by Holly Plum
“Another book?” Joy asked, knowing that the one she’d seen in the window had only been released a few months previously. “She sure knows how to crank ‘em out, doesn’t she?”
Evidently finding no humor in the remark, it was Frances’ turn to stare blankly.
“So, a book launch party,” Joy prompted. “How can I help?”
“We need a caterer for the event, and we want you.” Frances smiled eagerly as if the invitation were a great honor.
“Okay," Joy agreed. "What kind of goodies are you looking for?”
“It’s what Minnie’s looking for that matters,” Frances forged on, not losing focus.
“Right.”
“She’ll be by to see you tomorrow and discuss it." Frances couldn't help jumping up and down. "That’s why I had to get the news to you tonight. Isn't this great?”
Joy found it in her heart to be glad she’d received a little warning in advance though her scone or cobbler preparations had been delayed. “Well, thank you for … taking the time to stop by. I look forward to meeting her tomorrow then.”
Frances’ face glowed with enthusiasm. “Oh, thank you.”
“It’s my job,” Joy responded.
Frances’ eyes widened. “But, it’s not just a job. This is something special. It's quite an honor you know.”
A moment later, Frances was gone. Joy's mind was already in far off places as she continued to dwell on the author’s pending arrival. It was sure to be a dramatic one if Frances' visit was any indicator.
Joy shut the door and went back to the kitchen, having decided while Frances was talking that she wanted cobbler tonight. Perhaps she would bring some to Sara Beth, her assistant at the bakery tomorrow. They would definitely need the fuel for their upcoming catering gig.
CHAPTER TWO
It was Sara Beth’s turn to open the shop the following morning, giving Joy plenty of time to stop by the market for vanilla ice cream to go with last night's cobbler on her way in. When she arrived at Patty Cakes Bake Shop, the bakery she had inherited from her late mother, the place was already filled with sweet and savory scents.
It was tart day.
“Good morning,” Sara Beth, ever cheerful, called before she even saw Joy. It was only a moment before the shop owner’s bubbly assistant appeared, her hair piled high on her head and her brightly-colored blouse illuminating the flush in her cheeks. Her eyes widened when she saw the apple cobbler. “Yum. What’s the occasion?”
“A new order,” Joy responded, the lid to the plastic container and lid of the ice cream already open.
“What new order?” Sara Beth asked, coming into the room with plates, forks, and an ice cream scoop.
“I learned yesterday that we’ve been hired to cater a book signing for Minnie Morin.”
Sara Beth let out a sudden squeak. “What? What luck? I’ve always wondered what people with minds as creative and gritty as hers must be like. This is so exciting, Joy.”
“I hope it’s not too exciting,” Joy said.
After she and Sara Beth’s experience months ago with a wedding cake that escalated into murder charges, Joy had had her fill of such affairs. She knew that, just as she had during this incident, Sara Beth would remain a stalwart support. Still, Joy wouldn’t wish to relive the experience for anything.
“I’ve read her books,” Sara Beth went on. “It’ll be so interesting to meet the mastermind behind such works.”
“Well, you’ll be meeting that mastermind this afternoon according to Frances Land. She came to my house last night just to tell me.”
“Today?" Sara Beth repeated. "But I can’t present myself looking like this.” She glanced down at her apron.
Joy chuckled, scooping a heaping mouthful of cobbler and ice cream onto her fork. “Present yourself? You sound like you’re going to visit the Queen. Tough luck, sister. There is no getting away from being covered in flour when you work in a bakery. Minnie knows what to expect, I’m sure.”
Not even the fact that she hadn’t been given more warning could dull Sara Beth’s excitement. Joy couldn’t help wondering if Minnie would truly live up to the hype her arrival had immediately ignited in both Frances and her own assistant.
Any further thoughts about the bestselling author were cut short as the bell on the front door chimed. The regular customers came in at their usual times and Joy, and Sara Beth operated like clockwork, having worked together for some years now. Things were moving so smoothly that when Minnie Morin finally came in, Joy had to remind herself that she needed to set aside time to speak with her.
“Joy Cooke, I presume?”
