Uncle Stan led the way, scouting the area outside the back door before he nodded that they could sit. He hugged Mel close in one of his big bear hugs and cupped her face.
“You just have to scare the snot out of me to keep me on my toes, don’t you?”
“Sorry,” Mel said. “I had no idea—just a hunch. But at least I had Oz call you.”
Uncle Stan kissed her forehead. “Yeah, that was a good play. You should brace yourself, though. I called Joe and he’s on his way.”
“Oh, boy,” Mel said. “Scale of one to ten, how mad did he seem?”
“Eleven. I’ll be back out to get your statements,” he said. “I just want to make sure that Tara has that woman subdued.”
Both Mel and Cassie nodded. Cassie bent over and rested her head on her knees.
“How are you doing?” Mel asked.
“Trying really hard not to throw up,” Cassie said. “You saved my life. If you hadn’t shown up when you did I’d have been a human torch.”
“I do try to extinguish myself,” Mel joked. Cassie gave her a look. “Sorry, we’ll just blame that on my nerves.”
They sat quietly, breathing in the clean air free of the stench of the accelerant Janie had used. Mel closed her eyes and took a second to just be grateful that she’d arrived in time for Cassie and that they’d both gotten out okay.
Two uniformed officers parked their cars in the alley and came charging towards the back door. Mel recognized Officer Lopez and gave him a faint wave.
“Uncle Stan is inside,” she said.
“Thanks, Mel,” he said. He studied her face. “You all right?”
She nodded and he patted her shoulder and the two officers moved past them into the building.
“I don’t understand why,” Cassie said. “I don’t think Elise even knew anyone named Janie. She certainly didn’t write anything nasty about a woman named Janie Fulton. I would have remembered.”
“And that’s why,” Mel said. “Janie was angry not because she was in the book but because she wasn’t. And apparently she was upset that Elise didn’t include her in gathering her sordid tales, either.”
“Oh,” Cassie said. She frowned.
“Did you know that Elise was using Blaise and the others for material?” Mel asked.
Cassie glanced away, and Mel took that as a yes. Cassie was quiet for a moment and then said, “She paid them very well for any dirt they could give her about residents of the Palms. Elise had a lot of material of her own, but she wanted more. She wanted to destroy everyone who’d ever shut her out.”
There wasn’t much more to say. One woman’s revenge had sparked a series of savage murders, including her own. The whole thing left Mel feeling sullied.
“I’m going to pull the book,” Cassie said.
Mel didn’t say anything. This wasn’t her call.
“Four people are dead because of it,” Cassie continued. “I couldn’t live with myself if I published even one more copy and I’m canceling the movie deal.”
Knowing that she was losing a fortune, Mel’s respect for her friend soared. “I think you’re doing the right thing.”
“Mel!” Joe called her name as he came around the side of the building at a run.
Mel stood on the steps. She’d have run to meet him but her legs were kind of wobbly. She waited until he was within reach and then launched herself at him. He hugged her tight and for the first time since she’d arrived at the bookstore, Mel felt as if everything would be all right.
Joe pulled back and cupped her face. He looked into her eyes and asked, “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” she said. “I promise.”
“If anything had happened . . .” His voice trailed off and he kissed her again. “I can’t even think about it.”
“Me, either,” she said. The fear that had gripped her when Janie had pulled out the lighter rippled through her again. “I’m sorry. I had a bad feeling and I had to follow up on it.”
“Don’t be sorry,” Cassie said. “You saved my life and I, for one, am ever grateful.”
“That’s my girl,” Joe said.
Mel looked at him and was relieved to see that he wasn’t upset with her. Rather, he looked proud.
She rested her head on his shoulder. “Thanks for understanding.”
“Always,” he said.
They stayed at the bookstore long enough to watch Janie get hauled away and give Stan their statements. Steve arrived shortly after Joe and took charge of Cassie. Even though she was no longer a suspect, Steve considered her his client and insisted he be present while she gave her statement. Cassie seemed relieved by his presence, which Mel thought was encouraging.
When they were finally allowed to leave, Mel asked to stop by the bakery. She had already checked in with Oz and Marty and knew they had locked up for the night, but she felt the need to calm her frazzled nerves with cupcakes and wanted to pick up some to take home. Joe, her soul mate in sweets, thought this idea was genius.
She stood in the walk-in cooler packing a box of their favorites while Joe prowled around the kitchen. She had one more space to fill in her box and she wasn’t sure if she wanted a Blond Bombshell or an Orange Dreamsicle. Decisions, decisions.
She heard her phone chime and popped her head out of the cooler and asked, “Will you check that and see if it’s Stan?”
