by C A Phipps
Once they were inside, Scarlett settled in the sitting room, knowing she had a lot of explaining to do, and a dining chair wouldn’t be at all comfortable right now. Olivia kindly placed an Ottoman under her feet, and Ruby made coffee while Violet waited impatiently, tapping her fingertips together.
“Who’s cleaning up after the party?” Scarlett wondered as Sam arrived.
“Don’t you worry your head about that,” Olivia assured her. “I have the knitting club taking care of things, and I daresay it won’t go on much longer. Poor Arthur looked like he’d had enough.”
Scarlett smiled. “Knowing how he doesn’t like parties, it was a big thing for him to host one.”
“Now that we’re all here, can you get on with telling us what happened?” Violet demanded.
Olivia tutted, but Scarlett began the tale because tired or not, there was no choice if she planned to get to bed anytime soon. She started with hearing the two women in her bedroom and ended with the crash. Naturally, George’s role could not be overemphasized.
“Then both women were handcuffed, and the deputies took them to the station.” Scarlett looked around the room at her audience. Judging by their faces, her family and Sam were in various stages of shock.
“Betty was going, you kill you?” Ruby’s eyes could not have been any rounder.
Scarlett shrugged. “I know how it sounds, and she is guilty of so much, but in my heart, I don’t believe she would have gone that far.”
“Are you kidding me?” Sam growled. “After what you’ve told us, there’s no way she isn’t as guilty as sin. Whether she pulled a gun or not, standing by and letting Jane do the dirty deed is just as bad in my book.”
“I suppose,” Scarlett conceded. “It’s just that she felt like a friend for the last few weeks, and she was in an abusive relationship for so long. I can’t help feeling sorry for her, and I’m still struggling to accept the notion that she’s cold-blooded enough to kill anyone.”
“Greedy, that’s what she is,” Violet stated. “Not content with her husband’s insurance money, she wanted to take the money from the book sale knowing full-well what it meant to us.”
Ruby’s eyes widened. “You don’t think the intention was to get rid of us—as in the café?”
“To what purpose?” Olivia asked.
Violet snapped her fingers. “So she could open the sweet shop she’s always wanted.”
“I never thought of that,” Scarlett reluctantly admitted. “Besides, we were doing okay without the bonus of the book money, so it couldn’t have been that.”
“Surviving is what we were doing, and there was no guarantee how long we’d want or be able to do that for. I guess this means I’m stuck at the bakery for the foreseeable future.”
Violet’s scorn was hard to take, but her disappointment was much worse.
“Just until we find someone new,” Scarlett tried to assure her, but Violet was naturally upset.
“Deep down, I wondered if this was all too good to be true.”
“Violet Finch, you stop this pity-party right now,” Olivia growled. “As far as I’m concerned, we should all be happy that Scarlett is safe after her shenanigans, which all three of you contributed to. Betty can’t hurt you anymore and a killer is caught. Isn’t that enough for tonight?”
Violet’s cheeks reddened. “Sorry, Scarlett. Olivia’s right.”
“I’m sorry too.” Scarlett’s eyes prickled. “For worrying you all and for things not going the way we planned.”
“It’ll be okay, Vi,” Ruby’s voice was thick with emotion. “We have everything we need, and now that this is behind us, we can concentrate on making you happy.”
Sam coughed. “More coffee?”
Her family smiled at each other. It appeared four tearful women was a little too much for the paramedic.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Going to bed feeling close to her family, and still pondering the depth of Betty’s guilt, Scarlett woke with the dawn, in a sweat. A nightmare of being stuck in the trunk then thrown off a bridge, swirled around her until the full light of day enabled her to calm down while appreciating that she was back to being hurt and angry over Betty’s deception.
