Sandy Bay series Box Set 3

by Amber Crewes

  Some of the town's residents have had enough of the annual hassle. Others would rather die than see an end to this popular festival. Meghan Truman, a new resident in Sandy Bay with a successful bakery, is torn between either supporting an event that shines a light on all the good things about her adopted hometown or showing allegiance to a dear friend who is leading the cause to ban the festival.

  With the town on the brink of a riot, no forthcoming clues to help Detective Jack Irvin in his murder investigation, Meghan must retain the hot passion that has seen her business and relationships prosper thus far while she confronts cold bodies all around.

  The clock is ticking...

  A murder investigation is growing cold...

  Will Meghan provide the spark that unlocks this murder mystery?

  Hot Chocolate and Cold Bodies

  1

  It was a crisp, autumn day in Sandy Bay, and as Meghan Truman descended the stairs of Truly Sweet, her beloved bakery, she could sense that something was about to happen. She could not quite put her finger on it; while Sandy Bay was a small town in the Pacific Northwest, Meghan had been through a lot during her short stint as a resident, and as the chilly air hit her face, she knew in her heart that she was on the precipice of another adventure.

  “Fiesta, Siesta, come on, babies,” she urged her little twin dogs as they slowly waddled down the steps. “Come keep me company in the bakery! The fall festival is this week, and with the town being so busy with the setup, I think business will be a little slower than usual….”

  As Meghan spoke, she heard a knock at the front door of the bakery. She glanced down at the watch on her left wrist; it was not yet nine in the morning, and the bakery was not open yet. Who could be at her door so early?

  “Maybe it’s Jack,” Meghan wished as she smoothed down her wild, long dark hair. “He dropped off some bagels in the morning for me as a surprise last week. Maybe he brought more?”

  Meghan’s heart fluttered as she thought of her adoring, handsome boyfriend, Jack Irvin. Jack was a detective in Sandy Bay, and Meghan had been dating him for a few months. Meghan could hardly keep the smile off of her face when Jack was around; he was tall, with striking blue eyes and blonde hair, and Meghan was smitten with him.

  “Oh,” Meghan said to herself as she peered outside.

  Jacqueline Peters, the owner of the new salon and beauty shop in Sandy Bay, stood outside of the bakery. Meghan could see Jacqueline frowning, and she groaned as she unlocked the door.

  “I want to be hospitable,” Meghan whispered to her two dogs who were nipping playfully at her ankles. “But I haven’t had my coffee yet, and I was hoping it would be Jack at the door…”

  As Meghan unlocked the yellow front door of the bakery, Jacqueline came sweeping in.

  “Meghan,” she said kindly. “So good to see you this morning.”

  Meghan raised an eyebrow. “Good to see you too, Jacqueline,” she replied slowly. “Truly Sweet isn’t open for business yet, though.”

  Jacqueline shook her head. “I’m not here for treats today, Meghan,” she informed Meghan. “I’m here in a professional capacity.”

  Meghan cocked her head to the side in confusion. “What do you mean?”

  Jacqueline took a deep breath. “I know we are in different fields,” she began. “You sell treats, and I make people beautiful.”

  Meghan nodded. “I know,” she agreed. “You do. Every time I have had something done at your salon, I’ve loved the result; your stylist, Amelia, did a beautiful balayage on my hair two weeks ago, and I’ve gotten so many compliments!”

  Jacqueline beamed. “Well, I’m thrilled you’ve been pleased,” she said. “But I’m here today to ask you some questions as two businesswomen in a small town. Meghan, you are a small business owner. How did Truly Sweet fare when it first opened?”

  Meghan bit her bottom lip and thought back on her first few days in town. The bakery had seen its ups and downs, but ultimately, Meghan was proud that she had persevered and grown her business to its current state of success. After a few setbacks and many, many triumphs, Truly Sweet was now one of the most popular bakeries in the area, and Meghan knew that her hard work had paid off.

