“It’s incredible what a person will do out of fear. It’s too bad it had to come to this. We’ll just have to give Nikki as much support as we can and hope that she can start to heal from all of this, traumatic as it has been.”
“That means that Guy Horne isn’t guilty,” Skye said.
“That’s right.”
“What do you think will happen to him?”
Autumn shrugged. “We can only hope that he’ll just move along. He technically didn’t commit any crime other than tampering with a crime scene.”
“Weirdo,” Skye said.
“But, we’ve known that from the start,” Autumn reminded her.
Chapter 13
The evening of Halloween was finally upon them. The town had settled down considerably since the hype from the murder and the conclusion of the investigation. Guy Horne had left town promptly after being released from the jail and moved on with his Cosmic Keepers much to everyone’s relief. Autumn took great joy in removing the UFO special from the board in the café.
Nikki was doing somewhat better in spite of the circumstances. She’d spent a lot of time talking with Skye and Autumn was impressed by how supportive her sister had been. Skye often seemed like she’d never grow up, but Autumn saw a glimmer of maturity spark in her flaky sister as she helped her friend work through her sorrow.
“Knock, knock,” Skye called.
“It’s open,” Autumn answered back.
“I know that. Will you help me?”
Autumn stood from her place by the bed and opened the door. She gasped when she was smacked in the face by a large, squishy object that was so large she could only see her sister’s feet. She pulled the object, which was covered in a gray clothing bag into her apartment and dropped it onto the bed. Mochi wagged his tail with excitement.
“What on earth?”
“Phew,” Skye said, brushing hair out of her face. “That was on your doorstep.”
“Oh, gosh,” Autumn muttered. “I know what it is.”
Skye thrust her hand over her mouth when she caught on. “It’s your costume from Dan, isn’t it? The one you have to wear since you lost the bet.”
“Yeah. Goody.”
“That’s such a bummer, Autumn,” Skye said.
Autumn shrugged in mock disinterest. “At least I didn’t have to pay for a costume. What’s yours?”
Skye’s eyes shone with excitement. “I’ll show you.” She scurried into the bathroom, dragging a bag containing her costume with her.
Autumn could scarcely believe her eyes when her sister came back out. She was wearing a long sleeved, candescent blue body suit adorned and a hair piece with antennas. She’d painted her face blue and Autumn knew immediately what she was. She was dressed as an alien.
“Don’t tell me you’re going to wear that.”
“Of course I am,” Skye cried. “What you do think?”
Autumn shook her head, still staring. “I can’t believe you did that.”
“And why shouldn’t I? No one has any reason to be afraid anymore because the Cosmic Keepers are long gone. Especially since we know that they had nothing to do with the murder. So, no harm done, right?”
Autumn shrugged. “I guess not.”
Skye turned back to the mirror, pulling glitter and bright blue lipstick from her bag. “I’m going to be the most glamorous alien you’ve ever seen.”
Autumn laughed. “I’m thankful I can say I’ve never seen an alien and I intend to keep it that way.”
“Well, you’ll have seen one when I’m finished. I assure you, I’ll have created the most accurate representation of extraterrestrials out there when I’m done.”
“How do you know?" Autumn asked. "You don’t know anything about aliens.”
“I got some great pointers from Guy Horne before he left. He assured me that he told me everything I needed to know to accurately portray a real live alien.”
“Ah,” Autumn murmured. “You got pointers from Guy Horne. It must be accurate then, huh?”
Skye wasn’t listening to her. "You know I'm only kidding, right? I would never talk to that creep in a millions years."
"Of course." Autumn flopped back onto her bed to read the book she’d just started. It was a light sci-fi novel. She’d never read sci-fi before, but she’d found one that sounded interesting on a trip to the library. She figured it would take a while for the alien craze to wear off even for her.
“What do you think?” Skye asked, standing to display her finished outfit.
Autumn blinked. “Sparkly.”
Skye flipped her hair, missing her sister’s sarcasm. “I know.”
