Apple Pie and Arsenic

by C A Phipps

  Something caught her eye, and she turned to find Big Red looking around the doorway from the kitchen.

  “That wasn’t the dinner bell, boy,” she said affectionately to the big feline, who was still coming to terms with two changes of address in as many months. “You’d better head back before I get into trouble with the health department.”

  She’d explained things to him several times, and he seemed to have understood most of it, but today he’d been underfoot, demanding attention as if he knew something was unfolding. With a haughty wave of his tail he went through the kitchen and outside.

  Recently, he’d laid claim to a nice spot under the hedge, and whenever he was sent out of the kitchen, that was his sulking hideout. He would look at her working at the kitchen sink, from under the branches, with displeasure and was usually successful in his endeavours to make her feel guilty.

  Maddie sighed and followed at a distance, just to be sure. There would be people who’d be delighted to point out the health issues with having an animal on the premises, and she didn’t want to invite any trouble. Poor Big Red.

  Used to having his freedom to wander at will, he was initially confused about the invisible line between the apartment and the shop, but today was the first time he’d ventured past the kitchen. He had taken to sitting in the kitchen doorway, watching with what she had decided was his “interested” expression as they put the shop together.

  Several people walking down Plum Lane or coming to drop off supplies had made the mistake of trying to befriend him, but Big Red was the master of feline put-downs. He would hunch his back and fluff himself up as if he was about to attack. He never had, but they didn’t know that, and didn’t seem to believe Maddie’s assurances, which was probably just as well.

  The bell rang again, and when she pushed through the curtain she’d had installed to keep out flies, she saw Angel sweeping in.

  If ever a name suited a person, it was hers. Tall and slim, with shoulder-length blonde hair, she was elegant and gorgeous. It was a good thing they were the best of friends, because a girl could get jealous of someone like her. That Angel had the personality of a saint helped immensely.

  “My first customer,” Maddie said with a grin.

  “Naturally, sugar. I’ve been waiting for the last ten minutes so I could be.”

  “That’s so sweet. Let me guess. A jelly doughnut?”

  “You know me too well,” Angel chuckled.

  Maddie carefully bagged the doughnut and handed it to Angel. “Don’t think about payment. The first one is free.”

  “You won’t make your fortune if you give all your food away.”

  “One doughnut won’t break the bank.” It wouldn’t make the bank, either. She’d need to sell all her stock every day for the next month to get her head even slightly above water, but today was special, and so was Angel.

  Angel hesitated, but Maddie wouldn’t take no for an answer.

  “All right. Just this once.” Angel took a stroll around the shop. “I see you have all Gran’s teapots as well as the cups and saucers.”

  “To be honest, I’m worried about using them, but Gran insists they should be treated the same as her crockery. She hasn’t had a lot of say in things apart from the name, so I agreed.”

  “It’s a theme, and I think people will love it. If you can get them to change from coffee, that is.”

  The bell rang again, and Angel gave Maddie a wink and left with a small wave as Maddie served the couple who’d entered.

  They weren’t from Maple Falls—at least she didn’t recognize them—and took some time choosing what they wanted. They raved about her selection, the shop, and the smells.

  “Oh my, everything looks heavenly. I wish I could taste everything,” the woman said.

  “Let’s get a few, and we can share,” the man agreed.

  Maddie boxed up their selection, taking this as a good sign from her first paying customers. She had just finished when her next customers arrived. After that, she was run ragged for a few hours. Gran helped out with teas and filtered coffees, delivering them with a smile and a bit of conversation. It seemed that everyone in town was taking the time to come by.

  Eventually, the line out the door thinned, and Maddie managed a break to have a drink and catch her breath. Gran had already made her several cups of tea, all of which had gone cold. Finally, she had the chance to enjoy one. She sipped with her eyes closed, a smile on her face. She was surprised she could even work her lips and cheek muscles, thanks to all the smiling she’d done that day, but she couldn’t be happier. She was tired, no doubt about it, but happy.

