by Cindy Bell
On the morning of the grand opening she woke with excitement tingling from her head to her toes. Hopefully, the doors would finally open. With her car loaded with last minute supplies she drove with her grandfather to the shop. Bill Power stood at the end of his driveway with his hands on his hips. When he saw Kerri, he nodded, with as much of a smile as he could muster. He wasn’t the only one eagerly waiting for her shop to open. Many people had mentioned throughout the week that they would be there on opening day. After getting everything set up, Natalie arrived to help.
“This is so exciting!” She rubbed her hands together and grinned. “It’s here, it’s time!”
“I hope so.” Kerri laughed. “Once these doors open, I may never shut them again.”
“A twenty-four hour shop? We could use that around here.” Natalie smiled.
“I think Cashew would miss you too much.” George grinned and leaned against the counter.
“Yes, you’re probably right about that.” Kerri glanced at her watch, then smiled. “This is it.” She smiled even wider as she flicked on the switch for the open sign. The sign lit up with a bright glow.
“Congratulations, Kerri.” Her grandfather wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gave her a light squeeze. “You did it.”
“I’m just so excited. I wonder if anyone will show up for the grand opening?”
“Wonder no longer.” He tilted his head towards the parking lot, which was filling up, car by car.
“Oh wow! Good thing I have backup.” She grinned at Natalie who stepped behind the register.
“At your service!” Natalie flicked the name tag on her pink polka dot shirt. “Looks like someone else is eager to check things out, too. Here comes Steve.”
Steve pushed open the door of the shop and smiled as he stepped inside. “Hi, am I too early?”
“No, you’re right on time.” Kerri greeted him with a warm smile. “Are you interested in some gourmet nuts?”
“I do have this squirrel friend that deserves quite a treat.” He grinned.
“All right, let me show you our finest options.” As she led him around the store, it began to fill up. She made herself available to answer questions and went running to the back to refill whatever disappeared from the shelves.
“Kerri!” A booming voice drew her attention mid-run. She skidded to a stop and saw Thad as he filled the doorway of the shop.
“Thad! I’m so glad you’re here. I think you’re going to love the selection.”
“I know I am!”
As Kerri observed the people from the town sorting through all of the goods she had to offer, she realized that she really did belong there. Everyone was impressed with the selection, and no one walked out empty-handed. Many began to ask questions about the places she’d visited and the cultures she experienced. It was exactly what she hoped the shop would bring to the area, a broader view of the world as a whole, and a curiosity that still followed her everywhere she went.
By the end of the day she’d sold more than twice as much as she’d anticipated, and was exhausted. The extra week before the grand opening had certainly helped spread the word.
“Should we go back to my place for wine to celebrate?” Natalie leaned against the counter. “I can’t wait to get these shoes off. Who thought high heels were a good idea?”
“Not me.” Kerri laughed and wiggled her toes in her sneakers.
“I think you’d better postpone that wine. You have one more customer.” George pointed towards the door. Chief Meyers stepped inside, and took off his hat. He clutched it in his hand as he walked up and down the aisles. When he paused in front of the counter, he met Kerri’s eyes.
“Nice place you’ve got here, Kerri.”
“Thank you. I’m glad that you like it.”
“I can see myself doing most of my grocery shopping here.” He laughed. “All of these foods look delicious.”
“Did you try a banana nut muffin?” She held out a tray with the last few on them.
“Thanks.” He picked one up and took a bite. “Wow, these are amazing.”
“And the rest are mine!” George took the tray from Kerri. Kerri rolled her eyes and smiled.
“I want to thank you, Kerri.” Chief Meyers finished his treat then met her eyes.
“Thank me for what?”
“The DNA results came back for the case. The ring you found had both Damian and Jasper’s DNA on it. We were also able to restore the engraving that was worn off, which contained Jasper’s initials. It’s going to help in the case against him. Not only that, but I can’t imagine what might have happened if you hadn’t shown up in time to save Steve.”
“He’s right.” Steve nodded and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “If it wasn’t for you, and George, I probably wouldn’t be here.”
“Don’t even think that. What matters most is that we’re all safe, Jasper is behind bars, and Damian has his justice.”
“Yes, that’s true.” Chief Meyers smiled. “And would you believe that Reiner and Bert Weber are actually international criminals? The FBI came to get them. I can’t tell you the last time we had FBI in this town. What a spectacle.”
“I had no idea.” Kerri grinned. Chief Meyers eyed her for a moment.
“I never can figure you out, Kerri.”
“Trust me, it’s better not to try.” George winked. As Chief Meyers left, Steve kept his arm around her.
“Time for wine and celebration, hmm?”
“That sounds like the perfect ending to a fantastic first day.”
“It’s a great beginning, and just wait until you see the article I write about your grand opening.” Steve tapped his finger against his phone. “It’s all right here. Once this hits the news, you’re going to have an even bigger weekend.”
“I can’t wait to read it.” Kerri took one last look around the shop, then turned off the switch to the open sign. As the shop grew dim, she recalled all the work she put in to get it open. Cascade Grove was definitely her new home, but she’d brought a little piece of the rest of the world with her.
