Dead Velvet Cupcakes

by Polly Holmes

  “Everything will be okay, Logan, I just know it,” Charlotte said, her eyes focused on Kayne and Robert as they descended on the Tea 4 Two Café firearms held high. Clint watching their sixes.

  His breath rasped into his lungs and the evening chill slapped him in the face. The frigid wind brushed past his bare arms, causing the hairs to stand on end. He couldn’t believe his stupidity. Who goes for a four-hour round trip, plus visiting time, and leaves their phone at home?

  Me, that’s who.

  Before they’d arrived this past weekend, he’d promised Elaine he’d take her to see her childhood friend in Old Bar, north of Ashton Point. Margarete had understood, after all, she was going to stay home and rest for the day. It wasn’t until he’d gone to fill his petrol up that he’d realised he’d left his phone back at the hotel to charge. If he hadn’t run into Kayne as he’d left the police station, he may never have known what kind of trouble Margarete was in and it may have been too late by then.

  “I can’t wait any longer,” Logan said, preparing to storm the café.

  Charlotte stepped in front of him, arms folded across her chest. Her stern gaze drilled into him. “You can and you will. I’m worried about her too, but Kayne and Robert know what they’re doing.”

  “And if I hadn’t left my phone at home, I would have gotten her distressed messages. I could have stopped her from doing something silly, like confront a murderer alone,” he snapped.

  She half-smiled. “We’ve all been there.”

  “Don’t remind me,” Liam said easing his arm around her waist and pulling her tight into his protective embrace.

  Logan watched the love between them, and the realisation hit him in the chest knocking the air from his lungs. Margarete had worked her way into his heart and now the thought of losing her made him stir crazy.

  “Logan, I’m pretty confident when I say you’ll get a chance to tell her how you feel.”

  “How can you be so sure?’ Logan asked.

  “Because look,” she said, pointing to Kayne, who was waving his arms by the café entrance. A paramedic rushed past them, heading for the door. Logan felt a jolt of adrenaline rush through his veins. All three bolted across the street, Logan’s body tensing with each step.

  “She’s fine,” Kayne said with a smile. “They’re checking her over now. A few bumps and scratches but on the whole, one touch cookie. Which is more than I can say for Mary-Jane Gregory. Margarete used her expert throwing skills and took Mary-Jane’s legs out from underneath her, consequently knocking her out cold on the way down.”

  That’s my girl. “Can I see her?” Logan asked, desperate to see for himself that she was in one piece.

  Kayne nodded. “Of course.”

  He blinked twice as he took in the destruction that lined the floor of the café. It looked like the result of one angry bar fight. Broken chairs and tables were everywhere, smashed desserts were strewn all over the floor. His gaze landing on Margarete, who was propped up against a table in the corner.

  “Oh my gosh, are you okay?” he asked moving to her side. “You had me scared half to death.”

  The paramedic closed his case and stood up. “I’ll leave you to it. I really do think you should head to the hospital for X-rays, just to be on the safe side.”

  She shook her head. “Thanks, Gary, but I’ll be okay.”

  “She’ll be there, Gary. Looking after her is my number one priority from now on. Even if I have to drag her there myself,” Logan said, threading a piece of hair behind her ears.

  Gary chuckled and moved off, dodging the debris. “He sounds like a keeper.”

  “My thoughts exactly,” she muttered.

  Logan stared at Margarete, wondering why his stomach was twisted in knots waiting for her to elaborate. “Margarete,” he said, but she silenced him with a finger.

  “This past few hours have been the scariest of my life but you know what I realised when I was facing the prospect of an early demise?”

  He shook his head, barely breathing.

  “How important you’ve become to me. I was about to risk everything to save you from a crazed murderer who told me she’d kidnapped you and would feed you nuts. All I could think about was your safety. You make me feel alive when I’m with you and I don’t want to lose that.”

  Logan stood still for a few moments, his heart pounding against his ribs. Is she saying what I think she’s saying? “You read my mind.”

