by Jessica Beck
“You’re kidding, right? You know what the new schedule is, don’t you?” I asked her as I added bits of orange slice candy to my new orange glaze. I’d tried adding real orange chunks the first time, but they’d absolutely ruined the glaze. Nobody who came into my shop was really concerned about healthy fruits and vegetables anyway, at least not during their visit to Donut Hearts. The candies added a real boost to the glaze, and I decided to increase the orange extract to the next batter I made for orange cake donuts, as well.
“I’m really sorry,” she said as she put on her apron. “It couldn’t be helped.”
“You didn’t oversleep, did you?” I asked with a hint of a grin as I turned off the small mixer. There was no reason to take my bad mood out on her.
“Believe it or not, I couldn’t get my dad to wake up, and it took forever to get here.”
“What’s your father got to do with you being late for work?” I asked, being careful to keep my voice light.
“He had to drive me over here so he could have my car today. His is in the shop.”
I finished mixing the last batter and asked, “I’m just curious, but why couldn’t your mom do it?”
“She’s out of town again, and honestly, who can blame her? Didn’t I tell you about that? I really am sorry.”
Emma looked so pathetic I had to laugh. “It’s okay. Can you empty the orange glaze into one of our small containers?”
She looked at my latest creation, then took a spoon and sampled from the bowl. “Man, that is sweet,” she said as she put the spoon in the sink.
“Is it too much?” I asked. I hoped I hadn’t ruined the glaze. It wasn’t that expensive to replace, not that I liked to just throw money away, but the time it would take to make a new batch was in short supply at the moment.
“Are you kidding? I think it’s perfect.”
“Good. I need to get started on the cake donuts, so if you’ll take care of the icing, I can get started.”
Emma skimmed the icing tank as I started measuring ingredients, and we were soon working in steady rhythm. The recipes took my full attention, so we really didn’t have time to chat, something I was just as happy about. I’d checked my messages upon waking up, and there was still nothing from Jake. What was that man up to? No matter what it might be, I’d hoped to hear from him so I could at least know where we stood.
As I loaded the dropper and added batter rings to the fryer, I thought about how much my life revolved around Jake’s presence in it, and while I really didn’t believe that he’d ever cheat on me, I knew that if he did, it would be just once. After what I’d gone through with Max, no one would ever get a second chance to cheat on me again. That might seem a little too stern for some women, but it was something I couldn’t, and wouldn’t, budge on.
“Stop it,” I said aloud, frustrated and tired of making up scenarios where my perfectly loyal boyfriend cheated on me.
Emma poked her head around the corner. “Stop what?”
“Sorry, I was talking to myself,” I said as I flipped the donuts with the skewers I used in the hot grease.
“That’s fine, as long as you don’t start answering,” she said with a grin.
* * *
On our break outside in front of the donut shop, Emma asked, “You’re not still mad about me coming in late, are you?”
Her question caught me by surprise. “What? Of course not. Why do you ask?”
Emma didn’t want to tell me, I could see it in her eyes, but she finally confessed, “You’ve been a little distant all morning, that’s all.”
I hugged her. “I’m sorry I worried you. It’s not you, it’s me.”
When she pulled away, she asked, “Now why do I usually hear that from soon-to-be-ex-boyfriends instead of you?”
I had to have showed something when she said that. In a voice that was filled with anguish, Emma asked, “Suzanne, did he break up with you? Is that what’s wrong?”
“Don’t be silly,” I said. “Of course not. I’m just a little out of sorts.”
Emma’s relief was obvious. “I’m glad of that. I’m counting on you and Jake.”
“Why is that?” I asked as a car passed by us in the darkness, on its way to who knew where.
“You two are going to make it. I believe it with all my heart.”
I laughed slightly, and then added quickly so she wouldn’t take it the wrong way, “You should count on yourself. You’re the only one who can’t disappoint you.”
“Are you kidding? I let myself down all the time,” Emma said with a smile.
“You are an amazing young woman, and you know it,” I said.
“Thanks. That means something coming from you.”
“Any reason in particular?” I asked her.
“I thought you knew. You’re my role model,” she answered with a grin.
“Then, girl, you’ve got more problems than I realized.”
* * *
At four minutes to six, my cell phone rang. I thought about ignoring it since I could see George waiting outside for me in the cold, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
It was Jake.
I took a deep breath, and then said, “Hey there, stranger. That must have been some dinner last night.”
He paused, and then asked, “What are you talking about?”
“The last time we spoke, Ashley was hauling you away to eat dinner. I tried calling you later, but it always went straight to voice mail.” Goodness, I hated what I was saying, even though I was trying to keep my tone light and breezy. I had to save this, and quick. “Did you two have fun?”
Jake laughed, evidently missing my internal angst. “Fun? I’d hardly call it that. We sat down, and three minutes later she was off with her friends. To be honest with you, if she hadn’t bolted, I was going to get a mysterious telephone call to give me an excuse to leave myself.”
