The Bakers and Bulldogs Mysteries Collection: 20 Book Box Set

by Rosie Sams

  “Roulette was not very friendly to Alvin.” Melody raised her eyebrows and grinned as she plucked a fresh croissant from the display for Alvin, then headed over to the window display where she kept her signature cupcakes. “But Smudge loved it, and we did have a great time. The wedding was wonderful. I have so much to tell you.”

  “They’re over here now,” Leslie said. She had moved the cupcakes from the display and put cookies in the window instead.

  Melody paused for a moment, but then walked over to the new cupcake display. She plucked one from the tower for herself without comment.

  Leslie, who had been holding her breath, released a soft sigh of relief that Melody hadn’t criticized the changes she had made - yet.

  Without much ado, Melody filled Leslie in on their adventures in Las Vegas. Telling her all about them meeting the old real estate tycoon, Abraham Thayer, and how Smudge saved the day by leading the LVPD to the elevator where he was trapped.

  “Good girl, Smudge!” Leslie said. “I always miss the action.” She pouted, thinking about it. “But on a good note, you and Kerry left me alone to run the shop, and I managed not to burn it down.”

  “Yes, that’s a very good thing, but I see you’ve changed a few things.”

  “Oh, I just moved a few things around to test some theories and added a few signs to call out special items.”

  Leslie waited, and as she watched, Melody paused to read one of the new signs featuring one of their best-selling cupcake flavors.

  Our Devil Chocolate Delights.

  will tempt St. Peter in his sparkling whites.

  Intentionally comical or not, Smudge snuffled on cue.

  “We’re going to have to discuss this one later,” Melody said she was too tired from their trip to start on Leslie’s changes. She’d just deal with it tomorrow.

  Leslie nodded. “Maybe that one isn’t my best work.”

  Melody continued inspecting Leslie’s changes as she filled her partner in on Kerry’s wedding and how Abraham footed the bill. “I can’t wait for you to meet him. He’s such an interesting man. He’ll be at our wedding, once Alvin and I finally set a date.”

  “Just waiting on you, lovebug,” Alvin said as he pressed his lips to Melody’s cheek.

  “Well, I predict that you two will pick a time and place for your big day soon. You’ll know when it’s the right moment,” Leslie said supportively. “But, while you’re still checking your calendars, there’s another big event happening. The whole town is talking about it.”

  “Oh? What did we miss while we were away?” Melody asked.

  “Sam Barnett is now managing the Port Warren Playhouse.”

  “The liquor store manager turned fine artist?” Alvin lifted a brow. “That guy has his hands in everything.”

  “That’s the one,” Leslie said. “You know he’s a creative genius. When the opportunity to run the theater opened, he jumped at it.” She grabbed a flyer from the register counter and handed it to Melody.

  From behind, Alvin wrapped his arms around his fiancée’s waist so he could read it over her shoulder, where he rested his chin.

  “MAGIC!” he said excitedly as he freed Melody from his loving hold and grabbed the flyer from her hands. “I love magic! The Resplendent Rockford is an amazing performer! I always wanted to see him in action!” Alvin clutched the flyer to his chest and took on the illusion of a little boy who had just heard a magician was going to host his birthday party.

  Melody laughed at the big, tough sheriff’s sudden change of attitude. “Yes, well, you just transformed from an adoring fiancé into a third-grade boy before my very eyes,” she said, laughing at his misty-eyed appearance. “Why didn’t I know this about you? You know, we could have gone to about a dozen magic shows in Las Vegas. That’s what Vegas is all about!”

  Alvin’s smile dropped as he realized what he had missed. “I guess we have a good reason to go back then. I’ll book the flights tonight!”

  Melody nearly fainted. “I can’t believe you just said that.” She turned to Leslie. “You have no idea how hard it was to get this guy to enjoy himself. He hated it in Vegas. Now, he wants to go back. You’re my witness.” She laughed.

  Leslie nodded in agreement.

  “If the security cameras are working, we may even have it on tape,” Leslie said.

  “Hey, Vegas is my happy place now! It’s got crime. It’s got magic. I’m all in,” he said as the women laughed at Alvin like he was crazy. “Oh! We can go there on our honeymoon!”

