“I’m glad of that. And that the rot in the organization will be eradicated.” And then Tricia thought about its director. “What did Toby Kingston have to say about Rebecca and her terrible mission to send pets to Monterey Bioresources?”
“He called me to inquire about you. He was pretty embarrassed. He rather sheepishly told me that you’d be a welcome addition to the Pets-A-Plenty Board of Directors—especially now that there are two openings. What do you think about that?”
Tricia frowned. “I’m not sure I want the position if it means working with Toby.”
“You don’t think the rescue is going to rethink his employment when they find out he worked with the meat-packing industry?”
“Somebody had to know about it—and pushed it under a rug.” Tricia shook her head. “I’ll have to seriously think about it.”
Angelica shrugged. “You do that. In the meantime, have a pepper popper,” Angelica said, and reached for one.
“I can’t reach them and I can’t really hold one, either.”
“Then I will hold your drink while you have one. It’s the least I can do.”
“You’ve already done a lot.”
“Not at all. You would do it for me. In fact, you did when I broke my ankle.”
Yes, she had. It seemed like such a long time ago.
“Well, it’s been a tough day or so, but now everything has worked out and you can forget all about this nastiness.”
Tricia took another sip before exchanging her glass for a pepper popper. She took a bite and considered her badly broken arm, and worse—facing Pixie the next morning.
Feeling heartsick, she dreaded the day to come.
THIRTY-THREE
Since Angelica had a lot on her plate on that bright Friday morning, she carried Tricia’s little duffel bag next door and got her settled in at Haven’t Got a Clue’s reader’s nook, making a fresh pot of coffee and feeding a very needy Miss Marple, who’d been deprived of Tricia’s company for two solid days.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to be here when Pixie arrives?”
Tricia shook her head.
“Promise you’ll call me right after your conversation?”
“I promise,” Tricia said wearily.
Angelica reached down and squeezed Tricia’s hand. “Whatever happens, you know I’m here for you.”
“Yes, I do.”
“Okay. I’ll talk to you later.”
Tricia watched her sister leave, her stomach feeling rocky. She’d almost prefer to have her other arm operated on than lose Pixie to work at Angelica’s day spa. There had to be a compromise. There just had to be.
Though it was almost an hour before Haven’t Got a Clue was to open, the door swung open and Pixie walked into the store. “Tricia!” she called happily. “I was so worried about you.” She rushed over to the reader’s nook and looked like she wanted to give her boss a hug, but held back. “Are you okay? Mr. E told me all about the Bake-Off and what a terrible mess your arm was. I was so worried about you. I wanted to come to see you yesterday, but Angelica said it would be better to wait until today.”
“She’s always looking out for me,” Tricia said.
“Yeah, she does.”
Pixie’s careworn face seemed older than Tricia had ever seen it. She let out a breath. “It’s time for us to talk.”
“Yeah,” Pixie agreed sadly, and sat down opposite Tricia. She didn’t seem in a hurry to speak up.
“Now, please tell me why you wanted to interview for the nail-tech job.”
Pixie’s head drooped and her eyes brimmed with tears. “Because . . . it’s time for me to leave Haven’t Got a Clue.”
“Why?” Tricia implored.
“Because you’re not happy. This is your store and you love it. It’s been breaking your heart for months making yourself stay away, hiding in the basement or up in your apartment when you’d much rather be standing behind the register taking care of customers.”
“I didn’t want you to think I was hovering.”
“Hover? You’ve practically been invisible,” Pixie declared.
“I don’t want you to go.”
“And I’m not sure I can stay. I’ve had a taste of management and I like it.”
“Are you hoping to work your way up to managing the day spa?”
Pixie shook her head. “Nothing like that. But it’s not unheard of that people working for Angelica end up with their dream jobs. Just look at Ginny.”
“Some think she got her job because of nepotism. And Ginny doesn’t work for Angelica. She works for Nigela Ricita Associates.”
Pixie shook her head. “Tricia, just about everybody knows Angelica is Nigela Ricita.”
“Well, if they do, they haven’t said so.”
“And spoil a good thing? Most people around here know what side their bread is buttered on. And Angelica somehow manages to bring out the best in everyone who works for her.”
Yes, she did.
“I sure wouldn’t mind that kind of opportunity to learn, to grow.”
“But a nail tech?” Tricia asked.
“I’m good at it,” Pixie said, and brandished her bloodred nails and perfectly kept cuticles.
“But you love vintage mysteries,” Tricia insisted.
“Who says I have to stop loving them? I might be your very best customer.”
Tricia shook her head. “No. I don’t want to see you take a step backward.”
“But what if it’s something I want to do?”
“How about if we compromise? You can still be my assistant manager. You can have an extra day off a week—or go part-time. Then you could do two things you love. How does that sound?”
