by Cindy Bell
A Deadly Serious Gardening Contest
A Heavenly Highland Inn Cozy Mystery
Cindy Bell
Copyright © 2014 Cindy Bell
All rights reserved.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and locations portrayed in this book and the names herein are fictitious. Any similarity to or identification with the locations, names, characters or history of any person, product or entity is entirely coincidental and unintentional.
All trademarks and brands referred to in this book are for illustrative purposes only, are the property of their respective owners and not affiliated with this publication in any way. Any trademarks are being used without permission, and the publication of the trademark is not authorized by, associated with or sponsored by the trademark owner.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter One
Vicky was very excited. The beautiful gardens surrounding the Heavenly Highland Inn had caught the attention of one of the trendiest gardening magazines in the US. ‘Garnish your Garden’ was a magazine that was packed from cover to cover with unique and modern ways to turn your garden into the centerpiece of your home. When one of the editors stayed in Highland at the Heavenly Highland Inn, he was so impressed with what he saw that he insisted their next contest be hosted there.
When Sarah got the call with the request she was elated. Everyone at the inn was, because they knew that it would not only bring some new guests from all over the country, but it would be a lot of fun to host the contest. They had booked two weeks in advance so Sarah, Vicky, and Aunt Ida had been working non-stop in the gardens to make sure that there was enough room for the contest, and of course a beautiful display to be seen.
Sarah was in charge of the accommodation and the catering. Vicky was in charge of setting up booths in the banquet hall for the vendors as well as coordinating the decorations in the gardens and ensuring that everyone who visited would have a breathtaking experience. With her fiancé, Mitchell's, help she had erected several wooden stands for displays and for the guests to shelter in. It had been a true test of their recent engagement, especially when Vicky had accidentally hit Mitchell's thumb with a hammer. The memory of that event was still fresh in Vicky's mind as she stood in the gardens the morning before the contest. She was there to do a final check that everything was in place, from seating to lighting, to the flooring for the musicians that would be playing throughout the two days of the contest. But really she knew that everything was already perfect, she was enjoying the morning sunshine and the anticipation of the gardens being filled with happy guests the next day.
“Good morning, my blossom,” Mitchell called out from the path that wound around the side of the inn, beyond the pool and the employees’ quarters, to the gardens. Vicky grinned at the way his southern drawl turned anything he said into something she wanted to remember forever.
“Morning,” she called out as she met him at the end of the path. Since he had been promoted to detective he no longer had to wear a uniform. Vicky missed it just a little bit. He drew her in for a deep kiss, sending butterflies dancing in her stomach. When he released her she cringed at the sight of his bandaged thumb.
“Does it still hurt?” she asked as she looked into his eyes.
He pursed his lips briefly and cast his piercing blue eyes over hers.
“Let's just say I'm not going to trust you with a hammer any time soon,” he chuckled.
“It was an accident,” she grimaced and hugged him gently. “I'm so sorry.”
“Nothing to apologize for,” he said calmly and brushed a hand through her dark brown hair. “It's quite obvious that my thumb did something to offend you.”
“Ha ha,” Vicky said with a slow smile, her deep green eyes dancing. “I'm serious, how is it feeling?”
“It's fine,” he promised. “So, is everything ready?” he asked as he glanced over the gardens. “It couldn't be more beautiful,” he smiled with approval.
“I think we're all set,” Vicky replied proudly. “The gardens were gorgeous before, but now I think they are fit for a magazine. Those areas over there are for the gardens that people will set up for the contest.”
“I still don't see how anyone can create such incredible gardens in such a short period of time,” he said and shook his head with amazement.
“Well, that's why it's a contest,” she grinned. “The stands turned out wonderfully.”
“Yes, they did,” he said proudly. “We really do make a great team.”
“Except for the injuries,” Vicky reminded him with a grimace.
“Even with injuries,” he smiled and kissed her cheek. “But seriously, no more hammers.”
“No more hammers,” she promised with a guilty smile.
“I only have a little time before I have to head to work,” Mitchell explained. “I think Sheriff McDonnell thinks he needs to work me twice the amount of hours in order to make up for my promotion.”
“I think he just knows what a great detective you are,” Vicky replied proudly.
“Ever since the engagement he has been bugging me to let him know when I need to take time off for the wedding,” Mitchell mentioned casually. Vicky tensed at the question. She covered it with a smile.
“Well, he'll be the third one to know, right?” she grinned.
“I hope I'm in those first two,” Mitchell said with a short laugh. “Or, are you and Sarah planning things behind my back?”
Vicky shook her head and smiled. Her sister, Sarah, was not only her sister, but her best friend. Vicky secretly knew that Sarah probably would be the second to know.
“Well, there is the wedding season to think about, and with this contest…” she began to make excuses.
“Sweetheart,” Mitchell cupped her cheeks gently with his hands and looked deeply into her eyes. “I'm not trying to rush anything. I want you to marry me, when you are ready, and not a moment sooner.”