  Meghan opened her mouth to explain this to Jacqueline, but Jacqueline immediately cut her off.

  “Let me explain, Meghan,” she began. “My business has been growing so slowly! I’m getting frustrated, and part of me wants to throw in the towel. I knew I could come to you for some insight; you are a relatively new business owner, and you always seem so sweet.”

  Meghan smiled at the compliment. “That’s kind of you to say,” she told Jacqueline. “I understand that business can be slow in the beginning, but you can’t give up. Your salon is fantastic; my hair has never looked or felt better, and the service I received was top-notch. Don’t give up on yourself yet, Jacqueline. There are so many possibilities that happen when you believe in yourself. Just give it a chance.”

  “Good morning, ladies!”

  Meghan and Jacqueline looked to the front door where Kirsty Fisher, one of Sandy Bay’s most dedicated citizens, marched through the front door. “You’re open early today, Meghan? I was popping by the stationary store to pick up new business cards, and I saw that you were in.”

  Meghan shook her head. “I had a surprise visitor. Kirsty, do you know Jacqueline?”

  Kirsty nodded at Jacqueline. “You own that salon just across the way? I’ve had my nails done there before; what a darling place. My cuticles have never looked nicer!”

  Jacqueline blushed. “That is so nice of you to say.”

  Kirsty shrugged and adjusted the string of pearls around her neck. “I like to maintain my image, and it is not always easy to do that here in a small town. When your salon opened, I was delighted to find a place that meets my standards.”

  Meghan grinned. “See, Jacqueline? Business might be slow right now, but in this room, you have two happy customers.”

  Kirsty wrinkled her nose. “Business is slow?” Kirsty asked Jacqueline. “Well, I have a solution for you. I was going to come by later to invite you, Meghan, but it sounds like I will be inviting both of you! Ladies, at the Sandy Bay Fall Festival, Sandy Bay’s most beloved annual event, we try to celebrate Sandy Bay’s culture and local businesses. Would you two be interested in serving hot chocolate at one of our booths? You can decorate it with items from your stores, and you can pass out business cards.”

  Jacqueline looked to Meghan nervously. “What do you think?”

  Kirsty interjected. “Meghan, you don’t even have to bring treats! Both of you could simply show up, serve hot chocolate, and gain some valuable exposure for your businesses. What do you say?”

  Meghan pondered the idea for a moment. Her business was booming, but she knew Jacqueline needed some help and encouragement. Meghan did love hot chocolate, and serving the toasty drink on a chilly evening at the fall festival sounded like the perfect seasonal activity that would warm Meghan’s heart, promote the bakery, and help Jacqueline Peters.

  “We’ll do it,” Meghan declared as Kirsty clapped her hands. “It will be a fun way to participate in the fall festival. What could possibly go wrong?”

  2

  “I’ve never seen so many people in Sandy Bay!” Meghan exclaimed to Jack as they sat together at the bakery. Meghan had closed early for the evening; it was the first night of the Sandy Bay Fall Festival, and Jack had swung by the shop to pick her up for a night of fun.

  “People from all over the Pacific Northwest come for the Sandy Bay Fall Festival,” Jack explained to Meghan as he nibbled on an eclair. “It’s truly spectacular! I’ve been going every year since I was born. The best part is the event by the water. The Pacific Ocean Fireworks Show is the grandest thing this town has ever seen. I can’t wait for you to see it. Everyone goes out by the beach for a fireworks show that puts anything else to shame.”

  Meghan beamed. “People have been in and out of the bakery all day. It’s been such a bo
ost for my business to have so many people hustling and bustling around town.”

  Meghan and Jack turned as someone knocked on the door. “We’re closed!” Meghan called out as the knocking continued. Meghan walked to the door to find a young couple smiling at her.

  “Can we grab a cup of coffee?”

  Meghan smiled apologetically. “We just closed, actually.”

  “Oh,” said the young woman. “Bummer!”

  Meghan pointed down the street at the festival. “But there are treats and drinks down there for the festival.”

