by C A Phipps
Appreciation lit his eyes at the sight of the steaming pie before dragging his gaze back to her. “I don’t want to mislead you because it’s still serious enough to warrant further investigation.”
“Sam was pretty sure of the cause of death, so I called in a favor with the coroner in Destiny. Wherever it came from, the poison did not kill Mable. She died of a heart attack.”
Scarlett’s heart began a tentative somersault. Mable was dead—nothing could alter that fact—but the Cozy Café cupcakes were not responsible, and she was incredibly relieved. Cutting a large wedge of pie, she slid it onto the plate and handed Nate a fork. “I’m still unsure what all this means, but I’m hoping this clears us to open the bakery?”
“It does,” he nodded, attention solely on the plate.
She smiled ruefully. “Well, it’s too late for everything we usually make to be available today, but I’ll take the sign down from the window and start on a few things that won’t take long to bake and ring Violet and Ruby. Thanks for coming to tell me so soon.”
He swallowed a large bite, grimacing because it was clearly too hot. That didn’t stop another bite following soon after. “You’re welcome,” he managed to say between mouthfuls. “But we still need to understand why there was poison there in the first place.”
Scarlett poured him a large coffee. “And why we’re being framed.”
Nate shrugged. “We can’t be sure that the two are related.”
Scarlett’s mouth dropped open for a moment. “You’ve got to be kidding? Someone came on our property and put that poison there. Deliberately.”
“It looks that way, but you have to concede that it may not have been the person who put the poison in the cupcake Mable ate.”
Scarlett wasn’t convinced. “I find that hard to believe and harder that you could think so.”
Ruefully, he scraped his plate. “I’d hoped to take some worry from you with the news. Honestly, I agree with everything you’re saying, but I don’t want my feelings to get out along with any of the details. Is it too much to ask that you let me deal with this?”
Scarlett pulled out the mixer putting it on the counter more firmly than was necessary. “I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but it’s not just our livelihood that I’m worried about. Someone means to hurt us, and you haven’t convinced me that this is over.”
He finished his coffee. “I understand and wish I could, but I can’t in all good conscience say that there’s nothing to worry about. The rat poison could be inconsequential; however, because of its presence, the investigation will remain open. Let’s hope we’re wrong. I didn’t tell your sisters yet, but I think I got Ruby out of bed when I went looking for you.”
Her annoyance fizzled. Nate was simply doing his job and probably in a more delicate way than if they were strangers. “I’m glad they’re awake. I’ll make that call and get them here to help me.”
He nodded, looking wistfully at the rest of the pie as he left.
When she called her sisters to tell them the news, she was rewarded with loud squeals. The fact that they didn’t actually hate working here and were just as pleased as she was that the café wasn’t going to ground to a halt made her feel somewhat better.
Twenty minutes later, Violet and Ruby arrived out of breath, proving that they’d run all the way. Enthusiastically, they donned their aprons while Scarlett, having already taken down the sign, handed them a revised list of the day’s baking.
Ruby grinned like a Cheshire cat. “It’s so good that we didn’t kill anyone.”
Violet had no such qualms. “No, we didn’t, but someone wanted to make it look as though we did.”
Scarlett nodded when Ruby looked at her for confirmation. No-one could say that their sister was anything but intelligent, yet this was a struggle for her.
Ruby chewed her lip until she’d considered their options. “I guess that’s true. So, what are we going to do about it?”
Scarlett began measuring flour. “Let’s talk and bake, or we won’t have anything on the shelves to sell apart from the few things I’ve made, and they won’t last long.”
“I vote we find out who.” Violet prepared batter for cupcakes.
“Nate wants us to leave things to him,” Scarlett mentioned half-heartedly.
Violet’s eyes narrowed, “Of course he’d say that. He has to. We don’t have to listen.”
Scarlett had thought of nothing else while she waited for her sister’s arrival, and she couldn’t deny that sitting back, waiting to see how things panned out, did not suit her at all.
