A Deadly Serious Gardening Contest (A Heavenly Highland Inn Cozy Mystery Book 7)

by Cindy Bell

  “I hope not,” Vicky laughed. “It will be up to Ray Baxter, he's the one running the contest.”

  “I just know that you're going to end up on a magazine cover,” Sarah said with a soft giggle as she walked back over. Baron had already headed up to his room with one of the staff members toting his bags. “No matter what you do don't let Aunt Ida dress you.”

  “Nope, jeans only,” Vicky said sternly, though she had to chuckle a little at what she imagined Ida could come up with. “I might just be getting my hands dirty.”

  “Are you going to be doing some gardening?” Mitchell asked with interest.

  “All I know for sure is that I'm going to make sure that I have a chance to learn some things from these contestants,” Vicky explained. “In order to qualify they had to show proof of creating some beautiful gardens and most were very experienced contestants. It never hurts to get some tips from the pros,” she added.

  “Sounds like a wonderful day,” Mitchell said. “I'll do what I can to be here for most of it.”

  “I know you will, hon,” Vicky said and gave him a light peck on his cheek. “But your work is important, if you can't make it, I understand.”

  “Aw,” Sarah purred and winked lightly at the two of them.

  Vicky shot her a look of annoyance.

  “Speaking of weddings,” Sarah began in a lighthearted voice.

  “No one was speaking of weddings,” Vicky pointed out sternly.

  “But we are now,” Mitchell smiled slowly and looked into Vicky's eyes.

  “I'm not,” Vicky said, her frustration growing. “I've got to go check on the catering,” she added and slipped away from Mitchell. She could feel him watching her as she walked away.

  “Don't take it personally,” Sarah said in a hushed tone to Mitchell. “She'll talk about it soon enough,” she winked at Mitchell.

  Mitchell managed a smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes.

  ***

  Vicky retreated to the relative safety of Chef Henry's kitchen.

  “Not again,” he groaned when he heard her walk in.

  “Don't worry, I'm not really checking on the food,” Vicky said. “I'm hiding out.”

  “Not from your fiancé I hope?” Chef Henry asked as he tilted his head towards the large bay window that overlooked the gardens. Mitchell had taken the back way to get around to the front of the inn.

  “Maybe,” she murmured guiltily.

  “What did you do now?” he asked as he added a few garnishes to the lunch plates he was preparing.

  “I didn't do anything wrong,” Vicky said defensively. “I did say yes to the proposal, remember?”

  “Saying yes, and doing yes, are two different things,” Henry chuckled and shook his head.

  “Lots of people have long engagements,” Vicky pointed out as she shifted uneasily into a chair.

  “Sure they do, if they're in college, or they're waiting for a big promotion,” Henry agreed mildly. “Which of those applies to you?” he raised an eyebrow.

  Vicky rolled her eyes and sighed. She had come into the kitchen to avoid the questions that she was now facing yet again. She decided to turn the tables on Henry.

  “So, how are the food preparations going?” Vicky asked in a professional tone.

  “Out!” Chef Henry demanded, waving the large spatula he had just picked up at her. “Out of here, now!”

  Vicky laughed as she dodged a swat and ducked out of the kitchen.

  After leaving the kitchen, Vicky stepped back into the main lobby of the inn. There was soft music playing. A lot of the flowers from the garden had been bundled and placed around the lobby to spruce it up. The vendors’ booths were set up in the banquet hall, with vendors already setting up. She found Sarah sorting through some paperwork.

  “Sorry about earlier,” Sarah said the moment Vicky paused in front of the desk.

  “It's okay,” Vicky said casually. Sarah looked up guiltily and met her younger sister's eyes. She was silent for a long moment, and then as if she could not hold it any longer, she spoke again.

  “But really, what's going on with the wedding date? You're going to have it here, aren't you?” she pressed.

  “Sarah,” Vicky growled with exasperation. “I've only been engaged for a little while, can't I just enjoy that?”

  “Of course you can,” Sarah said thoughtfully. “I just wonder how Mitchell is feeling about that.”

  “I'm sure he's fine,” Vicky replied. “He told me he wants me to be ready.”

