“I want to.” The words burst forth from Nick so fast that he startled himself. He laughed self-consciously, glanced again at Ben and then back to Katie. His voice was soft once more. “I want to.”
The twins didn’t stay much longer. Plans were made for them to start the following week, and Katie assured Nick that she would work around his schedule of classes the following semester.
And just like that, I had an assistant. I’d left the bookstore unattended so many times as I… snooped around, as so many people liked to say, that finally hiring someone felt like a long time coming.
“I know we hadn’t talked about it, but somehow, the idea of them working here almost feels relaxing, doesn’t it?” Katie smiled over at me as she locked the door behind the twins.
“Yeah. It does.” Watson pulled my attention away for a moment as he trotted beside the window until Ben was out of sight. “Although, I’m not sure how much work Ben will be able to get done with Watson underfoot. I wish I could figure out what it is about a person that makes Watson go gaga. First Barry, then Leo, and now Ben.”
Katie watched Watson as well and simply shrugged. “I’d say it’s a good sign. I’ll try not to be insulted that he doesn’t do it to me.”
I snorted out a laugh. “Yeah, you and me both.”
“Oh no. I just realized.” Katie was halfway back across the bookshop when she paused and turned slowly back to face me.
“What?” From the tone of her voice, I was expecting something horrible.
She didn’t answer for a second, just looked from one side of the Cozy Corgi to the other and then back at me, slightly slack-jawed. “With Ben and Nick working here, we’re going to be three shops in a row each housing a set of twins. Verona and Zelda on our left, Noah and Jonah on our right, and Nick and Ben in the middle.” She shook her head. “We’re going to be known as, like, twin row or something.”
She was right. “We can make it even better. You can dye your hair and we can be twins as well.”
“Oh, sure.” Katie scoffed. “Let me get right on growing half a foot so we can pull that off.”
“No. Never mind. I like having you be short.”
She glared playfully. “It’s either vertically challenged or fun-sized, remember?” Katie grew more serious. “That is a high concentration of twins.”
Another possibility hit me, and I slapped my thigh as I turned, calling Watson over from the window. “I’ve a better idea. One that allows you to keep your hair color and your stature.” Watson waddled over to me. “How about we get a second corgi? Watson could be the twin.” I ruffled his ears. “Would you like that, buddy? There could be two of you.”
“Are you insane?” Katie looked at me as if I really was. “You do know that if you tried to bring in another corgi that Watson would kill you, right? Literally. Probably both of us.”
I met Watson’s gaze as I stroked him. “You wouldn’t do that to Mama, would you?”
Watson cocked his head in a way that suggested he might understand me, and when his eyes narrowed slightly, the suspicion was confirmed.
Katie noticed as well. “See? Right there. He’s plotting your death even as you speak.”
She was right, of course, but I couldn’t help but tease my little man. “No, you’re not, are you? You want to share your treats with a little brother or sister, don’t you?”
All concern left his eyes at that word. He let out a yip and began his bunny hop.
Katie chuckled. “I’ll go get you your treat, Watson. I think you deserve one of the big all-natural dog bones you love so much for putting up with your mom’s teasing.”
Watson scurried after her, leaving me behind. But when he reached the base of the stairs, right before he darted up, he glanced back, with a very clear Don’t you even think about it, crazy lady in his eyes.
Katie’s Scone recipe provided by:
2716 Welton St Denver, CO 80205
(720) 708-3026
Click the links for more Rolling Pin deliciousness:
RollingPinBakeshop.com
Rolling Pin Facebook Page
Scone Recipe
Ingredients:
4 1/4C flour, all purpose
1/2t salt
1 3/4t baking powder
1 1/2t baking soda
1/3C sugar
1C butter, unsalted, room temp
1C buttermilk
Directions:
1. Combine flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda in bowl and set aside.
2. In mixing bowl with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy
3. Add dry ingredients and buttermilk 1/3 at a time alternating between the two until combined
4. Add desired flavorings such as extracts, nuts, dried fruits or chocolate chips.
5. On cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, form into round shape about 8" across. Flatten to about 1" thick. Cut into pie shape wedges into desired sizes.
6. Separate pieces from each other and bake for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees.
About the Author
Reading the Cozy Corgi series is pretty much all you need to know about Mildred. In real life, she’s obsessed with everything she writes about: Corgis, Books, Cozy Mountain Towns, and Baked Goods. She’s not obsessed with murder, however. At least not at her own hands (nor paid for… no contract killing here). But since childhood, starting with Nancy Drew, trying to figure out who-dun-it has played a formative role in her personality. Having Fred and Watson stroll into her mind was a touch of kismet.
Website: Mildredabbott.com
Author Note
Dear Reader:
Thank you so much for reading Scornful Scones. If you enjoyed Fred and Watson’s adventure, I would greatly appreciate a review on Amazon and Goodreads. Please drop me a note on Facebook or on my website (MildredAbbott.com) whenever you like. I’d love to hear from you.
I also wanted to mention the elephant in the room… or the over-sugared corgi, as it were. Watson’s personality is based around one of my own corgis, Alastair. He’s the sweetest little guy in the world, and, like Watson, is a bit of a grump. Also, like Watson (and every other corgi to grace the world with their presence), he lives for food. In the Cozy Corgi series, I’m giving Alastair the life of his dreams through Watson. Just like I don’t spend my weekends solving murders, neither does he spend his days snacking on scones and unending dog treats. But in the books? Well, we both get to live out our fantasies. If you are a corgi parent, you already know your little angel shouldn’t truly have free rein of the pastry case, but you can read them snippets of Watson’s life for a pleasant bedtime fantasy.
And don’t miss book six, Chaotic Corgis, coming June 2018. Keep turning for a sneak peek at the cover.
Much love, Mildred
PS: I’d also love it if you signed up for my newsletter. That way you’ll never miss a new release. You won’t hear from me more than once a month, nobody needs that many newsletters!
Newsletter link: Mildred Abbott Newsletter Signup
Acknowledgments
A special thanks to Agatha Frost, who gave her blessing and her wisdom. If you haven’t already, you simply MUST read Agatha’s Peridale Cafe Cozy Mystery series. They are absolute perfection.
The biggest and most heartfelt gratitude to Katie Pizzolato, for her belief in my writing career and being the inspiration for the character of the same name in this series. Thanks to you, Katie, our beloved baker, has completely stolen both mine and Fred’s heart!
Desi, I couldn’t imagine an adventure without you by my side. A.J. Corza, you have given me the corgi covers of my dreams. A huge, huge thank you to all of the lovely souls who proofread the ARC versions and helped me look somewhat literate (in completely random order): Ann Attwood, Melissa Brus, Cinnamon, Ron Perry, Rob Andresen-Tenace, Kelly Miller, TL Travis, Victoria Smiser, Lucy Campbell, Sue Paulsen, Chris Dancer, Kristine Zepf, Bernadette Ould, and Lisa Jackson. Thank you all, so very, very much!
A furth
er and special thanks to some of my dear readers and friends who support my passion: Andrea Johnson, Fiona Wilson, Katie Pizzolato, Maggie Johnson, Marcia Gleason, Rob Andresen- Tenace, Robert Winter, Jason R., Victoria Smiser, Kristi Browning, and those of you who wanted to remain anonymous. You make a huge, huge difference in my life and in my ability to continue to write. I’m humbled and grateful beyond belief! So much love to you all!
Chaotic Corgis
Coming June 2018
Scornful Scones Page 18
