The Bakers and Bulldogs Mysteries Collection: 20 Book Box Set

by Rosie Sams

  “What are we going to do with you?” she asked the cat. “You need a good home with a family that will love you and take very good care of you.” Smudge barked to get her attention and wagged her tail excitedly. Even though the pup and cat seemed happy to see each other now, Melody knew that would probably change and the fights would resume once she got the pair back home.

  “No, Smudge,” she spoke to the dog, smiling, “I think I have an even better idea.”

  Chapter One Hundred Forty-Five

  The streets of Port Warren were bustling that afternoon. Everyone was out and about, running their errands and meeting up with friends. Melody, Smudge, and Taffy had all piled into Melody’s car and were headed out in the hopes of finding Taffy a forever home.

  Melody pulled off of the main street and onto a nice, quiet, suburban cul-de-sac. The small lawns were neatly manicured, and a few children played ball in the yards. It was the perfect family setting and Melody hoped that the family she had in mind would have room for one more member. Pulling into the driveway, the little troop jumped out and they headed up towards the front door. Ringing the bell, Melody looked at her furry companions.

  “Well, hopefully, this works!” she said. “I sure am going to miss you, Taffy. You are one sweet kitty cat but I think, if things go according to plan, you are going to be much happier here than with Smudge and me.”

  Smudge’s ears flattened down, and she gave out a tiny howl.

  Moments later, Carole Archer opened her front door. “Oh, Melody!” She was obviously surprised to see a woman, a cat, and a dog all standing on her porch. “I wasn’t expecting anyone this afternoon, but please come in! And don’t mind the mess, the kids have been having fun playing all day. I think they are in the middle of making a fort out of the couch cushions right now.” Carole laughed at her children’s antics.

  Melody, carrying Taffy, led Smudge into the home. Upon walking through the threshold, she knew that she had made the right decision. There was laughter and love here in abundance. Now she just had to convince Carole that she had room for one more tiny, furry family member. Just as she was deep in her thoughts, planning out what she would say to Carole, Leo and Mariel, Carole’s two young children, came running up to her.

  “Hi, Melody!” they both chimed in at the same time, making Melody laugh. They bent down and gave Smudge some good scratches and then looked up questioningly at the tiny creature in Melody’s arms.

  “What’cha got there?” Leo asked, standing on his tiptoes and squinting his eyes, trying to get a better look.

  “It’s obviously a cat, silly,” Mariel informed him. She was a year older and therefore knew much, much more. “And she’s beautiful. I keep asking if we can have a cat, maybe we could have her for a while?”

  “Can we, can we pet it? We’ll be gentle,” Leo asked, eager to get his hands on the soft fur.

  Melody nodded and crouched down so the two children could get a better look as she made her introduction. “This here is Taffy. She is a very sweet kitty. Why don’t you two take her to go play in your fort for a few minutes while I talk to your mom?” The siblings looked up at their mom, their eyes wide as saucers, pleading for her approval.

  Laughing, Carole agreed. “If you can be gentle with her. She’s not a toy, so no rough play. And absolutely no fighting, kids!”

  There were nods and smiles.

  “All right then.”

  As soon as the children had heard the word ‘all right,’ they had scooped up the cat and ran off to play.

  Smudge yipped her approval.

  Melody felt a warmth inside her and knew she had made the right decision. This family had been through so much, and yet they had stayed together and stayed happy. That counted for a lot in Melody’s eyes. “Actually, Carole, the reason that I’m here is because of the cat. Taffy is Olive Harrington’s adopted cat but as I’m sure you’ve heard, Mrs. Harrington is no longer with us. Taffy is such a lovely cat and needs a good home. I took her home with me last night, but things didn’t quite work out as planned between her and Smudge. I thought that maybe you and the kids would like some furry company. I was hoping she could be the perfect addition to your family and would give the kids someone else to play with.” Melody was doing her best to try and convince Carole who was looking less than sure of the idea.