“Does that mean you didn’t find her company charming?” I asked.
Jake took a deep breath, and then said, “Don’t get me wrong. She’s a lovely young woman, but we had nothing to talk about. I’m not sure which of us was more bored, but if I had to bet, my money would be on me.”
I had to laugh. All that worrying and fretting had been for nothing. “I’m so glad you called,” I said. “But why didn’t you answer your phone last night?”
“My battery died, and I left my charger in my apartment. It took me until midnight to find one that was compatible, and I set my alarm so I could wish you a good morning before you opened for business. Do you have any big plans today?”
“You know me. There’s always something going on around here.”
His laugh was full and genuine. “That’s one of the things I … like most about you. Well, I’ll let you go, I’m sure you’re chomping at the bit to start selling donuts. May I call you later?”
“That would be delightful,” I said. He’d almost said “love,” I could hear it in his voice. That was progress, at any rate.
After I hung up, I walked quickly into the kitchen, where Emma was up to her elbows in soapy water. “I’m going to open now. I just thought I’d give you a heads-up.”
“Hang on a second,” she said as she looked at me. “What changed?”
“When?”
“Just now,” she said. “You were down in the dumps, and now you’re practically skipping around the kitchen. Jake called, didn’t he?”
I rolled my eyes at her, and then laughed. “I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about.”
“Role model,” she said, laughing in kind.
I didn’t respond as I walked back out into the dining room of the donut shop. I did feel better having spoken with Jake, and there wasn’t anything wrong with that. I didn’t need a man to be happy, I knew that in my heart, but sometimes they were surely nice to have around.
If he’d ever stay in April Springs long enough, I added.
Then again, maybe this arrangement was perfect. There was certainly no risk of us ever gettin
g tired of each other when he was in town so infrequently. None of that mattered, though.
Jake was in my life, a state that I preferred infinitely more than if he hadn’t been.
For the moment, all was good in my world.
At least it was until I opened the door and heard what George had to say.
SUPHGANIOT (SORT OF)
This is a traditional Jewish holiday recipe that’s fun as a change of pace from our usual donuts. The flavor is more subtle, the dough different to work, but worth the effort.
INGREDIENTS
Mixed
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 container yogurt (5 ounces), plain or vanilla
• 2 tablespoons sugar, white granulated
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Sifted
• 2 cups flour, self-rising
• A pinch salt
DIRECTIONS
Beat the egg in a large bowl, and add yogurt, sugar, and vanilla, mixing until incorporated. In another bowl, sift the flour and salt, and then add the dry ingredients to the wet. After this is mixed, cover the bowl and put in a warm place for 30 to 45 minutes. This allows the ingredients to fully incorporate, and the dough will rise a little in the process. Using a small cookie scoop or your hands, make small balls the size of walnuts. Fry in hot canola oil (360 to 370 degrees F) 2 to 3 minutes, turning halfway through, although they will most likely roll themselves. When they’re golden brown, dry them on paper towels and adorn however you like.
Yield: Depending on the size of the dough balls, from 6–10
CHAPTER 12
“Come in,” I told George as I unlocked the front door and flipped on the all of the front lights. We left it semilit inside when we were baking, so that no one would think we were open, but could have some hope that we would be soon. The place looked really bright with all the overhead lights on, and it always took me a few minutes to get used to it after I opened the shop to our first customers.
“Can I get you some coffee?” I asked George as he sat at the bar.
“I’ll take your biggest mug,” he said, “as long as I’m still on the payroll.”
“You know it,” I said. “Hey, George, would you try something for me?”
“Sure, I’ll be your guinea pig,” he said. “As long as it doesn’t include any ingredients that I don’t like.”
We’d gone through some tastings before with additions that George wasn’t all that fond of. There had even been one time when I was just punishing him a little.
“How do you feel about orange?” I asked.
“I love it,” he said. “I have a glass of juice every day.”
“This isn’t nearly as healthy as that,” I admitted, suddenly reluctant to make him try the new glaze and added extract in the orange donut recipe.
“Okay,” he said a little warily. “What’s in them, then?”
“Orange slice candies,” I said.
“In the donuts?”
“No, in the glaze,” I answered.
He thought about it a moment before answering. “Sure, why not?” he finally said.
As I served him a donut, a large man and a much smaller one came into the shop together. I knew them both too well, though the time of year was out of synch for them.
“Gentlemen, I didn’t realize you like donuts when you aren’t plowing the streets of April Springs.” I glanced out the window and added, “In fact, I didn’t realize your truck would even run without a snowplow attached to it.”
Bob, the big one of the two, laughed heartily and slapped his skinny companion on the back hard enough to wake him up next week. “That’s why I’ve missed this place. She’s a real jewel, isn’t she?”
Earl just nodded. Ever since they’d been coming to the shop, the smaller man had said barely a handful of words, but he could put away at least as many donuts as his hefty friend, and that alone gave him a special place in my heart.
Bob pointed to the donut George was about to take a bite of and said, “That looks good. I’ll take a dozen.”
