by Krista Davis
“I promise. Ben, if Ian and Geof Tredwell moved Norm’s body, will they go to prison?”
“Probably not. They’re squeaky clean, and they’ll hire an ace attorney. Most likely they’ll get a couple of years of probation.”
Ben reached over for a hug and kissed my other cheek. “Tell Twinkletoes I’ll miss her hissing.”
Trixie looked up at me and whined when they walked out the door. “Me too, Trixie. Me too.”
* * *
I was bringing Dave coffee when Shadow returned. “Some folks around Wagtail take their dogs to work. Like you!” Shadow scratched behind Trixie’s ears. “So I was wonderin’ if it would be okay—”
“You got a dog!”
“Yeah. He was put up for adoption in the If the Dog Fits program. I’m just lucky those folks found another dog they liked better.” He walked over and opened the door. “C’mon, boy.”
A little red bloodhound puppy walked inside. I had a hunch he was the one the Tredwells had ignored when Charlotte choose Ella Mae. He was adorable. His long ears flapped when he walked. If his paws were any indication, he was going to be a big fellow. He looked around curiously and trotted over to Trixie and me.
“Does he have a name yet?” I set the tray on the reception desk.
“Elvis.”
I reached for the little guy and swung him up in my arms. “Welcome to the Sugar Maple Inn family, Elvis!”
Thirty-nine
The next day, Weegie and I left Puddin’ and Trixie at the inn with Zelda and paid Myrtle a visit at the hospital.
“The food here is lousy and the nurses don’t know what they’re doing. They might finish the job of killing me for Sylvie.”
Weegie whispered, “I think she’s feeling better.”
I placed a vase of flowers near the window. “We’re all wondering how you knew Sylvie murdered Norm.”
“I didn’t,” she grumbled. “When we were eating at The Blue Boar, she left her phone on the table while she went to the ladies’ room. I read her e-mail.” Myrtle shrugged, which I took to mean she knew it was wrong of her. “I slipped the phone into my purse and hid it in my room because I wanted to see if I could find any other interesting e-mail. She pretended she had never been to Wagtail before, which I thought very peculiar. She must have followed me when I left the inn to pay a visit to Norm’s widow. Sylvie caught up to me, placed a gun in my back, and led me to those stairs. I knew I was a goner.”
I wondered if I should tell her that the gun was the fake one used for Murder Most Howl but decided against it. “None of you ever knew of Sylvie’s connection to Wagtail? She never mentioned that her daughter lived here once?”
Weegie shook her head. “All the girls have been talking about this. Sylvie had only been a member of The Thursday Night Cloak and Dagger Club for a few months. She complained bitterly about her daughter living so far away. And we knew about her husband’s health issues, but she never mentioned Wagtail to any of us.”
“Myrtle, is there anything I can do for you?” I handed Myrtle a gift certificate for a weeklong stay at the inn.
Myrtle tore it into shreds and threw them in the air. “You couldn’t pay me to go back to that dump.” She clenched her teeth and refused to look at me.
After that little tantrum, I thought it best to wait for Weegie out in the hall.
When she left Myrtle’s room, she said, “Wouldn’t you think a brush with death would make a person appreciate life?”
I would have thought so.
* * *
The following week, a letter came in the mail from Blanche.
Dear Holly,
I don’t know if you will remember me, but we recently met in Wagtail.
Was she kidding? Who would forget Blanche Wimmer Tredwell?
You took me to a cute pub called Hair of the Dog, where I made my favorite hamburgers. Turns out that one of the people who was watching videotaped the whole thing and posted it on the web. It went viral and found its way to an executive for a TV cooking channel. They have just hired me to host my own cooking show, “Brunch with Blanche.” Funny how things turn out sometimes.
All best,
Blanche
The snow had melted by the time Oma and Rose returned from their vacation. They brimmed with tales of their adventure. We settled back into a normal routine. No one missed Norm.
Over a breakfast of French toast and strawberries one morning, Mr. Huckle and I told Oma what had happened, omitting the more worrisome details. She was appalled, but took it in stride, until a month later when she called me into the office.
Oma slid a magazine in front of me. It was open to a beautiful photo of the Sugar Maple Inn after a snowfall. And the byline read Robin Jarvis.
Oh no! She was a travel writer! My heart sank right down to my toes. She described the If the Dog Fits program in glowing terms, complete with a picture of Duke and Ella Mae posing by a fireplace in their new forever home.
She went on to describe Murder Most Howl as a funtastic weekend.
The mountains were majestic, the inn romantic, and the service sublime. In spite of a blizzard, power outages, and other unexpected calamities, Holly Miller and her staff kept their guests comfortable and entertained. Five stars.
I hadn’t realized I was holding my breath. I sucked some air in.
“Good work, liebchen!” Oma smiled proudly.
If she only knew.