  “Are you?” Sarah asked as she looked directly at Vicky.

  “How am I supposed to know?” Vicky bit back. “It's not like there's some big sign that shows up in front of my eyes and tells me I'm ready.”

  Sarah tilted her head back and forth as she considered that.

  “Oh, look at the time, the other guests should be arriving,” Vicky said smoothly. “I'll wait in the front for them.”

  “Mmhm,” Sarah nodded, knowing her sister was only trying to avoid her questions.

  Chapter Two

  As the rest of the contestants began to arrive, Vicky stood at the entrance of the Heavenly Highland Inn. She was relieved that the inn featured a very large driveway as it was already full of vendor vans and more vans were piling into the spaces available. One contestant even hired a small moving truck. Vicky was beginning to feel less confident that they had allowed adequate space for the gardens that these contestants were intending to create.

  Vicky took a deep breath and smiled as a couple walked towards her. The woman had long, shiny blonde hair, so shiny that Vicky had to do a double take. Was it possible that the woman actually had glitter in her hair? The man with his arm looped through hers was very tall, with a slender frame and a slight mustache. They made a lovely couple.

  “Hello and welcome to the Heavenly Highland Inn,” Vicky said warmly when they reached the entrance.

  “Please tell me this place is bigger than it looks from the outside,” the woman said anxiously.

  “Our property goes back several acres,” Vicky explained.

  “We're the Thomsons,” the man explained. “I'm Vaughn and this is my wife Lauren,” he smiled at her and patted her hand. “She takes her gardening deadly seriously.”

  “It is a contest,” Lauren pointed out in a snippy tone. “It's more than my gardening, it's my career.”

  Vaughn nodded. “Of course it is, dear,” he replied.

  “If you'd like I can give you a tour of the gardens as soon as all of the contestants have arrived,” Vicky offered. “Until then, can I show you to your room?”

  “I would rather see the gardens first,” Lauren said impatiently.

  “I'm sorry but the host of the contest has very strict rules. All of the contestants must be introduced to the gardens at the same time. Though it looks like everyone is arriving, so you shouldn't have to wait very long,” she added.

  “If you say so,” Lauren sighed. “I suppose going to our rooms would be best then.”

  “Right this way,” Vicky said and nodded to Sarah who was stepping out to greet the other guests. “Sarah, this is Vaughn and Lauren Thomson. This is my sister Sarah,” Vicky explained. “We run the inn together.”

  “It's a pleasure to meet you both,” Sarah smiled. “Please don't hesitate to let us know if you need anything during your stay here.”

  “Thank you,” Vaughn said graciously. Lauren was busy scoping out the other contestants that were approaching the inn.

  “Can you believe they let Margaret Reye in the contest?” she said scornfully. She was glaring at a willowy woman who was struggling with a satchel of spades and handheld rakes as she stepped in the door.

  “Lauren, you promised,” Vaughn warned her.

  “I know, I know, I have to be nice,” Lauren rolled her eyes.

  “I'll take you to your room,” Vicky offered in an attempt to diffuse the tension that was building. She had the feeling that it would be best to try to keep the contestants separat
ed as much as possible. The couple followed after Vicky as she led them to the elevator. They had given the contestants rooms on the top floor so that they would all have a view of the gardens. They were also the largest rooms at the inn. With money being no object for the magazine, they had asked for the best accommodation.

  “How quaint,” Lauren said as she looked over the homey decor. Vicky was nearly offended by her comment, until Lauren continued. “This is very refreshing compared to those cookie cutter hotels we usually have to stay in for these contests. It's almost like I feel at home,” she added with a short laugh. Vicky had to smile at her words. It was exactly the feeling that she and Sarah strived to create for their guests.

  “Again, if there's anything either of you need, feel free to call down to the front desk,” Vicky said.

  “What's this?” Lauren asked as she stared at the glasses of champagne that were waiting for them in their room.

  “Oh, complimentary champagne for all of the contestants,” Vicky replied proudly. It was a touch she had added herself, to give the room a celebratory feel.