  Gran finished serving and came out to the kitchen where Maddie sat at the table, her feet up on a chair.

  “You’ve done so well, sweetheart, but getting up at 3 a.m. to bake and stock the shelves, as well as running the shop until late afternoon, isn’t something you can do every day. I’d hate to see you make yourself ill over this.”

  “It had to be done and I’m more concerned about you. I’ve tried so hard to find help. The ad in the local paper didn’t turn up anyone I could use. Angel called me fussy, which is true, but this means a lot, and I don’t want someone who doesn’t love the process of baking or dealing with customers. It seems like we can have one or the other, but not both.”

  Gran nodded. “I did see the applicants’ names, and I’m inclined to agree for the most part, but sometimes you have to take what you can get.”

  They bell chimed, and Maddie jumped up from the chair, grateful for the interruption on an issue she couldn’t see the answer to.

  “Hi, Denise,” she greeted her visitor with pleasure.

  The mayor was a generously proportioned woman who was loved by the town. Not only did she give all she had to help make it a beautiful and safe place to live, she was also incredibly kind.

  “Hi, Maddie, and congratulations! You’ve worked your butts off, getting this place up and running.”

  “Thanks. You look like you’ve been working too hard as well?”

  Denise was quite pale. The deep blue of her suit jacket didn’t help.

  “I am a little tired, which is why I haven’t been around. I wondered if I was coming down with something, but I had a meeting in town, so I couldn’t pass by the shop and not come in.”

  “I hope you feel better soon. We appreciate you stopping by.” Gran had gone around the counter, and by the keen interest she was showing appeared close to giving Denise an exam.

  The mayor grinned. “I’m fine, really, and nothing happens in my town I don’t know about, even if I’m only making a flying visit.”

  “So, you won’t be buying anything?” Maddie teased.

  “Are you kidding? You forget I’ve eaten more of your food than anyone except for Angel and Suzy. I can and will endorse every mouthful, but only if I’ve tried it. Plus, I didn’t get these curves from saying no to a chocolate croissant. Or two.”

  They were laughing hard when in walked the person most likely to give anyone indigestion. Virginia. Her real estate business was at the fancier end of Maple Lane, and everything about her was fake except for her meanness. Still, she was a customer. Maddie replaced the smile that had slipped, hoping it didn’t look as forced as it felt.

  “Virginia, how are you?” Denise asked in her friendly way.

  “Still sugar dependent, Mayor?”

  Maddie could have thrown a cream pie at her, but Denise was a professional and wouldn’t rise to the bait.

  “When it’s Maddie who made it, who wouldn’t be? What are you getting?”

  “Me?” Virginia looked horrified. “I don’t eat this kind of food.”

  Everyone in town knew how Virginia was, but it still made Maddie angry that she couldn’t try to be nicer. It wouldn’t kill the woman.

  “Then, what did you want?” she asked coolly.

  “It’s a private matter. When can I see you, Mayor? Your secretary said you were in a meeting when I called, and then I saw you come in here.�
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  Her disdainful look might have made other people quail, but Denise stood as tall as she could and walked to the door. “My meeting was down the road, and I hope you wouldn’t deny me a lunch break. If it’s urgent, make an appointment for later today.”

  Maddie admired everything about Denise these days. Unfortunately, Virginia did not. As soon as the mayor had disappeared, she rounded on Maddie.

  “Our mayor is getting far too uppity.”

  “Denise? I don’t think so.”

  “Of course you’d stick up for her. All of you in your group are just as bad.”

  While she was capable of keeping an even temper when Virginia maligned her, Maddie wasn’t about to let her badmouth the Girlz. “Friends are like that. Wouldn’t you agree?”

  Virginia glared at her and was about to say something when she apparently thought better of it. Instead, she wheeled around on her very high heels and left, slamming the door behind her, making the glass rattle in its frame.

