Small Town Murder

by Patti Benning

  “Yep,” she said. “This is my day job, when I’m not moonlighting at the assisted living home.”

  “I must have seen you around here before, but I didn’t realize it. It’s a nice store. I like the owner. His mother was at the home until last year, when she passed away.”

  Autumn remembered Jeb’s mother’s funeral. She hadn’t realized the older woman had lived at Asheville Meadows.

  “Can I help you find anything?” she asked.

  “Nope,” he said. “I’m just here to pick some groceries up. I should probably start making lists, but I never seem to quite get around to it. I usually just walk the aisles and pick up whatever looks good.”

  She smiled. “Well, that’s one way to do it.”

  “I’ll see you Saturday, right? Some of the residents have family visiting, so it will be a bit of a bigger meal. Are you up to it? You did such a good job last night.”

  “I’m sure I will manage,” she said. “Do you know if Natalie or any of the other staff will be able to help me?”

  “Natalie asked me earlier today if she could have a couple of hours off from her normal duties to help. I told her to knock herself out. I can’t thank you enough for helping out, Autumn. It really means a lot to everyone there.”

  “I enjoy it,” she said. “I’ve always loved cooking. When I was younger, I used to dream of opening my own restaurant.”

  “What’s stopping you? You still could.”

  She frowned. “I don’t know about that. I would need the money to get started up, and I don’t really have any experience other than the cooking I’ve done for fun. I mean I suppose I have some experience running a business, thanks to this job. But I don’t want to get in over my head. I don’t have anyone to help me, and it would be too much to manage on my own.”

  “I’m pretty sure that you could do it, if you set your mind to it. Or at least, I get that feeling from your aunt and uncle. Your uncle talks very highly of you. They love that you visit so much.”

  “I know it’s what I would want if I were in their shoes,” she said. “Family is important. My mom visits when she can, but she lives across the country. My younger sister is only a few hours away, but she is busy with her own family. I figure it’s the least I can do.”

  “It’s more than most people do, and I respect that a lot.” He gave her a half wave and began to walk away, then hesitated. “I hope this doesn’t seem inappropriate, but would you want to go out to dinner with me next week?”

  She stared at him, surprised. “Are you asking me on a date?”

  “Don’t worry, I won’t be offended if you say no. I probably shouldn’t have asked anyway, I know a lot has been going on lately.”

  “I would love to,” she said, smiling at him.

  He returned her smile. “How about Monday?”

  “That would be good. We can talk more tomorrow while I am cooking dinner. I’m looking forward to it.”

  “Me too.”

  Her heart was lighter than ever as she went about her work. She had been completely blindsided when he asked her out, but now she couldn’t stop thinking about him. He was handsome, and from what she had seen, was a kind person. She felt a little bit guilty for moving on from Brandon so quickly, but she told herself that he was the one who had ended it. It wasn’t like she was being disloyal to him.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow,” Grace said, approaching Autumn in her coat.

  “Have a nice evening,” she said. “Drive safely. The roads look like they are getting bad again.”

  “I will,” her employee said cheerily. “Next time you see me, I will be driving a new car. I finally have enough saved up to make a down payment on a vehicle that I have been in love with for the past few months. The payments are bit steep, but it will be worth it. I think I’m up for a raise sometime soon, too.”

  Autumn froze, her stomach swooping. Grace didn’t know that the grocery store was going to shut down. She was planning on having this job for a long time to come. She knew that she couldn’t let her employee get tied into a contract with payments that she may not be able to make after January.

  “Grace, wait,” she said. “There’s something I have to tell you.”

  Her employee turned towards her, her face puzzled. Autumn knew that her tone had been sharp, and she felt even more guilty.

  “I’m sorry. I just couldn’t let you go out there and make a mistake.” She looked around to make sure they were alone, then lowered her voice. “Don’t tell anyone else yet, but Jeb is going to close this store for good. It will be closing at the end of January.”

  The employee stared at her, her eyes wide. “What do you mean?”

  “After January, none of us will have jobs. I thought you should know before you make a commitment like buying a car.”

  “When was he going to tell us?”

  “Not until after Christmas,” Autumn said. “He didn’t want to wreck anyone’s holiday.”

  “Oh, my goodness,” the employee said. “Thank you for telling me. I guess… I guess the car will have to wait. I will have to find another job. Where are you going to work?”

  “I don’t know yet,” Autumn said. “I sent in a couple of applications, but I won’t know anything for a while. Please, don’t tell the others, okay?”

  “Why not? They deserve to know too. People need time to find work before this place shuts down.”

  “I agree. I… I just want time to think about it for a little longer, okay?”

