Just like the Brewster house, Granny Smith's front yard boasted a sturdy flagpole, waving a large American flag. Funny, I reflected, how much these two women had in common. Sometimes the most kindred spirits end up the worst enemies.
Miss May parked the van at the end of a cobblestone walkway that led to the front door and we got out.
“Nice house,” I said, admiring the architecture of the Smith house.
Miss May nodded. “Too bad it's filled with such unhappy people. Do you hear that?”
I squinted and listened. I could hear the faint sound of yelling from inside the house.
“That Granny Smith loves drama,” I said. “Although, those sound like male voices.”
“It must be Ted. Sounds like he’s arguing with Buster.”
“Buster?”
“Granny Smith’s son,” Miss May said. She gestured toward the front door.
“I didn't realize she had a son,” I said.
Miss May gestured toward the front door. “There he is now.”
Buster Smith emerged from the front door, holding a large moving box. “This is ridiculous,” he yelled. “Mom, I can't believe you're letting that slick real estate guy kick me out!”
Miss May winced. “Looks like Ted is finally making Buster live on his own.”
Ted yelled something back at Buster from inside the house. Buster went back inside to reply. I couldn't make out the rest of what they said, but their voices got louder and louder with each passing second.
“Seems kind of tense,” I said. “Maybe we should come back another time.”
Miss May shook her head. “It's too late. I'm sure she already saw us park. Let's just go up there and pretend we haven't noticed the fight.”
“They're screaming with the door open!”
Miss May shrugged. “So pretend hard.”
Ten seconds later, Miss May and I stood at the open front door. We could still hear arguing from inside but Miss May rang the bell, nonetheless.
As soon as the bell ding-donged, the argument stopped.
Ted entered the foyer with a curious and annoyed look on his face. “May? What are you doing here?”
“Ted! So wonderful to see you. Just here with a little surprise.”
Ted sighed. “Don't pretend you didn't hear me arguing with Buster, May.”
“Well,” Miss May said. “I was trying to focus on the positive.”
Buster stomped into the foyer. I didn’t recognize him, but he bore a strange and unsettling resemblance to his mother. He was in his forties, thin, with a permanent frown etched onto his face. He wore a rumpled collared shirt half-tucked into stained khakis. “What are you talking about? What's positive? My evil stepfather is kicking me out of my home!”
“I don't know about all that,” Miss May said. “But I’ll tell you what is positive. Chelsea and I brought you a fresh pie. We wanted to apologize to Granny, er, Dolores about what happened back at the bakeshop. She home?”
Ted shook his head. “First day of the historic home tours. Remember? That's what the whole Brewster brouhaha was about.”
Miss May smacked her forehead. “Of course. Beautiful day for it, don't you think?”
“Yup,” Ted said. “It's a beautiful day for house tours. And an even better day for moving to a new house altogether!”
Buster put his box down. “Will you stop nagging me all the time? It's so annoying. I said I'd go! I already got an apartment in the Heights. It's going to be a bachelor pad. It's going to have lots of ladies and fun and I'm going to watch TV as late as I want!”
“You know what,” Ted said. “Buster's right. I shouldn’t be nagging him like this. Especially in front of company.” Ted turned to Buster. “I'm sorry, Buster. I really am.”
Buster softened. “I'm sorry, too.” Buster turned to Miss May. “What kind of pie did you bring? Maybe me and Step-daddy Longlegs can make peace over a piece.”
“I think that sounds like a delicious idea,” Miss May said. “It's apple crumble. Ironically for such a crumbly food, it really brings people together.”
Miss May handed the pie to Buster and he took it with a hungry look in his eye.
“Maybe I'll head over to the house tour to chat with your wife,” Miss May said to Ted. “If we’re lucky, maybe we'll get to catch some of the tour.”
Ted nodded. “The tour starts at that big old colonial on Beacon Hill. Dolores should be there at least another hour.”
“Perfect,” Miss May said. She exited with a smile on her face but I lingered for a few seconds at Granny Smith’s front door.
I didn't know why, but I had a bad feeling about the house tour.
Like when we got there, we might just find Granny Smith...dead.
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A Note from the Authors
DEAR READERS,
First of all, hi! Some of you may be original members of the Cozy Crew. Others may be new here. So welcome back or welcome, depending which category you're in!
We’re married writing team Chelsea and Matthew Thomas, AKA “Chelsea Thomas.”
Thank you for reading “Berried Alive,” the fourth book in our “Apple Orchard Cozy Mystery Series.”
We know you have a bajillion options when it comes to your cozies, and we appreciate you spending a bit of your time with us in Pine Grove.
This series has traced a big journey for Chelsea. She started in New York City, moved to an apple orchard, and started solving murders with her aunt.
We have gone through a big journey ourselves these past few months. Books 1 and 2 were written from our little apartment in Glendale, CA. Book 3 was written from a wonderful condo in Florida. And this book was written from Matt’s parents' house in suburban NY.
We haven’t solved any murders. But, like Chelsea, we’ve come to appreciate nature and solitude more than we had. We’ve been reminded of our love for changing seasons. And we’ve relished every second we get to spend closer to family, friends, and the Hudson River.
Being near water makes everything easier, don’t you think?
We’re composing this note to you from a big wooden desk in Matt’s parents’ basement.
We’ve cluttered the desk with art supplies and unused lamps and a basket of miscellany. And there’s a nest of Christmas tree lights about six inches way that we were supposed to take into storage a few months ago. But as soon as we finish writing this note, those lights are getting put away.
(Seriously.)
Writing “Berried Alive” reminded us how much we love spending time with Chelsea, Teeny and Miss May.
It also reminded us how much we love all of you: the Cozy Crew!
You all are a huge part of what makes writing these books possible. So thanks again for reading. And if you have a moment and would like to leave a review, thanks for that too.
Every review is a big help to new writers like us, and we’d love to know your thoughts.
Are you #TeamWayne or #TeamGermany?
Let us know!
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Until next time,
Chelsea and Matt
APPLE DIE (BOOK 1)
Cooking the Books (Book 2)
Candy Apple Killer (Book 3)
Granny Smith is Dead (Book 5)
WANT CHELSEA'S CINNAMON Bun recipe? How about Teeny's recipe for the Bodacious Berry Bake?
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Thanks for reading!
Berried Alive Page 23