  Maddie hadn’t liked the look on her face as she left. She shouldn’t have insinuated that Virginia didn’t have friends, subtly or not. An enemy like Virginia wasn’t something she intended to cultivate, but it was sometimes difficult to turn the other cheek in the face of such contempt.

  The afternoon went much slower, and Maddie was thinking that her 3:30 closing time might be a stretch, when just after 3 o’clock, Layla Dixon came in with Jessie and James, her twin boys. Layla was the nurse for the local doctor and Ethan’s sister. They had become close during their teenage years because of him, but Layla was a genuinely nice woman.

  The boys were loud and fast. Darting around the shop while Maddie and Layla chatted, they almost succumbed to touching the muffins as they lifted a mesh dome on the counter.

  “Keep your grubby hands to yourselves, both of you,” Layla growled at her towheaded darlings.

  “But, Mom, we’re starving.” James gripped his stomach, doing an impression of someone who hadn’t eaten for days.

  “You’re always starving.” Layla sighed at their pitiful looks. “All right. Choose one thing each.”

  “Aww, just one thing?” Jessie had his face pressed against the glass display case.

  “One or none. And get your face off that glass now, mister.”

  They dithered back and forth between the selections, jumping up and down in front of the displayed doughnuts, croissants, buns, cupcakes, and cookies.

  Layla sighed again. “This could take a while.”

  “They’re fine,” Maddie waved a hand. “Don’t worry about it. It’s been a while since we’ve talked. How’s work?”

  “Being the only practice in town, the place is always busy. Luckily for me, Dr. Liston had a seminar this afternoon, so I was able to finish early. I thought I’d surprise the boys by picking them up from school and treating them. How did your first day go?”

  “Fantastic. The case was full, and this is all I have left.”

  “You sound pretty relieved.”

  “I am. Can you imagine if I hadn’t sold anything?”

  Layla laughed at her expression. “That, I can’t do. Everyone loves your food. It couldn’t happen.”

  Before Maddie had time to deal with her embarrassment, Ethan came through the door. He put his hand on the old-fashioned bell so it made no sound as he crept up behind the boys to grab the backs of their necks. He gave them a little shake, and, far from being scared, his nephews went crazy. They loved their uncle, who, Maddie had been told by the Girlz, was very hands-on. Clearly, that was true.

  “The place looks amazing,” he said. “Just how you described it.”

  Everyone’s attention going elsewhere meant Maddie’s pink cheeks had a chance to return to normal before anyone could notice. Layla’s praise was enough to make her blush, without the help of Ethan’s comments. Darn it.

  Angel had told her that Ethan felt sorry his sister was a single mom, but he loved these boys as if they were his own. Maddie had always hated being an only child, and she envied Ethan and Layla’s closeness.

  Exasperated by the noise, Layla rounded up the twins, made them choose their treats, which happened to be the same chocolate cupcake, then herded them out the door with a promise of a visit to the park.

  When they were gone, Ethan gave Maddie a wry grin. “Those boys are a handful.”

  Maddie scoffed. “What boys aren’t? Big or small.”

  “True. Hey, are you making a dig at me?”

  “Well, you did start all that hyperactivity,” she teased.

  His blue eyes twinkled. “I don’t know what you mean. Can I have a dozen buns and half a dozen croissants, please? Oh, and you’d better add six cupcakes.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “Stocking up?”

  “I may have a big appetite for delicious things, but Layla invited me to dinner. The least I can do is take more food. Jessie and James have hollow legs, but with a little luck, there’ll be enough left for their school lunches tomorrow.”

  She put everything into paper bags, then boxed up the cupcakes while he quietly waited. It was hard to be aloof when a man who looked like Ethan was standing barely two feet away and watching your every move.

  He was so much more than her ex-boyfriend. Gone was the young man who hadn’t a clue what to do with his life. He was the sheriff, one who fostered good community relations, according to Angel. He was also thoughtful, and a great uncle and brother. He’d be a good catch. If she was fishing.

  “I thought I wouldn’t see you for a while,” she said, tucking the lid down.