Minnie Morin looked out of place in her pencil skirt and fitted jacket. Her nails were manicured to end in points as sharp as her cheekbones and chin. Her hair was straightened to perfection and held back with a single, jeweled bobby pin.
“That’s me," Joy answered. "And you’re Minnie Morin.”
“That’s right,” Minnie said. Joy was surprised when she extended her hand in greeting. “I'm pleased to know some people still read the jacket of books these days.”
“Actually, I didn’t recognize you from the biography on your book jackets,” Joy said, never one to make up a falsehood to avoid awkwardness. “I was expecting you.”
Minnie didn’t answer. She just stood and allowed the awkwardness to intensify.
“Please, sit,” Joy invited.
“Isn’t there a quieter place we can talk?” Minnie’s dislike of the situation was evident on her face.
“The only other space I have is the kitchen," Joy suggested. "But, we’ve passed the busiest part of the morning, and our regulars won’t disturb us. My assistant, Sara Beth will be able to attend to them while we chat.”
Mention of Sara Beth drew the attention to the bubbly, Southern woman. Joy noticed instantly that the first impression they’d received of the renowned author had dimmed her joy considerably. Joy felt a little sorry for how disappointed her assistant appeared with Minnie's attitude.
“Pleased to meet you,” Sara Beth said.
Minnie gave a nod before reluctantly seating herself at the table Joy had gestured toward. Typically, Joy didn't waste time before offering some sort of refreshment to a client, but everything about Minnie’s demeanor made it difficult. Joy decided to wait a bit longer.
“Frances didn’t tell me anything about the book signing other than it will be held at the bookstore down the street,” Joy said.
“Yes, it will,” Minnie answered. She avoided eye contact as if she was speaking to herself and not to Joy. “It will be a party, and the theme will be based on my mystery novel that just came out. It’s the tale of a young bride who finds herself caught up in a murder investigation. On her honeymoon, her new husband is killed in their suite. The story unfolds as she works to resolve the heartbreaking truth.”
“Sounds fascinating,” Joy said out of politeness, remembering why she didn’t read Minnie’s books. Too gritty. “So, what kind of desserts are you thinking?” She only hoped the author wouldn’t request apple tarts or strawberry cupcakes made to look like bloody body parts.
“Well, wedding themed ones naturally.”
Oh, naturally.
“Okay.” Joy nodded and wrote a few things down.
“I would like a real wedding cake.”
“We can do that,” Joy said, taking a deep breath.
“That’s not all,” Minnie commented. “I have some other requests though as well.”
Joy wasn’t particularly surprised. She was sure it would be the first in a long line of requests that would be involved in this job.
“The heroine in my book often uses her grandmother’s recipe to bake delicious pecan pies," Minnie said. "I would like to have enough of those to go around—enough for everyone to have a slice.”
“Pecan pie?” Joy repeated. "Okay, I can do that."
Minnie’s nod was curt, the action of a woman used to getting her own way. “Good.”
Joy hoped that t
his was the end of the meeting when Minnie’s cell phone rang.
“Excuse me,” the author said, already half standing. She walked a few paces away as she spoke. “Hello? Yes, this is Minnie Morin. What? Are you—? You must be….. Heavens, no….”
Joy glanced over at Sara Beth who shook her head, her eyes wide.
A moment later Minnie’s phone fell to the ground with a clatter. Minnie didn’t scramble for it to check for any damage. The woman’s face was white as powdered sugar.
“Minnie, are you alright?” Joy asked.
For one dreadful moment, the woman was at a loss for words. She finally looked in Joy’s direction, her eyes vacant with shock.
“That was the manager at my hotel," Minnie stated. "She said that my beloved dog, Miss Doodle, was found dead.”
CONTINUE READING …
BOOKS BY HOLLY PLUM
PATTY CAKES BAKE SHOP COZY MYSTERIES
Until Death Do Us Tart
For Butter Or For Worse
Something Bakes and Something Blue
Frying The Knot
Wedding Bells and a Body
Saying Pie Do . . . (Coming Soon)
MEXICAN CAFÉ COZY MYSTERIES
Murder Con Carne
Killer Salsa
Smothered In Lies
Rice, Beans, and Revenge
Crimes and Chimichangas
Soft Taco Murder
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