Autumn shook her head, going back to her book. As aliens entered the scenes of the novel, she couldn’t help picturing Skye in her alien garb.
In spite of the image Skye had created in her mind, Autumn found herself becoming engrossed in the novel. She was so enthralled, in fact, that she growled when there was a knock on the door.
“Really?” she mumbled as she stood and pattered to the doorway in her bare feet. She pulled back the shade in front of the window to peek out. Autumn groaned at the sight of her ex-husband Dan.
She yanked open the door. “Yeah? What do you want?”
“Did you get your present?” Dan asked. The excitement on his face made Autumn want to smack him.
“Yes, I did,” she answered, her voice bored.
“What did you think?” Dan had his hands clasped in front of him, hardly able to contain himself.
“I haven’t had a chance to look at it yet,” Autumn said, rolling her eyes.
Dan’s face fell. “Well, the parade on Main Street is going to start soon. You’d better get crackin’.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Autumn said, waving him off.
Dan lifted his palms in question. “Well? Aren’t you going to go and get ready?”
Autumn exhaled, dramatically, getting ready to swing the door shut. Dan stopped it from closing by shoving his foot in the way.
Autumn glared at him.
“We had a deal.”
Autumn rolled her eyes. “Fine.”
“Put it on," Dan said.
Dan planted himself on the couch, obviously having no intention of leaving.
Autumn threw up her hands, turning for her bedroom. “I will if you promise to leave."
Autumn reluctantly grabbed her costume. She groaned when she realized what it was.
Looking in the mirror with it on was even worse. She was dressed as a giant cheeseburger. There was even a red headdress that draped down the side of her face like a blob of ketchup. She wanted to take off and throw it out the window, but a bet was a bet. It was time to go and face Dan.
Skye burst out laughing the moment Autumn appeared.
“Don’t tell me you’re going to wear that,” Skye said, mimicking Autumn’s words.
“She has to—she lost a bet,” Dan exclaimed.
“I know, I know,” Skye said, laughing. “Oh, gosh, Autumn, maybe you should have left the heroics to me when it came to finding Nikki and stayed in the race. You’re never going to live this one down.”
“Ah, yes I will,” Autumn said.
Dan snorted. “We’ll see about that.”
“Yes, we will, won’t we? Come on, Skye,” Autumn said, looping her arm through her sister’s. “Let’s get this parade of shame over with so we can start hatching a new plan.”
A Sneak Peek of SUPERFOOD SMOOTHIE MURDER
by Anna Lakewood
Chapter 1
Autumn Wood walked away from her smoothie stand to survey her setup from a customer’s perspective. Everything was in order. Now, all she needed was for the folks celebrating Pasque River Days to come and try the new superfood smoothie from the Harmony Café. Though most of the people in the small, historic town of Mineral Springs, Colorado knew about her healthy smoothie shop, she was excited to show off her latest special. Spectators were sure to search out a nutritious and satisfying drink sometime during the fest
ivities, and members of the rafting and kayaking teams would enjoy the rejuvenating beverage.
“That looks just about right, don't you think so, Mochi?” Autumn asked, speaking to her white Westie. Mochi barked, jumping up and down next to the counter. “What? What’s wrong?”
Autumn took a few steps closer before chuckling. “Oh, yes.” She hadn’t put up her sign advertising free samples. Mochi was forever helping her keep track of both the big and small aspects of her everyday life. “Blueberries, raspberries, ginger, chia seeds, kale….” she read, wanting to make certain that every ingredient was listed. “Okay, it looks good.”
“Yes, it does.”
Autumn turned to see that Rowan, her café assistant, had arrived.
“Thanks," Autumn replied. "I hope everyone likes the superfood smoothie.”
“They will," Rowan assured her. "Everyone loves your recipes."
Autumn smiled. Her assistant was always encouraging. “You’re outfit is … interesting.”
In place of the sci-fi t-shirt Rowan usually wore, he sported a steel gray, short sleeved collared shirt to match the Viking helmet he’d placed over his shaggy hair. He’d positioned the frame of his glasses carefully over the neck strap.