“Maybe we don’t, but we’ll have to be careful about stepping on his toes. Nate is the law around here, and he’s also our friend who got the café cleared earlier than we could have imagined,” she said pointedly to Violet, who had the good grace to blush. “I suggest we go ahead and talk to someone who was at the meeting. Someone who was in the room from the time we dropped off the cupcakes and there until the meeting disbanded. Someone who’d know how many people stayed behind.”
“What was the argument about?” Ruby was clearly already fretting about upset feelings as she made a chocolate cake.
Scarlett took a breath and told them of her conversation with Dale. Fortunately, Violet and Ruby weren’t too annoyed about the fact she hadn’t mentioned this earlier.
“That’s another thing we need to know for sure because Dale wouldn’t say,” she continued. “We know that Arthur was trying to keep Olivia from voting. The why could be the most important part of this.”
Violet nodded. “I’d say Olivia is our best bet.”
“Good idea. Also, Daisy will be happy to help if she can,” Ruby added with enthusiasm. “Hopefully they’ll have time to chat soon, even though they’re snowed under getting ready for the tourist season to begin. Starting with the street parade next week.”
Scarlett added dried fruit to her cake mix. “Things are busy this time of year for the whole town, but I don’t like the idea of someone out there trying to implicate us this way. I’ll talk to both of them today when I can take a break.”
“Good idea. And we also need to get a couple more cupcake flavors ready for the tourist season. Something fancy to entice people to come to our café rather than go elsewhere. Ruby’s new ones will be a good start.” Violet spooned the mixture into cupcake molds with an ease that came from doing the same thing every day.
“I’ve been working on a couple too.” Scarlett had given the new flavors a great deal of thought to take her mind off other things. “Maybe we could try some out tomorrow?”
“Definitely. Talking about the street parade, will we have a stall? I hear it’s not too late to pay for one,” Violet mused. “We did talk about it, but as I recall, no one wanted to deal with Mable, who was in charge and bound to give us a rubbish place to set up.”
Scarlett nodded. “I think we should. There’ll be a lot of visitors in town that day. For some, it could be their first time in Cozy Hollow, and they won’t have heard of the Cozy Café. It’s a cheap way of drumming up business.”
Ruby was fidgeting, her cheeks suddenly pink. “Umm. Do I need to help with that? Naturally, I’d come in early to help bake.”
“Why can’t you help operate the stall?” Scarlett was intrigued. Ruby wasn’t usually a shirker.
Ruby hesitated for a moment. “I’ve been asked to be in the parade.”
Violet snorted. “Of course you have. I bet you’re on a float as some princess or other.”
Ruby studied her mixture.
“It’s true, isn’t it? Unbelievable!” Grabbing hold of the counter, Violet smeared batter all over the edge as she fell about laughing.
“It’s not that funny.” Ruby sniffed. “I assumed we weren’t having a stall, so I already said yes. It’s only for a short time.”
Scarlett bit back a laugh. Ruby obviously wanted to be a princess for an hour or so. And why would they deny her such a small thing if it made her happy? Being accepted as herself rather than one
of the ‘poor Finch girls’ would do her some good.
“I don’t have any objections, as long as you do help in the morning. We’ll need a lot of stock.” Scarlett had already begun making a mental inventory of how much they could sell.
“Sure, we can manage the stall without you.” A grin quickly nullified violet’s sarcasm. “Make sure you wave and point people in our direction.”
Ruby grinned. “I’ll even hand out our cards to the crowd.”
“Perfect.” Scarlett attacked her work with increased endeavor. The day was improving but she still had that other matter to deal with. “As soon as we finish, I’ll go see if Olivia can spare me a minute or two.”
Chapter Eleven
Cozy Crafts stood across the road and up one block. Like Cozy Café, it was in a block of four shops. A large replica of a spinning wheel was fastened above the bright yellow canopy. Behind the window, three mannequins wore shawls, each a different shade of blue, Olivia’s favorite color.
The old-fashioned doorbell chimed as she entered. A serene smile on her barely lined face, Olivia sat at her regular-sized wheel, spinning sheep’s wool. In her late fifties, Scarlett’s aunt was still an attractive woman.
