“I’ll give you that. Come on, try it on. Besides, it will go perfectly with the Christmas present he got for you.”
Annie felt her mouth drop. “You two are scheming behind my back? That’s not fair. What did he get?”
Leona shoved the dress into Annie’s arms. “Try it on. And forget about thinking I’ll reveal Jason’s surprise. He swore me to secrecy. All I’ll say is that I know you will absolutely love the gift.”
Annie shed her jacket, jeans, and sweater and let the soft fabric slide over her body. It hugged her body as if it had been made for her. She turned around in the small cubicle. “What do you think?” She finally looked at her reflection with Leona in the background.
Leona’s smile said it all. “You have to buy that dress. It’s perfect for you.”
Annie’s hand went to her neck. “I’ll need a special necklace.”
“Don’t worry about that now. I’m sure Mia has something you could borrow.”
Annie sucked in a deep lungful of air while she thought about her decision. The dress was gorgeous but she really didn’t want to buy anything from Olive. While she looked at her reflection, she heard voices.
“You’d better find it, Olive.” Liz’s angry voice seeped through the thin dressing room wall.
“It will turn up.”
“It had better or I’ll blow your little scheme right out into the open.”
“You wouldn’t dare.” Olive’s voice dropped several decibels with an added layer of a menacing tone.
Annie heard Liz laugh. “Or what? I’ll be the next victim in town? What happened, did Heather figure out what you were up to?”
“You don’t know what you are talking about. Heather was her own worst enemy and I had nothing to do with her murder.”
Another loud laugh was followed by a door slamming.
Annie felt Leona grab her arm. Without any sound, her mouth formed the word what and her eyes bugged open as wide as they could.
In record time, Annie took the dress off, got her own clothes back on, composed her face, and led the way out of the dressing room.
“It is beautiful, isn’t it,” Annie said to Leona, trying to convey a relaxed demeanor without a care in the world. She caught her reflection in a small mirror and was impressed at how normal her face appeared.
Leona grabbed the dress from Annie’s arms. “I’ll pay for it. It’s exactly what I want you to wear.”
“So, ladies, you found something?” Olive smiled as if they were her best customers instead of a needle in her side from ten minutes ago. “Oh, that is perfect for you,” she gushed when Leona put the dress on the counter.
“Yes, as a matter of fact, we discovered more than we bargained for,” Leona said in her best sugar-sweet voice. She held her credit card toward Olive.
“Sorry, Leona. I don’t take credit cards.”
“Interesting.”
Between Annie and Leona, they managed to scrounge up the seventy-five-dollar payment which included several dollars in quarters.
Olive carefully folded the dress and put it in a bag. “Here you go. I’m sure you’ll look beautiful in this dress.”
Leona held her hand out. “A receipt, please.”
“Oh, sorry. I almost forgot.” Olive ripped the original off her sales pad and handed it to Leona.
As soon as the door closed behind them, Leona said, “I think I figured out her scheme. She only takes cash, accidentally-on-purpose forgets to give receipts, which allows her to cheat on her taxes.”
“You think that’s what Liz was talking about when we heard them talking through the dressing room wall?”
“Probably. Wouldn’t she be in on it, too, since she works there? Maybe Olive gives her a cut of the cash.”
“What are you going to do with that information?” Annie asked.
“Nothing right now, but you never know when it might come in handy.” Leona grabbed Annie’s hand. “Let’s pop into the Velvet Box and show Camilla your new dress.”
Soft Christmas music floated through the air when Leona opened Camilla’s shop door. With tiny lights twinkling inside the display cases, Camilla’s stunning creations glittered and sparkled like they were alive.
“Quick. Come in! I’m sooo glad to see you two. You’ll never guess what I discovered.”
Leona looked at Annie and grinned. “This day is moving along so much better than yesterday.”
“Well,” Camilla said as she folded her arms on the top of her display case and leaned toward her two friends, “you know that beaded clutch from Heather’s bag?”