  “I’m very tempted, but I don’t know, Melody, they both wanted a cat, but pets are a lot of work. I’m not sure that the kids are old enough yet to take on all of the responsibility of owning a cat. Plus, I’m so busy with work these days.”

  Melody shook her head. “She really doesn’t need that much care. She can be pretty independent. She is fully litter box trained, and all she really requires is a dish of food and water and some love and affection, which your kids have lots to give, by the looks of it.” She gestured towards the children who were petting and scratching the cat, and Taffy was taking it all in, basking in the affection she was receiving.

  “Let’s put the kettle on and think about this,” Carole said, just as a peal of laughter had them turning to look in the living room.

  The children and the cat were deep in play. Taffy had climbed to the top of the pillow fortress, and her antics had the kids rolling on the floor, laughing with glee.

  Carole had tears forming in her eyes. “I haven’t heard them having this much fun since… well, you know about my problems. Me being accused of murder took it out of them and this is just amazing to see. Do you think I would cope with her?”

  “I do,” Melody said.

  “Hey, Mom!” Leo called out giggling. “Look at Taffy, she’s the king of the castle!”

  “Hey, Mom!” It was Mariel this time. “We really love Taffy, do you think we could keep her?”

  “Yes, Mom, can we keep her?” Leo chimed in.

  “Please!” They both sang in unison.

  Carole stared at her children. They were having great fun but were treating Taffy with respect and a gentleness she hadn’t seen before. “I will have to ask Trevor, but I’m sure he will say yes. Having something else to cuddle at nights will make him happy too.

  “Oh, boy. I don’t know what I’m getting myself into.” She laughed and then called back to the kids. “Do you promise to take very good care of her?”

  “We promise!”

  “Then, yes, we can keep Taffy.”

  Melody gave the woman a hug. “There is also something else.” Melody pulled back to face Carole. “Taffy brings with her a set of benefits that could help out your family in endless ways. Olive Harrington willed her entire estate to the cat and its new owners.”

  Carole was surprised at this information. “What?”

  “Yes, she is one rich little kitty.”

  “Well, I’m sure we can donate to the animal shelter and a few other places.”

  “That would be great, but leave it a few months. You will understand once the news breaks.”

  Another peel of laughter came from the children, and Smudge let out a delighted yip.

  Carole stared at her children with tears in her eyes. “I think Taffy will finally heal them.”

  “Thank you so much, Carole. I knew that this would be a great home for her.” The children came running too and wrapped their arms around Melody and their mom.

  Taffy walked over and sat down beside Smudge. The two animals looked at each other, understanding that they wouldn’t have to put up with one another any longer.

  Just then, interrupting their moment of celebration, there was a knock at the door. Carole opened it to find Alvin standing on the other side, with a stained glass lamp in his hand.

  “Sheriff, please come in!” Carole invited him inside. Mariel came over to him, inspecting the object he had brought. He crouched down to her level and showed her the lamp.

  “I know it’s not quite like the one you found at the rummage sale, but I thought it might look just as nice in your bedroom?” Alvin handed over the lamp to the little girl, whose eyes lit up in pleasure.

>   “Oh, it’s beautiful!” she declared and held it up for her mom to see. “It’s even more beautiful than the one I saw. It will be perfect for my bedroom. Thank you, Sheriff.” She took the lamp up to her room, grinning from ear to ear.

  Alvin, Melody, and Smudge said their goodbyes to Carole and her children and wished them luck.

  “If you ever need a sitter for Taffy, just let me know!” Melody called out, but Smudge let out a low growl that had them all laughing.

  Back outside, Smudge seemed pleased to be the center of attention again and was happy that Taffy had found a good home and wouldn’t be invading hers any longer.

  Melody turned to Alvin, smiling. “That worked out even more perfectly than I could have planned, Al. Taffy loved the children, and the children loved her. She is going to be so happy there. Plus, the money that was willed to Taffy is going to go a long way in helping Carole and the kids out. I couldn’t have hoped for a better ending to this day.”