“Sure.” Joe took her phone out of her purse and read the display. “It’s a text from Tate and Angie, checking in. What should I tell them?”
Mel chose the Blond Bombshell. While arranging it in the box, she answered, “Say ‘Nothing much,’” she said. “They’re on their honeymoon. We can catch them up on all of the drama when they get back.”
Joe began to text. He finished and tossed the phone into her purse.
“Speaking of honeymoons,” he said. “I’m thinking I’d like to go on one sooner rather than later.”
Mel felt her breath catch. “Are you asking me to set a date?”
“Yes.”
They stared at each other and Mel nodded. They’d made a run at this marriage thing a couple times now, but this time she felt quite certain they were going to get it right.
“How do you feel about an April wedding?” she asked.
“Sounds perfect,” he said.
“And it’s only six months away,” Mel said. “What could possibly happen in six months?”
Recipes
Champagne Cupcakes
A light fluffy cake topped with champagne frosting.
½ cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1¾ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup sour cream
½ cup champagne
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pan with paper liners. In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and the vanilla. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream and the champagne. It will fizz a bit. Alternately add the flour mixture and the champagne mixture to the large bowl, mixing until the batter is smooth. Fill paper liners until two-thirds full. Bake for 17 to 22 minutes until golden brown. Makes 12.
Champagne Frosting
1 cup champagne
1 cup butter, softened
2½ cups confectioners’ sugar
1 tablespoon champagne
Simmer one cup of champagne in a small saucepan until reduced to two tablespoons. Allow to cool. In a small bowl, cream together the butter and confectioners’ sugar until thick and creamy. Add the reduced champagne plus one tablespoon champagne. Whip together until light an
d fluffy.
Decorate the cupcakes with the frosting using a pastry bag. Garnish with champagne-colored pearlized sprinkles.
Black Forest Cupcakes
A rich chocolate cupcake with cherry filling and vanilla cream frosting.
1⅓ cups flour
¼ teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons butter, softened
1½ cups sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup milk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pan with paper liners. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cocoa powder, and salt and set aside. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar, adding eggs one at a time. Mix in the vanilla. Add in the flour mixture alternately with the milk until well blended. Fill paper liners until two-thirds full. Bake 18 to 22 minutes. Cool completely. Makes 12.
Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
½ cup salted butter, softened
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
4 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1 can cherry pie filling
Chocolate shavings
12 fresh cherries with stems
In large bowl, cream butter and vanilla. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed and adding milk as needed. Scrape sides of bowl often. Beat at medium speed until light and fluffy. Makes 3 cups of icing. Using a melon baller, scoop out the center of the cooled cupcakes no more than halfway down. Spoon in the cherry pie filling. Using a pastry bag, pipe the vanilla cream over the tops of the cupcakes. Garnish each with chocolate shavings and a fresh cherry on top.
Lemon-Lavender Cupcakes
A tart lemon cupcake with sweet lavender frosting.
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
⅓ cup grated lemon zest (6–8 large lemons)
3 cups flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
¾ cup buttermilk, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pan with paper liners. Cream the butter and granulated sugar until fluffy, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on medium speed, add the eggs, one at a time, and the lemon zest. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, combine the lemon juice, buttermilk, and vanilla. Add the flour and buttermilk mixtures alternately to the batter, beginning and ending with the flour. Fill paper liners until two-thirds full. Bake 20 minutes. Makes 24.
Lavender Frosting
¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
3½ cups confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon dried culinary lavender
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 drop purple food coloring
3–4 tablespoons milk
Fresh lavender
In large bowl, cream butter. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Add dried lavender, vanilla, and a drop of purple food coloring, mixing well. Add milk as needed to reach desired consistency. Beat at medium speed until light and fluffy. Spread lavender frosting on cooled cupcakes and garnish with a fresh lavender sprig.
Bourbon Cupcakes
Rich chocolate bourbon cupcake with chocolate buttercream frosting with bourbon glaze.
1½ cups flour
¼ teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons butter, softened
1½ cups sugar
2 eggs
¼ cup bourbon
1 cup milk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pan with paper liners. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cocoa powder, and salt and set aside. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar, adding eggs one at a time. Mix in the bourbon. Add in the flour mixture alternately with the milk until well blended. Fill paper liners until two-thirds full. Bake 18 to 22 minutes. Cool completely. Makes 12.
Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
½ cup salted butter, softened
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
3 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons milk
In large bowl, cream butter and vanilla. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar and cocoa powder, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Add milk as needed. Scrape sides of bowl often. Beat at medium speed until light and fluffy. Makes 3 cups of icing. Use a pastry bag to pipe frosting onto the cooled cupcakes.
