by Thea Cambert
“Something’s really wrong,” said Alice, feeling the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. “We’d better get—”
Before she finished her sentence, Stanley dropped the bouquet on the ground, its glass vase shattering. Then Stanley was on the ground, too.
Chapter 3
Stanley was still on the ground, coughing—and starting to turn purple—when Alice, Owen, and Franny arrived down on Main Street. A concerned crowd had gathered around him.
Alice spotted Pearl Ann and Norman and hurried over to them.
“Don’t worry—the ambulance is on the way,” said Pearl Ann as Alice approached.
Alice nodded, feeling a sudden rush of emotion. Stanley had just been dancing down the street a moment ago! She knelt on the ground next to him and placed a comforting hand on his back.
“Stanley, what happened?” Alice was surprised that her eyes were filling with tears. Stanley’s coughs were turning into wheezes. He looked at Alice, then fell back to the ground, unconscious.
Alice hadn’t even fully registered the sound of the ambulance’s siren. The crowd quickly cleared to make way for the paramedics, who rushed to Stanley, and within seconds had an oxygen mask over his nose and mouth and were lifting him into the ambulance on a stretcher. A second later, they were gone.
“What just happened here?” Owen wondered.
“Alice!” Luke came running up, Ben close behind. “We got here as fast as we could.” Luke took Alice into his arms.
Ben’s police radio crackled to life and alerted him that the ambulance had arrived safely back at the hospital—which was just around the corner—and the patient was headed into the emergency room.
“Did you see what happened?” asked Ben, giving Franny and Theo quick pecks.
“We were watching Stanley from the rooftop,” said Alice. “He was making his Cupid’s Post deliveries.”
“He seemed to be feeling great,” Franny said.
“The man was in high spirits,” agreed Owen.
“Then he started coughing, and—” Alice glanced around, looking for the bouquet of flowers Stanley had carried. Pearl Ann was just bending down to pick them up from the pavement. “Pearl Ann! No!” shouted Alice.
Pearl Ann immediately froze and stood upright. “What?”
“Don’t touch those flowers!” said Alice.
They all walked over to where the beautiful blooms still lay scattered amid broken shards of glass from the vase.
Alice turned to her husband. “Stanley had just taken a big whiff of these flowers before he started coughing.”
Ben quickly took out a plastic bag and slipped on a pair of gloves. By that time, a third member of the Blue Valley Police Department, Officer Dewey, had pulled up in the police cruiser. He and Ben worked together to carefully collect the flowers and the glass and even some of the water splattered on the pavement, and put them into evidence bags.
“What happened to Stanley?” asked Pearl Ann, visibly shaken. “Did he have some sort of terrible allergy? How could a man collapse from smelling flowers?”
Norman took Pearl Ann’s hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. “Stanley had just been by the spa, delivering Pearl Ann’s love letter from me,” he said.
“Pearl Ann is probably right,” said Luke. “Stanley likely had a severe allergic reaction of some kind.”
“I’m not so sure about that,” said Alice. “Something doesn’t feel right.”
Luke frowned at his wife. “Why?”
“Because no one was supposed to receive flowers through Cupid’s Post. Only letters and gift cards. I thought it was odd when I saw that Stanley had the bouquet earlier, but it didn’t occur to me that there was anything suspicious about that.” She paused and examined the clear plastic bag of flowers Dewey held.
“Alice, you’ve meddled in too many police investigations,” said Ben. “There probably is nothing suspicious about that.”
“No—look at the flowers. That isn’t a florist’s arrangement. You couldn’t even buy this kind of thing at Whitman’s grocery store. These are flowers that grow all around here.”
“Ben, why don’t you give Violet and Lottie each a call—just check to see if they had any orders for something like this today,” said Luke.
Violet Garcia owned Violet’s Blooms and Bouquets, and Lottie Ferguson owned the Green Thumb plant nursery. Ben nodded and stepped back toward the cruiser, taking out his phone.
“So, where did these flowers come from?” wondered Owen.
