Cozy Creek

by K M Morgan

“There’s the happy Daisy McDare that I’ve come to know and love.”

  “Happy is a bit of an overstatement,” she said. “I’m more relieved than anything.”

  “That’s still an improvement over how you were in the theater. I haven’t seen you that tense in a long time.”

  “Can you really blame me?”

  “No. I blame this town for putting you so on edge,” he said. “I mean, how surreal have our lives become that we consider it cause for celebration that a real murder didn’t occur tonight?”

  “Trust me. No one is more nostalgic than I am for the days when our hometown lived up to the name Cozy Creek. But this is just the crazy world we’re living in now.”

  “Crazy being the operative word.”

  Daisy nodded. “It sure is.”

  “I just wish that you could have had some fun tonight instead of being in a constant state of anxiety.”

  “There’s always next time,” she said.

  Gavin’s eyes widened. “Wait a minute. After tonight, you wouldn’t honestly ever go to another dinner theater performance again, would you?”

  “Of course not,” she said. “I meant, next time we go out for dinner…you know, at a regular restaurant.”

  This time, Gavin was the one who looked immensely relieved. “Right. You scared me there for a second.”

  “Sorry.”

  Gavin’s thoughts turned elsewhere. “Be honest, though. Did you not even have a little bit of fun tonight?”

  Daisy turned the tables on her fiancé. “Did you?”

  He called her out. “You didn’t answer my question.”

  Daisy chuckled.

  Gavin’s nose wrinkled. “What’s so funny?”

  “When you talk like that, you sound like a sleuth.”

  “I wonder where I picked that up from,” he joked.

  Daisy smiled. “I have no clue.”

  “Now, back to my question—”

  She interrupted him. “There are worse ways to spend an evening.”

  “You mean, like having to solve an actual murder?” he said.

  Daisy nodded. “Exactly.”

  He took a deep breath. “It really is a shame that you didn’t enjoy any of the performance tonight.”

  “Speaking of, you can’t tell Annie and Samantha the truth,” Daisy said. “I don’t want them finding out that I was so on edge.”

  “You want me to lie to your friends?”

  Daisy shook her head. “No. I’ll do the lying. I just need you to go along with my story.”

  Gavin shook his head in disbelief.

  “Don’t judge me,” she said. “I’m not planning on making a habit of it. I’m just going to do it this one time.”

  Gavin exhaled. “All right. What are you going to tell them?”

  “That the acting was really solid and that the theater company put on a really convincing show.” Daisy held her pointer finger up. “Which, technically, is not a lie. I’m just going to omit the details about being scared stiff.”

  “That’s probably a good idea. And, with the theater now squarely in the rearview mirror, at least now you can rest easy.”

  Daisy nodded. “I have a feeling I’m going to fall asleep in no time tonight.”

  “Before you crash out, though, I was wondering if we could make a little pit stop.”

  She tensed up. “Where do you want to stop?”

  “Relax. I have a nice surprise for you.”

  “Such as?”

  “I don’t know about you, but I was just thinking that if there has ever been a night that screams for dessert, it’s this evening,” Gavin said.

  “That bad pun is enough to make me scream,” Daisy said.

  “I figured you’d like that one. But where my puns fail, ice cream never will. Am I right?”

  Daisy scratched her chin. “It is awfully hard to turn down ice cream.”

  “Is that a yes then?”

  Daisy smiled. “Rocky road, here I come.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  When Daisy stopped in at Sweet Tooth Bakery the following day, Samantha and Granny Annie couldn’t wait to speak with her.

  “Is it true?” Granny Annie asked.

  Daisy’s eyebrows knitted. “Is what true?”

  “That you didn’t have a good time at the theater last night,” Samantha said.

  Daisy shook her head. “That isn’t true at all.”

  Granny Annie put her hands on her hips. “You’re not lying to us just to spare our feelings, are you?”

  Daisy threw out her arms. “What would give you that idea?”