“I am ready,” Vicky insisted, a little worried that he would think that she wasn't.
“Oh good, because I called the Justice of the Peace,” Mitchell began in a serious tone.
“Mitchell,” Vicky gasped and laughed when he winked. He kissed her softly and then looked into her eyes again.
“I mean it, Vicky. This is a big step. I know that you love me, and I am willing to wait. I'd rather know that you were absolutely certain, than think that you might have set a date just to please me,” he raised an eyebrow slightly. “Don't worry I'll have you barefoot and pregnant in no time.”
“What?” Vicky glared at him.
“Don't hurt me!” Mitchell grimaced. “Are there any hammers around?”
“You are so silly,” Vicky shook her head and then kissed him. “Maybe you can have me barefoot on the beach on our honeymoon, but that's all I'm promising.”
“I'll take it,” Mitchell grinned then glanced at his watch. “Sorry, I have to get going, call me if you need anything. Okay?”
“I will,” Vicky promised. “Love you,” she added. Mitc
hell smiled as if hearing those words still lit a fire in his heart.
“Love you, too,” he murmured and kissed her once more before walking off.
***
After Mitchell left, Vicky stepped inside the inn. Sarah was already behind the front desk going over last minute details.
“Morning, Sis,” Vicky said as she walked up to her. “Are you excited?”
“Very,” Sarah replied in a tight voice. Vicky narrowed her eyes slightly. Sarah's blonde hair looked a little frazzled, and her brown eyes were tense and focused on the computer in front of her.
“Is something wrong?” Vicky frowned as she studied her sister. “You don't seem very excited.”
“I'm sorry,” Sarah shook her head as she looked up at her. “I just want everything to be perfect, but something is telling me that everything is going to go wrong.”
“I'm sure everything will be fine. Do you need help with anything?” Vicky asked quickly. “I'm done in the gardens, I can help you with whatever you need.”
“Thanks, Vicky,” Sarah sighed with relief. “Everything is ready, it's just that sometimes I get a little wound up.”
Vicky smiled sympathetically. She knew that Sarah had the inn to run, plus a family at home that she had to be present for.
“Have you been getting any rest?” she asked with concern. “Do you want me to take the boys for a bit?”
“No, it's okay,” Sarah insisted. “Phil has been helping me so much. He knows how important this contest is to me and he has even offered to watch the boys all weekend so I can stay here and make sure everything goes smoothly.”
“That's good,” Vicky smiled with approval. Since Sarah and Vicky's parents had died in a car accident, Vicky knew that Sarah had been shouldering the burden of responsibility a lot longer than she had. Phil had been an amazing help as the sisters went through their grieving process together. Vicky was relieved that her sister had married such a wonderful man. “But remember this is supposed to be fun, too,” Vicky said. “Don't make me stick Aunt Ida on you.”
“Oh no, please don't,” Sarah laughed. “I promise that I will have fun.”
Sarah and Vicky had grown up in the Heavenly Highland Inn, which their parents had run until their death. Aunt Ida had been a presence in their lives before that, a fun and slightly crazy aunt that always had the strangest gifts and advice to give. After their parents died, she had become more of a motherly figure to Sarah and Vicky, though she still had plenty of her quirky moments and insisted on fun at all times.
“Good,” Vicky said, feeling a little better as she studied Sarah's smile. “I think everything is going to go perfectly. I can't wait to meet the contestants.”
“Me neither,” Sarah agreed. “From what I've read about them, they each have very different ideas and talents. It looks like we'll have three for the contest tomorrow.”
“Only three?” Vicky asked with surprise. “I had planned for four.”
“I only have three registered,” Sarah shrugged. “Maybe one couldn't attend.”
“Either way it will be great,” Vicky promised.
“I hope so,” Sarah said nervously. “I think Chef Henry is ready to throw me in the pool.”
“Oh no, you haven't been checking in on him have you?” Vicky asked with a grimace. Henry was very passionate about his work and liked to be left alone in the kitchen.
“I wouldn't say checking,” Sarah hummed softly under her breath, a sure sign that she was fibbing.
“Okay, what would you call it?” Vicky laughed.
“I would say it was a friendly visit to the kitchen,” Sarah stated flatly.
“But Chef Henry didn't see it that way?” Vicky assumed.
“Let's just say, he knows how to use a spatula as a weapon,” Sarah giggled.
“Note to self, no hammers or spatulas laying around,” Vicky laughed.
“Speaking of hammers,” Sarah said smoothly. “Was that Mitchell I saw walking towards the gardens?”
“It was,” Vicky replied with a faint blush. “He's been finding a way to give me a good morning kiss each day.”
“Ah, love,” Sarah sighed dreamily. “Do you know that Phil still waits for me to get home before he will go to bed? Even if I'm super later?”