She didn’t hurry to get up, even though she should be at work by now. Eventually, Ruby knocked softly and entered. Placing coffee and toast on Violet’s night-stand, she kissed Scarlett’s cheek. She’d slept in here since her own bedroom was a crime scene, and Nate had called and asked that she stay out of there until he’d looked it over. Violet had opted to share Ruby’s bed rather than the sofa.
Her youngest sister frowned. “You never sleep in, so we were worried.”
“No need. I’m just tired and sore.” Taking an appreciative smell of the coffee, she smiled. “Once I’ve had this, I’ll be right as rain.”
“I’m so glad.” Ruby smiled. “And there’s no hurry. We made an executive decision. Violet went and put a sign up at the café. No work today—Doctor’s orders.”
Scarlett had no urge to argue and still looking worried, Ruby left her to eat breakfast in peace.
With the door open, George sauntered in and jumped on the bed. He walked along her body to sit on her chest.
“Make yourself comfortable, why don’t you?” she laughed.
He head-butted her gently and eyed the toast.
“Ah, not so much a visit to check up on me as a scrounge for food.” Scarlett broke off a piece and handed it to him. “I owe you my life, and my thanks, Georgie.”
Delicately he took the offering and began to purr.
“I wish it was this easy to please everyone I love.”
She was thinking of Violet and how soon they could get a replacement for Betty. Voices in the kitchen announced Olivia’s return, and Scarlett forced herself out of bed to face the day.
Nate arrived mid-morning, and after making sure Scarlett was okay, he began a long list of questions. Her family refused to leave but sat quietly at one end of the table, unable to hide the distress on their faces as she went over the evening once more.
By the time the sheriff was done, Scarlett was exhausted. With Betty in custody, the drama should be over, but as Nate pointed out, there was a court case to get through first—which meant reliving every moment.
A weird mixture of relief and anger made her want to scream, throw something, or hug her sisters close in equal measure. And she wasn’t the only one.
They needed to talk about how to deal with their feelings, but couldn’t spend every moment in each other’s arms, no matter how soothing it might be. Violet looked the most miserable, and Scarlett dug deep to put her own feelings aside to reassure her.
Nate was uncomfortable but soldiered on by asking the others to confirm a few things about the events.
Scarlett moved closer to Violet, needing to reassure her. “It’s business, as usual, tomorrow, but I want to reiterate that you helping in the café is a short term thing, Vi. As soon as we hire a replacement, you can do what you want, just like we planned. Nothing’s going to change that. I promise.”
Violet had a pained expression. “I know my time will come, and working in the café isn’t the worst thing in the world.”
“But you look so sad,” Ruby said bleakly.
“My plans are on hold for the moment. I’ve had practice with that, and I’m honestly getting my head around it.”
Scarlett put her arm round Violet’s shoulder. “Then what else is bothering you?”
Violet gave a heartfelt sigh. “We keep trusting people, and they let us down. Could we not do that anymore?”
“That’s not exactly an option for us,” Scarlett told her firmly. “It may be frustrating, annoying, and upsetting, but you know what Mom would say?”
“We always treat others as we want to be treated,” Ruby recited.
“Exactly.” Scarlett smiled encouragingly at Violet, who wasn’t convinced.
“We all cared about Betty and tried to help her. I know it was only for a short
time, but we treated that woman like family and look what she did, and what she would have done if Scarlett hadn’t got wise to her.”
“You can be proud of that,” Olivia interjected. “I had the knitting club running around looking out for her when she went missing. You can imagine what they’ll be saying now about my choice of friends. Still, I wouldn’t treat another newcomer to Cozy Hollow any different because that’s not how we’ve been brought up. Like your mom, we all know that it’s all about doing what’s right. Some don’t have that example in their lives, so they make bad choices.”
Ruby put her arm through the crook of Violet’s. “It makes me feel better to think of all the people we help who don’t throw it back in our faces. And then there’s so many who’ve supported us in bad times. Remember the working bee when so many came to paint the house inside and out?”
Violet pulled her sister closer. “I guess that’s true. Lucky I have you to remind me.”
