by A. Gardner
"What are you doing here?" Joy said quietly. She took a step forward and snatched the roll. "You can't just go around taking things either. This isn't a garage sale."
"I didn't steal it," Wade replied. "Aggie gave it to me."
"Bull," Eli shouted from inside the break room. Misty giggled.
"My charm appears to be good for something." Wade spoke casually, looking away from Joy when he said it.
"Why are you here?" she asked, bypassing the opportunity Wade had given her to argue some more.
"I'll tell you in a minute." Wade looked at me. "The sheriff’s looking for you, Essie. He's upstairs in the Columbine Room."
"The sheriff?" Joy repeated. "What is it this time? I don't think I can handle another homicide, theft, burglary, or whatever. When does it stop?" She rolled her eyes.
"Calm down, honey. Go on upstairs and see what he wants. The both of you."
"Honey?" I whispered to Joy. The two of us followed Wade's instructions and made our way back up the stairs, knowing our little chat with the sheriff would take up our entire lunch break.
"He's weird like that," Joy responded.
"The two of you never skip a chance to argue," I pointed out. "You're seeing him again, aren't you?"
"Essie, that's absurd." But Joy wouldn't look me in the eyes. Instead she pretended to check her watch.
"I know what you're doing, and you can only check your watch so many times."
"Essie," she said through her teeth.
"Can you even tell me what time it is?" I teased her.
"Okay fine." She spat it out like a giant pill she couldn't swallow. "We are back together. I don't know what came over me but…"
"I do," I commented. "He came over you."
"I don't know what to do." She rubbed her eyes. "He's so … I can't resist him sometimes."
"You slept at his place last night," I guessed. It was probably true though.
"Darn it, Essie, I hate it when you do that," she barked. "You can read people like an open book."
"Not all people," I reminded her.
"Am I crazy?"
"Last week I would have said yes," I answered. "But last week I didn't know Lila. You're definitely not crazy."
We continued walking until we pushed open the doors leading into the Columbine Room, the resort's second largest event room. The loud sound of clapping hit me like a free weight. My torso froze and I covered my mouth after blurting out a loud laugh. A good portion of the resort's staff was standing and clapping. They were headed up by Mr. Kentworth who was standing next to a buffet table with a banner that said Congratulations. When the room quieted down, Mr. Kentworth cleared his throat and waited for all eyes in the room to settle on him.
"We are here today for two reasons," he announced. "First, to celebrate Bison Creek's recent rise to stardom. The press might be overbearing at the moment, but they have already booked us customers from all around the globe. And second, to thank these two women here for all their hard work."
The audience began clapping again. I faintly smiled and nodded. "Essie, you stepped in at a critical hour and cleared our workers of any criminal charges. And Joy, you worked day and night to make the Jaye wedding a magical one."
"What good that did," Joy murmured. The few people who heard her chuckled.
"Joy," Mr. Kentworth went on. "I think it's safe to say you deserve this after everything that has happened. You handled yourself with such grace and such poise." Mr. Kentworth paused and discreetly winked at me. "Everyone, say hello to the resort's new Head Event Coordinator."
Joy's eyes widened. She stared vacantly at the congratulations banner as a line formed beside her with employees who wanted to shake her hand and wish her well. My heart pounded as my face beamed. She'd wanted this promotion for so long and she had finally gotten it. There was a tap on my shoulder and I promptly turned around and grinned. The sheriff actually was in the Columbine Room waiting for me.
"Sheriff," I said.
"Essie." He gave me an approving nod. "I take it you heard the latest about Lila?" The studio had been so busy this morning neither Taryn nor I had remembered to turn on the TV and none of our clients had complained. The view of the mountains and a pair of headphones must have been enough for them.
"Not yet." I admitted. The sheriff bowed his head and immediately I knew what that meant.
"She didn't make it?"
"No," he said solemnly.
I swallowed the news, feeling like I'd been pushed back to yesterday when my feet were so frozen I thought they would have to be amputated. It was like staring down the barrel of Lila's gun all over again. I shivered, wondering if I would ever be able to shake that feeling. The feeling of impending doom. Once I experienced it, I couldn't stop thinking about it.
"I hope she finds the peace she was looking for," I responded.
"Have you ever thought of joining law enforcement?" His question stunned me. The thought of me in a police uniform chasing down a tourist who had stolen a snow globe from a souvenir shop was a foreign concept to me. I never pictured myself close to doing anything relating to law. "You would make a fair officer." The admission was a compliment coming from Sheriff Williams. A huge compliment.
"You already have an officer," I responded.
"True." He placed a hand on his thick belt. "But with all these extra tourists coming in I'm going to need more help. What do you say?"
"No offense, Sheriff, but I don't think you can afford me now."
"Part-time?" He chuckled.
"I don't know."
"Town Consultant?" he suggested.
"I'll think about it." The idea was intriguing, but working with the sheriff would be a tricky task, especially since it wouldn't take long for him to revert back to his old habit of distrusting everyone including those with whom he worked. Besides, after a week there Murray might try to propose to me.
"Think about what?" Joy asked. She was holding a champagne glass. A giant smile was on her face. Wade wrapped his arm around her torso and she didn't seem to mind.
"I was just trying to persuade your sister to change her profession," Sheriff Williams answered.
"No way," Joy laughed. "We need her here, Sheriff. We're booked solid for the next year, and I have hundreds of wedding requests to sift through now."
"Hundreds?" Wade commented. "That number will keep rising for a good while." Wade chugged his complimentary alcohol like it was water.