“That's so sweet,” Vicky smiled.
“He is sweet,” Sarah agreed with a faraway look in her eyes. “I'm not sure how we both got so lucky.”
“Must have something to do with Aunt Ida,” Vicky said with a nod of confidence. “I bet she cast some kind of spell to make sure we'd meet the men of our dreams.”
“I wouldn't put it past her,” Sarah laughed. “Have you talked to Linda about the rooms?” she asked, her mind immediately turning back to work. Sarah was much more organized than Vicky could ever dream of being. She had no problem running the inn. Vicky on the other hand had more of a creative mind, which was why it was her job to host and decorate events like weddings and parties that were held at the inn.
“Me neither,” Vicky agreed. “She has that witchy way about her, you know.”
“You two must be talking about me,” a boisterous voice called out from the front entrance of the inn. Standing in the doorway was their aunt, although it was a little hard to recognize her in the outfit she was wearing. The neon yellow spandex was enough to make Vicky's eyes burn.
“Aunt Ida, your ears must have been burning,” Sarah smiled and tried not to laugh at the outfit.
“What in the world are you up to, now?” Vicky giggled as she walked towards her aunt to take a closer look at her outfit.
“Rex and I have decided that we're going to sign up for a marathon,” Ida said proudly.
“Well, we're talking about it,” Rex stammered out as he stepped in behind Ida. He was also wearing skin tight spandex, though his outfit was a deep blue with a few neon stripes.
Vicky raised an eyebrow and smiled.
“That is quite an adventure to take,” she said.
“It's just what we need to remind us of how capable we are,” Ida said with confidence. “We need to get in shape, so that we can live our lives to the fullest.”
Vicky glanced past Ida to Rex. She wondered if he was as keen on the idea.
“I think it's great,” Vicky said. “Just don't overdo it, Aunt Ida.”
“You see,” Ida said, getting irate. “When you say things like that it just proves that this marathon must be done. When I cross that finish line, you won't be telling me not to overdo it.”
“I'm sure Vicky didn't mean anything by it,” Rex said calmly. He had a very mild attitude compared to what Vicky expected a biker to be like.
“I didn't,” Vicky agreed. “There's no doubt in my mind that you can do anything that you put your mind to, Aunt Ida.”
“Good,” Ida nodded. “Because we're not only going to run that marathon, we're going to win it!”
Rex rolled his eyes and groaned. “There's no way I'm winning a marathon, Ida.”
“You say that now,” Ida said stubbornly. “But that's only because we haven't started training. Just wait and you'll see how strong you are.”
“If these clothes don't kill me first,” he said with a chuckle.
“You'll survive,” Aunt Ida insisted and gave him a light swat in the gut.
Sarah, who had been trying valiantly not to laugh, burst into laughter at the sound of Ida's slap against Rex's spandex covered stomach.
“Very funny,” Ida huffed. “I'll have you know that there is no reason I can't be as fit, if not fitter than you both.”
“I'm not winning any marathons,” Vicky admitted and giggled. Sarah cleared her throat and tried to keep a straight face.
“I think it's a wonderful idea, Aunt Ida,” she said with a smile.
“I'm glad you do,” Ida said. “Now, if you don't mind, Rex and I have to get back to our training.”
“But we just walked a mile,” Rex said.
“Now, we're going to run it!” Ida said enthusiastically.
“They seem to be getting pretty serious,” Sarah commented when they were gone.
“Has Aunt Ida ever been serious about anyone?” Vicky laughed and shook her head.
“I might have said the same about you, Vicky,” Sarah reminded her. “Love shows up when it's ready.”
“Speaking of,” Vicky grinned as she glanced at the entrance of the inn. “Did you miss me already?” she asked as Mitchell walked back in, with a tall, thin man following after him.
“I found one of your contestants,” Mitchell explained with a warm smile. “He was looking for directions at the gas station, so I decided to give him an escort. That couldn't be construed as an excuse to see you again this morning, could it?”
“I think it could,” Vicky replied with a wink.
“Welcome,” Sarah said with a smile to the man standing nervously behind Mitchell.
“I know I'm early,” he said with a frown. “I just like to get the lay of the land.”
“I understand that,” Sarah replied. “I'll just get you checked in. Your name?”
“Baron,” he replied.
“Is that first or last?” Sarah asked.
“It's just Baron,” he replied.
“Okay,” Sarah replied with a smile and walked over to the computer to log him into the system. Baron followed after her, leaving Mitchell and Vicky alone for a few moments.
“So, tell me more about the contest,” Mitchell pleaded with interest. “That way I can know when the best time is to drop in for a visit.”
“There's going to be a big ceremony first thing in the morning tomorrow,” Vicky explained. “That way they can introduce the contestants and talk about the schedule of the events.”
“I think that I'd like to be there for that,” Mitchell grinned. “Are you going to be presenting I hope?”