The End
***
Thank you very much for reading ‘A Seed of Doubt’. I hope you enjoyed it. You can sign up for Cindy’s newsletter to be notified of her latest releases so you don’t miss out on the special new release price at
http://www.cindybellbooks.com
Also by Cindy Bell
Sage Gardens Cozy Mysteries
Birthdays Can Be Deadly
Money Can Be Deadly
Trust Can Be Deadly
Ties Can Be Deadly
Rocks Can Be Deadly
Jewelry Can Be Deadly
Numbers Can Be Deadly
Memories Can Be Deadly
Paintings Can Be Deadly
A Macaron Patisserie Cozy Mystery Series
Sifting for Suspects
Recipes and Revenge
Nuts About Nuts Cozy Mysteries
A Tough Case to Crack
Heavenly Highland Inn Cozy Mysteries
Murdering the Roses
Dead in the Daisies
Killing the Carnations
Drowning the Daffodils
Suffocating the Sunflowers
Books, Bullets and Blooms
A Deadly Serious Gardening Contest
A Bridal Bouquet and a Body
Dune House Cozy Mysteries
Seaside Secrets
Boats and Bad Guys
Treasured History
Hidden Hideaways
Dodgy Dealings
Suspects and Surprises
Ruffled Feathers
A Fishy Discovery
Danger in the Depths
Chocolate Centered Cozy Mysteries
The Sweet Smell of Murder
A Deadly Delicious Delivery
A Bitter Sweet Murder
A Treacherous Tasty Trail
Luscious Pastry at a Lethal Party
Trouble and Treats
Fudge Films and Felon
ies
Wendy the Wedding Planner Cozy Mysteries
Matrimony, Money and Murder
Chefs, Ceremonies and Crimes
Knives and Nuptials
Mice, Marriage and Murder
Bekki the Beautician Cozy Mysteries
Hairspray and Homicide
A Dyed Blonde and a Dead Body
Mascara and Murder
Pageant and Poison
Conditioner and a Corpse
Mistletoe, Makeup and Murder
Hairpin, Hair Dryer and Homicide
Blush, a Bride and a Body
Shampoo and a Stiff
Cosmetics, a Cruise and a Killer
Lipstick, a Long Iron and Lifeless
Camping, Concealer and Criminals
Treated and Dyed
About the Author
Cindy Bell is the author of the cozy mystery series Dune House, Sage Gardens, Chocolate Centered, Macaron Patisserie, Nuts about Nuts, Bekki the Beautician, Heavenly Highland Inn and Wendy the Wedding Planner.
Cindy has always loved reading, but it is only recently that she has discovered her passion for writing romantic cozy mysteries. She loves walking along the beach thinking of the next adventure her characters can embark on.
You can sign up for her newsletter so you are notified of her latest releases at http://www.cindybellbooks.com.
Nut Bar Recipe
Ingredients:
3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup cashew nuts
1/2 cup almonds
1/2 cup pecan nuts
1/3 cup butter
1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preparation:
Line a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with parchment paper. Leave extra paper hanging over the ends so it is easy to pull out.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Roughly chop the nuts. You can use a food processor but I find that I often make them too small if I do, so instead I just chop them by hand.
Place the nuts and oats on a lined baking tray and place them in the oven for 5 minutes and then mix them around and continue toasting them for another 5 to 10 minutes until they are lightly toasted. Once the nuts and oats are lightly toasted, place them in a large bowl and leave them aside to cool slightly.
Turn the oven down to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
While the oats and nuts are toasting place the butter, honey and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until the butter has melted and the sugar has completely dissolved. Stirring occasionally. Leave the mixture aside to cool slightly.
Roughly chop the dried cranberries.
Add the sesame seeds, cranberries, cinnamon and vanilla extract to the bowl with the oats and nuts.
Add the butter, honey and sugar mixture to the bowl and mix until everything is thoroughly combined.
Take the mixture and pour it into the pan and then press the mixture into the corners of the pan. Try to compress and flatten the mixture as much as possible as this will help the bars stick together and not fall apart. After I have used the back of a spoon I put a bit of vegetable oil on my fingers and compress the mixture.
Place the pan in the preheated 300 degree Fahrenheit oven for 20-25 minutes until the bars are golden brown.
Take out of the oven and leave in the pan to cool.
After about 10 minutes cut into 16 bars while in the pan and then leave to cool completely. The bars harden as they cool so if you leave them too long it is very difficult to cut into them.
Enjoy!
Banana Nut Muffins
Ingredients:
2 eggs
1 cup ripe bananas mashed (about 2 large bananas)
1/2 cup melted butter
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
3/4 cup walnuts chopped
Extra walnuts for decorating
Preparation:
This recipe makes about 18 muffins.
Line muffin trays with cupcake liners.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Beat the eggs.
Add the eggs, bananas, melted butter, buttermilk, and vanilla extract to a large bowl. Mix the ingredients together with a spoon until it is well-combined.
Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg and cinnamon together in another bowl. Add the sugar.
Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Mix with a spoon until well-combined.
Mix the chopped walnuts into the mixture.
Fill the cupcake liners three quarters of the way and then add a whole walnut to the top of each muffin.
Bake for 14-18 minutes until they are golden brown and a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean.
Enjoy!