Camilla’s little bell tinkled as the door opened. She straightened and her face transformed from her you-won’t-believe-it excitement into her friendly can-I-help-you business expression.
“Hello, ladies,” Detective Christy Crank said with way too much enthusiasm. “Doing some shopping on this fine morning?”
Leona elbowed Annie. “Just our luck,” she whispered.
“Actually,” Annie turned around completely, “we are just on our way back to the Black Cat Café.
Christy chuckled. “I hope you aren’t leaving on my account. I do always love chatting with you.”
“Busy morning,” Annie mumbled as she and Leona left the Velvet Box without finding out Camilla’s discovery.
“That woman always pops up like a bad nightmare. How does she have such horrible timing?” Annie said as they quickly walked to the Black Cat Café.
13
Chatter, sweet aromas, and mugs clattering on tables filled the Black Cat Café with a festive atmosphere when Annie opened the door. With all the greenery draped everywhere, Christmas lights, and a small decorated tree in the corner, Annie could almost forget the huge problem surrounding Danny and Leona.
Almost, but not quite.
“Are you staying to help all morning?” Annie asked Leona as she tied one of the green aprons covered with cats wearing Santa hats around her waist.
“Unless you don’t want me to. I was up early and finished all the cleaning from the open house, got ahead on some cooking for our wedding, and made a to-do list to make sure I don’t forget anything important.”
“In that case, you’ll need this.” Annie threw an apron to Leona. “With an extra pair of hands, Greta will be able to concentrate on baking up more Christmas offerings for tomorrow’s brunch. I expect tomorrow to be a hectic morning with lots of people taking advantage of the last-minute shopping deals on the final Sunday before Christmas.”
Annie checked the drink cart and started a fresh pot of French roast. Mia was taking orders so Annie cleared dishes and got tables ready for arriving customers. While she was bent over wiping down a table, she felt a hand on her back.
“Is this table taken?”
Annie’s heart fluttered at the sound of Jason’s voice. She straightened. “It’s yours if you tell me what you got me for Christmas.”
“You’ve been talking to Leona.” He folded his arms over his chest and used his fingers to turn the pretend lock on his lips. He nodded toward an empty stool at the counter, indicating he wasn’t going to be bribed.
“Okaaay. I won’t ask again, but you know I don’t like surprises.”
“I can return it.” Jason’s lips twitched and his eyes twinkled.
“You’re such a tease, Jason Hunter,” Annie whispered in his ear. “Two can play at this game, you know.” She batted her lashes flirtatiously.
“Even better.” He dropped onto the stool at the counter. “What amazing new recipes has Greta mastered?”
“Hmmm, let me think about that. Her Bailey’s chocolate mousse is pretty amazing, but it might be a little early in the day for that. You’ll like her gingerbread latte cupcakes with cream cheese frosting which pairs perfectly with a cup of the mocha hot chocolate. I can add a dollop of whipped cream and crushed candy canes on top if you’re feeling really decadent. What do you think?”
“Sounds like a lot of sweets but . . . sure, I’m ready to try something new.�
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Annie busied herself getting Jason’s order but was ambushed by Brian Black. “I need a favor, Annie,” he said in a hushed tone.
Annie felt her eyebrows pop up. “Really? After what happened yesterday? I paid you for what you alleged Heather took from the Kozy Koffee Stop. Have you suddenly discovered she stole more?”
“No, nothing like that.” He glanced around the busy café. “Can we talk somewhere more private?” They both moved to the side of the café, out of the bustle of customers heading to the coffee cart and the pastry display.
“I’m kinda busy, Brian.” Annie was busy and annoyed. Who did he think he was, coming in after chewing her head off the day before and expecting her to drop what she was doing to help him?
“I see that. That’s exactly what I want to talk about . . . how to increase my business.”
That was a nervy request, Annie thought. Why would she want to help Brian increase his business? She hesitated.
“And I’ve got some information you might be interested in hearing.” Brian raised his eyebrows. “About Heather.”