  “Hey, David Copperfield, I have an idea. We can go to Tahiti for the honeymoon, but you can take me to the magic show for date night, just don’t let The Resplendent Rockford make you part of the disappearing act.” Melody stood toe to toe with him, smiling up into his warm brown eyes.

  “Never. You’re stuck with me.” He stared back into her emerald greens. He was clearly captivated by them. Overcome with their beauty, he leaned in to kiss her, just as their lips were about to touch, she yawned loudly. “How very… romantic,” he said into her gaping mouth.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry! The jetlag is taking its toll.”

  Smudge also yawned in that noisy, but adorable way dogs yawn.

  “Time for me and my girls to disappear,” Alvin said to Leslie as he led Melody and Smudge toward the door. Before he left, he turned and made a magical gesture with an invisible cape. “Presto poof!”

  Leslie couldn’t help but laugh. “I can still see you. Get some rest, you wild and crazy kids.”

  Chapter One Hundred Eighty-Nine

  Melody stood outside the bakery, examining the window display. She frowned. Typically, her signature cupcakes took up much of the window, but today there were rows of cookies from butter to chocolate chip, snickerdoodle, and even some rainbow cookies. Smudge was leashed at her side, but distracted by a new scent she had discovered on the sidewalk. Melody clicked her tongue twice, signaling for Smudge’s attention, then led her into the shop.

  “Good morning,” she greeted Leslie cheerfully, but inside, Melody was still unnerved that Leslie had made so many changes without discussing them with her first. Plus, it felt shady that Leslie took the opportunity to make changes while Melody was away. “So, why are there cookies in the front window and not cupcakes?” she asked as she unhooked Smudge’s leash and stored it behind the register counter.

  Leslie had been sweeping the floor since they had a momentary break between customers, but stopped when Melody and Smudge came in. She folded her hands over the top of the broom handle. “I thought maybe we could try something new. While you were away, I noticed that a lot of our customers were popping in quick to get some cookies. It seemed that they would buy the cookies for any reason, whereas, with cakes and cupcakes, they seemed to need a special occasion.”

  Melody listened as she put on her apron.

  Leslie continued, “I have this theory. Since cookies are an easy impulse buy, maybe more customers will spot them, realize subliminally that they don’t need a special occasion, and come in and get one. Then we can talk up our other offerings. What do you think?”

  “I think you did an amazing job holding down the fort while I was in Las Vegas.”

  “But?”

  “But, I prefer you to put the cupcakes back in the window. I appreciate the thought you put into attracting more customers, but Decadently Delicious is known for its cupcakes.”

  Leslie slumped her shoulders and leaned the broom against the wall. “I’m sorry. I’ll fix it,” she said, sounding a bit defeated. Melody heard it in her voice.

  “I do like the idea of giving our customers more access to impulse buys, though. Let’s keep talking about it and figure out the best way to do it.” Melody assured Leslie with a warm smile. She didn’t want to discourage Leslie from getting more involved with the business, and Leslie was a partner, after all.

  Leslie smiled, too, as she pulled the cookies from the display only to return the cupcakes to their rightful spot. Melody’s show of open-mi
ndedness appeared to have lifted her spirits. As Melody began her work, she spotted a young man hurrying down the street toward the bakery. There was a nervousness about his stride. It was as if he was rushing but scared all at the same time. He was tall, thin and had hair spiked up on top of his head which gave him a slightly comic expression.

  Once he got to the window, he placed his hands and his face against the glass, transforming the comic look to a manic one. Pulling back, he rushed inside with such a commotion that Leslie and Melody stopped what they were doing to look at him.

  Smudge, who had been resting on the floor, hopped to her feet and lifted her head, focusing intently on the man. Her ears stood straight up and alert.

  “Can we help you?” Melody asked. As he stepped further into the store, the frazzled man pointed toward the window where Leslie had been setting up the cupcakes.

  “Where are the rainbow cookies? Where did they go? You had a whole tray in the window just moments ago. I saw them myself! I need those cookies!” he said as he balled one hand into a fist and slapped it into the open palm of the other.

  To Melody, he appeared incredibly anxious.