“And who were they meant for?” added Alice.
“Here’s Stanley’s mailbag and list,” said Pearl Ann, handing Alice Cupid’s mailbag and red clipboard.
Alice scanned the list. “There are a lot of names here,” she mumbled, flipping through the pages. “Who knows who the flowers were for.”
Ben walked over, putting his phone away. “I just talked to both Violet and Lottie,” he said, looking a shade paler than he had before. “Neither of them knows anything about that bouquet. Neither handled any such order today.” He turned to his sister. “Alice, I think you might be right.”
Chapter 4
“Not to be insensitive—but are you going to cancel Cupid’s Post? Or find another Cupid?” Owen asked, taking a big bite of his Chef’s Special salad. He looked down at the salad. “This is the best thing I’ve ever eaten outside my own bakery!”
“What’s this dressing?” asked Michael, who had come over from the Lodge to join them for lunch, and had also ordered the Chef’s Special. “It’s amazing. I mean, anything would taste good with this stuff on it. It’s magical.”
They’d walked over to the Salad Stop Café after a morning of work in their respective shops, leaving their helpers in charge. Alice, Owen, and Franny had all arranged for extra help to work through the weekend, as they always did when there was a festival or fair going on in Blue Valley.
“That’s Virginia’s Honey-Laced Garlic Mustard Sauce,” said Alice. “I had that salad last week. The dressing makes it.”
“That and all these homegrown veggies,” said Owen.
“I know. I can’t believe something this delicious could be healthy,” said Franny, closing her eyes to savor a bite of her Summer Harvest Bowl.
“Even the crackers are homemade,” said Alice, biting into a one of Virginia’s famous parmesan crisps. She paused and leveled her gaze at Owen. “Actually, I do have someone in mind to play Cupid.”
Owen, who knew Alice inside and out, quickly read her mind. “Oh no! Don’t even say it.”
“Do I have to say it?”
“You do not have to say it because I’m not doing it.”
“So . . . You’re going to make me ask?”
“I am not going to make you ask because I’m not doing it.”
“So . . . You’ll do it?”
Owen sighed in exasperation. “Do I have to?”
“It’s just that there’s no one else I would trust to play Cupid,” said Alice. “And remember, this is all for a very good cause.”
“Well . . .”
“Franny can’t do it because she has Theo, and I can’t do it because I’m in charge of the whole fair . . . “
Owen sighed.
“And we already have a long list of orders for love notes.” Alice attempted to look as pitiful as possible.
“If you will stop making that face, I’ll do it,” Owen finally said.
“Thank you!” Alice jumped up out of her chair and hugged Owen.
“Okay, okay,” he said. “Don’t squash my salad.”
Alice sat back down. “So here’s how it works. When the customer orders the love note, they give the name and address of the recipient. They’ll keep a running list at the Community Center. You do one round of deliveries, then go back to the center for the next round. You’ll have a delivery bag and, of course your, uh, costume.”
“How’s everything taste?” Virginia walked up to their table with a fresh basket of parmesan crisps.
“F
antastic, as always,” said Alice.
Virginia leaned down closer to Alice. “Did you ask him?”
“I did, and he said yes,” said Alice.
Virginia smiled at Owen, looking relieved. “So we have our new Cupid. Wonderful!”
“Yep,” said Owen. “I just need to head over to the Community Center after lunch and pick up the next batch of notes.”
“And get into your costume,” Virginia added.
“That, too,” said Owen.
“I just came over to the café to help with the lunch rush. I’ll walk you over to the center after you’re done eating and show you everything,” said Virginia.
After she’d moved off, Owen groaned. “Something tells me I’m going to regret this.”
“Would it help if I go along with you?” asked Michael.
Owen’s eyes widened. “You’d do that?”
A smile spread across Michael’s face. “I have the afternoon off. And hey—maybe I can even write a poem for us to recite to the recipients.”
“You’re the best!” said Owen. “Everything’s more fun when you’re around.”