  She threw her arms around him and squeezed. His heart finally found a new home. “So, how do you feel about long-distance relationships? Just until I can wrap things up back home.”

  She pulled back and her gaze scanned the café. Her life was in tatters. “Are you serious? Actually, I think I’m going to need a break to fully recover. What better way, than a few weeks away with someone to tend to my every need?”

  Logan put his thumb under her chin and gently turned her face toward him. “I think that can be arranged. I’m sure you have a youth centre here. If not, I’ll make one. And if my memory serves me correctly, you owe me one cooking lesson.”

  She grinned and before he knew it, her eyelids were half closed and her lips were brushing ever so softly against his. Sweet and tenderly at first and then harder, as if she were staking her claim over him.

  “I think I’m going to like it in Ashton Point,” Logan said, leaning his forehead against hers.

  Margarete threaded her arms around his neck. “I hope so. I promise there will never be a dull moment.”

  He chuckled. “Just so long as you promise to stick to cooking instead of sleuthing.”

  “I think that can be arranged.”

  The End

  Thank you for reading Dead Velvet Cupcakes

  If you enjoyed this story, I would really appreciate it if you would consider leaving a review of this book, no matter how short, at the retailer site where you bought your copy or on sites like Goodreads.

  YOU are the key to this book’s success and the success of The Cupcake Capers Cozy Mystery Series. I read every review and they really do make a huge difference.

  Keep up to date on Polly’s book releases, signings and events on her website:

  https://www.pollyholmesmysteries.com

  Acknowledgements

  Dead Velvet Cupcakes is the fifth instalment in the Cupcake Capers Series and the one that gave me the biggest challenge.

  Sometimes life gets in the way of our deadlines and these past few months have truly tested me, but with the support of family and friends I have come out the other side smiling.

  I want to thank all those who helped me get to the finish line. My work colleagues, Maria Bird and Emma Leadon for your continued support and seeing that I get through one day at a time.

  My editor, Nina, as always you are there to pick me up when I’m ready to give up. I could not do this without your support.

  My sisters and sister-in-law who always have words of encouragement to give and my daughter, Cassandra. Thank you.

  This one is for my late mother who shared my love for the series Murder, She Wrote.

  Love you always, Mum.

  Copyright

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be constructed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organisations is entirely coincidental.

  Published by Gumnut Press

  Copyright © 2019 Polly Holmes

  ISBN: 978-0-6487091-1-4

  Edited by Nina S. Gooden (www.greenteaandpinkink.com)

  Cover by Mariah Sinclair (www.thecovervault.com)

  All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form by any electronic, mechanical, or any other device now known or invented hereafter without permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  These forms include, but are not limited
to xerography, photocopy, scanning, recording, distributing via internet means, informational storage and retrieval system.

  Because of the dynamic nature of the internet, any web address or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid.

  Also by Polly Holmes

  The Cupcake Capers

  Cupcakes and Cyanide

  Cupcakes and Curses

  Cupcakes and Corpses

  Murder and Mistletoe

  Dead Velvet Cupcakes

  About the Author

  Polly Holmes is the cheeky, sassy alter ego of P.L. Harris. When she's not writing her next romantic suspense novel as P.L. Harris, she is planning the next murder in one of Polly's cozy mysteries.

  According to Polly, the best part about writing a cozy mystery is researching. Finding the best way to hook the reader, a great way to murder someone, a plethora of suspects and of course a good dose of sweet treats thrown in for good measure.

  Polly lives not far from the beach in the northern suburbs of Perth, Western Australia with her Bishion Frise, Bella. When she's not writing you can find her sipping coffee in her favourite cafe, watching reruns of Murder, She Wrote or Psych, or taking long walks along the beach soaking up the fresh salty air.