  She held up her hands in mock defense as if he was a bank robber holding them up. “We have them right here. Don’t shoot! How many do you need?” She hoped the joke would ease the man’s stress. Then, she moved quickly to the other display that now held the cookies and showed him a full tray as proof of her words.

  The man bent at the waist, sighing deeply with relief. It was as if someone had pricked him with a pin and deflated him.

  Leslie and Melody exchanged curious glances. Smudge walked over to the man. In an attempt to calm him, she rubbed her body against his leg, and flashed her big brown eyes his way.

  “Oh, a dog, how cute! It is an excellent method of distraction. We use this tactic in magic all the time and as a dog lover, myself, this would normally work.” His tone was calm until he finished the sentence, but then his anxiety kicked into full force once more. “But I, however, am under a lot of pressure and quite focused on the task at hand! I need all of those cookies, the whole tray, and more!” His hand was jabbing at the tray.

  Melody and Leslie were taken back by his outburst. Seeing their expressions, he must have realized he was acting a bit rash and offered an explanation. “The Resplendent Rockford has quite the sweet tooth, and he performs much better when it’s appeased. I’m his new manager, Clive Strawbridge. I want to arrange a standing order for a box of the chocolate-frosted rainbow cookies delivered daily to the theater. Can we make that happen?” Clive raked his hands through his hair, flattening it a little, he looked as if his life, or the future of his newly held position, depended on Melody’s answer.

  Melody sensed an opportunity to make Alvin a delighted man.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Clive. We don’t usually deliver, but-”

  “You don’t deliver?” Clive asked shrilly.

  “No, we don’t typically deliver.” Melody smiled hoping to calm him while she honed in on the opportunity. “However, I’ll make you a deal. If you get us a backstage tour before Rockford’s opening night, I’ll be happy to hand-deliver a new box to the theater every day while Rockford is playing in town.”

  “The Resplendent Rockford.” He corrected her each time she referred to his client only as Rockford. “But, yes, that would work! Come to the theater two hours before showtime. I’ll give you a personal tour myself and introduce you and your friends to The Resplendent Rockford. If these cookies are as good as they look, he may offer you a job as his private pastry chef.” Clive smiled as if this would be a dream come true for Melody.

  “I’d have to politely decline since I own my own business.” She introduced herself. “I’m Melody Marshall. This is my partner, Leslie Mathers, and that’s my baby girl, Smudge.”

  Clive finally looked down at Smudge as if seeing her for the first time. Now that the cookie situation was resolved, he was at ease enough to bend down and stroke her fur.

  “She’s a lovely little sweetie. You should bring her to the show. The Resplendent Rockford loves dogs, and cookies.”

  Melody suspected Clive was sensing his own opportunity to please his boss in two ways.

  “I’m not sure she’d enjoy the magic show, but I’ll bring her to the backstage tour to meet Rockford.” As Clive opened his mouth to correct her, she opted to do it herself. “Ah, I mean, The Resplendent Rockford.” Clive smiled approvingly.

  Quickly, Melody wrote up his order and took his money. He paid in full as he didn’t want the baker to have any excuse not to deliver the goods. Melody, appreciative of the business, gave him a complimentary box to take back to The Resplendent Rockford for tasting.

  “This job is so important to me, I do not want anything to go wrong,” he said to Melody before leaving with a wave and a smile.

  Melody noticed how his demeanor had changed drastically since he had first come into the shop, and they watched him happily carry his first box of cookies out the door. He carried that box close to his chest, as if he was a pirate carrying newly discovered treasure back to his Captain.

  “Do you think it says, ‘The Resplendent Rockford’ on his birth certificate?” Leslie asked.

  “I really think it may.”

  “Alvin is going to be pretty excited about meeting him.”

  “He definitely is! I think I just earned bonus points toward that Tahitian honeymoon.”

  “Maybe having the cookies in the window earned me some bonus points?”

  “Maybe. Maybe not.”

  The two women laughed.

  Chapter One Hundred Ninety

  “I can’t believe you’re making special order cookies for The Resplendent Rockford. That is such an honor,” Alvin said in awe. “To think, my fiancée is baking for a celebrity!” He couldn’t stand still as he, Melody, and Smudge waited in the theater lobby for Clive Strawbridge.