  “I don't drink,” Lauren said flatly. She picked up the champagne glasses and walked towards the bathroom to toss the champagne down the sink.

  “I do,” Vaughn said swiftly and snatched one of the glasses from Lauren's hand.

  “You shouldn't,” Lauren countered and continued to the bathroom to toss out the champagne. Vicky frowned as Lauren handed her the glass. “Please, do not deliver any more alcohol to this room.”

  “I'll make a note of that on your account,” Vicky replied. “I'm sorry for the confusion.”

  “Don't make a note of it,” Vaughn snapped. “I like to have a drink now and then, and there is nothing wrong with that.”

  Lauren glared at him. “You know that I prefer to have an alcohol free environment, Vaughn.”

  “And yet, you insisted I come along,” Vaughn said with a strained smile. Vicky was silent through their spat. She felt incredibly uncomfortable witnessing it, but it was nothing she hadn't seen before. Travel could really test a couple's relationship.

  “Whatever you two decide we will certainly accommodate,” Vicky said with a broad smile. “I'll leave you two to get settled in.”

  Lauren didn't even bother to look at her as she stormed back into the bathroom and closed the door. Vaughn shrugged and finished his champagne. He handed the glass back to Vicky.

  “Thanks, it was delicious,” he said.

  “You're quite welcome,” Vicky said and slipped out the door as quickly as she could. She rode down in the elevator, hanging onto the glasses. The entire encounter had been awkward. She dropped the glasses off in the restaurant and then headed back into the main lobby.

  Sarah was waiting for her with wide eyes. She was obviously anxious to tell Vicky about something.

  “Do you know who that was?” she asked.

  “Lauren and Vaughn Thomson,” Vicky replied with a furrowed brow.

  “Yes, of course that's their names,” Sarah said with a frown. “But do you know who they are?”

  “Apparently you know more than I do,” Vicky frowned back. “So spit it out!”

  Sarah glanced over her shoulder to make sure that no one was close enough to hear her. Then she spoke in a hushed voice, “Vaughn Thomson is running for District Attorney, and he's very likely to be elected.”

  “Wow,” Vicky said, equally impressed. She was always excited when a celebrity stayed at the inn. “I guess we better make sure we take good care of him.”

  “Absolutely,” Sarah agreed as she smiled at some new guests who were entering. “Let's just hope everything goes smoothly this weekend,” she added quickly before heading off to greet the guests.

  Vicky stepped behind the desk and perused the list of guests that had not yet arrived. It was going to be a very busy weekend. Sarah's words hung ominously in her mind. She hoped that everything would go smoothly, too, but with so much attention on the inn she was sure there would be a few snafus. She had gone over everything with the staff and everyone seemed to be on the same page, but all it took was one slip up for everything to change. She could only hope that slip up would be minor enough to be fixed quickly.

  “Excuse me,” a nasally voice said from behind the computer monitor.

  “Yes, how may I help you?” Vicky asked with a warm smile. The woman before her was short and round at the waist. She had auburn hair that was cut at sharp angles and no longer than her earlobe. Her blouse was covered with big flowers of all different colors.

  “My name is Roxanne Duran,” she replied with a tight smile. “I'm one of the contestants in the contest.”

  “Oh?” Vicky replied. The name wasn't familiar to her and she had made sure that she knew the names of all of the contestants. She began tapping on the keyboard. “I'm sorry I don't have your name here,” Vicky frowned.

  “Not this again,” Roxanne sighed. “I don't know how this always happens to me. I am a contestant,” she said firmly. “I have the paperwork right here,” she slid some papers across the counter to Vicky. Vicky looked over the papers and nodded.

  “I'm so sorry for the inconvenience, we must have received an incomplete list,” she said, mystified as she had confirmed the list twice.

  “Oh, I'm sure you didn’t,” Roxanne huffed. “This happens all of the time. You see the men and women in this contest do not play fair. If it's not one thing then it’s another. Once my flight was canceled. Another time my order for a few bags of fertilizer was changed to a truckload dumped in my garden area. They called it the Stink Garden. Can you even imagine?” she gasped out with disgust.