“Hello, dear.” Olivia stopped spinning as soon as Scarlett entered. I’ve heard the good news about the shop being able to open. Congratulations! I knew you girls would be okay, and I’d have been by for a little something, but I’ve had an order to fill.”
Since Cozy Crafts didn’t make a roaring trade, Scarlett could appreciate Olivia’s pleasure at the order. She placed a container of peach pie on the small counter, and Olivia grinned delightedly.
“It smells divine. Thanks so much, I know I’ll love it.”
Olivia loved to try anything new and was always effusive. As much as Scarlett believed their products to be of a high standard, she suspected that Olivia was biased. Naturally, as their mom’s sister, she wasn’t going to tell them their food was rubbish, but whatever the truth, they were glad to have Olivia in their lives.
“News travels fast. I can’t begin to say how happy we are about it. I was worried it might take weeks to clear our name and that the Cozy café would be history. Oddly today, we’ve been so busy, and I can only assume that people are more interested in finding out the details of Mable’s death and who poisoned her than buying much.”
“Such a shame that it happened at all, and awful that you girls got dragged into it. People will talk, and I find it easier to let things run their course.” Olivia smiled serenely. “Onward and upward, yes?”
A lick of guilt ran up Scarlett’s back. “Aunt Olivia . . .”
“How many times must I say, to call me Olivia. Aunt makes me feel like an old woman.”
“Hah! You could never be called that.” Scarlett laughed. Calling Olivia aunt had probably slipped in because she felt so confused about everything. “I want to move on, but dealing with Arthur makes that hard. Especially when Mom was adamant about being- polite.”
Olivia stopped spinning. “I never met three more polite girls in my life.”
“I wish someone would tell Arthur Tully that,” Scarlett mused. “Speaking of which, can I ask you some questions about that fateful committee meeting?”
“Ask away, although I spoke to the sheriff at some length, and I’m sure Nate would have told you or Violet what I said,” Olivia smirked.
“Nate is very professional.” Scarlett wasn’t sure who was leading this conversation right now since Olivia appeared to have questions of her own, which were nothing to do with a meeting, and she would no doubt get to them in her own sweet time.
“Hmmm. That doesn’t mean the good sheriff wouldn’t share his information. Especially with Violet.”
Scarlett made a show of touching the soft wool. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“There, I’ve embarrassed you, and I didn’t even mention our handsome paramedic who seems to have taken a shine to you. Your mom would be delighted by this turn of events.”
When Scarlett’s head shot up, ready to argue, Olivia merely smiled. “What was it you wanted to know?”
Scarlett sighed. Olivia did not play fair. “What was the fight about with the mayor? And why did Arthur want to keep you from being at the meeting to vote?”
“As it happens, Daisy rang me when I got back to the shop to make sure I got the message about the change of time.” Olivia’s mouth pinched. “Arthur outright lied about telling the others any earlier, because Daisy only received a call that morning herself. To be honest, I’m not sure when the others found out, but there was certainly an underhanded approach that day. As for the argument, Arthur wanted us to vote on sending letters to people in the community who weren’t keeping things as he likes them. It was something he’d been harping on about for months. Suddenly it was of paramount importance.”
Scarlett screwed up her face. “Letters to people about how their property looks? That seems a little over the top, and why the urgency?”
“This is awkward.” Olivia pursed her lips. “Your house was mentioned specifically.”
“Wow.” Scarlett couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “I knew Arthur was mean, but he’s taking things to a whole new level. He knows we don’t have a spare cent to fix up the place—and he knows why.”
“When he first brought it up, I hoped he wasn’t serious. Having a secret meeting, or one I was deliberately not invited to, implies that he wanted this passed at all costs.”
Olivia looked as though she were sucking lemons. “There have been rumors for some time that he intends to get you girls to quit the bakery, if not Cozy Hollow. I would have said something earlier, but I honestly thought that’s all they were. It seems I’ve been fooling myself. I’m so sorry I’ve let you down.”
