Word had spread of yesterday’s action and Chandler Lane’s arrest, Sam learned, when Jen plopped the morning newspaper on the worktable in front of her.
“When did you plan to mention this?”
Becky, Julio and Jo crowded around, catching the headline: Two Local Women Held Hostage. Beau had never mentioned the presence of media people. She felt half-irritated and half-grateful. At least he hadn’t spoiled their anniversary celebration with this additional stressor.
With no other choice, Sam gave a very quick summation, leaving out the way Zoë’s wound had healed so quickly and making light of the fact that they’d been at gunpoint during the whole ordeal.
“We are fine now, and Mr. Lane is facing a trial in Albuquerque,” she said. “Now, it’s time for us all to get back to work.”
“There’s one more piece of news,” Jen said, standing taller and ceremoniously clearing her throat. “I checked our website this morning for new orders and there was a very nice email from Mr. Stan Bookman.”
Sam felt puzzled. He was supposed to be in Paris, wowing his wife with her birthday trip and gift.
Jen held up a sheet of paper and started to read.
Dear Ms. Sweet and the entire Sweet’s Sweets crew,
I write this informal note to express my sincerest thanks for the excellent job in designing and presenting your fantastic box of chocolates. My wife declares it the best birthday gift she has ever received. I must say, I agree.
The chocolates have been so popular with our guests that I have come to an important decision. I want every traveler who books through my agency to experience the exquisite flavors and classic presentation (minus our personal cat theme, of course!) with which you have delighted us. Attached please find a contract for Sweet’s Sweets to be the official provider of chocolate gift boxes for Book It Travel.
Hoping you will find the terms agreeable,
Yours sincerely,
Stanley Bookman
“I printed the attachment. Sam, this is huge. We’re talking thousands of travelers, a lot of celebrities and important people,” Jen said.
“What? My gosh.” Sam took the pages and speed-read through it. This would mean hundreds of thousands in extra revenue. “I—I think I’m speechless.”
Jen chuckled. “Maybe for the first time!” she said, which started all of them laughing.
“Okay, back to work everyone,” said Becky. “There’s going to be a lot of chocolate flowing around this place very soon.”
Sam picked up her baker’s jacket and slipped it on. She thought of her daughter and the way Kelly and Scott placed their full attention on each other last night at their restaurant table. Would they have a future together; if so, where would that future take them? Jo, whose forgotten memories had threatened her very sanity a week ago, would soon be off to a new adventure in her own life. She looked around the busy kitchen, her gaze landing on Bookman’s contract—Sweet’s Sweets might look like an entirely different business a year from now. Nothing felt certain anymore.
You never know where fate will take you, she mused, but if you’re open to the possibilities, exciting things really can happen.
* * *
Thank you for taking the time to read Sweets Forgotten. If you enjoyed it, please consider telling your friends or posting a short review. Word of mouth is an author’s best friend and much appreciated.
Thank you,
Connie Shelton
* * *
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As always, my undying gratitude goes to those who have helped make my books and both of my series a reality: Dan Shelton, my partner in all adventures who is always there for me, working to keep the place running efficiently while I am locked away at my keyboard. My fantastic editors—Susan Slater and Shirley Shaw—thank you so much! And a special thanks goes out to Patty Shepard for planting the idea in my head about Kelly and Julio!
And especially to you, my readers—I cherish our connection through these stories.
Thank you, everyone!
Sweets Forgotten
Published by Secret Staircase Books, an imprint of
Columbine Publishing Group
PO Box 416, Angel Fire, NM 87710
Copyright © 2015 Connie Shelton
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the publisher.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Although the author and publisher have made every effort to ensure the accuracy and completeness of information contained in this book we assume no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or any inconsistency herein. Any slights of people, places or organizations are unintentional.
Book layout and design by Secret Staircase Books
Cover illustration © Dreamstime.com
Cupcake illustration © Makeitdoubleplz
First trade paperback edition: August, 2015
First e-book edition: August, 2015
Books by Connie Shelton
The Charlie Parker Series
Deadly Gamble
Vacations Can Be Murder
Partnerships Can Be Murder
Small Towns Can Be Murder
Memories Can Be Murder
Honeymoons Can Be Murder
Reunions Can Be Murder
Competition Can Be Murder
Balloons Can Be Murder
Obsessions Can Be Murder
Gossip Can Be Murder
Stardom Can Be Murder
Phantoms Can Be Murder
Buried Secrets Can Be Murder
Legends Can Be Murder
Holidays Can Be Murder - a Christmas novella
The Samantha Sweet Series
Sweet Masterpiece
Sweet’s Sweets
Sweet Holidays
Sweet Hearts
Bitter Sweet
Sweets Galore
Sweets Begorra
Sweet Payback
Sweet Somethings
Sweets Forgotten
The Woodcarver’s Secret
For the latest news on Connie’s books, announcements of new releases, and a chance to win great prizes, subscribe to her monthly email newsletter. All this and more at
connieshelton.com
Sweets Forgotten (Samantha Sweet Mysteries Book 10) Page 24
