The Mint Julep Murder

by CC Dragon

  The girls grinned like Cheshire cats. “Yes!”

  “Bright blue,” Cissy suggested.

  “Bright blue. Sounds like a plan. Now sit tight and enjoy, I have to check on the bread.” I dashed in the back.

  Martha had the bread out and cooling. “No more?”

  “No, we’re just testing it out. I made one batch yesterday and it wasn’t perfect.” I sliced a cooled loaf and added some butter. “The girls are adorable.”

  “You’re good with them. Thanks.” Martha cut her own slice. She tried it without butter. “That’s really good!”

  “Gran’s recipe.” I tried it. “That’s the bread I remember from my childhood. Sandwiches might be a thing.”

  “And soup. With that bread, soup in the winter. That’s a hit.” Martha nodded.

  “Gran and I can’t do this alone. You wouldn’t be looking to leave the grocery store, would you?” I asked.

  “Work here?” she asked.

  “I need someone here who can juggle customers, blend drinks, prep food and even handle the oven without getting overwhelmed. Gran and her guys run at a different pace and that’s fine for most people—they can clean and restock and handle the slow periods. But the breakfast and lunch rush…no way. Plus in between the baking now, I’d need someone from, like, seven to three for sure. We bake the sweet stuff at home and are in early to prep,” I said.

  “Yes!” Martha burst out with a smile.

  I frowned. “We haven’t even talked salary. And I’d need you on weekends too.”

  “Working for my mom at the grocery store is… It’s like I’m still a kid. I love her helping with my girls, but I feel like I’m constantly reminded I screwed up and it’s a pity job. I can do this. The girls’ dad gets them every other weekend. My mom never works weekends, so she can cover the others and they might drop in to visit, if that’s okay?” she asked.

  “Sure. I’m glad the girls see their dad,” I said.

  “Me too. He’s only in Nashville so he rarely misses a visit. As long as you match what I’m making at the grocery store, I’m in. I’ll start now,” she offered.

  “You already have and I appreciate it.” I sliced up the rest of the cooled test loaves and put them in a basket. “Let’s get them hooked on our bread.”

  Martha grabbed an apron, put it on, picked up another basket and filled it with the rest of the bread. “We’ll need bread bags and ties to sell by the loaf.”

  “You’re on top of things. I love it. Start a list of your ideas,” I said. “Wait. We have to wait for Gran to get back to bring this out.”

  Martha nodded and put an empty basket over the bread to help keep it warm. We headed out and the girls, hopped up on sugar, were excited that their mom worked here now. The stink eye from Martha’s mom was hard to ignore, but I sensed an undercurrent of pride.

  Katie’s brothers were in for the protein smoothies. Apparently, they lifted weights at a gym not far from her bar. One of them was decidedly avoiding eye contact with me, but I hadn’t blabbed a single thing around town regarding him and Hank.

  “Great shop, Belle,” one of them said.

  “We’ll get out of the way now,” another said.

  They put some money in the tip jar.

  “Thanks, guys!” I called.

  “Did they pay?” I asked Katie.

  “Naturally, but I think you need a punch card thing. Like, buy five fancy coffee drinks or smoothies and get the sixth one free.”

  “Or an app. Your own store app,” Martha said.

  “I appreciate cha both. The app might be too ambitious for right now unless we know someone who’ll design and maintain it for free. Punch cards we can order along with business cards,” I replied.

  Martha groaned. “This hazelnut drink is heavenly. You need to put it in a frozen coffee form.”

  We had a tiny break from the rush and I mixed up a hazelnut frozen coffee drink while Katie showed Martha the ropes of the register.

  Martha’s mom came over. “I should take the girls to the park. Let them run off the energy.”

  “Thanks, Mom,” Martha said.

  She came over to me with a ten-dollar bill. “You didn’t charge us.”

  “Martha works here now. She gets a family discount. The girls’ drinks were my idea. It’s on the house today.” I waved off the money.

  “Small businesses are risky, but you’ve got good products. And good workers. Thanks,” she said.