  You can visit Polly Holmes at her website: www.pollyholmesmysteries.com

  Read on for an excerpt of book one

  Cupcakes and Cyanide

  Chapter One

  McCorrson stood nestled at the back of the reception centre, semi-hidden behind a burgundy-and-white, balloon topiary tree.

  Great. Bouquet throwing time, just what I need. For every man in the room to know I’m still single. When Beth invited her to the wedding she was over the moon, after all they’d been good friends since Clair and her family moved to Ashton Point three years ago. What she hadn’t planned on was still being single by the time the wedding rolled around.

  They may as well take out a front-page ad in the Ashton Point Chronicle. She could see it now. “Ashton Point master cupcake baker extraordinaire struggles to snag herself a husband. Could she be lacking that special ingredient all men are looking for? What is wrong with the redheaded beauty?” She’d been over the moon when Beth and Lincoln asked CC’s Simply Cupcakes to design a wedding cake, based around Charlotte’s award-winning cupcake designs.

  “Charlotte? What are you doing back here?” A petite voice spoke from behind.

  She spun, her breath catching as her gaze landed on a vision in white. Decked out in a satin Karen Willis Holmes, floor-length, empire dress with embroidered tulle overlay, Beth looked like an angel. There had barely been a dry eye in the church as she walked down the aisle to her handsome prince. The fairy-tale wedding every bride dreams of.

  Charlotte stiffened as Beth threw her arms around her neck and squeezed. “I never got a chance to properly thank you for the wonderful cupcake display you made. It was truly the cake of my dreams. I’m so glad you were able to share my special day with me. It wouldn’t have been the same without you and Clair here,” she said with a beaming smile.

  “You’re welcome, I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. I’m so happy you liked it,” she said in a muffled voice. Her mouth was half covered by blonde ruffles of hair, leaving the metallic taste of hairspray on her tongue.

  Beth pulled back and their gazes held strong. “Liked it? Are you serious? I loved it.” A bolt of electric energy ran up Charlotte’s spine. She cherished the buzz she got from seeing the joy her cupcakes brought others. “And if anyone thinks they’re taking the leftovers home tonight, they have another thing coming. That’s all I’ll be eating ‘til we leave for our honeymoon next week.”

  Both ladies burst into laughter. Beth’s happiness was starting to rub off on Charlotte.

  “Didn’t you hear the MC? You need to get to the dance floor. I’m about to throw the bouquet.”

  Charlotte cringed at the thought. “No, no, it’s fine. I’m really okay sitting back and letting someone else take the limelight.” She had planned on falling madly in love with the man of her dreams by the wedding. I guess life doesn’t always go to plan.

  A sliver of disappointment marred Beth’s expression. “I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Your grandma would be turning in her grave if she knew you were skipping the bouquet toss. You know how she loved tradition.”

  Warmth filled Charlotte’s heart. Her grandmother treasured her independence. She was the reason they’d moved to Ashton Point in the first place.

  She shook her head. “I’m happy watching from the sidelines, besides, a mosh pit of single woman jumping around like clucking chickens, all vying for their piece of the illusive dream isn’t really my idea of fun.”

  “Now, that’s something I’d like to see.” A gruff voice echoed in her ear.

  “Excuse me?” Charlotte said, spinning to see Lincoln’s best man grinning like the Cheshire cat.

  “A mosh pit of single woman jumping around like clucking chickens,” he said with a cheeky grin. “Definitely something I’d pay money to see.”

  Beth sighed, rolled her eyes and play-punched him in the shoulder. “Give it a rest, Liam.”

  Liam… Mmmm. Why is it that all men named Liam are gorgeous? Liam Hemsworth, Liam Neeson. Tanned, tall and handsome, he flashed a half smile at Charlotte, and she felt a spike of interest spark in her belly.

  Her gaze caught her sister, Clair, waving frantically behind Liam. Saved by the bell. “I’m sorry, Beth but it looks like Clair needs me.”

  “Charlotte, there you are. I’ve been looking for you everywhere,” Clair said as she joined them, flicking her deep-red ponytail over her shoulder.

