Cheesecake and Chills
Page 7
Trying to run the bakery was next to impossible. Nessa was sorry to hear about Martina and the reasons she’d done what she’d done but was glad justice was served. She worried about Bizzie, even though she didn’t want to. Nessa was mad as a hornet that Bizzie had involved her but still worried.
A couple of hours after opening, Faye showed up. She moved around the bakery like she was walking on eggshells.
“Did you hear?” she asked, finally approaching Nessa.
“About Martina?”
Faye nodded. “What a shame.”
“Have you heard anything about Bizzie?” Nessa asked.
Realizing that it hadn’t hit the public yet, Nessa told her everything.
“Well, I knew Bizzie Eadler had her sights on you, but I never expected her to do something like that.”
“You’re telling me. I don’t even know what I’m feeling right now. I’m mad and worried and sad and… I don’t even know. I wanted to believe that she and I were slowly getting over that stupid rivalry, but then she goes and does something like this.”
“Raff will handle her, and I’ll be sure to share a piece of my mind with her if I ever see her again.”
“Ever see her again? You don’t think she’ll go to jail for this, do you?”
“One can only hope,” Faye said, shaking her head and pasting on a bright smile for the customer about to walk in the door.
Chapter Sixteen
Nessa invited Daniel inside, seeing how uncomfortable he looked.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Nessa reminded him for the twentieth time since he’d heard about what his sister did. They were holding Bizzie until she could go to court, and no one had heard any further news. If they had, they weren’t sharing it with her. Daniel speculated that Bizzie needed the money and was hopeful that as time passed, people would forget about the money and she could use it herself, but no one knew the truth yet.
“I know, but since Bizzie won’t say it, someone has to.” Daniel stopped in the doorway. “You unpacked.”
“Finally.” She laughed. “I also made dinner, and by that, I mean I had Juniors Chop House delivered.”
“Where is your houseguest?” Daniel asked, referring to Chloe, who Nessa had agreed to let stay for a while. He came the rest of the way inside the house.
“She went out with Mavery. I think it’ll be good for her to stay around for a while. She isn’t happy in school and wants to quit. I told her I’d help her out with some of her classes if she wanted to since she can do some of the work online, but I don’t know what she’s going to do.”
“Maybe she can work part-time at the bakery while you help her out. If she wants to change her major or even work more on that designer stuff you told me about, then she can earn some cash and help you out, too. Win, win.” Daniel winked.
“That’s not a bad idea. I’m going to mention it to my grandfather and Faye first thing tomorrow.”
“You’re working tomorrow?” Daniel asked. “I thought you were going to the bank and the lawyer’s office to get all the legal stuff taken care of for putting your name on the bakery?”
“We are, but not until the afternoon. I’m working the early morning shift, so I can have the rest of the day off to celebrate. Although, I’ll probably work, anyway. I’m super excited about the recipe I made. Want to try it?” Nessa asked.
She didn’t wait for his reply before rushing to the kitchen. She took out her masterpiece from the fridge and handed it to him. “Tell me what you think.”
Daniel looked at it, turning it in his hands. “It’s huge.” He took his first bite and then another.
“Well? I can hardly contain myself.” Nessa jumped out and down, truly proud of herself.
“It’s delicious.”
“I made a white chocolate, berry cheesecake cookie sandwich. Or something more cleverly titled.” She laughed. “I used Bizzie’s white chocolate chunk cookies on the outside, and inside is a mixture of pureed berries and no-bake cheesecake. I even rolled the edges in this sugary stuff I found. Aren’t they pretty?” she asked, looking at the purplish sugar.
“They taste and look great. You did such a good job. I know you’re proud of yourself, but I hope you know how proud of you your grandmother would be right now. She’s looking down on you and is just happier than ever to know you are doing so well.”
Nessa smiled at the thought. “I don’t know about well, but I’m getting by.”
“You’re about to own the bakery, which is exactly what she wanted for you. You have a beautiful home and are meeting new friends every day. I’m not sure how happy she’d be that you’re running around solving murders, but at least they’re getting solved.” He laughed.
“I have you, too. I think she’d be happy about that,” Nessa added.
“I’m happy about that, too. Life is good. We’re good. The only thing that isn’t good right now is my sister.” Daniel groaned, having to mention her name again. Just because she didn’t steal the money herself, she knew Liam had and had chosen not to say anything. She didn’t spend the money, which was helpful in her case, but she hid it at Nessa’s house and caused trouble for everyone involved.
“Oh, no!” Nessa exclaimed.
“What’s wrong?” Daniel asked, rushing to her side.
“Bizzie deserves whatever is coming to her, but how crazy am I to admit that I wish she was still around?”
“Uhh. Pretty crazy. What on earth would make you say that? Are you feeling okay?”
“I promised Judson six dozen cookies for some town event he’s holding, and I don’t know how to bake.”
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out. I think it’s safe if you guys start selling cookies again. I know it was an unspoken agreement between your grandmother and Bizzie, but Bizzie ruined that, don’t you think?”
“I’m not going back on anything my grandmother did. I promised myself that before I agreed to do this. And I’m the one who promised Judson, so it’s my responsibility. Now, I just have one question.” Nessa smirked.
Daniel looked at her, ready to help. “What?”
“Do you think there’s such a thing as no-bake cookies?”
Also by Ramona Ransom
Check out all the books in Ramona Ransom’s catalog!
Ramona Ransom Book Catalog
Author’s Note
I’d love to hear your thoughts on my books, the storylines, and anything else that you’d like to comment on—reader feedback is very important to me. My contact information, along with some other helpful links, is listed on the next page. If you’d like to be on my list of “folks to contact” with updates, release and sales notifications, etc.… just shoot me an email and let me know. Thanks for reading!
Also…
… if you’re looking for more great reads, Summer Prescott Books publishes several popular series by outstanding Cozy Mystery authors.
Contact Summer Prescott Books Publishing
Twitter: @summerprescott1
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/summer-prescott
Blog and Book Catalog: http://summerprescottbooks.com
Email: summer.prescott.cozies@gmail.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCngKNUkDdWuQ5k7-Vkfrp6A
* * *
And…be sure to check out the Summer Prescott Cozy Mysteries fan page and Summer Prescott Books Publishing Page on Facebook – let’s be friends!
* * *
To download a free book, and sign up for our fun and exciting newsletter, which will give you opportunities to win prizes and swag, enter contests, and be the first to know about New Releases, click here: http://summerprescottbooks.com
-webkit-filter: grayscale(100%); -moz-filter: grayscale(100%); -o-filter: grayscale(100%); -ms-filter: grayscale(100%); filter: grayscale(100%); " class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons">share