  “Well, actually,” Alvin pulled Melody into his arms. “I can think of one way this day could end even better.” He kissed her and then continued. “Last night’s romantic evening of wine and dinner was so rudely cut short. I think we should pick up where we left off? What do you say?” He winked at her, and she grinned back.

  “Sheriff Hennessey, I think that sounds like a fantastic idea.” She took his arm in hers and reached into her pocket, finding one of Smudge’s favorite treats. She tossed it to the pup who jumped and caught it mid-air, but to everyone’s surprise, she didn’t eat it. Melody and Alvin watched as Smudge turned and ran back up the driveway to the front door of the Archer’s house.

  “Smudge, wait!” Melody called, starting to run after the dog, but she paused as she realized what exactly the pup was up to. Smudge laid the butter cookie at the Archer’s front door before turning and trotting back to Melody’s side, where she sat and panted happily up at her.

  “Aw, Smudge. What a good girl. That was so sweet of you to leave your treat for Taffy.” She scooped the bulldog up into her arms and kissed her wet little nose, then the happy trio headed off home.

  Death at the Pageant

  Bakers and Bulldog Mysteries

  by

  Rosie Sams

  Chapter One Hundred Forty-Six

  The red laser dot glided across a row of petit fours that Melody Marshall had assembled on a serving platter that she reserved for client presentations. The dot paused on each sweet treat, long enough for Melody to reveal its flavor before moving on to the next.

  "White Chocolate Raspberry, Mocha Latte Creme Brule, Red Velvet, Coconut Key Lime, Lemon Chiffon…"

  "Stop! Lemon Chiffon is my absolute favorite," Penelope Cross said as she practically leaped from her seat. Her perfectly manicured fingers reached toward the tiny sweet. "May I?"

  Penelope was the event coordinator of the Annual Port Warren Beauty Pageant, and today she was meeting with Melody to finalize a rather large dessert order. The desserts were for a new "Meet the Contestants" reception Penelope was launching at this year's pageant. The event was scheduled a week before the actual judging portion of the contest. It was designed to introduce the contestants to the press as a way of drawing more attention since the popularity of the competition waned over the last few years. When Penelope approached Melody to provide unique and tasty refreshments that would impress her audience, Melody jumped at the opportunity to promote the bakery.

  "Of course! Please, try them all. There's no reason why we can't serve an assortment rather than just one flavor." With a kind smile, Melody reached for a napkin and placed it in front of Penelope, encouraging her to enjoy the samples.

  Melody suspected Penelope would be thrilled over the Lemon Chiffon since Penelope's favorite color was bright yellow. This fact was quite apparent since Penelope wore yellow from head to toe nearly every day. Even her hair, pinned up neatly in a retro-style 1960s Beehive, was a bright yellow blonde. Melody suspected Penelope's fashion style was a clue to the nostalgia the woman felt for pageantry.

  "Do you think you can add some edible glitter to them? You know, give them a little magical twinkle?"

  "I can do whatever you like," Melody said, assuring her. "I know you've got a lot riding on this event. We're going to do everything we can to make it nothing short of fantastic. We could even make some small crystallized sugar crown ornaments for the top of each petit four in keeping with the theme. How's that for magical twinkle?"

  Penelope's eyes lit up with excitement. She nodded in agreement, her mouth full of Lemon Chiffon. Her fingertips reached for the Coconut Key Lime next.

  Thirty minutes later, the special serving platter was empty, and Penelope's order was officially in the books.

  "Thank you so much, Melody. I look forward to seeing you at the event," Penelope said as she left the bakery.

  Melody noticed a confident skip in Penelope’s step that hadn’t been there when she first arrived. With years of experience behind her, Melody knew that little details, such as her artistic petit fours, contributed significantly to making memorable experiences. She suspected the hungry press would quite literally "eat up" the decadent desserts, and Melody was delighted she could help Penelope make her new event successful. Silently, she vowed not to disappoint her trusting client.