  “I only hire the best,” I said. “Bye, Princesses Cissy and Missy.”

  The girls waved regally as they left the shop.

  Gran and her men rejoined the party. “Bread time!” I said to Martha.

  “On it.” Martha dashed to the back and came out with the two baskets of bread.

  “What’s going on?” Gran asked.

  “I hired Martha to help us. And your bread is ready. It’s perfect.” I let her try it first.

  She gave me a thumbs-up with her mouth full.

  “Everyone! There is a special treat. At least for me it is. When I was little, Gran made a homemade bread that was to die for. Sweet but not too sweet, it was perfect for jams or sandwiches. We found the old recipe and have been making some test loaves. Martha has the batches for you to take a piece and try. If you love it, we might put it on the menu where you can buy a loaf, or we could make sandwiches with it for lunches. Please do try it, and give us your feedback. There is a suggestion box with paper and pencils by the door. If you want more smoothie flavors, more coffee varieties, more jams or anything, let us know. If you don’t suggest it, you get what you get and you don’t pitch a fit!”

  Gran laughed. “We’re not trying to compete with the diner, just to be an alternative. Boxed lunches that are simple and fast. And if you just want the preserves, that’s okay too.”

  The patrons applauded and Martha circulated with the bread. I was about to clean up the princess mess of pink on my counter, but Milan was quick with a spray bottle.

  “I’m going to duck in back and wash the bread pans for another batch,” I said to Gran and Katie.

  “Let Martha do it,” Katie said.

  I shook my head. “Let her enjoy the new job. Gran is the star today anyway. Thanks for the help. I’ll be back in a few minutes. A little quiet is good too. Did Lurlene leave?” I glanced around.

  “I think she went around the time Gran went for lunch.” Katie nodded.

  “Just checking. Thanks. Let me know if you need me.” I patted Gran on the arm.

  “It’s never been this busy,” she said.

  “That’s your famous bread,” I teased.

  In the back, I put the bread pans in hot water to soak for a minute and cleaned as I organized, so we wouldn’t be slammed tonight.

  I put on a beat-up old apron and added soap to the sink just as the noise from the front grew louder. Glancing out, I saw Gus was in the shop.

  We hadn’t talked much once Hank was under arrest. He’d dropped me at the shop and had a lot of work to do. He’d told me I might be called as a witness to Hank’s confession if he retracted it later. I went back to my dishes before he saw me.

  A few minutes of blissful scrubbing later and he tapped on the wall.

  “Can I come in?” Gus asked.

  “Sure. I’m just cleaning up back here. How are things with you, Sheriff?”

  “Fine, I just thought I’d update you. Hank did confess fully. He seemed relieved, in a way.” Gus hooked his thumbs in the belt loops of his jeans.

  “Good. I’m glad.” I focused on the pans in front of me and not the attractive man next to me.

  “We found his stash of the berries. I guess he kept some extras for his mom, just in case,” Gus explained.

  “Glad you got the evidence. Oh no, his mother or aunt. She’s so sick and he was the only one. Maybe this was temporary insanity for Hank? He was just so stressed?” I wondered aloud.

  “You’re too nice, Belle. Hopefully he gets a jury that understands the mental strain he wa
s under. It’s not our job to convict or dish out the sentence. I contacted the long-term care home and they’re aware of the situation with Hank.” Gus moved closer. “I want to explain about Dina too.”

  I shook my head. “I didn’t ask. Your past isn’t my business.”

  “I want to explain. Dina and I dated for a while, but it didn’t work out. We were completely wrong for each other,” he said.

  “If there’s a ring involved, you didn’t always think it was that wrong. Did you?” I asked.

  He sighed. “City life was harder on me. I drank more than I should. There was a case that went bad and things can haunt you. I got to know Dina at the bar and we were off and on. I needed to slow down. Work in a small town, not a big city. I had thought going from Atlanta to Nashville was enough, but it wasn’t. I had some rough cases that make Eddie look like preschool. The move was a big change. I’m not blaming anything on her. I ended things suddenly and moved here.”