  Alvin had made sure they were punctual, showing up more than two hours earlier than the start of the show, just as Clive requested. Melody chuckled at his giddiness over meeting the celebrity magician.

  “They’re just cookies,” she said, humbly holding a fresh box. Smudge huffed in disagreement. “I mean, yes, ok, they’re quite exquisite, but...”

  Alvin grabbed her by the waist and touched his nose to hers.

  “Those are not just any cookies,” he said quite seriously as he kissed her lips. “Those cookies are magic cookies.”

  Melody grinned widely. Alvin always knew just what to say to make her feel special, but before she could reciprocate the kiss, she spotted Clive heading their way. It seemed the moment Alvin had been waiting for was finally upon them. “Hold your aces, Amazing Alvin. Here comes Clive.” Then, turning to Clive, she said, “Ta-da!” Melody held the box of freshly baked chocolate frosted rainbow cookies toward him. Once again, the man who appeared perpetually stressed seemed relieved to see her. “Clive, this is my fiancé…”

  “Thank goodness, you’re here,” a frazzled Clive said, interrupting Melody and disregarding Alvin, albeit unintentionally. “The Resplendent Rockford is in rare form tonight, as he usually is on opening nights. I hope these will help tame the savage beast.” He said the words low enough for only his VIP guests to hear. “Oh, good. You brought the dog! Perfect, her presence can only help.”

  Melody exchanged glances with Alvin. It seemed odd to her that Clive took note of Smudge just as he said the word “beast.”

  “Come, let’s get these cheerful things back to the boss man.” He took the cookie box from her with one hand and Smudge’s leash with the other before Melody could refuse.

  “Does he think I’m giving him Smudge along with the cookies?” she asked Alvin quietly as they followed.

  “Please, Melody. Let’s not murder anyone tonight. I want to enjoy the show.”

  Melody chuckled, and as they entered the theater, Alvin spotted a familiar face. “Sam!” Meeting halfway down the aisle, they slapped their hands together.
“It’s great to see you! Congratulations on this new endeavor.”

  Sam shook Alvin’s hand, vigorously. He had a broad smile spanning his face.

  “It’s great to see you too, Sheriff. Hey, you got some color. Did you two finally tie the knot, and just get back from your honeymoon?”

  Melody offered him a big hug. “Nope, we haven’t tied the knot just yet, but Kerry Porter did. We just got back from her wedding in Las Vegas. It’s great to see you again, Sam.”

  Smudge, who’d managed to give Clive the slip, scampered around Sam’s feet happily. Melody removed her leash quickly before she set out to explore the rows and aisles. She was having loads of fun discovering all the new scents the old theater had to offer.

  Clive chased after her, trying to catch her again.

  “And what an opening act! The Resplendent Rockford right here in Port Warren!” Alvin said as he clapped once, then rubbed his hands together. “How did you manage to convince the biggest act in magic to visit our little town?”

  “As you can see, he’s a fan,” Melody said with a laugh as she stated the obvious. Still, she kept a watchful eye on Smudge and Clive. She had no doubt that Clive wanted to try to impress Rockford with Smudge’s level of cuteness if he could only get his hands on her.

  “Sheriff, you know a good magician never reveals his tricks.” Sam winked, then whispered as if he was revealing his secret, anyway. “Money.”

  “Well, that’ll do it.”

  “You two are in for a great show. It’s going to be a spectacular night. Rockford has this dangerous, life-threatening trick that will send a small town like this into a tizzy. The entire town is buzzing about it already. I was a bit surprised that everyone responded well to the idea of a magic show, but every performance is sold out. It seems people either love or hate magic, but both sides are always intrigued.”

  “How can anyone hate magic?” Alvin asked, confused.

  “Hey, Sam,” the lilting voice belonged to a pretty blonde woman. She walked gracefully up the center aisle. Each step was strategically placed along the red carpet as if they were choreographed to show her off to the best advantage. Upon first sight, she reminded Melody of one of the showgirls she had recently seen in Las Vegas. Perhaps it was her posture, or her long legs. Whatever it was, she had the same showgirl aura about her. Then Melody recognized her, it was Claudia, Sam’s girlfriend and my she had changed. She had always been pretty but now she was stunning and she had presence.