Earl held up a hand. “Me, too,” he said.
“Hang on a second, guys,” I quickly explained. “That’s an experimental donut. I’m not sure it’s even ready to go onto the menu.”
“What are you waiting for?” Bob asked.
“For him to approve it,” I said as I pointed to George.
“That’s a big responsibility, my friend,” Bob said to George almost reverently.
“Tell me about it,” George answered.
Bob was clearly interested in hurrying the approval process. “Well, don’t just sit there. Take a bite and tell us all what you think.”
George took one bite, then another. “It’s a little sweet for my taste, but I’ve got a feeling some folks will love it.”
“That’s good enough for us,” Bob said. “Two dozen, to go.”
“I only made nine of those donuts today,” I confessed. “Are you sure you want to try them?”
“We’re sure,” Bob said. “Round out the rest any way you please. We’re hauling gravel today from the quarry, and there won’t be any time to stop for lunch.”
After they paid and left, George said, “That’s a pair of odd birds.”
“Bob and Earl are good people,” I said. “They always plow out my parking lot first when it snows, and I keep them supplied with donuts and hot coffee. George, when you came in, you had a dour look on your face. What’s going on?”
“I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news,” George said.
“Did something happen to Jean Ray?” I asked.
He looked puzzled by my question. “Not that I know of. What makes you ask something might have?”
“Just call it a hunch,” I said.
He wasn’t buying that, though. “Suzanne Hart, I’ve known you long enough to be able to tell when it’s more than a guess. Come on, give.”
I recounted my experience on the bench by the town clock the day before, and George frowned when I got to the point where Jean had looked back at me.
“I don’t like it,” he said.
“I’m not pleased about it myself. I plan to go by her place this afternoon. Hopefully, Jenny will be out so the two of us can talk in private.”
“Don’t count on it,” George said. “From the way it sounds, that girl will barely leave her aunt’s side.”
“Then I’ll just have to come up with a diversion,” I said. “Care to help me with it?”
“I’m afraid I can’t,” George said. “I stopped by to tell you that I’ve got a little situation I have to take care of, so I’ll be out of town for the next several days.”
“What happened?” I asked, not caring if I was being nosy. George was like family to me, and what happened in his life mattered to me.
He bit his lower lip, and then admitted, “My brother’s sick, and he’s asked to see me. I have half a mind not to go, but what can you do? Family is family, and I can’t say no to the man.”
“You two aren’t very close, are you?” I asked.
“No, as a matter of fact, it’s just the opposite. Hey, how did you know that?”
“In all the time I’ve known you, you’ve never mentioned him, not even once.”
George nodded. “I knew you’d make a good detective someday.”
“Coming from you, that’s a compliment,” I said. “Any idea how long you’ll be gone?”
He shrugged. “That depends mostly on him, but I have a long drive ahead of me, and I’d better get started.”
I poured a cup of coffee for him in my largest travel cup, and then jammed half a dozen donuts in a bag. “These are for your trip.”
He took them, though it was clear he was reluctant to do it. “I haven’t earned these yet, Suzanne. The least you can do is let me pay for them.”
“Trust me, you’re worth every bite and each sip,” I said.
George smiled at that, and then got up. He was nearly out the door when I asked, “George, do me a favor, okay
?”
“If I can,” he answered.
“I know it might sound odd, but would you call me when you get there?”
He got an odd look in his eyes, and I felt silly making the request.
“Forget it,” I said. “You don’t have to call.”
“I will,” he said. “To tell you the truth, it’s nice to have someone care whether I make it there or not. Thank you.”
Before I could answer, he left the shop. I hadn’t even asked him where he was going, but I knew one thing. I’d be happier when he was back, and it wasn’t just because Grace and I would miss him in our investigation.
* * *
It was a little past ten and donut sales had been brisk, though the shop was empty at the moment. We had lulls like that all the time, and instead of wasting them, I took advantage of the chance to clean up, refill the napkin holders, and straighten things up in general. It was amazing how many napkins we went through in the course of a day, but like anything else, it was just a cost of doing business. I’d been in places where the owners tried to discourage using too many, but I always felt unhappy about being afraid that I wouldn’t have enough, so I tried not to let it bother me when little Timmy used a dozen napkins when one would have been perfectly fine. At least they were cheap. I’d found a supplier who offered me a good product at a great discount, a combination that was better than a birthday present, as far as I was concerned.
I was filling the last holder when I heard the door chime behind me. I turned around with a smile, but it quickly faded when I saw who it was.
Standing right in front of me, with no counter, no security, and absolutely no way to defend myself but a half-empty box of napkins, was Chet, the man mountain.
From his expression, it was clear that he wasn’t all that happy about being in my donut shop.
That made two of us.
I tried to put a table between us as I said, “Listen, you told me to leave her alone, and I did. There’s no reason to come in here and make another fuss. As far as I’m concerned, there’s no problem, okay?”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about,” Chet said.