Scarlett joined them in a hug. “Let’s take a leaf out of Ruby’s book and focus on the good things that happened to us recently. We had a great outcome over the book.”
Violet’s mouth turned down once more. “No, thanks to Betty.”
Scarlett squeezed her shoulder. “We’re talking about the positive stuff. We only got that deal because it was fair, and you were there to make sure of it.”
Violet finally smiled. “I suppose you’re right.”
“Of course she is,” Olivia stated. “Actually, I’ve been wondering how you knew Betty was so involved, Scarlett?”
Nate leaned forward, and she had a peculiar thought. Even though it felt as though she’d gone over all of this a hundred times, she honestly couldn’t be sure if he knew everything or if some things had been only in her head.
She took a deep breath and let her thoughts take shape. “I had my suspicions some time ago. Unfortunately, I didn’t choose to believe them.”
“Such as?” Nate asked.
“I noticed that takings were down, but we were selling more. It didn’t make sense. It began after we employed Betty.”
Violet raised an eyebrow, and Scarlett grimaced. “Yes, you did suggest the two things weren’t coincidental, Vi.”
“We also noticed that things had been shifted in the house,” Ruby added. “As though someone was looking through our stuff.”
Violet snorted. “To be fair, we did write it off to Scarlett’s neatness bug.”
Scarlett grinned. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Nate coughed. “In the future, I hope that you’ll come to me if you have an inkling that things are not right.”
“You’d soon get tired of her if she came to you with everything she thinks of,” Violet warned.
“Scarlett can make a mystery of just about anything,” Ruby agreed. “Only, she’s usually right about people.”
“Except for Betty,” Violet mentioned wryly.
“I admit that I got it wrong in the beginning and didn’t want to see the truth, but you were all just as bad, right? Betty seemed a good sort. Nothing was too much trouble, and she was a hit with the customers.” Scarlett raised an eyebrow, daring them to contradict her. They didn’t.
Olivia broke the silence. “We’ll miss those sweets.”
Ruby tapped her fingernails on the table. “You know I watched her make them a couple of times. I think I could copy the recipe.”
“Really?” Olivia chuckled. “I’d be very grateful.”
“I think we all would.” Scarlett reached across and squeezed Ruby’s hand. “I’d love to sell them in the shop, the way we’d decided to do. Perhaps you could your own twist on them?”
Ruby nodded happily. “I’ll get started on a batch tomorrow night.”
“But anyone not working at the café will still get free samples, right?” Violet implored.
“We’ll see,” Ruby teased.
Violet was shocked. “What do you mean by that?”
“Once the days for each of us having the car is sorted,” Ruby’s eyes glinted, “I can decide on how many pieces you’re entitled to.”
Violet’s outrage made the rest fall about laughing. Even Nate.
“You can’t hold me to ransom for the car.”
“Why? Because I’m sweet Ruby, who never fights back?”
Violet clutched at her chest. “Ouch. The kid’s developed some claws.”
“That’s a little harsh,” Ruby sniffed. “As much as I love you two, I also need to get away from time to time, and that car is my chance. I want to take road trips and go to Harmony beach, or Destiny. Maybe even Portland.”
Violet had been nodding along with every word. “Me too.”
“Can’t you go together?” Scarlett suggested.
Ruby screwed up her cute nose. “Sometimes, that might be okay.”
“You little brat.” Violet hit her with a cushion.
Unfazed, Ruby leaned back and crossed her arms. “You might want to rethink your attitude if you really do want homemade sweets.”
“Scarlett! Now she’s threatening me.”
“I’m an innocent bystander, Vi. You guys wanted to share a car. How you do that is nothing to do with me.”
“But you’re the eldest,” Violet protested.
Scarlett shrugged. “Only when it’s convenient. From now on, you guys get to sort out your own stuff.”
Violet and Ruby feigned shock, and Nate laughed.