“It’s in honor of Viking Adventures." He paused. "Uh, the rafting team? They only win like every year.”
“Oh, right,” Autumn replied. Though she was pleased to be representing her café at the event, she hadn’t learned much about the teams who would be participating in the white water rafting competition. “Have you been a fan for long?”
Rowan shrugged. “No. But, I already had the helmet.”
“A Viking helmet?” Autumn commented.
"Halloween last year." Rowan took a deep breath as he scanned a nearby crowd.
As Autumn moved around her smoothie counter, ensuring that everything was in its place, Rowan observed the budding festivities, rising on his toes every so often to see more.
"Do you see anything worth mentioning?" Autumn muttered. Mochi barked in agreement.
"It appears as if the whole town is here," Rowan replied.
"Then I hope we get a lot of business," Autumn mentioned.
“Can’t wait to get started,” Rowan said, though, from the way his gaze continued to dart to every corner of the event grounds, she had a feeling it would be hard to keep him on track as far as smoothie-making went. He might not know much if anything about white water rafting, but he was certainly looking forward to the competitions.
“Well, I'm glad to see that healthy food is being endorsed at Pasque River Days this year,” a man, their first customer remarked as he neared the stand. “Events like this one tend to sell junk food these days. It’s a cheap trick and rather insulting for people to think that well-trained athletes would eat such things.”
The man appeared to be in his late thirties, and he wore a tight-fitting exercise shirt and workout pants. His hair looked golden in the sunshine, and his face was taut. Autumn wasn’t sure if it was the way he held his mouth or the shape of his cheekbones.
“We’re pleased to have been asked here this year,” Autumn said.
The woman with him, who had long, dark hair over which she’d positioned in a ball cap smiled, perusing the menu. Strangely enough, the man didn’t even look at the options.
“Hey,” Rowan piped up. “You’re Rufus West, aren’t you?”
"I am," the man replied.
Autumn turned to him in surprise.
“I saw his name when I was looking at the details on Viking Adventures,” Rowan continued.
“That would be me,” Rufus responded, sounding bored.
“I’m Vana Rode,” the woman accompanying Rufus said, smiling. “Are you a fan of my boyfriend’s team?”
Rowan snapped a salute. “I sure am.”
Autumn wasn’t sure a salute was the proper exclamation of agreement for a Viking, but it earned another smile from Vana. “Well, good luck on your competition today.”
“I don't need it, but thanks,” Rowan answered, enthusiastically.
“Do you see anything that catches your eye?” Autumn asked as Vana went back to scanning the menu.
“There are so many good options,” Vana commented. “I think I’ll try one of those smoothie bowls with coconut.” She turned to her boyfriend. “What about you, Rufus?”
“Is there anything that doesn’t have that artificial coconut junk on it?”
Autumn had to remind herself to bite her tongue instead of telling him that the coconut wasn’t artificial which he would have known if he would've bothered to read her sign.
“The superfood smoothie looks great,” Vana said. “Do you want to try it, honey?”
Rufus gave her a practically inaudible answer which prompted his girlfriend to place their orders. Autumn couldn’t help being a little extra particular with her portioning when it came to Rufus’s smoothie. She always told herself to have confidence because she was a professional, but, if at all possible, she didn’t want this man to have any complaints since he wasn’t the type of customer who would be nice about it.
Rowan handed the smoothie bowl to Vana. She took a bite and nodded in satisfaction. Rufus stirred his smoothie, looking skeptical before taking a sip. Autumn suppressed the urge to roll her eyes when an expression of distaste came to his face.
“It’s good, dear, isn’t it?” Vana prompted.
“Too many berries,” Rufus complained.
Autumn practically choked at his bluntness.
“They taste great in smoothies though,” Vana said, glancing at Autumn, apologetically.
“Berries are alright for a little flavor, but too much sugar isn’t healthy at all. I should be able to taste traces of the other ingredients.”