  “Why, is something wrong?” Alarm hit Charlotte square in the chest. “Please don’t tell me we’ve run out of cupcakes? There should be plenty to go around. I made loads of extras.”

  Beth folded her arms across her chest and frowned. “Yes, don’t tell me we ran out, otherwise the Bridezilla I’ve kept hidden inside might have to make a guest appearance.”

  “Bridezilla?” Liam said with a raised eyebrow. “I find that very hard to believe.”

  “When it comes to Charlotte’s cupcakes, you better believe it,” she snapped, holding his stern gaze in hers.

  “Everyone clam down, there are plenty of cupcakes.” Clair smiled and looped her arm through her sisters. “I was looking for Charlotte for the bouquet toss. Nothing better than a little competition between sisters.”

  A grin spread across Beth’s face and she clapped her hands together. “Wonderful. I best go and get ready. Good luck.” Beth said as she hurried off.

  “This should be a sight to see. I’ll let you two ladies get ready. I’d hate to be the one to keep you from your spot in the chicken brood,” Liam said with a smile as he strode back to the bridal table at the top of the dance floor.

  Clair raised an eyebrow. “Chicken brood?”

  “Never mind,” Charlotte said, shaking her head.

  “Wasn’t that the best man?” Clair asked, forcefully guiding Charlotte toward the crowded dance floor.

  Charlotte nodded. Certainly was THE best man. She let her eyes wonder over his retreating figure. Her gaze seemed to have a mind of its own. It made its way down his broad shoulders, to his trim waist and tight derriere. She felt her cheeks grow hot as she imagined what he would look like out of his suit.

  “What was his name again?” Clair’s words were met with silence. “Earth to Charlotte,” she said, flicking Charlotte’s forehead as if she were flicking a fly from the back of her hand. “What is his name?” she snapped.

  “Oww.” Charlotte’s rubbed her forehead. “All right. I heard you the first time. Liam. His name is Liam.”

  Charlotte’s stomach tightened as Clair elbowed their way to the centre of the dance floor dragging her along for the ride.

  “Okay, ladies. Are we ready for the bouquet toss?” The deep, throaty voice of the MC’s blared out across the room.

  Charlotte’
s body tensed as ear-splitting screams of single women pierced the air. Oh my, could this be any more embarrassing?

  To top it off, Beyoncé’s Single Ladies boomed out as Beth took centre stage.

  Her breath caught in her throat as her gaze snared Liam’s sly grin from the front of the room. What’s with the grin? Cheers erupted around her and her eyes widened as Beth’s bouquet flew straight into her arms.

  ****

  Charlotte stood in the kitchen, her lungs void of air as the newspaper headline screamed at her like unwanted nightmare. She held the morning newspaper in her icy fingers. Cupcake Killer!

  Beth’s wedding had been the event of the year, a perfect place to show off her culinary skills. The whole town had turned up to see her finally tie the knot with Lincoln Wade, Ashton Point’s most eligible bachelor. Everyone who’s anyone had been there, which meant more advertising for their business, CC’s Simply Cupcakes.

  “I don’t believe this.” Her hands shook as she read the front-page article. Definitely not the front page she had imagined last night at the wedding. “Why would they think my cupcakes killed someone?”

  Her eyes were glued to the quote at the bottom of the page next to her picture. Doctor says two beloved local councilmen are in critical condition and show signs of cyanide poisoning.

  “Cyanide poisoning?” she asked, collapsing on the kitchen stool as her knees gave way. “I do not cook with cyanide.”

  She continued to read. Guests say that they began feeling ill after the cake was cut and cupcakes distributed.

  “Definitely not from my cupcakes.” Anger simmered in her veins. It was going to hit the fan, so to speak, when her sister, Clair, heard of this debacle. Thankfully Cassidy was over visiting Mum and Dad in New York for the next two weeks. “At least she won’t be tarnished by this nightmare.”