  Once the door closed behind Penelope, Kerry Porter, Melody's friend and business partner, rolled her eyes as she finished her third coffee of the morning.

  "Well, isn't that a joke," Kerry said sarcastically.

  "The pageant?" Melody shook her head in query.

  "Yes. Pageants are antiquated and sexist. I don't even know why Penelope ordered fattening desserts. The whole industry puts so much emphasis on physical beauty. Everything about the contestant must be perfect. She must be thin. She must wear a bikini. Her teeth must be pearly white. She must be a ‘she’! It's all so fake."

  Melody watched as an agitated Kerry moved around the shop, collecting baking trays now empty from the morning rush. She sensed Kerry didn't realize just how loudly she was banging the trays as she stacked them. Plus, Kerry, who regularly spoke very fast, was now speaking in overdrive.

  "I can understand your viewpoint, but we can’t judge others. People enjoy them, and they have the right to participate if they do. There are lots of benefits to pageants. The winners get the prize money, and acclaim, the networking opportunities help them with their careers. Is there a reason why you’re so adamantly against pageants?"

  "No," Kerry said defensively. "I just wish it wasn't so objectifying with the bikinis and ball gowns. Why not make the contest categories more meaningful like 'what charity would you volunteer to help' or 'what career advice do you have for young girls that idolize you'?"

  "Yes, that would be a nice progressive change." Melody agreed with Kerry's good intentions. "You do realize that providing the desserts for this event will do two positive things for us, right? It pays well, and the bakery will be in the news. We can always use the exposure."

  Kerry dropped her head back, relinquishing the fact that Melody was right. Still, she couldn't quite let go of her resentment to what she obviously thought was a sexist event. To shake off her negative attitude, she exercised a little humor. Moving her Decadently Delicious apron to the side simulating a sash, Kerry strode toward the kitchen, much like a pageant queen, then delivered her speech.

  "I would like to thank Smudge, lemons and chiffon for their support and participation in making my pageant dreams come true."

  Melody laughed and applauded her friend. "C'mon, beauty queen, let's get to crystallizing some sugar crowns and lemoning some chiffon."

  Chapter One Hundred Forty-Seven

  The morning of the reception, Melody, Kerry, Leslie, and Melody's beloved French Bulldog, Smudge, headed over to the community center to set up nice and early. Knowing how important the event was to Penelope, Melody wanted to ensure their contribution to the reception went off without a hitch.

  The community center was a large rectangular bui
lding. The front entrance consisted of two massive, double-metal doors. Just beyond those doors was a large reception area where the pre-pageant press event would be held.

  "This looks like a great place to set up," Melody said as she pointed to an open space dead center between two additional sets of double doors that led to the main auditorium. This spot gave Melody and her team the best visibility. "Why don't you two unload and set up the display station, and I'll see if Smudge and I can find Penelope in the back."

  Melody led Smudge through the auditorium doors. The room itself was a vast open space with a large stage against its rear wall. In a carefree moment, Melody strutted down the red carpet that divided the room in half.

  When she reached its end, she struck a pose and glanced at Smudge, who turned on the spot, sat, and lifted her little paws as if she was striking a pose, too. Melody reached down and gave her a high-five! Then, together, they disappeared through a door to the right that was marked "Backstage."

  "Penelope? Are you here? It's Melody. We're setting up the desserts," Melody said to no one in particular as she and Smudge poked around the immediate area.

  Smudge wandered over to an open dressing room door and barked for Melody's attention. Melody heard a woman crying. She approached the door and saw a young, beautiful blonde woman crying in front of her vanity mirror.

  "Excuse me. Are you ok?" Melody asked as she knocked lightly on the open door to get the young woman's attention. "Do you need some help?"

  "Oh, I'm all right." The blonde woman grabbed several tissues from a square box on the vanity that indicated otherwise. She dabbed her eyes carefully so as not to smear her meticulously applied eye makeup.