  “There’s been a lot going on lately, which is keeping me busy, but I was down the road at the park looking over the setup for the spring festival on Saturday, so I thought I’d come by and see how your first day went.”

  “I was telling Layla I’m really happy with it. Knock on wood, it’ll be a continuing trend.”

  “I’m so happy for you. Hey, speaking of the fair, I was going through the list of vendors, and I noticed you aren’t running a stall. Wouldn’t it be a good opportunity for the business?”

  “I know it would have helped get the word out, but I decided against it. With the opening this week, it would have been crazy to attempt it. Actually, I’m so glad I already made the decision because I haven’t had a spare minute. Getting the place ready and all the baking that had to be done, a stall would have sent me right over the edge.”

  “We can’t have that. I hear you still have no staff other than Gran. Will you be at the festival at all?”

  She nodded. “I wouldn’t miss it. I’m not opening on weekends until I can find some help, so I entered the apple pie competition.”

  “I’m glad to hear you’re not working seven days. You don’t want to overdo things. I hear owning your own business can be very stressful.” He winked at her.

  “And very rewarding. Today was awesome, but I really hope somebody replies to my ad soon.”

  “Is there anything I can do?”

  Maddie heard the sincerity in his voice, but she couldn’t suppress a laugh. “Last I heard, you burn toast on a regular basis.”

  He grinned back. “I’ve come a long way from that. Layla still feeds me several times a week, but I’ve perfected a few dishes.”

  “Really?”

  “Okay, ‘perfected’ may be an exaggeration, but they’re edible. Especially when you’re starving. And there’s nothing else available.”

  “I think I’ll keep looking, but thanks for the offer. Anyway, I’m closing soon. Mid-afternoon is long enough for now. I’m looking forward to a rest and recharging the batteries.”

  “Good for you.” He held out some money.

  She jumped back. “No way am I taking that. Call it payment for the shelves.”

  “This is far too much. I don’t want to eat up your profits.”

  She couldn’t help smiling at the pun. “Those few bags are nowhere near enough. Besides, like I said, I’m closing soon. Nearly everything I have left will go in the trash.”
/>   “Wow.” Ethan studied the display case once more. “I’d love to talk to you about that sometime. We have a group in Maple Falls who collect food for the needy. They’d jump at the chance to share your baking.”

  Maddie nodded enthusiastically. “I’d be interested. The last place I worked donated their day-end food the same way. It’s such a great cause.”

  “Awesome. We can organize a time soon. I’ll see you Saturday, if not before.”

  As she watched him leave, Maddie realized the sense of awkwardness was slowly fading. Maybe you really could be friends with old flames.

  Chapter Eleven

  Saturday dawned sunny and hot, and was even hotter by mid-morning, when Maddie parked Honey in the lot she’d heard Mr. Findlay had wanted to buy. It would be a shame to lose it, since the space was necessary for the town’s field days, festivals, and all the community events that were held on the adjacent grounds.

  Stalls had been set up with their goods, and Maddie couldn’t help a twinge of regret about not making the effort to run one, even knowing that the time factor had made it impossible. Word of mouth was a powerful tool and many of the visitors today would be from out of town.

  Exhausted from her first week and worried this was all too much for her grandmother, she was still determined to enjoy the day.

  She stretched, appreciating being out in the fresh air. Getting up a little later this morning had worked wonders, and with just one pie to make, she’d managed to put a lot of love into it. The basic recipe was Gran’s, with a few special additions of her own.

  She found the tent for the competitions and space on the already loaded table for her entry. She was delighted with the golden color of the pastry (a trick Gran had inherited from her British mother) and the aroma as she pulled the pie from the box. Giving it a light dusting of confectioner’s sugar she carefully placed it on a glass stand which also belonged to Gran.

  Angel arrived and sighed when she saw Maddie’s entry. “Your apple pie looks fantastic with those maple leaf decorations. I bet it’s the best one here.”

  “Thanks. It’s mostly Gran’s recipe,” Maddie admitted fondly.