“It’ll be fun.”
A few minutes later, Virginia, Owen, and Michael were headed out the door.
“Thank goodness he agreed to it,” said Alice, breathing a sigh of relief.
“And that Michael!” said Franny, wiping Theo’s face. “Only a true friend would volunteer to go on the rounds with Cupid.”
“Between Owen’s drama and Michael’s poetry, our customers are definitely going to get their money’s worth.”
Chapter 5
There was a flood of customers that afternoon at The Paper Owl. Alice divided her time between working behind the counter, restocking shelves, and running outside to check on various goings-on at the fair.
“Seems like all of this romance puts people in a mood to buy books,” said Marge Hartfield, jingling the front door bells as she entered the shop. “You’ve got quite a crowd in here, Alice.”
“It’s been steady all day,” said Alice, trying to stifle a yawn. “I see you brought my candles.”
“Yep,” said Marge, bustling up to the counter with a large cardboard box in her arms. “I just left the Waxy Wick and thought I’d drop this by on the way to my Cupid’s Post volunteer shift at the Community Center.”
“Smells amazing!” said Alice. “Is that chocolate?”
Franny suddenly came hurrying through the large cased opening that separated The Paper Owl from Joe’s coffeeshop. “I smell chocolate. Is there chocolate in here, Alice?”
Alice laughed. “Your nose is never wrong, Franny.”
“Sorry to tell you it’s not actual chocolate you’re smelling,” said Marge. “It’s one of my special candles for the fair.” She opened the flaps of the cardboard box, lifted out a candle in a beautiful red mercury glass jar, and handed it to Alice.
“Chocolate Heart,” said Alice, reading the label on the bottom of the jar.
Franny inhaled the scent. “I smell the chocolate first, then there’s something else . . . dark cherry?”
“That’s right!” said Marge. “And I call this one Night Out In.”
“Smells like a fireplace!” said Alice.
“With a hint of pine,” added Franny.
“Reminds me of our cabin,” said Alice with a happy sigh.
When Luke had moved to Blue Valley, he’d purchased a cozy cabin with a large stone fireplace on Blue Lake, just through the trees via a well-worn path from Alice’s brother Ben’s little house. Then the previous fall, Owen had bought and renovated the old cottage that lay just around the lakeshore from Luke’s cabin.
When Franny had married Ben, they couldn’t choose between Franny’s cozy Main Street apartment above Joe’s, and Ben’s house right on the shores of the lake. They’d finally decided to spend time in both places, and especially loved being on Main Street whenever a fair or festival was going on in town—which, in Blue Valley, was fairly often. That way, Franny could just walk downstairs to the coffeeshop on her days with extra customers, and they could enjoy all the festivities just a short walk away from home.
Then, when Alice and Luke had married, they’d decided to follow the same pattern. And now that Owen had his dream cottage on the lake as well, he did too. The group of friends—who were really more like a big family—were thrilled to be neighbors both in town and on the lake, and since the lake was only a ten-minute bike ride from Main Street, wherever they were, they were never far apart.
Alice and Ben’s parents, Martin and Bea Maguire, still lived in the house Alice and Ben had grown up in, just across the street from Town Park. Meanwhile, Alice’s grandmother and her husband Chester lived right next door to Franny’s parents on Azalea Street.
Alice counted them all blessed to be the kind of family that liked spending time together, since they crossed paths so often.
“I’d better get over to the Community Center,” said Marge, patting Alice’s hand. “Busy, busy!”
“Okay,” said Alice, giving Marge a cheerful wave. “And thanks for the candles. I know these are going to sell out fast.”
“Need any help?” asked Franny, as Alice lugged the heavy box of candles over to a corner in the shop—aptly named Candle Corner and sprinkled with twinkle lights.
“That’d be great. But are you sure you have time?” asked Alice, glancing back through the cased opening at the customers lined up at Joe’s.
“Beth has everything under control for the rest of the afternoon,” said Franny. “And Mom and Dad are watching Theo. I’m a free woman!”