Vana floundered for a moment as she tried to think of what to say to hide her boyfriend’s rudeness. “Well, thank you so much. So pleased you’re here at the event this year.”
“Yes, thank you for your business,” Autumn said. “Enjoy the day.” She figured it would make sense to wish Rufus luck again, but she couldn’t bring herself to go through with it since he would probably shoot it down immediately.
"Bye." Vana waved happily as she followed Rufus to the next booth.
“I hope they have a great time at the river parade,” Autumn muttered, placing the blender she’d used to make the smoothie that was apparently too subpar for Rufus’s sophisticated taste into the makeshift sink. “I hope that Rufus Doofus falls in.”
“I can’t believe he actually came and ordered something from us." Rowan grinned, ignoring Autumn's comment.
Autumn faced her assistant. “Um, yeah,” she sputtered. “And he might smear the Harmony Café’s good name. Or sue us for using too many berries.”
“Come on,” Rowan said, waving a hand, dismissively. “He wouldn't do that.”
Autumn was about to respond when she saw a woman approach Rufus and Vana. The woman obviously wasn’t happy. She appeared to be in her early thirties and had an attractive face, though it was contorted into a raging frown.
“You!” the woman yelled, walking straight toward Rufus, jabbing her pointer finger in his face. “I’m surprised you have the nerve to show your face here.”
Rufus snorted. “I’m the head of Viking Adventures—naturally I’m here. And, let me remind you, I have every right to be.”
“Of course he does,” Vana said, grabbing her boyfriend’s arm.
The woman ignored Vana, her eyes still blazing at Rufus.
“Why don’t you do us both a favor and be on your way, Jennifer?” Rufus said, appearing bored, though he did take an almost imperceptible step back.
Jennifer’s gaze narrowed. “Don’t think I’ll ever forget what you did to me? You won’t get away with it. I'll make sure everybody knows about it.”
A sound of fear shot from Vana’s lips as she clutched her boyfriend’s arm. “Rufus.”
“Ignore her, Vana,” Rufus said, rolling his eyes. “She’s just a ranting lu
natic who’s going to leave us alone if she knows what’s best for her.”
Jennifer jabbed a finger at him again, causing Vana to gasp. “You better watch your back.”
With that, Jennifer turned on her heels and stormed off.
“Wow,” Rowan remarked.
“Pay no attention to her,” Rufus said to his girlfriend as well as Autumn and Rowan. “Her bark is worse than her bite. But, she has managed to put us in a tight spot.”
“Because she threatened you?” Rowan replied.
Autumn swatted his shoulder, but Rufus was already shaking his head.
“No. Because she was a member of my rafting team and now we are short one person for the water parade.”
Rowan barely kept his enthusiasm under wraps. Autumn felt him jumping with excitement next to her. “Do you need a volunteer? I could do it.”
Rufus appeared skeptical. “Do you have any experience?”
“Well, I’ve worked at the Harmony café making smoothies and whatnot for a couple of years, and I write sci-fi--”
"Oh." Rufus looked exasperated, but luckily Rowan didn’t notice.
“He means do you have any experience rafting, Rowan,” Autumn said, turning her attention to putting away the ingredients she’d used for Rufus’s smoothie.
“Oh, with rafting, no,” Rowan said.
“How about you?”
It took Autumn a moment to realize that Rufus was addressing her.
“Do I have any experience rafting?” Autumn repeated.
“That’s what I asked,” Rufus answered.
“Uh, a little." Autumn shrugged. "I’ve gone a few times. I’m no professional, though.”
“Would you want to join us for the river parade?”
Autumn blinked, stunned. “I told you, I’m not—“
Rufus shook his head, waving his hand, dismissively at her. “All I need is a body to fill the spot. If you know the basics of rafting, you’ll be fine. Will you do it?”
Autumn glanced over at Rowan. He appeared disappointed that his own offer had been rejected, but anxious for at least one of them to take the gig. “Um, I guess. Rowan, will you be okay here without me?”
Pumpkin Smoothie Murder (Harmony Cafe Cozy Mystery Book 4) Page 7