  “You told her, right?” I asked.

  “Told her what?” he asked.

  “It’s not my business.” I shook my head. “I have work to do.”

  “I’m still trying to ask you out,” Gus said.

  I looked at him. Handsome and smart with a job. But also with a past. But it wasn’t his parents or family stigma—this was his ex-fiancée.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I replied.

  He leaned on the sink. “Because of Dina or your past?”

  “I’m not asking you for details on yours, so you don’t get details on mine. But if Dina is your type, I’m pretty sure I’m not.” I scrubbed like Cinderella—there was no prince coming and I had to make it on my own.

  “And I thought you didn’t judge,” he said.

  “I don’t. I work in my friend’s bar when she needs it. Honest work is nothing to be ashamed of. But if you’ve given another woman a ring recently enough that she just gave it back—I think you need to settle in here longer before you’re asking women out. Heal from that relationship and be sure Sweet Grove is where you want to be for the long haul before you start dating anyone. It’s not about me or Dina or your past. It’s not fair to anyone to use them to get over someone else.” I had cleaned the pans in record time with the frustration from the chat.

  Gus tapped his hat against his thigh. I tried not to look at him too much. Attraction was hard to ignore, but I didn’t want to repeat my mother’s mistakes or Dina’s. This was my home town and I was staying and not making a mess of my personal life. I didn’t need to ruin my reputation…I’d already inherited that much.

  “You said it was about your past before. I don’t care about my past or yours,” he said.

  “You should. Small towns are tough. The people are forgiving, but they don’t forget. We’re close-knit, so if you prove you can’t be trusted, everyone will know. If you jilted a fiancée in Nashville, you’ll go from the most eligible bachelor to the least. I mean, behind Lou.” I chuckled.

  Smiling, Gus nodded. “Thanks for the warning. I’d like to tell you the whole story and I want to know yours. You’re not ready for that yet. I was hoping we’d get to know each other as we are now first. People change, things change and you’re my type.”

  “But we don’t really even know each other yet,” I teased.

  “You’re stubborn,” he said.

  I rinsed the pans thoroughly. “As a mule, and right now I’m focused on this business succeeding, my Gran being safe and comfortable and helping my friends who are also helping me. Hopefully, no more murders for me to stick my nose into. I promise not to speed.”

  Gus chuckled softly. “Maybe you’re right? Maybe I should settle in and see if Sweet Grove is right for me. See if I win the election before I try to put down real roots.”

  I set the pans out to dry. “Good plan. Let’s get you a coffee.”

  “I think I’ll just go. You’ve got quite a crowd out there.” He left.

  I took a deep breath. He was attractive and seemed great, but how many men had tricked women like that? He had a past. Of course we all did, but how much of one? Dina might be one of many for all I knew.

  Stepping out front, I discovered that Lurlene and the pastor were now at the counter.

  “What’s new?” I asked.

  Katie turned to me and forced a smile that was a cry for help.

  Martha came back with the empty baskets. “People love the bread!”

  “Great, how is the stock looking?” I asked.

  “Good. Your Gran’s guys are keeping an eye. That’s a bit odd.” Martha blushed

  “She’s not dating them all. Just friends, I’m pretty sure. Don’t think about it. I can’t.” I waved it off. “Let’s try your hazelnut frozen thing.”

  “Now? That could wait,” Martha replied.

  “I need the distraction,” I said to Martha, who looked over at the counter and shot me a sympathetic nod.

  “What can we get for you, Pastor? Lurlene?” Katie asked.

  I blended up a hazelnut coffee frozen thing as Martha had suggested. Caramel and mocha I’d already planned but hazelnut was a bit different, not for coffee but the frozen version.

  “Berry smoothie,” Lurlene said.

  “I’ll try whatever she’s working on now,” Pastor Luke said.

  I turned. “It’s hazelnut. No allergies, right?”

  “None. Sounds heavenly,” the pastor said.

  “Heavenly Hazelnut, there’s the name.” Katie snapped her fingers and pointed at him.