“I guess we could toss for it?” Ruby ventured.
Violet pulled a coin from her jean pocket. “Best out of 3?”
“And Nate can be the judge in case you cheat.” Ruby held a hand up to ward off a second cushion.
Scarlett’s heart expanded with love for her bratty, loveable, sisters. She wouldn’t have them any other way, and from across the room, Nate winked at her.
She wondered where Sam was, he’d been spending a lot of time at Harmony Beach lately, but she was sure he’d be by soon to check on her. They were fortunate to have these men in their lives. Men who cared a great deal about them and accepted their many quirks—like getting involved in mysteries.
Then there were the boys in the family. Bob was curled at her feet, and George washed himself while keeping an eye on his people. Having pets was more beneficial and wondrous than she could have ever imagined.
She would buy George a fancy new collar, and since he was staying, it really was time to get Bob a proper leash.
She smiled, proud of what she and her sisters had achieved with the café, and in solving the case. All she hoped, for now, was a future less tumultuous for all of them—and someone who loved to bake.
~~~
Thank you so much for reading Candy Corruption.
If you’d like to follow Scarlett and her sisters into another mystery, Book 3, Mocha Mayhem will be out late next month, and you can order it here.
Also, if you enjoyed Candy Corruption, I’d love your review, and you can find me on Amazon, Bookbub, and Goodreads.
Mocha Mayhem
A seaside wedding.
It’s the perfect catering job for The Cozy café.
Except for the body!
Excerpt:
The wedding was quite simply beautiful.
Three bridesmaids, in pale blue with navy ribbons at their waists, came out of the house first, walking one behind the other with a groomsman beside them. Then came the bride on her father’s arm.
There was no flower girl or ring-bearer. In fact, there were no children at all.
A vision of loveliness in a gown of ivory silk, the straps hung low on Lexie’s arms. The material was cinched in at her tiny waist and draped around her feet and onto the ground. The train was 15 feet long, and the lace overlay was a piece of art.
The women sighed. Scarlett’s sigh may have been louder, because Sam, holding on to his partner’s arm, was so handsome.
The groom, also good-looking, waited solemnly in front of the arch.
When Chad didn’t move, the celebrant smiled encoura
gingly. It was apparent that not everyone was enjoying the day. While the bride had the look of delighted expectation, the groom looked as if this was the worst day of his life.
The father of the bride, a frown also marring his face, handed his daughter to the groom. He looked about to say something, but instead turned abruptly and took his place in the front row next to his wife.
The vows took a little time. The groom belabored the words, which struggled to flow, and when it came time, seemed hard-pressed to say I do. The bride appeared oblivious to the whole thing and kissed her new husband with enthusiasm. He was as stiff as a board, his arms locked at his side. There was no hint of passion.
“Wow.” Violet whispered. “Do you see that?”
“Something’s not right,” Olivia added quietly.
“Maybe he’s stressed.” Ruby said. “Weddings are notorious for that, and I bet he’s had a lot to do.”
Violet snorted. “He’s marrying into the richest family in Harmony Beach. I can’t imagine he was allowed a say in anything even if he’d wanted to.”
“Maybe, that could be the problem.”
Scarlett smiled. Ruby always wanted things to be perfect and only saw the good in people. “Come on.” She pulled on her sister’s arms. “We’re into phase two.”
From that moment, it was a blur. While the couple had photos taken down on the beach, more canapes were distributed. Alcohol flowed freely, and laughter rang around the marquee. Without the senior Turners around, the place felt less tense. Even the chef made a few jokes as they worked around him and his team.
As soon as the wedding party returned, courses were plated and taken out to the staff. Now they were on the last course, which was a tremendous relief.
“What a wonderful day,” Ruby exclaimed from across the wide steel counter. “I adore weddings.”
“Me too,” Olivia chuckled. “Our worries were clearly unfounded.”
“They do seem to be enjoying the day,” Scarlett agreed.
