by Linda West
Samantha was a natural beauty, with large green eyes tinged with dark lashes and cheekbones to die for. Her hair was a soft blonde and it hung nearly to her waist, with long side bangs styled perfectly to mask the left side of her face as much as possible.
Still, if one looked a bit closer, they would see that the side of Samantha’s pretty face was smashed inward all along the left side of her face, with a maroon lighting thin scar that ran the length of it.
It didn’t make Samantha ugly, but it made her strange.
Unnatural.
Different.
It wasn’t people’s faults they stared. Sam had come to understand that people did that when they encountered something they weren’t accustomed to. She had gotten used to the staring over the years, but the damage to her face was not the worst of her disabilities.
Chapter 3
Naomi rang her boyfriend and clenched her hands. It’d been a few hours since her last session, and she hadn’t expected the bosses to still be hanging around the office at this late hour. She usually had the place to herself, and she could pop her pills while no one was looking.
Once she was high, Naomi felt normal and able to go about her mundane, thoughtless routine of cleaning the affluent offices of Kennedy and Crane until the wee hours of the morning. After that she would go home to her big dose and the awaiting peace of slumber before it started again.
Where was that loser Kiki? Totally like him to not be around when they had a sweet deal like this just fall into their laps. If she worked this right she could get a ripe good deal out of Ms. High-and-Mighty Kennedy.
Kiki picked up.
His voice was hoarse and he sounded out of it.
“Kiki,” Naomi whispered urgently despite the fact that she was alone. She looked over her shoulder. “I got us an epic setup to make some easy cash off my psycho boss woman. Her momma done croaked and she needs a ride home.”
Kiki seemed to brighten. “And? What’s it got to do with me?”
Naomi released her breath. “I need your truck for a couple days, until Monday at the most.”
“No way.”
Naomi knew only cash and his next pill purchase, which often went together, motivated her boyfriend.
“She’ll pay five hundred bucks,” Naomi lied.
She planned to ask Macy for a lot more than that, but she wasn’t about to let that on to Kiki. She knew Macy was over the barrel with no options and she planned to milk the situation for all it was worth.
Naomi had a kid in jail that the lawyer said he could help if she only had the money. She was going to ask Macy for two thousand dollars, help her son, and maybe get a little place for herself that didn’t include Kiki.
CHAPTER 4
Naomi returned to the office. “He said he’d be happy to help.”
Samantha brightened, but Macy glowered at her. Clearly the thought of six hours of driving to pick up her disowned mother’s body was going to be too much for her to handle.
… “but he wants two thousand,” Naomi finished.
Macy let out a big laugh. “Of course he does. Not like I have any options! Right, Naomi?”
Naomi cast her big almond eyes down.
“Not really, ma’am.”
“Have you heard of price gouging?”
Naomi looked at Samantha, then back at Macy. She shook her head. “No, ma’am.”
Macy threw her hands up. “Well, it appears I have no choice, so go get this golden vehicle I’m renting us for the exorbitant price of $2,000 and let’s go!”
Samantha looked up. “Excuse me? Us?”
Macy waved her off with one hand. “Go home and pack. Naomi, you too. Then come get us in this rented chariot and let’s get on with this miserable nonsense.”
Samantha caught her breath. “But – but it’s Christmas weekend, Macy! We spend it with Harold’s parents every year. I can’t –”
Macy patted her on the back. “Afford to lose your job? We both know sweet Harold doesn’t make enough as a dental salesman for all those tests you need.”
Samantha’s eyes flashed with anger and she bit her tongue so hard she tasted blood, but she kept her face calm. How dare Macy use that against her? She’d only told Macy the truth of her condition because she’d burst into tears last week over the failed results again, and the impending future of not having enough money to retry in vitro fertilization.
Samantha decided she was just going to say no.
“I’m so sorry, Macy, but I just can’t go. Christmas is really important to Harold.”
Macy glanced up.
”I’ll pay you twenty thousand dollars to go with me, Samantha.”
She rose from her seat, walked over, and took both of Samantha’s hands.
“Handle this for me…. Please Sammy. I can’t do this without you. And you need the money; you know you do. Maybe this time it will take?” Macy’s eyes softened as she stared into Samantha’s green orbs. “I know how much it means to you both. Harold will understand.”
Samantha shook her head. This was so typical. Over the years, Samantha had put up with untold difficulties being Macy’s right hand girl. Harold thought she was horrible, and begged Sam to quit years ago. But Samantha had outlasted eight of Macy’s boyfriends, three best friends, and twenty assistants. By default, Samantha was possibly the longest relationship Macy had ever had.
Sam took a deep breath. She knew Macy meant well, and that she hid her vulnerability underneath all her bark and bite. Even though she came across as harsh and cold, Macy had a good side down deep, very deep, inside.
Samantha softened. Poor Macy had just lost her mother.
“I’ll have to talk to Harold.”
Macy nodded. Naomi opened her mouth to complain, but Macy put a hand up to stop her.
“And before you go saying no and leaving us alone with your boyfriend’s jalopy – I’ll pay you an additional $3,000 to drive us up there and back.”
Naomi’s eyes went large. “You got yourself a driver.”
This is the end of this excerpt!
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If you haven’t read the first book in the Kissing Bridge Cozy Mystery series please check it out!
The fun starts when Kat moves back home and begins working for the magical Landers sisters.
Trouble boils over when a crockpot goes missing at the big Chili- Cook off and a body is found.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071VBV9PJ
What people are saying about:
DEATH
by
Crockpot
"Side-split tingly funny and great little thriller. West gives Evanovich a run for her money. Loved this book. Can't wait for the next. Thank you!"
Posie Arnold Entertainment Now
"A gripping fun suspense thriller and cozy mystery. Set in a small ski town and centered around a magical bakery. This is humorous American literature at its best.”
"5****** Love these characters and so happy to see them return in another fun series! What a treat. Keep writing about Kissing Bridge please!"
Dawn Deviso, Youngstown
Other books by Linda West
Death by Crockpot
Death by Rolling Pin
Christmas Kisses and Cookies
Holiday Kisses and Valentine Wishes
Olympic Kisses and Heartfelt Wishes
Firework Kisses and Summertime Wishes
Paris Kisses and Christmas Wishes
Christmas Belles and Mistletoe
Christmas at the Cozy Cafe
Non-Fiction
The Frequency
Advanced Manifesting
The Unofficial Harry Potter Spellbook
Manifest True Love in 28 Days
Secrets the Secret Never Told You
The Balanced Body Diet
5 Steps to Manifest
The Triangle Plan
To Heaven and Back
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