“I don’t know. I’ve kind of already made up my mind.”
“Have you spoken to Angelica about it?” Tricia asked, already knowing the answer.
“She said you’d kill her if she poached me from you.”
“She’s right,” Tricia said, nodding, but then she let out an exasperated breath and shook her head. “Angelica knows I’d never stand in your way.”
“She suggested the same compromise as you.”
“And what do you think about it?”
The sound of the door rattling open and the little bell above it captured their attention. Angelica stood in the open doorway.
“I thought you had a busy morning,” Tricia said, just a tad annoyed.
“Well, I do. But you’re my sister and you’ve got a problem.” She moved to join her sister. “We’ve got a problem. I’m here to help . . . if you’ll let me.”
Tricia swung her gaze to Pixie. “I guess it’s your call.”
Pixie’s gaze shifted to the big square coffee table in front of her and she bit her lip. “Well, I certainly can’t leave you with your arm like that. You really do need me right now.”
“That’s right,” Tricia said, hoping a little guilt might help Pixie see things her way.
“But maybe at the end of the summer, once Haven’t Got a Care is up and running, I could work there part-time—just to see if I like it.”
“You can have as many or as few hours as you like,” Angelica promised.
“Then, okay.” Pixie managed a small smile, with not a glint off her gold tooth.
Tricia let out a pent-up breath. “That’s a relief.”
“And I’ve got another piece of good news,” Angelica said.
“And what’s that?” Tricia asked.
“I changed the name of the day spa. The sign goes up this afternoon.”
“And what did you name it?”
Angelica frowned. “Booked for Beauty.”
Tricia’s brows drew downward as though in a frown. “Don’t you think that conflicts with your restaurant?”
“I did think about your point
about it being too close, but then I thought . . . why not? One might think of it as branding two of my businesses—they are on the same street—and even the same side of the street. My employees at the day spa can say, ‘Don’t forget to go to our sister business, Booked for Lunch, to eat,’ and Molly can tell people who visit the café to get pampered at Booked for Beauty.”
What she said made sense.
“I like the name,” Pixie said.
“It’ll grow on me,” Tricia grudgingly admitted.
The shop door opened once again, the little bell tinkling merrily, and in walked Mr. Everett carrying a plastic container. “Ms. Miles, it’s so good to see you,” he said in greeting, his eyes bright and his smile wide. “I do hope you are recovering.”
“Yes, thank you, Mr. Everett.”
“Grace and I were so worried.”
“It’ll take a few weeks”—this was a bald-faced lie; her recovery would take five or six weeks, if not more—“but I’ll be just fine. And what have you got there?”
Mr. Everett removed the lid from the container and set it down on the coffee table. Inside were a dozen of the prize-winning maple walnut cupcakes he’d made for the Bake-Off. “I knew you wouldn’t be up to baking for the shop for some time, so I thought I might follow in your footsteps for just a bit.”
“Why don’t I pour us some coffee?” Pixie suggested and got up from her seat. “Do you want some, Angelica?”
Angelica looked tempted, but then her head dipped. “No, thank you. I don’t want to infringe on you all.”
“I would consider it an honor if you’d taste my cupcakes,” Mr. Everett said sincerely.
Angelica looked toward Tricia, who gave her a nod and a smile.
“Well, maybe just for one cup of coffee and a cupcake.”
“I’ll get some napkins,” Mr. Everett said, and moved to join Pixie at the beverage station.
“Sit down,” Tricia encouraged, gesturing to one of the empty chairs in the nook with her good arm.
Angelica chose the seat to Tricia’s left.
Pixie returned with a tray filled with cups of coffee, sugar, and creamer, and Mr. Everett set a wad of white paper napkins on the table. Once the coffee had been poured, Pixie and Mr. Everett each selected a cupcake. Angelica took two, peeling the paper liners off and handing one to Tricia. “Down the hatch,” Pixie said, and took a bite, chewed, and groaned in what sounded like ecstasy. “Good grief, no wonder you won the Bake-Off, Mr. E. This is fantastic.”
Angelica took a bite and her brows shot up in amazement. “Mr. Everett, this is the best cupcake I’ve ever eaten in my entire life.”
“Your icing recipe is the crowning touch,” he said modestly.
“You are too kind,” Angelica said sincerely.
Tricia tasted her cupcake and had to admit, she agreed with the other women’s opinions. “I’m so proud of you, Mr. Everett. And I’m sure Alice would have been proud, too.”
Mr. Everett’s head dipped. He wasn’t accustomed to being the center of attention and humbly demurred.
Angelica took another bite of her cupcake and slowly chewed before swallowing. “Mr. Everett, when I pull my next cookbook together, I would dearly love to honor you and Alice by including the recipe. It really should be shared with the world.”
