Momma Peach nodded her head. “They are two very special girls, Old Joe. They love from their hearts, baby, so don't fight against it.” Momma Peach reached across the table and patted Old Joe's hand. “You'll do,” she smiled at him. “All of us, Old Joe, are very fond of you.”
“An old con man like me?” Old Joe asked.
“You ain't an old con man no more,” Momma Peach promised. “Old Joe, you showed a great deal of bravery the other night at the circus. You risked your life to help your friends. A con man wouldn't do that, now would he? No sir and no ma’am, he sure wouldn't.”
“Oh, I was just worried, that's all.”
“Sure you were, and that's called love,” Momma Peach patted Old Joe's hand again. “I will sure tell you that Mr. Sam thinks the world of you, and Michelle…well, just let anyone look at you the wrong way and she’ll set them straight.”
Old Joe smiled. “Who'd ever thought a man like me would be fond of a cop? I reckon Michelle is special too, though.”
“You reckon?” Momma Peach asked.
Old Joe looked up and down the cozy street. “Okay, okay, Michelle...that woman, dag blast it, has worked her way into my heart. But not a word to her, you hear, Momma Peach. I can't let a cop think she's won me over.”
Momma Peach smiled into Old Joe's eyes. “You know, for an old skunk, you're not half bad...just as long as you don't try and weasel money out of anyone again.”
Old Joe rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah,” he said and stood up. “I think I will walk down to the diner and get a cup of coffee.”
“Oh?” Momma Peach asked in a tone that caused Old Joe to flinch.
“If I can stand the mud the diner serves as coffee, that is,” Old Joe said in a quick voice and began backing away from Momma Peach. “I'll be back and start sweeping the floors in a bit, Momma Peach,” he promised and scooted away.
Momma Peach rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah, you old skunk,” she said and walked into her bakery. She found Mandy and Rosa at the front counter wearing similar autumn-hued dresses that made them appear soft and lovely. “Oh, my girls,” Momma Peach and ran up to Mandy and Rosa and pulled them into her arms. “I have missed my babies so much.”
Mandy and Rosa hugged Momma Peach back. They were sure glad to see her. “We've missed you even more Momma Peach,” they promised and kissed Momma Peach on her cheek.
Momma Peach felt tears begin falling from her eyes. “I ain't been around too much lately, but that's going to change,” she promised and looked into Mandy and Rosa's beautiful faces. “My sweet babies.”
Mandy and Rosa hugged Momma Peach again and then looked out of the new front display window. “Momma Peach, last night,” Mandy said in a sad voice, “Rosa and I both had upsetting phone calls.”
“Oh?” Momma Peach and set her pocketbook down on the front counter.
“Our boyfriends broke up with us,” Rosa sighed. “But we're okay, really. Mandy and I have decided to put on brave faces today and shine brightly in the bakery for every customer that walks in. That's why we wore these dresses.”
Momma Peach nodded her head. “You two sweet girls were too good for those boys anyway,” she said in a motherly voice.
“Still hurts,” Mandy admitted.
“I know, baby,” Momma Peach said and hugged Mandy and Rosa again. “But,” she added in a positive voice, “there are plenty of fish in the sea, babies and—” the sound of a buzzing fly caused Momma Peach to freeze. She looked toward her new display window and saw the fly. “Oh, you little critter,” she growled.
Mandy grinned at Rosa, rolled up the morning newspaper, and handed it to Momma Peach. Momma Peach took the morning newspaper and began creeping over toward the display window that was filled with delicious pies. “There she goes,” Mandy said and leaned against the front counter.
“Good to have Momma Peach back,” Rosa beamed and watched Momma Peach inch closer to the fly. The fly lazily flew away before finding out what she brandished in her hand.
“I'll get you yet!” Momma Peach yelled and began swinging the newspaper at the fly like a wild woman. The fly buzzed around her head and then flew off to another part of the bakery. Momma Peach pointed at Mandy and Rosa. “Not a word, babies,” she ordered. Mandy and Rosa held their hands up in the air and promised to be quiet. Momma Peach nodded her head and began a second attack on the fly, believing the fly would be her only problem, not knowing a dark storm was brewing on the horizon. “Come to Momma Peach, you rotten devil!” Momma Peach said and charged at the fly again.
“Well,” Mandy whispered to Rosa, “it's good to have things back to normal for a change.”
“Yep,” Rosa agreed and watched Momma Peach swat a piece of a pie onto the floor. “I'll get the broom, you get the dustpan.”
Outside the soft and gentle morning continued to blossom into a beautiful day as the words “I’ll get you, you blasted fly!” floated up and down Main Street. All of Momma Peach's friends smiled. It was sure good having Momma Peach back at work and ready to bake some more of her famous peach pies. Of course, the fly probably didn't think so. No sir and no ma’am. Not at all.
Dear Reader,
Hi there. Thank you for reading.
I hope you’ll leave a review and/or rating at the retail website where you purchased it, I appreciate you and your feedback.
Thanks again,
Wendy Meadows
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About the Author
Wendy Meadows is an emerging author of cozy mysteries. She lives in “The Granite State” with her husband, two sons, two cats and lovable Labradoodle.
When she isn’t working on her stories she likes to tend to her flowers, relax with her pets and play video games with her family.
Get in Touch with Wendy
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Also by Wendy Meadows
Maple Hills Cozy Mystery Series
Nether Edge Mystery Series
Chocolate Cozy Mystery Series
Alaska Cozy Mystery Series
Sweet Peach Bakery Cozy Series
Sweetfern Harbor Mystery Series
Peachy Villains Page 15