  Her employee nodded hesitantly. Autumn watched her go. Her heart was heavy once more. She knew that Grace was right. She had an announcement to make.

  CHAPTER TEN

  * * *

  Autumn stood in front of the mirror, looking at herself critically. Her red hair was as tame as it would get, and her makeup did nothing to hide the sprinkle of freckles across her nose, but all in all, she didn’t think she looked too bad.

  “Get out here, I want to see you,” Alicia called from the other room.

  “Hold on, give me a second.”

  She freshened up her lipstick, and smiled at herself. First dates were always exciting. She could remember the first time that she and Brandon had gone out; they had seen a movie, and had gotten coffee afterward. She had liked how gentle and nervous he had been during the evening. He had been nice and unthreatening, and even though she hadn’t felt a spark, she had agreed to see him again. Things had gone on from there.

  She had no idea what to expect from this evening with Nick. She had only ever seen him at the assisted living home, other than that once at the grocery store. At work, he was always thinking about a million other things, all of which were important. It would be odd to have his attention focused only on her, and it made her nervous. She was surprised at the butterflies in her stomach. She hadn’t felt that way about Brandon in a long time, if ever.

  “Autumn, come on. You asked me to come over and help you get ready, but all I’ve done is sit on your couch and pet your dog.”

  “I’m coming, I’m coming,” she replied. She left the bathroom and walked into the living room, standing in front of her friend. Alicia twirled a finger, and Autumn turned around slowly.

  “I like it,” her friend said. “The dress is a good color on you.”

  She was wearing a dark green dress that she had dug out of her closet, along with pantyhose and black boots. The boots were required; the snow was coming down heavily, and didn’t show any signs of stopping soon.

  “You sure it’s not too… Christmassy? With my red hair, I always feel like a walking Christmas ornament whenever I wear green.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. You look hot, and not at all like a Christmas ornament. What necklace are you wearing?”

  “It is the one my mom gave me when I moved here.” Autumn looked down at the delicate silver four-point compass around her neck. “She said it was to remind me to follow my own path, and not settle for someone else’s.”

  “That is good advice,” her friend said.
“So, this guy, Nick. What’s he like?”

  “He’s handsome,” Autumn said. “And confident. From what I’ve seen, he tries to treat everyone fairly. I think he has a good heart, even though he has a lot on his plate right now.”

  “Now the big question,” Alicia said. “Why isn’t he married?”

  Autumn raised her eyebrows. “What do you mean?”

  “Well, if he is as handsome and confident as you say, why is he single?”

  “Maybe he just hasn’t met the right person yet. Just because he’s single in his mid-thirties doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with him. Look at me.”

  “I didn’t mean to offend you,” her friend said. “You’re right, there is nothing wrong with being single. I guess it’s just that I know so many single women who always complained that all the good guys are taken, that whenever someone meets a single guy who seems too good to be true, I always worry that it is.”

  Autumn wished that Alicia hadn’t brought the subject up. Now, she couldn’t stop wondering. Why was he single? Trying to push the paranoid thoughts out of her mind, she straightened up and looked at the clock. He would be there soon.

  “Do you want me to leave?” her friend asked.

  “No, you should stay. You can meet him, then we can talk when I get back. There’s some wine in the fridge, help yourself. You know how to work the TV. If Frankie has to go out, just put her out back. She won’t want to be outside for long, not with the snow.”

  “A dog after my own heart,” the other woman said. “I’m not fond of all of this snow either. I need to live somewhere warmer.”

  “Don’t you dare move away,” Autumn said. “You’re my best friend, you aren’t allowed to go anywhere.”

  “I suppose I’ll stay here just for you,” Alicia responded with a grin. “My husband has nothing to do with it, of course.”

  “Oh, Rory would follow you anywhere,” Autumn said.

  “Maybe it’s a good idea. He and I can move somewhere nice and warm, and you could come with us. You need to switch careers anyway, so you might as well do it somewhere with nicer weather.”

  “I’m happy here,” she said. The truth was, she loved the snow. It was so beautiful, and she loved the changing seasons. She would not want to live somewhere that didn’t get snow in the winter.

  “I guess I’ll keep chugging along here, then,” her friend said. “Whatever happened with that guy that died at Asheville Meadows?”

  “Nothing,” she replied. “As far as I know, it was an accident. The police haven’t found anything incriminating. He was allergic to peanut butter, and the kitchen had some peanut butter powder to add to some of the residents’ food. A lot of them don’t eat as much as they need to, and it is high in protein and calcium. He ingested some, somehow, and that was that.”

  “It still seems suspicious, doesn’t it? What about the lady who didn’t get to the key on time?”