“Wonderful!” Alice set the box down and they arranged a selection of Chocolate Heart and Night Out In, along with Bridal Bouquet and Memory. “What’s this one, Franny? Roses?”
Franny smelled the pale pink candle. “Rose petals and . . . vanilla. I’ll take one of those!” Franny reached into the box and chose a Memory candle. They walked over to the counter and Franny handed Alice the money for the candle just as the front door bells tinkled again.
“What a day!” Owen said, coming in and setting his mailbag on the counter. “Who knew Cupid was such a busy little guy?”
Alice tried to press down the giggles that were building up in her throat as she took in Owen in his white toga-shorts combo with small red wings and a gold, leafy crown, Romanesque sandals, and heart-strewn, glittery sash.
“Alice, why are you turning all red in the face?” Owen asked—something in his eyes daring Alice to laugh.
“Oh. I, um . . .” A tiny snicker escaped her, which was enough to set Franny off, and soon both of them were laughing out loud, tears streaming down their cheeks. “Sorry, Owen,” said Alice. “I just—I wasn’t prepared to see you just then. In that.” She smiled at the costume again. “You look great. Thanks again for doing this.”
“Oh, I plan to call this favor in real soon,” said Owen, narrowing his eyes at Alice. “You owe me. Big time.”
“So how are your deliveries going?” asked Alice, quickly changing the subject.
“We’ve already made twenty stops, just since lunchtime,” said Michael, who had changed into jeans and a white t-shirt with a big red heart on the chest.
“Michael that shirt is perfect!” said Franny.
“It gets even better,” said Michael, turning around to show that the back of the shirt read I’m with Cupid.
Alice clapped. “Michael, only you would have the exact right shirt for this occasion.”
“He’s got a million of them,” said Owen.
“I do,” Michael admitted. “I got this one on Valentine’s Day four years ago at a little shop in Pigeon Forge. I had to run back over to the Lodge to get it while Owen went to the Community Center to pick up the notes and put on his costume. But it was totally worth it.”
Just then, Luke and Ben came into the shop.
“Looks like the gang’s all here,” said Ben, giving Franny a kiss on the cheek.
“Any news about Stanley?” asked A
lice.
“We just came from the hospital,” said Luke. “He’s still unconscious, but his test results came in. He was definitely poisoned.” He looked at Alice. “This was no allergic reaction.”
Alice’s shoulders sagged. “I just keep asking myself the same questions over and over. Who would do such a thing? And did the person know Stanley would smell those flowers—or were they meant for someone else?” She looked from Luke to Ben. “Do you know what kind of poison was used?”
“We don’t. Not yet,” said Ben. “And you four—” he pointed at Alice, Owen, Michael, and Franny, “—need to let us take care of this. Don’t start in with your usual meddling.”
“That’s right,” said Luke. “We want you safe. We’ll get to the bottom of this.”
“We’d better get going,” said Ben, glancing at his watch. “We just stopped in to let you know that Stanley is still in the ICU, but hopefully he’ll be okay.”
“Grab some coffee on your way out,” said Franny.
“Thanks,” said Luke. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
The two of them went into Joe’s.
“Us? Not meddle?” said Owen with a laugh. “I didn’t have the heart to tell them it’s too late for that.”
“Oh, really?” asked Alice, lowering her voice. “So what have you found out?”
“We were chatting with Virginia down at the Community Center,” said Owen.
“And we asked her about those flowers,” said Michael.
“And she looked over her list, and there was no mention of flowers anywhere.”
“And there’s not anything about flowers on our list, either,” said Michael, holding out the red clipboard. “This is the same list Stanley carried this morning.”
Alice took the list and she and Franny scanned the names.
“See?” said Michael. “No mention of flowers. How did Stanley know who to deliver them to?”
“So strange . . .” said Alice, frowning and handing the list back to Michael. “Maybe someone gave Stanley the flowers and just verbally gave him delivery instructions.”