Author’s Note
I have home-cooked for my dogs for many years. Consult your veterinarian if you want to switch your dog over to home-cooked food. It’s not as difficult as one might think. Keep in mind that, like children, dogs need a balanced diet, not just a hamburger. Any changes to your dog’s diet should be made gradually so your dog’s stomach can adjust.
Chocolate, alcohol, caffeine, fatty foods, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, onions and garlic, salt, xylitol, and unbaked dough can be toxic to dogs. For more information about foods your dog should not eat, consult the Pet Poison Helpline at petpoisonhelpline.com/pet-owners.
Recipes
For People, for Dogs, and a Few the Two May Share
Caramel Apple Bundt Cake
For people.
Cake
1½ cups flour
1 cup pecans
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1½ teaspoons cinnamon
¾ teaspoon nutmeg
¾ teaspoon cloves
¼ teaspoon salt
2 medium apples, peeled and cored
½ cup sugar + extra
1¼ sticks (10 tablespoons) butter at room temperature + extra for greasing the pan
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
2 large eggs at room temperature
1 cup applesauce
Preheat oven to 350ºF.
Place the flour, pecans, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt in a food processor and pulse until the pecans are fine. Transfer the flour mixture to a bowl. Insert the grating disk and grate the apples.
Take 1 tablespoon of sugar out of the plain sugar and set it aside. Cream the butter with the sugars. Beat in the eggs. Alternate adding the applesauce and the flour mixture until completely combined. Stir in the grated apples.
Grease the Bundt pan liberally. Sprinkle the extra sugar on the butter. You may need another tablespoon of sugar for full coverage. Use a cooking spoon to ladle the batter into the Bundt pan and smooth the top. Bake 40 minutes or until it begins to pull away from the sides and a cake tester comes out clean.
Allow to rest on a baking rack about 5 to 10 minutes. Loosen the edges, and flip onto the rack. When cool, top with caramel.
Caramel
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
¼ cup heavy cream
Place the ingredients in a deep microwave-safe dish (I used a 4-cup Pyrex measuring cup). Microwave in short bursts, stirring occasionally, until it bubbles up and the sugar melts.
(You may find that you even like it if the sugar doesn’t melt!)
Swedish Tea Ring
For people.
Dough
½ cup milk
½ cup water
2 packages instant yeast
3½ to 4 cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup butter, softened
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon cardamom
Filling
¼ cup butter, softened
¼ cup dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
½ cup walnuts, chopped
½ cup dried cherries
Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
2 tablespoons milk
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
maraschino cherries
Warm the milk and water to 105ºF to 110ºF. Sprinkle the yeast on it and stir with a fork. Let stand until foamy, about 10 minutes. Pour into a mixing bowl and use the dough hook of your mixer. Add 3 cups flour, butter, salt, sugar, egg, and cardamom. Mix until a soft ball forms. If it’s too sticky, add a bit more flour about ½ cup at a time. Let the mixer knead the dough about five minutes. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead a couple more times until smooth.
Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl, and turn to coat with oil. Cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Punch down the dough and turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough out to a 12-by-18-inch rectangle.
To make the filling, spread the softened butter on top of the rectangle. In another bowl, mix the cinnamon, sugar, walnuts, and dried cherries. Sprinkle across the dough. Roll the dough into a long, tight roll and press the seam closed. With the seam turned downward, seal the two ends together to make a ring.
Move the ring to the prepared parchment paper. With a sharp knife, slice the dough every inch or so, cutting only three-quarters of the way through. Cover the roll with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for 45 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375ºF, and bake 20 to 30 minutes. Remove the ring from the oven and place on a rack to cool.
When cooled, stir together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla, and drizzle the glaze all over the ring. Decorate with maraschino cherries if desired.
Sugar Maple Inn Mini Mac and Cheeselets
For people.
3 cups cooked elbow macaroni
1½ tablespoons unsalted butter + more for brushing
4 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, divided
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
¾ cup milk
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
2 ounces cream cheese
2 slices crisp bacon, crumbled
1 egg yolk, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons panko bread crumbs
Preheat oven to 425ºF.
Use one 24-mini-cupcake pan or two 12-mini-cupcake pans. Brush each well of the pan with butter. Sprinkle the wells with 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese. Over the sink, turn the pan to distribute, much as you would to flour a cake pan.
Melt 1½ tablespoons butter in a heavy pot and whisk in the flour. Cook about 2 minutes and whisk in the milk. Bring to a boil and simmer 5 minutes, whisking. Add the cheeses and whisk until melted. Remove from heat and whisk in the egg yolk.
Fold in the macaroni and the crumbled bacon. Use a measuring spoon to add a heaping tablespoon to each well. Mix 2 tablespoons Parmesan with the panko and sprinkle over each well. Bake for 10 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes. Use a thin knife to loosen and remove.