“Listen, I’ll stop by later, okay? I really don’t have time right now. And,” she paused, “I’m trying to figure out exactly who Heather saw during her few days in town. Can you shed any light on that?”
He nodded vigorously. “I sure can. Stop at my café as soon as you can.” He smiled. “I think we can help each other.”
Brian waded through the line waiting to pick out delicious pastries on his way to the door. Annie overheard a comment about horse rides up and down Main Street.
“Doesn’t that sound like fun? Sitting in a wagon behind the clip-clopping horse hooves with our hot mocha and buttery sugar cookies while we enjoy all the decorated windows on Main Street?” a short, plump woman said to her companion.
The companion leaned closer to her friend. “You got the sugar cookies? I got the gingerbread and some pretzel hugs . . . want to share?”
The first woman pulled her bag close to her chest. “I don’t think so. These are too delicious to share.” Then she laughed. “Just kidding. Let’s get outside so we don’t miss finding a seat on the wagon.”
Annie brought Jason his hot chocolate piled high with whipped cream and the gingerbread cupcake. She slid onto the stool next to him.
“I almost gave up. What’s up with Brian Black? He looked kind of desperate.” Jason used his spoon to stir the cream into the hot chocolate before taking a sip. He still ended up with a cream mustache.
Annie laughed. She tapped her upper lip and watched as Jason cleaned off the cream with his tongue. His eyes never left hers. “Do you think we could manage a quiet dinner tonight, just the two of us?”
Annie sighed. “That would be wonderful. I’ll be busy here until after lunch, then I promised Brian I’d stop at his café. He wants advice on how to increase his business.” She rolled her eyes.
“Huh . . . what are you going to tell him?”
Annie shrugged. “I’m not sure, but I think one thing he needs to do is be friendlier. If he treats his customers the way he talked to me yesterday, no one will want to return. Other than that? He has to offer a great product for a decent price. It’s not exactly rocket science to figure that out. It’s not like I plan to reveal any big secrets or share our recipes.”
“Doesn’t he offer the same stuff you have?”
“Not at all! We have fresh baked goodies and he only has frozen items he reheats. There’s no comparison.” Annie was annoyed at Jason’s comment. “He focuses more on quick breakfast and lunch items so there really isn’t a lot of overlap between our two cafés.”
“That might be true, but there’s still only so much business in town. If more people come here, his business will suffer.”
“I suppose that’s true, so I don’t really have much advice for him. I hope he isn’t going to propose that I put a sign up to tell people they should eat at the Kozy Koffee Stop instead of at the Black Cat Café.”
Someone tapped Annie on her shoulder. “Are you done with that seat? I’ve been waiting patiently and I really need to get off my feet.”
“Sorry.” She slid off the stool. “All yours. What can I get you?”
The woman dropped several bags at the foot of the stool and plopped herself down. “Ahhh. My feet are so tired. Thanks. I think I’d like to try a Bailey’s chocolate mousse. It might mean I’ll need a nap afterwards but, what the heck, it sounds too delicious to pass up.”
“Don’t forget about our dinner date,” Jason said as Annie hustled away. “I’ll take care of everything.”
Annie smiled. Those words were music to her ears. After the chaos at the Black Cat Café, the last thing she wanted to think about was what to make for dinner. Eating was never off her agenda, but it was a special gift at the end of the day to have a break from the preparation.
Orders continued at a fast pace with muffins, pies, and cookies flying to tables, plus dozens of muffins, boxes of cookies, and multiple pies leaving with customers faster than Annie could keep track of. Mia barely kept up with stocking the display case as Greta pulled tray after tray of Christmas cookies out of the oven. The cash register gave its resounding ring over and over.
Finally, as business wound down, along with the supply of pastries, Annie, Leona, Greta, and Mia let themselves take a well-deserved rest in one of the booths.
“I’d say today was a huge success,” Leona said with a big smile on her face. “I’d have to come back full-time if it was always this busy.”
I’ll be baking until late this evening,” Greta said. “But I don’t mind. I’ll go home and check on the cats, have a bite to eat with a side of quiet, then come back to get ready for tomorrow’s brunch time opening.”