  Granny Annie took a deep breath. “Well, it’s just that—”

  Daisy’s nose crinkled. “Gavin told you that my anxieties came out to play a little last night, didn’t he?”

  Samantha shook her head. “No. It wasn’t Gavin.”

  “But you did talk to someone about last night, though, correct?” Daisy said.

  Samantha nodded. “Detective Crumple stopped in here earlier.”

  “Crumple, huh?” Daisy said. “I should have known.”

  “I’m sorry you didn’t like the show very much,” Samantha said.

  “No. I enjoyed it,” Daisy said.

  “You mean, when you weren’t fretting about whether a real dead body would turn up?” Samantha said.

  “The performers put on a really good show. It was well done,” Daisy said.

  Granny Annie folded her arms. “You can be honest with us.”

  “I am being honest—” Daisy began to say.

  Annie interrupted. “Daisy, I’m too old to listen to anything but the truth. Now come clean with us.”

  “Look. The old saying is spot-on. It truly is the thought that counts. And both of your hearts were in the right place,” Daisy said.

  Granny Annie squinted. “In my mind, the thought only counts for so much. Especially when you didn’t really enjoy the gift.”

  “You’re making a much bigger deal of this than you should,” Daisy said.

  Granny Annie shook her head. “No. After everything you’ve done for this town, you deserve an amazing thank you gift. So that’s exactly what we’re going to give you.”

  “Please tell me you’re not getting something else,” Daisy said.

  “Of course,” Granny Annie said.

  “That’s not necessary,” Daisy said.

  “It’s already done,” Granny Annie said.

  Daisy saw Annie smile wide.

  “What did you get me?” Daisy asked.

  Samantha grabbed a sheet of paper from the front counter and handed it to Daisy.

  “Two passes to the Sweets and Treats Cupcake Convention next month in Rolling Winds,” Samantha said.

  Daisy’s eyes lit up. “Wait a minute. Since when are they putting on a Cupcake Convention in Rolling Winds? Why is this the first I’m hearing about it?”

  “It turns out you’ve been kind of busy lately,” Samantha said.

  “There’s an understatement for you,” Daisy said. “Thank you two so much for this.”

  Granny Annie smiled. “I figured you’d like those tickets.”

  “Like them?” Daisy asked. “Are you kidding? I love them.”

  “I hope you have an unforgettable time,” Samantha said.

  Daisy looked at the passes again. “I can’t say thank you enough.”

  “Trust me. That smile on your face is all the thanks that I need,” Granny Annie said.

  Daisy gave both Annie and Samantha a hug.

  “I have the best friends,” Daisy said.

  “I can’t disagree with that,” Granny Annie said.

  Daisy got a faraway look in her eyes. “Wow, a whole convention devoted to cupcakes. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.”

  Samantha grabbed a cupcake from the display case. “The convention may not be until next month, but here’s a little taste of what you might be able to expect.”

  “A free cupcake? My day just keeps getting better and
better,” Daisy said.

  “You’re awfully easy to please sometimes, you know that?” Samantha said.

  “Hey. Who doesn’t love a free cupcake?” Daisy asked.

  Samantha smiled. “Good point.”

  The End.

  The Deadly Floral Affair

  Chapter One

  “I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the minister said. “You may kiss the bride.”

  It was the moment that Daisy McDare had been waiting for. She was officially married. And she couldn’t have been happier about it.

  Sure, it had been a long time coming. But in her mind, it was worth the wait. After all, Gavin Watson was more than just her new husband. He was the man of her dreams. She felt so blessed that she’d get to spend the rest of her life with him.

  Before she got too ahead of herself, though, there was something else that needed to be done to complete the ceremony.

  Just as Daisy was wrapped up in her thoughts, Gavin leaned in and gave her a big kiss. Once his lips pressed against hers, Daisy regained her focus. How could she not? It was an incredible kiss. The type of embrace that nearly swept her off of her feet.