Sugar Maple Inn Chicken Stew for People
For people, not for dogs, because it contains onions.
1 whole chicken
2 large onions, diced
6 carrots, peeled and sliced
4 stalks celery, sliced
1 teaspoon thyme
1 bay leaf
water
6 potatoes, peeled and quartered
2 8-ounce packages frozen yellow corn
1 package frozen baby lima beans
salt and pepper to taste
In a large stockpot, combine the chicken, onions, carrots, celery, thyme, and bay leaf with enough water to cover everything. Put the lid on the pot, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1½ to 2 hours.
Remove the chicken, bay leaf, carrots, onions, and celery. Take out the fat using one of these methods:
Refrigerate the broth overnight and skim the fat off the top;
Skim off the top with a spoon or fine mesh skimmer;
Pour through a fat-separating pitcher.
Add the carrots, onions, and celery back to the pot. Bring to a simmer again and add the potatoes. When they have cooked, remove 1 cup of the potatoes, mash them with a fork, and put them back in the soup to thicken it.
Meanwhile, take the meat off the chicken and dice.
Add the corn and lima beans. When they are warm, add the meat, salt and pepper to taste, and serve.
Blanche Burger
Only for people, makes 2.
½ medium-size sweet onion
1 to 2 tablespoons canola oil
½ pound ground beef
Boursin cheese
2 hamburger buns
Peel the onion, and slice into rings or half rings. Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion rings and sauté slowly until translucent. Remove from the pan. Shape the ground beef into 2 hamburger patties and place in the pan. Cook to medium rare, about 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Meanwhile spread a thick layer of cheese on the tops and the bottoms of the buns. Place the hamburgers on the bottom buns, add a little more cheese on top. Add the onions and put the top bun on.
Krista’s Chocolate Chip Cookies
For people only.
2 sticks butter, melted
2 cups flour
¾ teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
2 whole eggs
¼ cup sugar
1¼ cups dark brown sugar
1½ teaspoons vanilla
2 cups chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350ºF.
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Melt the butter in the microwave at half power in short bursts. Mix the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a bowl. Beat the eggs with the sugars. Add the cooled melted butter, alternating with the flour mixture. Add the vanilla. Stir in the chocolate chips. Drop the raw dough on the sheet in generous spoonfuls a couple of inches apart. Bake at 350ºF for 10 minutes. Remove to a cooling rack when done.
Nutella Hot Chocolate
For people only!
3 tablespoons powdered chocolate (or use amount recommended for your brand)
2 tablespoons cold water
¼ cup sugar (omit if chocolate powder is already sweetened)
3 cups milk
¼ cup Nutella
¼ cup hazelnut liqueur, such as Frangelico (optional)
whipped cream
Mix the chocolate with the water, then stir in the milk. Heat until the milk just starts to simmer. Or microwave until hot. Whisk in the remaining ingredients until smooth. Top with whipped cream.
Gingerbread Cupcakes
For people, though dogs may have a bite of unfrosted cupcake. Makes 12 to 14 regular size cupcakes.
1⅓ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¾ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup butter, softened
2 eggs, room temperature
½ cup warm water
½ cup molasses
Preheat oven to 350ºF.
Prepare a cupcake pan with cupcake l
iners. In a bowl, mix together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, and nutmeg. Set aside. Cream the sugar with the butter about 2 minutes, then beat in the eggs. Mix the water with the molasses and add in thirds, alternating with the flour mixture. Beat well. Fill cupcake liners one-half full. Bake 16 to 20 minutes. Cool on a rack. Dust with powdered sugar or frost with your favorite frosting.
Maple Syrup Bacon Slices
For people, but dogs may have a small taste.
bacon
maple syrup
Preheat oven to 400ºF.
Drape the bacon slices on a rack set in a pan. Cook 15 to 20 minutes. Brush with maple syrup and cook another 3 to 4 minutes. Remove to a plate covered with a paper towel to catch the drips.
Mac and Tease
For dogs. Makes 2 Gingersnap-size servings or several Trixie-size servings.
2 cups cooked elbow macaroni
1 cup cooked cauliflower (steamed or roasted)
½ pound cooked ground beef
¼ cup shredded white goat gouda cheese
Preheat oven to 350ºF.
Chop the cauliflower and mix with the macaroni in an 8-by-8-inch baking pan. Crumble in the beef and mix. Sprinkle the cheese over top. Bake 4 to 5 minutes, until the cheese has melted on top. Let stand for 5 minutes or until cool enough to eat. Spoon into bowls.
Sugar Maple Inn Chicken Stew for Dogs
For dogs, do not add onions or garlic! People can eat this dish, too, but will likely find it bland. Please note: Never use commercial chicken broth for dog recipes because it contains onions. This recipe makes a large amount. Freeze the remainder without the barley, then thaw and warm to serve.
1 whole chicken
1 large turnip (optional)