“That would make me very happy, Ms. Miles.”
“I would love to hear a play-by-play of the whole Bake-Off,” Pixie said, then looked at Tricia’s arm, a blush reddening her cheeks. “I mean, if it’s not too painful to talk about.”
“I’d love to compare notes. After all, if I’m going to win next year, I want to know both your secrets,” Angelica said, her gaze bouncing from Mr. Everett to Tricia.
“Who said I won’t win next year?” Tricia asked.
“I guess that depends on if Mr. Everett enters again,” Pixie said.
Angelica frowned. “You’ve got a point,” she conceded. “But first, Mr. Everett, tell me more about Alice—and did she leave behind more magnificent recipes?”
Tricia polished off her cupcake, sipped her coffee, and listened as Mr. Everett spoke with touching fondness about his late wife, and she was pleased by the genuine interest Pixie and Angelica showed as they listened intently to his answers.
She might have a badly broken arm, but at that moment, Tricia could only feel very lucky to have the love and respect of the three other people who graced that room.
Who could ask for more?
THE CUPCAKE RECIPES
TRICIA’S LEMON CUPCAKES
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1½ cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup milk
Zest from 1 lemon
Juice from 1 lemon
Crystallized sugar (optional)
Preheat the oven to 350ºF (180ºC; gas mark 4). Line a 12-count muffin pan with paper or foil liners. Set aside. Using a handheld or stand mixer, beat the butter and sugar together on medium-high speed in a large bowl until creamed (about 2 to 3 minutes). Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Add the eggs and vanilla. Beat on medium-high speed until everything is combined, about 2 minutes. Continue to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in three additions, beating on low speed. The batter will be thick. Beat in the milk, lemon zest, and lemon juice on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix the batter.
Spoon the batter evenly into 12 cupcake liners, filling them about two-thirds full. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before frosting.
Frost the cooled cupcakes with lemon buttercream frosting. Sprinkle with crystallized sugar, if using. If topping with lemon zest, do so right before serving.
LEMON BUTTERCREAM FROSTING
3 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
2 to 3 teaspoons lemon extract
1 teaspoon milk (more as needed)
5 drops yellow food coloring (optional)
1 cup confectioners’ sugar (more as needed)
Lemon zest (optional)
Beat the butter, lemon extract, and milk together until smooth. If using, add the yellow food coloring lemon zest. Beat the confectioners’ sugar into the butter mixture until desired consistency is reached. You may decide to add more sugar at this point. Note: You will want to at least double the recipe if using an 8B tip to pipe the icing.
Yield: 10–12 cupcakes
ANGELICA’S PISTACHIO CUPCAKES
1½ cups pistachios
1 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs, separated
2 tablespoons grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
Preheat the oven to 350ºF (180ºC; gas mark 4). Line a 12-count muffin pan with paper or foil liners. Place the pistachios and sugar into a food processor and chop until finely ground. Transfer the pistachio-sugar mixture to a large bowl and stir in the egg yolks, lemon zest, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, with an electric mixer beat the egg whites on high speed until stiff peaks form. Fold the egg whites into the batter. Spoon the batter into the baking cups, filling each three-quarters full. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool the cupcakes in the muffin pan for 5 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.
CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3 cups confectioners’ sugar, plus an extra ¼ cup if needed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
⅛ teaspoon salt
Green food coloring (optional)
In a large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter together on high speed until smooth and creamy. Add the confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and salt. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then switch to high speed and beat for an additional 2 minutes. If you like your frosting a little thicker, add the extra ¼ cup of confectioners’ sugar. If you want your frosting to match your cupcakes, add several drops of food coloring to the frosting and mix well. Add more if you want to tint the frosting a deeper color. Yield: approximately 3 cups.
Yield: 10–12 cupcakes
ALICE’S MAPLE WALNUT CUPCAKES
1 cup chopped walnuts
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1⅓ cups granulated sugar
2¼ cups cake flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
4 egg whites
1¼ cups milk
Preheat the oven to 350ºF (180ºC; gas mark 4). Line a 12-count muffin pan with paper or foil liners and set aside. Place the chopped walnuts on a parchment-lined baking sheet; bake for 6 to 7 minutes. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes on medium speed of an electric mixer.
In a separate bowl, mix together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the maple syrup, egg whites, and half of the flour mixture to the butter mixing bowl. Mix on low speed just until combined. Add the remaining flour mixture and mix on low until combined. Add the milk and mix on low until the batter is fully combined. Fold in ½ cup of the chopped walnuts. Fill each muffin liner approximately two-thirds full. Bake for 26 to 28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcake comes out clean.
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