  “As long as it lives up to the pastor’s approval.” I tasted it quick to be sure it was good. Then I poured him a generous glass full.

  Things seemed to quiet down as people waited for the pastor’s opinion.

  “Truly delicious and heavenly, with or without the coffee,” he said.

  “Heavenly Hazelnut it is,” Gran declared.

  “It was all Martha’s idea.” I poured another and handed it to Martha so she could try it.

  “A brilliant idea and a lovely shop. I need to visit with Bea.” The pastor slipped from Lurlene’s grip and headed to Gran.

  Lurlene sipped her smoothie. “Too many seeds.”

  “You want us to de-seed your strawberries?” Martha asked. “I think she’s the real princess.”

  I stifled a laugh.

  Katie grabbed Lurlene’s glass and took a sip. “It’s perfect. Find something else to complain about. Or find a husband to peel you a bunch of grapes and de-seed your fruit.”

  I smiled as Lurlene left in a huff.

  “One bad seed gone.” I sighed.

  Katie and Martha laughed.

  Maybe Lurlene and Gus deserved each other?

  I looked over at the pastor chatting with Gran and her friends. I’d be lying to myself if I said I didn’t want romance and true love. I wanted a relationship that worked and was honest. I wasn’t there yet. I had some work to do on myself and my business. When I was ready, the right man would be too. He might be here in Sweet Grove already, or he might show up.

  “Martha, if you want some bartending shifts after the girls go to bed, you let me know,” Katie said.

  Strong women didn’t tear each other down—they built each other up. I’d made the right friends. Coming home had been tough, but it was the right choice.

  “Crap, I have to sign up for that permit to serve alcohol. We should do that class together, Martha. Then we’re legit if we need to help Katie,” I said.

  “Sure. I’ll look it up,” Martha agreed and consulted with Katie on the website.

  Gran waved me over. “You get behind the counter. I want a picture of all my girls.”

  “Put it on my phone too.” I set my phone on the table.

  “Pastor, my hands shake. Take a picture of those three, please,” Gran said.

  “Gran, come on. You have to be in here too.” I grabbed her hand.

  Gran was in the middle with her arm around me. Katie was on the other side of Gran and, tallest of us, Martha tried to hide behi
nd me with just her head visible. I knew the picture tricks, but whatever made her comfortable.

  The camera on my phone flashed a couple of times. Then he used Gran’s phone.

  “Perfect. That must be printed and go on the wall,” the pastor said.

  “Thanks, Pastor.” I took my phone back and admired the photo.

  Pastor Luke stepped in closer. “I wanted to say I was impressed. You managed to stay kind to both Bonnie and Lola in a very uncomfortable position. You helped people without judgment, and that’s not easy to do for a lot people.”

  I wiped my hands on my apron. “Thank you. Everyone has secrets, and finding the truth is complicated.”

  “You’re staying in town then? I heard talk of Atlanta or maybe a job in Nashville?” he asked.

  I blushed and looked around. “A friend from Atlanta was interviewing in Nashville. She was just talking about a chance at a job for me if she gets it. Don’t count your chickens. And moving to Atlanta is a last resort—I have to be able to take care of Gran.”

  “You can make it work here.” He sounded very confident.

  “Well, can’t never could, but please put in a good word with the man upstairs.” I waved.

  “Done. See you for choir practice.” He smiled and walked away.

  Was he flirting with me? I shook off the praise and flattery that was going to my head. I focused on the picture and all the work ahead of me.

  No doubt about it, I was home.

  A Note from Belle

  Hey y’all,

  I can’t believe the drama. A murder in Sweet Grove. Never happens here. It can’t possibly happen again, right?

  And Gus…just what we need. A tempting guy with a past. I have enough skeletons in my family’s closet. I’m not sure if I’m voting for him or against him…but I’ve got time to decide.

  Well, I hope you come back and visit us again. New things on the menu and new friends to meet. I’ll keep Lurlene away from you, I promise!

  And no more murders! It’s Sweet Grove, for heaven’s sake!

  Appreciate cha!

  Belle

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