  Of course, Daisy had practically been walking on air all day. It was a magical afternoon on the Pacific Coast. Both the ceremony and the reception were being held right beside the ocean. Mother Nature had supplied everyone in attendance with ideal conditions. The sky was clear and blue. The temperature was in the seventies. And there was zero chance of any precipitation.

  Daisy couldn’t ask more of the weather. Or the venue, for that matter. Daisy had grown up loving the ocean, so to tie the knot with a sprawling view of the coastline directly behind her was as picturesque of a setting as there was for a wedding in her small hometown of Cozy Creek.

  In addition, Daisy was delighted that every one of her friends and family were in attendance. That included her parents, Gavin’s parents, Gavin’s friends, Samantha Johnson, Granny Annie Johnson, Addison McDare, Trevor Thompson, Kara Carruthers, Detective Chris Crumple, Christina Butler, and many more.

  A lot of planning had gone into putting together this wedding, but much to Daisy’s delight, it was all going off without a hitch. Daisy just hoped that the good times kept rolling all the way through the reception.

  ***

  About an hour later, in the reception hall, Daisy, Gavin, and their guests were sitting down to dinner. And what a meal it was. The entrée was a lemon chicken. That was paired with garlic mashed potatoes and sautéed vegetables. The food absolutely hit the spot. To the point where Daisy could have easily had seconds.

  That said, she needed to save some room for wedding cake. But before she dug into dessert, some dancing was on the schedule.

  Gavin got up from the head table, took Daisy’s hand, and led her onto the dancefloor. Her husband then rested his hand on the small of her back as a love ballad began playing over the speakers.

  There were a lot of songs that they could have chosen to be played during their first dance as husband and wife, but none were as romantic as this one.

  As Gavin and Daisy moved back and forth on the dance floor, Gavin leaned in and asked his wife a question.

  “Has today been as incredible as you thought it would?” Gavin said.

  Daisy nodded. “It sure has. So much so that I don’t want it to end.”

  He smiled. “Neither do I.”

  “I’m so glad to hear that.”

  “Why wouldn’t I be over the moon right now?” he asked. “I just got to marry the most beautiful woman in the world.”

  Daisy blushed. “The most beautiful? Gavin, you don’t have to exaggerate.”

  “I’m being honest. You’re absolutely gorgeous. I can’t believe I get to spend the rest of my life with you.”

  She gazed deep into his eyes. “You’re so good to me.”

  “What can I say? You bring out the best in me.”

  “I love you so much.”

  “And I love you with all of my heart.”

  “I have to admit, I really like this tender side of you,” she said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this emotional.”

  “That’s probably because I haven’t been. Of all the days for it to happen, though, I think it’s pretty fitting that it’s occurring on our wedding day.”

  “Trust me. I’m not complaining.”

  “Good.”

  “Honestly, right now, I can’t wait to see what life has in store for us next.”

  Gavin smiled. “All good things, I hope.”

  “I’m going to pray that you’re right,” Daisy said. “After everything we’ve been through, we deserve some peace.”

  “Isn’t that the truth?”

  “As a matter of fact, I hope things have quieted down here for good.”

  “You know I can’t predict the future,” Gavin replied. “But I can say this. The present is absolutely fantastic.”

  Daisy nodded. “It sure is. Especially with cake coming up shortly.”

  Gavin chuckled. “Leave it to you to bring up cake at a time like this.”

  “I’m sorry. I just happened to spot the wedding cake and my mouth began to water.”

  “You don’t have to apologize. I saw the cake a little earlier and have been thinking about it as well. It looks amazing.”

  “It sure does. I can’t wait to dig in.”

  “Neither can I,” he said.

  Chapter Two

  A short time later, Daisy and Gavin were sitting back at the head table. But they weren’t alone. Samantha Johnson and Granny Annie Johnson stood in front of them, watching the newlyweds take a bite of the wedding cake.

  There was a nervous look in both Samantha’s and Annie’s eyes as Daisy tasted the sponge cake with vanilla icing.