  “As far as I know, they haven’t found anything out about her either. Nick thinks that she just panicked and overlooked the keys. No one has found evidence to contradict him yet.”

  “So do you feel safe there now? No more weird incidents like when the kitchen almost blew up?”

  Autumn hesitated. Nothing else had happened, but a couple of time she had gotten goosebumps while she was in the kitchen, with the feeling that somebody was watching her. Maybe it was ridiculous, but her gut still told her that something there was wrong.

  “Nothing else has happened, so I suppose I do,” she said at last.

  “You don’t sound certain,” Alicia said.

  “It’s fine,” Autumn said. “I don’t think I’m in danger. Even if somebody was trying to kill the cook, it would be too dangerous for them to try again. The police have already been called out twice.”

  “Okay.” Her friend didn’t sound convinced, but it appeared that she had decided to let the subject drop. “Do you think you will keep working there after the holidays?”

  “I doubt it,” she replied. “I’m sure Nick will hire someone more qualified. I have already been looking for other jobs. I have an interview at the feed store later this week.”

  “The feed store? Will that pay enough?”

  “They’re looking for a full-time manager, and it includes benefits, so I’m sure I will be able to survive on it. I’ll miss the grocery store though. The people there feel like family.”

  “I’m sure you’ll be just as close with the new people wherever you end up working,” her friend said. “You’re good at that.”

  Autumn smiled at her, then shot up when she heard the doorbell ring. Frankie took off for the door, barking. “That must be him.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  * * *

  She saw Nick’s eyes light up when she answered the door, and she felt herself blush. He had cleaned up nicely; he was wearing a black button-down shirt and black slacks, with a wool coat over it all. There was a dusting of snow on his shoulders and his hair.

  “Are you ready to go?” he asked. “Or do you need a few more minutes? I know I’m a little bit early. Oh, who’s this?” He bent down to let Frankie sniff his hands.

  “That’s Frankie. She barks at everyone, just ignore her. I have to go grab my purse, then we can leave.”

  She hurried into the living room and took her purse off the coffee table. Alicia followed her back toward the door. Autumn made the introductions, then shooed Frankie back inside and left with Nick.

  “Thanks for picking me up,” she said.

  “I wouldn’t want to make you drive through the snow on your own like this,” he said. “I don’t think your car could handle it.”

  She followed him toward his SUV, which he had parked alongside the curb. He held the passenger door for her and she got in, admiring the heated leather seats inside.

  “This must be nice for snow,” she said.

  “It also comes in handy when I need to haul something for one of the residents. Not all of them have family that can move furniture for them.”

  He drove them to the Fresh Harvest Inn, parking close to the door and then holding the passenger door open for her. Autumn smiled as she got out of the car. So far, so good. She was looking forward to dinner. She didn’t eat out much on her own, preferring to cook at home or get takeout. Come to think of it, it had been a while since she and Brandon had been on a nice date like this.

  “Sorry, our options are a bit limited around here. I figured we shouldn’t drive too far, since the snow is supposed to keep coming down.”

  “I love this place,” she said. “They have great food, and the kitchen is run by one of my uncle’s friends.”

  “I know, he stops by the assisted living home pretty often. He’s actually one of the first people I called when I realized that we would need a new cook.”

  “Oh? Is he going to start working at Asheville Meadows?”

  “He politely declined,” Nick told her. “He said he wanted to stay in his own kitchen, and I understand that.”

  “I’ll keep volunteering there as long as I can,” Autumn told him. “I’m not sure what my work schedule will be like coming into the new year, though. I’ll be starting a new job soon.”

  Their conversation paused while they were seated and placed their drink orders. Once the server had walked away from the table, Nick said, “You said you’re starting a new job? Where?”

  “I’m not sure yet,” she said.

  “Do you have any leads?”

  “I have one. It’s just at the feed store, and I’m going in for an interview this week,” she said.

  “What about your restaurant?”

  She smiled. “That is just a silly dream. I need something that will actually make money.”

  “Well, would you be interested in working full-time as a cook for me? You would learn to make every low-sodium recipe in the book.”

  She laughed. “If only I had some actual experience cooking professionally, I would love it.”

  “Well, you’ve been
getting plenty of experience this past week. As far as I’ve seen, you seem to be handling it perfectly well. Everyone loves your food, there have been no complaints – which is a rarity – and I’ve seen you while you are cooking. You look happy.”

  She realized that he was serious. “Are you really offering me a job?”

  “If you want it, it’s yours. I will have to clear it with the board, but I don’t see why they would disapprove. The job description requires experience in the kitchen, but it doesn’t say how much, and as I said, you have already proven yourself.”