  The man smiled. “We know,” he explained. “We flew in from Dallas just for the festival; we stumbled upon it a few years ago when we were driving through Sandy Bay, and it was amazing! We’ve come back every single year since.”

  Meghan beamed. “That’s wonderful. Well, how about this, I am working at the hot chocolate stand later. If you two come say hi, I will give you some hot chocolate, but I’ll also bring some espresso from my shop to add in for a little treat.”

  “That would be lovely,” said the man. “We hope to see you there.”

  Meghan waved goodbye and turned to Jack. “They were so nice,” she said. “I can’t believe people come in from all over to come to our festival. How special.”

  Jack nodded solemnly. “Not only is the festival great for Sandy Bay families, but it is also great for Sandy Bay businesses. We are so fortunate to have such an affair in town.”

  Meghan reached across the table to squeeze Jack’s arm. “I’m so glad we get to share it together, Jack.”

  Jack leaned over and kissed Meghan gently on the lips. Meghan’s stomach fluttered at his touch, and she felt her face burning as Jack leaned back to grin at her. “I’m glad we got to share that too.”

  Meghan and Jack stared at each other like two teenagers in love until a loud interruption stole their attention.

  “Meghan, my money has been stolen.”

  Meghan and Jack broke their gaze and turned toward the door. Jacqueline had burst through, a distraught look on her face. Meghan bit her lip. She was eager for the fun night out with her boyfriend; Meghan and Jack were both so busy that date nights did not occur as often as they would like, and now, Jacqueline was keeping them from the fall festival.

  “Be kind,” Meghan told herself as she forced herself to smile. “Jacqueline is new to town and has had some slow days with her business. I must be gracious.”

  Jacqueline rushed over to the table where Meghan and Jack had been lounging, her eyes wide and her face pale. “It’s gone, Meghan. The money is gone.”

  “What money?” Jack asked, transforming instantly from Jack Irvin the boyfriend, into Jack Irvin, Sandy Bay Detective.

  Jacqueline buried her face in her hands. “The petty cash from my salon. I usually leave it in an envelope tucked behind a picture on the wall, and when I went to get some of the money today, the entire envelope was gone. The picture was askew. Someone had to have been back there.”

  Jack pulled out a pen and a tiny notepad from his pocket. “Can you give me more information?”

  Before Jacqueline could speak, Rachel Rose, the owner of the local pet grooming shop, burst into the bakery. “Officer Irvin, I need your help.”

  Jack raised an eyebrow. “Rachel, I’m sorry, but I’m off-duty. I’m helping take some notes for Jacqueline here, and then I am through for the day. Can you go to the police station? I’m sure there’ll be someone there to help.”

  Rachel shook her head. “I was just on my way there and then I saw you in the window,” she explained, pointing at the front window of the bakery. “My store has been vandalized. There is spray paint all over the back. Someone painted obscene words onto my store.”

  Jack shook his head. “I’m sorry that happened,” he said gently to Rachel. “The Sandy Bay Fall Festival is a wonderful thing for the town, but sometimes, it attracts the wrong crowd. I’m going to guess that both of these situations are connected to the festival; perhaps a hoodlum from another town wandered to both of your stores--they are close to each other, aren’t they?”

  Both women nodded, and Meghan felt her chest sink. “Jack, with that kind of trouble out there, should we go to the fall festival? What if someone vandalizes Truly Sweet while I am away?”

  Jack frowned. “I thought about that earlier,” he admitted. “Unfortunately, incidents of vandalism and theft in town always increase during the festival. You have to make a choice though, Meghan. Do you want to sacrifice all of your fun at the festival just to sit home and wait for something to happen, even if it may not happen?”

  Meghan shook her head. “No, that does sound silly.”

  Jack bid a farewell to Jacqueline and Rachel, and then, seeing the distress on Meghan’s face, he took her into his arms. “Hey,” Jack whispered. “We have extra patrols out tonight. I’ll have them drive by the bakery a couple of times. Is that okay?”