  “So, what do you think?” Granny Annie asked.

  “Please tell us you like it,” Samantha said.

  Daisy didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she took a moment to let the taste of the cake sink in.

  Samantha got antsy. “Daisy, don’t keep us in suspense any longer.”

  “Yeah, I’m not getting any younger,” Granny Annie added. “What do you think of the cake?”

  “It’s fantastic,” Daisy said.

  Gavin then took a bite of his cake and immediately smiled. “I second that. This is delicious.”

  A huge smile came to Samantha’s face. “I’m so happy to hear that.”

  Daisy threw out her arms. “Was there any doubt that we’d enjoy it?”

  “We hoped that you would, but you never know. And since it’s your big day, the pressure was really on,” Samantha said.

  “Everything you two make is wonderful. That’s why Sweet Tooth is the best bakery in town.”

  Granny Annie’s face lit up. “You don’t know how happy I am to hear that.”

  “Don’t just take my word for it. Have some for yourself,” Daisy said.

  Granny Annie grabbed a fork. “I don’t mind if I do. Honestly, my mouth was watering a little as we baked this. It took all the willpower I had not to take a taste earlier.”

  “I’ll bet. I don’t know where you find all that willpower,” Daisy said.

  “Neither do I. What can I say? Sometimes, I surprise myself,” Annie replied.

  Samantha grabbed a fork as well. “And other times, we are helpless to resist.”

  “Let me tell you. I don’t know anyone who could resist cake this delicious,” Daisy said.

  Gavin put his hand up. “Ladies, this is a wedding. If ever there’s a time to indulge, it’s now.”

  Granny Annie stared at Daisy. “You married a smart man.”

  Daisy nodded. “I sure did.”

  Samantha grabbed her wine glass. “Don’t worry. I plan on indulging plenty. But before I do, I have one thing to say.” She looked at Daisy, then at Gavin. “I hope you two have a long marriage filled with peace, prosperity, and plenty of wonderful memories.”

  “I thought you were going to say peace, prosperity, and plent
y of pastries,” Granny Annie remarked.

  “Granny, not everything is about baked goods,” Samantha replied.

  “That’s what you say,” Granny Annie remarked.

  Samantha, Daisy, and Gavin all laughed.

  Chapter Three

  The rest of the evening went by in a blur. There was plenty of eating, dancing, and fun to go around. But eventually, the night came to a close.

  The next morning, Daisy woke up still riding high on a wave of joy. As a matter of fact, she never really came down from the incredible rush of emotions that had washed over her during her wedding ceremony.

  That said, just because her wedding was now in the books didn’t mean that the good times were over. In fact, there was plenty more to look forward to. Next up was her honeymoon.

  As Daisy and Gavin sat at gate eleven in the Cozy Creek Airport, they let their emotions spill out of them.

  “What a wild ride this has been,” Daisy said.

  Gavin gazed at his wife. “I don’t think you’ve stopped smiling in a day and a half.”

  “Why would I?” Daisy asked. “Our wedding couldn’t have gone any better. And now we’re off to our honeymoon. This is about as good as life can get. Don’t you think?”

  Gavin nodded. “Of course. I mean, this isn’t just any honeymoon. We’re going to Hawaii.”

  “I know. I’m so excited. I’ve been wanting to go to Maui my entire life. And now it’s finally happening.”

  “There’s so much to look forward to. The beach, the ocean, the tropic sunsets.”

  “This has magic written all over it.”

  “It sure does. You can’t go wrong with an entire week of rest and relaxation.”

  “Especially since we both know how rare that is to come by.”

  “Are you kidding?” Gavin said. “It’s nearly impossible.”

  “If the past has taught me anything, it’s that nothing is impossible,” Daisy said.

  “True. Although, most of the lessons that the past has taught you involved solving a murder of some kind. This is going to be different.”

  “You can say that again. If my instincts are correct, this is going to be the best seven days of my life.”