“You are a lifesaver,” Annie said. “My afternoon is packed with errands, and Jason promised me a quiet romantic dinner tonight.” She made a point of looking at Leona and her mother. “So, no unexpected visits.”
Both Mia and Leona raised their eyebrows and turned their mouths down. “We’d never do that,” they said in unison.
Everyone laughed because it was exactly what seemed to always happen whenever Jason planned a quiet dinner for Annie.
“Unless there’s an emergency,” Leona added.
“Well, of course, that’s the exception, but I put out a no-emergencies-allowed order for Catfish Cove for the whole night.”
Leona scoffed.
“And the doors will be locked.” Annie slid off the bench seat. “I promised Brian Black I’d visit him when business wound down. He said he needs business advice.” She rolled her eyes.
“I’ll come with you,” Leona said.
Mia volunteered to stay and finish with the clean-up.
Annie boxed up a dozen assorted Christmas cookies to bring to her elderly neighbor, Thelma. She made sure to include a couple of the double chocolate chunk cookies and the chocolate peppermint cookies to satisfy Thelma’s chocolate addiction. “Ready?” she said to Leona.
Leona nodded, hung up her apron, and pulled on her jacket.
Annie dropped her box of cookies in her car next to the bag with her new dress. Horse sleigh bells jingled in the parking lot. Annie raised her arm and waved to Randy. “Wait for us.”
Randy pulled Bert and Bess to a stop. “Climb on ladies. You can sit right up here with me instead of back in the wagon. This is my last trip before a well-deserved break. Where are you heading?”
“The Kozy Koffee Stop,” Annie replied. She nudged Leona and whispered. “Ask him about Heather.”
Leona grinned. “He’s gonna wish he didn’t let us climb aboard.”
14
Randy clucked to Bert and Bess, jiggled the reigns, and the two enormous Clydesdales began their journey up Main Street. Their bells jingled merrily with each clip-clop.
“Sorry I sent Wade in my place for your open house, Leona. Did he do a good job?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact. The horses were a huge hit and he surprised me with how great h
e interacted with the kids that came.”
Randy chuckled. “He’s a charmer, my Wade is. He learned it from his mother, not me. That’s for sure.” He picked up his thermos that was under the seat, unscrewed the top, and helped himself to whatever was inside. “I try with the ladies, but it’s usually a big dead end.”
“So I heard with Heather,” Annie said, hoping it would spur some comments from Randy on that subject.
He took another long drink from his thermos and swiped his sleeve across his mouth. Based on the scent drifting from Randy, Annie suspected there was more than plain hot coffee in his thermos.
“I sure made a mistake by inviting her to stay at my house. I’m not sure what I was thinking. She came to town with an agenda and it didn’t turn out too well for her, did it?”
Leona looked quickly at Annie and raised her eyebrows before she turned her focus back to Randy. “An agenda?”
Randy pulled the horses to a stop in front of Sweet Bites and waited for a couple of people to climb off the wagon before he clucked and jiggled the reins again. “Heather met me and Brian at the Fitzwilly Tavern Thursday night. That had a lot to do with why I didn’t bring the horses and sleigh over myself to your place on Friday. Anyway, Heather was angry and didn’t try to hide the fact that she was back in town to settle some scores from before she moved away.”
“What do you mean?” Annie had leaned in front of Leona, unable to stay out of this conversation.
“Way back, before Danny joined the army, Heather didn’t get along with a bunch of us. Not me,” Randy insisted. “I always got along with her, at least I did until this last visit. She had a bug so far up her butt she found an issue with everyone she ran into.”
“So, what happened at the bar . . . with you and Brian?” Annie thought that might be the best starting point for Randy’s story.
He pulled the horses to a halt again, this time in front of the Kozy Koffee Stop. Annie whispered in Leona’s ear, “We’ll get out here after he turns around.”
“Here’s your stop.” Randy twisted sideways to look at Leona and Annie.