  Meghan leaned into Jack’s hug. She turned to look up at him, and her heart started beating furiously in her chest. Jack always took care of her, and Meghan had no doubt that he was right; she could not waste the experience of going to the festival with Jack to sit home alone. Meghan smiled at Jack and pointed to the door. “You are right, Jack,” Meghan told her boyfriend as he ran a hand through his blonde hair. “I can’t live in fear. Let’s go to the festival. I’m sure nothing bad will happen.”

  3

  Jack’s description of the fall festival had not done it justice; Meghan was in awe of the intricate decorations and beautiful lights, and she could not believe that Sandy Bay had transformed into an autumn wonderland.

  “This festival has been amazing,” Meghan cooed to Jack as they strolled through the booths and exhibits. “I can’t believe it’s the last day.”

  “Look at the string lights,” Meghan murmured as they passed beneath a canopy of lights. “It’s so romantic, Jack.”

  Jack winked. “My grandparents got engaged beneath that canopy of lights nearly sixty years ago. This festival is just full of tradition.”

  “And look at the booths. They all look like little castles, Jack. It’s so sweet.”

  “You look the sweetest as the queen of the hot chocolate castle, Meghan. It’s adorable watching you enjoy yourself.”

  Jack and Meghan walked past a mural that had been painted just for the festival. “This is lovely, Jack,” Megan said. “I just wish it could be the festival forever.”

  Jack nodded. “It goes by so quickly. I love having something to look forward to after Halloween, and the festival committee does a great job putting it all together.”

  Meghan squeezed Jack’s hand and shivered. It was a bitterly cold night; the cool winds were rolling in off of the Pacific Ocean and tearing through the town, and Meghan wished she had worn another sweater beneath her winter coat.

  “Are you cold?” Jack asked Meghan as she shook. “Here, come closer to me.”

  Meghan’s heart warmed as Jack pulled her close and wrapped an arm around her. “I’ll keep you warm, Meghan Truman,” Jack murmured as he leaned in and gave Meghan a small kiss on the lips.

  “Hey, you kids.”

  Meghan and Jack turned to see Sally Sheridan, an elderly resident of Sandy Bay. She was known for her grumpiness, and Meghan groaned as Mrs. Sheridan approached, waving her cane up and down as she hobbled over to Jack and Meghan.

  “That’s enough of that kissing in public,” Mrs. Sheridan lectured. “This is a family event, and we don’t need that here.”

  Meghan and Jack nodded solemnly, but as Mrs. Sheridan walked away, Jack snuck another kiss. “Don’t tell Mrs. Sheridan,” Jack whispered as Meghan giggled.

  The couple wandered through the rows of exhibits, both marveling at the decorations and the trinkets for sale. “This place has never looked more magical,” Meghan breathed as she glanced up at the string lights twinkling above her. “And it smells wonderful. Sandy Bay really knows how to put on a party.”

  “Yes, we do,” Jack agreed. “Hey, Meghan? It
’s nearly eight; isn’t it your turn to run the chocolate booth?”

  Meghan nodded. “Thanks for the reminder, Jack. It’s my last shift, and I’m almost late. I will see you later?”

  Jack grinned, and Meghan gave him a sweet kiss on the cheek. “Surely Mrs. Sheridan can’t object to that,” Meghan joked as she waved goodbye to Jack and walked to the hot chocolate booth.

  “There you are,” Kirsty said as Meghan approached. “We’ve been waiting for you.”

  “I’m not late,” Meghan protested as she looked at the town clock tower in the distance. “The clock says it isn’t even time yet, Kirsty.”

  “The early bird gets the worm, Meghan,” Kirsty responded daintily as she held up her chin. “Anyway, I wanted to let you know that because it’s the last night of the festival, we will just be giving away these last batches of hot chocolate. We’ve made so much money this week, and I’m comfortable letting the town have this treat.”