"Do you think this town will be able to handle all those extra people?" Joy threw the question out there, not expecting an answer. She tilted her head back and laughed. The volume in the Columbine Room progressively got louder and louder.
No, I answered her question in my head.
More people meant more problems.
More drama.
And more scandals.
RECIPES
Pinecliffe Delights
Ada's "Triple V" Cupcakes
Essie's No Bake Granola Bars
Chocolate Chia Pudding
Green Ginger Pick-Me-Up Smoothie
Red Berry Protein Shake
PINECLIFFE DELIGHTS
Baker Beware
CUPCAKES
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks)
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups whole milk
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
FILLING
1 cup creamy peanut butter
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2/3 cup powdered sugar
CHOCLATE GANACHE
1 cup heavy cream
1 (12 ounce) package chocolate chips
For the cupcakes, cream together butter and sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, and beat until smooth. In a separate bowl, sift together the cocoa powder, flour, baking soda,
baking powder, and salt. Slowly add the milk and dry ingredients to the butter and sugar mixture. Combine until the batter is smooth.
Line a cupcake pan with paper liners, and scoop in chocolate cupcake batter. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 – 25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool before decorating. This recipe makes about 2 dozen.
For the filling, whip together the peanut butter and butter. Add the powdered sugar and whip until smooth. The consistency should be semi-stiff.
For the chocolate ganache, heat the heavy cream in a medium saucepan. Add the chocolate chips and stir until the mixture is fully melted.
When the cupcakes have cooled, use a pastry bag to pipe the peanut butter filling into the center. Or use a knife to cut a small hole at the top of each cupcake, and scoop in the peanut butter filling. Dip the top of each cupcake in the chocolate ganache, making sure any visible filling is fully covered. Top with sprinkles or chocolate shavings, and enjoy.
ADA'S "TRIPLE V" CUPCAKES
Vanishing Vegan Vanilla Cupcakes
CAKE
1/2 cup vegan (non-dairy) butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup unsweetened almond milk or non-dairy milk
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
FROSTING
1/2 cup vegan (non-dairy) butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon unsweetened almond milk or non-dairy milk
A pinch of salt
NOTE: Vegan or non-dairy butter can be found in most grocery stores.
For the cupcakes, cream together the vegan butter and sugar. Add the vanilla extract, and beat until smooth. In a separate cup, mix together the almond milk and apple cider vinegar, and set aside. Also in a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Combine the milk mixture with the vegan butter and sugar mixture. Slowly add the dry ingredients, and mix well. Line a cupcake pan with paper liners, and scoop in batter so that the liners are half full.
Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 – 25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. This recipe makes about two dozen.
For the frosting, whip together the vegan butter, vanilla extract, powdered sugar, almond milk, and pinch of salt. If the consistency is too thin, add more powdered sugar. If the consistency is too stiff, add a little more almond milk. Pipe or spread on the cupcakes when they have cooled. Top with vegan-friendly sprinkles, and enjoy.
ESSIE'S NO BAKE GRANOLA BARS
1 cup pitted dates
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
3/4 cup raw almonds, crushed
1 1/2 cups oats
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins
1/4 cup shredded coconut, unsweetened
In a blender or food processor, blend the dates and set aside. In a medium saucepan, melt the peanut butter, and stir in honey. Combine the oats, almonds, dried cranberries, chocolate chips, and coconut in a large bowl. Pour in the honey and peanut butter mixture, and mix together. Add in the blended dates, and mix well.
Transfer mixture into a greased 9x13 casserole dish. Wet hands with water and press mixture into the dish. Let it sit for a couple of hours, and then cut into bars and serve.
NOTE: You can create different flavors by substituting the almonds and dried cranberries for various nuts and dried fruits.
CHOCOLATE CHIA PUDDING
Why are there seeds in your pudding?
1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 cup chia seeds
3 - 5 tablespoons honey, agave nectar, or maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
In a small bowl, whisk together the almond milk, and cocoa powder. Add the vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Use the honey, agave nectar, or maple syrup to sweeten to taste. Lastly, mix in the chia seeds. Cover and refrigerate overnight. The chia seeds will soften and create a pudding-like consistency. Makes about two servings.
GREEN GINGER PICK-ME-UP SMOOTHIE
1 cup coconut water
1/2 teaspoon grated ginger
1 frozen banana
1 cup spinach
1 cup kale (or additional spinach)
1 cup diced pineapple
A drizzle of honey (optional)
Blend together all ingredients until smooth, using the honey to sweeten to taste. Substitute the frozen banana for a thawed banana plus a handful of ice if preferred. Makes one serving.
RED BERRY PROTEIN SHAKE
1 cup almond milk
1 cup frozen berries
1 scoop chocolate protein powder
1 tablespoon Nutella (optional)
Blend together all ingredients until smooth. Add the Nutella to achieve a sweeter shake. Makes one serving.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A. Gardner is a native westerner exploring the sweet bites of the south. After years of working in the healthcare industry, she moved across the country with her husband and adventurous baby boy. She is a mystery and romance writer with a serious cupcake obsession and a love of storytelling that began at an early age. When she is not writing, she is either chasing after her son, out for a swim, trying out a new recipe, or painting her nails bright blue.
To learn more about A. Gardner, visit her online at: http://www.gardnerbooks.blogspot.com
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BOOKS BY A. GARDNER
Bison Creek Mysteries:
Powdered Murder
Iced Spy
Poppy Peters Mysteries:
Southern Peach Pie And A Dead Guy
Chocolate Macaroons And A Dead Groom
Bananas Foster And A Dead Mobster
Ice Cream Bombes And Stolen Thongs (short story in the "Killer Beach Reads" collection)