Olivia looked distraught, and Scarlett patted her hand. “You could never do that. If you’d mentioned this before, it wouldn’t change his sick mindset.” Scarlett’s mouth quivered. “Why does he hate us so much? We’ve done nothing to him. It certainly wasn’t our fault that mom didn’t want anything to do with him. Something I thank her for every day!” Scarlett’s voice had risen, and for a moment, she struggled to get herself under control. “What can we do to change his opinion about us?” she croaked.
Olivia had dropped the wool, and now she stood. “Don’t upset yourself on account of Arthur. At this stage, seeing how riled he became that day, I have no idea if anything anyone says will make a difference. What I do know is that you have to stand up to him—for yourselves and your mom. Due to the disagreement, I’ve brought you some time,” she said sheepishly. “We won’t vote until the next meeting.”
Scarlett appreciated the encouragement. They shouldn’t have to, but how could they thwart Arthur’s nastiness without money?
“Maybe I could manage to buy a bit of paint for the house?” she said hopefully. “We could start on the roadside. We could borrow a couple of goats to get the grass down until I can get the mower fixed?”
Olivia nodded. “That would help, I dare say. He’s always been bad-tempered but has turned into a grumpy old man this last year. Arthur’s bullying is distasteful, and I’m quite sure the residents of Cozy Hollow would not be happy to hear about how he’s treating you girls.”
A crafty gleam in Olivia’s eyes made Scarlett snort. “With you on our side, Arthur better watch out!”
Olivia nodded sagely. “You know, your mom still has the heart of a lot of people around town. I think we could get together a few of them to give you a hand with the painting, so at least that won’t be hanging over your heads.”
Scarlett gasped. “We couldn’t ask that.”
Olivia grinned. “Sweetheart, I’m not suggesting you do. Just buy the paint and leave the rest to me.”
Scarlett knew she had little chance of dissuading her. Besides, regardless of Arthur Tully, it certainly would be nice to get a coat of paint on the family home before it got any worse.
“If you don’t think it would be too much of an i
mposition on anybody, we could recompense anyone who turns up with a nice lunch.”
“With an offer like that, you’ll get plenty of takers.” Olivia stared at Scarlett’s other hand. “I’m afraid my curiosity has got the better of me.”
Scarlett had forgotten about the small box with a single cupcake inside. “It’s just a small treat for our favorite aunt.”
Olivia took it and opened the lid, sighing at the dainty cupcake inside. “How wonderful! This is Ruby’s recipe, isn’t it?”
“It is. I know how much you loved the one from the other day.”
Carefully, Olivia closed the lid. “Now, before I devour it, you’d better tell me what else is going on up there.” She gently tapped Scarlett on the forehead.
How had Scarlett forgotten Olivia’s astuteness? “Mable’s been on my mind a great deal,” she admitted.
“That’s understandable, dear. I’ve no doubt that finding her dead had to be a terrible shock.”
“It certainly was. Do you know when the funeral is?”
“According to Arthur, she does have a sister and a nephew. The funeral had to be postponed until he can get here.”
“Wow!” Scarlett exclaimed. “I honestly thought that she was all alone and that the funeral couldn’t happen until the autopsy was finalized.”
Olivia shrugged. “It’s just what I heard. I guess to all intents and purpose, Mable was alone since no one visited her. I do recall her going for the odd holiday years ago. It was hard to get out of her exactly where her family was from.”
“Still, she had some, which is nice.”
Olivia nodded then smiled serenely. “Now, what else are you chewing on?”
“You know me too well.” Scarlett took a deep breath. “I’m afraid what I’m proposing is rather awkward.”
Olivia leaned closer. “Now, I’m really intrigued? In what way?”
Scarlett took a deep breath. “Violet and I know that the café is not for Ruby. She does a great job and never complains about working there, but she could also get any number of jobs elsewhere tomorrow.” Scarlett snapped her fingers for effect. “That said, we believe for now she can do something close to home that will make her a hundred times happier than the café ever could.”