  Vicky was trying very hard to keep a straight face, but Roxanne continued to talk about the Stink Garden, which was making it very difficult. She interrupted Roxanne.

  “I'm very sorry for all the trouble that you've had,” Vicky said. “I can assure you that we would never allow that to happen here. I have the perfect room for you, and it will be ready within ten minutes, okay?”

  “Yes, thank you,” Roxanne sighed with relief. “I bet it was Lauren,” she muttered under her breath.

  “We have a restaurant right over there, why don't you order something while you wait, let the waitress know that it's on the house,” Vicky smiled, hoping to cheer the woman up.

  “That sounds good,” Roxanne nodded and walked over to the restaurant. Vicky picked up the phone and paged the housekeeper on duty. She was a new hire, but had proven herself over the past few weeks while they prepared for the busy weekend.

  “Linda, I need room 307 prepared for a guest as quickly as possible,” she said.

  “No problem,” Linda replied swiftly. “I will ring you when it's ready.”

  “Thank you, Linda,” Vicky smiled and hung up the phone. Ten minutes later the phone rang.

  “It's ready,” Linda said cheerfully when Vicky answered.

  “Thanks again,” Vicky said and hung up the phone. She walked over to the restaurant to find that Roxanne had Chef Henry's full attention.

  “Yes, I grow all of my own herbs to cook with,” Roxanne explained. “Anything in a package has lost all of its flavoring.”

  “It's so frustrating,” Chef Henry agreed. “I have a small herb garden behind the kitchen, and it is always nice to be able to go pluck my seasoning fresh off the stem.”

  “I can really taste it,” Roxanne said in a complimentary tone.

  “Well, good luck in the contest,” Chef Henry said. “I'll be cheering for you!”

  “Thanks,” Roxanne replied with a smile. Vicky had to wonder why Roxanne was treated so poorly, she seemed to be quite kind.

  “Ms. Duran, your room is ready,” Vicky said as she walked up to her. “I can take you upstairs if you like.”

  “No, just leave the key here,” Roxanne said. “I can find my way. Thanks.”

  “You're very welcome, and if you need anything just let us know,” she smiled and set the room key down beside Roxanne's plate.

  The rest of
the afternoon went quickly with Vicky shuttling guests up and down the elevator and Sarah switching rooms and tending to extra accommodation. They both took customer service very seriously. By the time they had dinner that night for the contestants and any guests that wanted to join in, Sarah and Vicky were worn out. Vicky still managed to offer a little help in the kitchen cleaning up. When she left the kitchen and stepped into the empty lobby she sighed with relief.

  Sarah was still standing behind the front desk.

  “I'm so glad everyone is finally settled in,” Sarah said with a sigh when she saw Vicky. She tucked some paperwork into the drawer in the desk.

  “Me too,” Vicky agreed and glanced out at the empty patio beside the pool. “Do you have enough energy left for a glass of wine?” she asked.

  “That sounds wonderful,” Sarah smiled and walked around the side of the desk. “I'll get some.”

  “No, you go sit, I'll get some,” Vicky gave her sister's shoulder a light pat.

  She walked into the restaurant which had a small bar. Sarah stepped out onto the patio to wait for her. Vicky grabbed a bottle, two glasses and a corkscrew. Then she joined her sister on the patio.

  “This is nice,” Sarah sighed as she sank down into her chair. She smiled up at the stars spread across the sky.

  “How long has it been?” Vicky asked as she opened the bottle of wine.

  “Since I had a glass of wine and relaxed?” Sarah asked with a slight laugh. “I can't keep track.”

  “I think this is the first time you've been away from the kids overnight, isn't it?” Vicky asked and poured them each a glass of wine.

  “Yes,” Sarah nodded. “It's funny, I thought it would bother me, but I know that Phil is taking good care of them.”

  “It's nice to be able to trust someone that much,” Vicky said. She sat down across from her sister and glanced up at the stars as well.

  “He's really great with them,” Sarah admitted. “In some ways he reminds me of Dad. He's just very playful.”

  “Dad was always getting us into trouble,” Vicky recalled with a fond smile.

  “I know,” Sarah giggled. “But he always made sure he told Mom it was his fault.”