Bourbon Glaze
Glaze should be prepared ahead of time to allow it enough time to cool before adding to cupcakes.
¾ cup bourbon
½ cup brown sugar
In a small sauce pot over medium heat, whisk bourbon and sugar together. Simmer the mixture until it is reduced to half, about 10 to 15 minutes. Cool completely. Drizzle over the frosted cupcakes.
Dear Reader,
If you’ve read my books, you’ll know several things about me right away. I love animals, cupcakes, happy endings, and most of all, I love to laugh. When I approached my publisher about trying my hand at writing a contemporary romance series, they were naturally wary. I mean, they knew I was pretty good at killing people (fictionally), but could I really write about two people falling in love?
Here’s one more little-known fact about me: I love a challenge. The surest way to get me to do something is to tell me that I can’t. Thankfully, my publisher didn’t do that. In fact, they encouraged my desire to try something new and so the Bluff Point series began. What is this contemporary romance series I speak of? Well, it’s about going home, lifelong friends, dogs, cats, belly laughs, shenanigans, and falling unexpectedly in love.
In Every Dog Has His Day, I got to spend time with one of my most favorite characters to date, Zachary Caine. Zach is everyone’s best friend. He’s the big kid in the group, the goofball, the funny guy, but also the one you can count on when the chips are down. Zach doesn’t believe happy ever after is in the cards for him. He put it out there once and got royally burned. So he’s good with being everyone’s pal, the fifth wheel, an extra.
That is, until his next-door neighbor’s two little girls enlist him in the rescue of their kitten, who is stranded on his roof. After one crazy encounter, he can’t stop thinking about Jessie, the single mom next door, and when a blizzard forces him, Jessie, her girls, their kitten, Chaos, and Zach’s dog, Rufus, into close proximity for several days, well, Zach’s life is never going to be the same—at least, he hopes it won’t be. If only he can get Jessie to see him as the man he wants to be for her and her girls, instead of the slacker everyone thinks he is. Because now that Zach has found them, he never wants to lose this family of his own.
Come join the fun in Bluff Point, Maine! It’ll make you laugh and hit you in all the feels. I promise.
Read on for the first chapter of Every Dog Has His Day, available at retailers now.
Happy reading,
Jenn
“Yeoooow!”
Ugh. Zachary Caine was pretty sure the seizure-inducing caterwauling that was harshing his mellow was annoying enough to reanimate the dead, of which he was one.
He was lying on his overstuffed blue leather recliner couch,
affectionately known as Big Bertha, which he’d had since his college days, while watching Sunday playoff football on mute because the unexpected houseguests he had were still asleep upstairs in all three of his bedrooms.
In what had seemed like a singular act of good manners at the time, he had insisted his company take the beds in his house while he took the couch. Now, having spent a sleepless night on Big Bertha because she had a dip in her middle the size of the Grand Canyon, he was sure his spine had been reconfigured into a serpentine S curve of pain. Clearly, chivalry was overrated.
Generally a cheerful, happy-go-lucky sort, Zach was feeling a tad surly. He glared at his couch mate Rufus, the cinnamon standard poodle he was dog sitting for a friend, who looked at him from beneath the poof of curly hair on his head as if trying to determine whether Zach wanted him to bark or not. Zach met his gaze and watched as Rufus rolled over and fell back asleep.
“Really?” Zach asked the dog, who ignored him. “Isn’t it your job to investigate strange noises or at the very least bark at them?”
Rufus yawned and Zach watched as his eyes rolled back into his head.
“Yeoooow!”
Crap! What was making such a racket? Zach rolled onto his side, flinching through the back pain, and pulled a pillow over his head.
“Yeoooow!”
Argh! The wailing cut right through the fluffy pillow and now he could hear the sound of voices outside his front door, too. No, no, no! Go away! Seriously, if it was a door-to-door salesman, he might punch the guy in the throat on principle. His doorbell rang.
That did it! Zach threw the pillow across the room and pushed himself up to his feet. His back muscles protested by clenching into a hot ball of pain. He huffed out a breath and forced himself to shuffle to the door.
It was Sunday. Wasn’t it supposed to be a day of rest? Why were people forcing him to be upright? And moving? It was just so wrong!
He unlocked the door and yanked it wide. He opened his mouth to bark at the rude people on his porch, since Rufus clearly wasn’t going to do it, but the words never left his lips. Standing in front of him were two little cherubs with pink cheeks and tousled curls poking out from under their woolen hats, looking up at him with big blue imploring eyes. Uh-oh!
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