“I happen to have every room vacant tonight, Detective, and I’d be happy to put your sister in our most spacious guest suite. You’ll be my first,” she admitted, smiling at Christy as she typed in her computer, and slid the leather bound guest register over for their signatures. Amanda couldn’t suppress a thrill at the idea of having her very first guests sleep in the Inn on such a special night.
Once everything was logged and signed, Amanda led them upstairs, with James and Rick each carrying a suitcase.
“So, after all you’ve been through, Amanda, it hasn’t been that bad, has it?”
The laugh began at her toes and bubbled out of her mouth, as free as the relief that had washed over her. She looked out at her happy partygoers, her new neighbors and friends, and the happiness, for once, was real.
“Everything I’ve gone through has led me here, to tonight. This is what I wanted my life to be.”
Amanda jumped a bit when she felt James’ hand gently touch the small of her back as they climbed the staircase to show his sister and her husband to their room. Amanda shivered, the sensation of the warmth of his broad palm on her spine so natural, so good that she didn’t want it to move away.
Not a boyfriend, but maybe something someday.
“Well, you don’t have to worry about anyone else being buried in your garden at least. That must be a relief.”
She laughed and agreed. “I could stand with some quiet while I get the Inn and the business up and running. I’ve had so much interest from the website that I’m going to be pretty busy.”
“Looks like it’s up and running just fine.” The sounds of laughter and Dixieland jazz floated up the stairs as Amanda looked down on the happy crowd. Not a cobweb or drifting ghost in sight.
“Besides, what else could happen in this little town?”
James turned toward her, a definite twinkle in his eye. “Have you met all your neighbors? This town is full of weird secrets.”
Even though the room was warm, Amanda shivered with excitement. “I can’t wait.”
***
AUTHOR NOTES:
Wow! That was fun to write, and I hope you enjoyed it, too! If you liked what you read, please consider leaving a review. Being an independent author means this is my own small business, and I appreciate any feedback you can give, so other readers will know of my writing is their cup of tea or not Thank you for stopping by!
Website at http://CarolynDeanBooks.com/
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COMING NEXT: DUNE, DOCK, and a DEAD MAN, now available for pre-order on Amazon HERE
Followed in December 2016 by: MISTLETOE, MOONLIGHT, and MURDER
ABOUT THE AUTHOR – Carolyn L. Dean
I've been writing and making stories in my head as early as I can remember. In third grade I came home, set my lunchbox down, and told my mother I wanted to be a writer. Luckily, Mom was supportive.
I've been a published author for a few years now, under different names and genres, but the thought of writing about a small coastal town in Oregon, and about its loves and mysteries and holidays and people has been with me for years. To be honest, I am a bit scared to dump those ideas onto the written page, but hope you'll enjoy getting to meet the people who inhabit my imagination.
In real life, I'm married with kids, live on the West Coast of the US, and own a hobby farm just outside of my favorite small town. I love to travel, and can often be found strolling down a windy beach, holding onto the string of a high-sailing dragon kite.
CUPPA’S ‘TO DIE FOR’ CINNAMON ROLLS
(printable version HERE)
Did the description of Cuppa’s amazing cinnamon rolls make your mouth water? Every time I described them in this book I thought about my family’s favorite recipe for cinnamon rolls, and I’ve included it here for you. I think Tory and Meg would approve.
All measurements/temperatures are in US units.
Makes 12 wonderfully large rolls
Dough:
2 packages active dry yeast
1 cup warm water
2/3 cup plus 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, divided
1 cup warmed milk (I microwave this and then stir to be sure there are no hot spots)
2/3 cup softened butter
2 teaspoons salt
2 eggs, beaten
7 to 8 cups all-purpose flour
Filling of Deliciousness:
1 cup melted butter, divided (that’s 2 sticks)
1-3/4 cups dark brown sugar, divided
3 Tablespoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg (fresh, if possible)
1 to 2 cups chopped pecans (optional)
1-1/2 cups dark raisins (optional)
Frosting:
1/2 cup melted butter
3 cups powdered sugar
1 and a half teaspoons real vanilla
5 to 8 Tablespoons hot water
DIRECTIONS:
To make dough combine yeast, warm water and 1 teaspoon sugar in a cup and stir. Set aside.
In a large bowl mix warmed milk, remaining 2/3 cup sugar, butter, salt, and eggs. Stir well and add yeast mixture. Add half the flour and beat until smooth. Stir in enough of the remaining flour to make a slightly stiff dough. It’s okay for the dough to be sticky.
Turn out onto a well-floured board and knead for 5 to 10 minutes.
Place in a well-buttered glass bowl. Cover loosely and let rise in a warm draft-free place until doubled in bulk, about 1 to 1-1/2 hours.
When doubled, punch down dough and let it rest for 5 minutes. Roll out onto floured surface into a 15 x 20-inch rectangle.
Filling: Spread dough with ½ cup melted butter. Mix together 1/-1/2 cups brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Sprinkle over buttered dough. Sprinkle with pecans and raisins, if you want. Sometimes I go really crazy and add a cup of finely-chopped apples, too.
Roll up jellyroll-fashion and pinch the edges together to seal. Cut into 12 slices. Coat bottom of a 13”’x 9” and a square 8” pan with the last ½ cup of melted butter, and sprinkle remaining ¼ cup of sugar mixture on top. Place slices close together in pans. Let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in bulk (about 45 minutes).
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until nicely browned. Let cool slightly and spread with frosting. Share with others, and be prepared to get marriage proposals ;)
Frosting: Mix melted butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Add hot water a tablespoon at a time, mixing after each, until frosting is of desired consistency. Spread or drizzle over slightly-cooled rolls.
BED, BREAKFAST, and BONES: A Ravenwood Cove Cozy Mystery Page 17