GINGERBREAD AND SCARY ENDINGS

A Sandy Bay Cozy Mystery

By

Amber Crewes

Published by Pen-n-a-Pad Publishing in 2018

All characters and events in this publication, other than those clearly in the public domain, are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright © Pen-n-a-Pad Publishing

The moral right of the author has been asserted.

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

CONTENTS

About Gingerbread and Scary Endings

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

Thank You!

About Hot Chocolate and Cold Bodies

HOT CHOCOLATE AND COLD BODIES CHAPTER 1 SNEAK PEEK

ALSO BY AMBER CREWES

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About Gingerbread and Scary Endings

Released: October, 2018

Series: Book 7 – Sandy Bay Cozy Mystery Series

Standalone: Yes

Cliff-hanger: No

Business is good but the stress of fulfilling a new corporate order is almost driving Meghan Truman insane. She is therefore excited when handsome detective, Jack Irvin, proposes to take her to the movies. She never expected that a fun, carefree night at the Sandy Bay cinema would end with the tragic death of the movie theater manager.

Who would stand to gain from his demise?

As Meghan delves deeper into this murder investigation, she discovers that stress has a way of bringing out the worst in people. With the clock ticking to find the murderer, will she be prepared when a serendipitous act of kindness puts her squarely in the path of a killer on the loose?

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1

Everyone has their favorite season. Meghan Truman’s was fall. She delighted in gazing at the red, orange and brown leaves that adorned the trees coupled with the weather being not too hot and not too cold. This was the perfect recipe for snuggly nights indoors, watching popular TV shows and indulging in yummy treats. There was so much she was thankful for in her life. She had settled into her adopted hometown, Sandy Bay, and had a thriving business and good friends. Perhaps, above all, she was glad about her stable relationship with Jack Irvin, a local detective who had proven his love for her on numerous occasions. Even though he had a busy schedule, it seemed he always made time to surprise her with visits at her bakery. That morning as she prepared for the day, she was glad to spend some quality time with him before things got busy.

“I just think it would be a good idea to take a break, Meghan.”

Meghan Truman’s heart sank as she turned to face him. “What did you say?” Meghan whispered incredulously as she stared in Jack’s blue eyes. “You want to take a break? I thought our relationship was going well, Jack! I know things were a little tense when I was in Paris last month, but everything has been back to normal since I got home.”

Jack burst out laughing as Meghan looked at him in horror. “This is not a time for laughing, Jack,” she exclaimed as Jack reached over and pulled her into his strong, muscled arms. “First you tell me we need to take a break, and now, you’re hugging me?”

Jack shook his head as he planted a kiss on Meghan’s cheek. “Meghan,” he said patiently. “You weren’t listening. You have been so preoccupied with this new corporate order that you hardly hear anything I say, sweetheart.”

Meghan pushed Jack away and raised an eyebrow in confusion. “What are you talking about?”

Jack smiled, showing his deep dimples. “I was saying that it would be a good idea to take a break from your work, Meghan. Not our relationship. You’ve been working nonstop at the bakery since you received that massive corporate order from the Behzad Corporation, and I’m worried that you are going to work yourself to death!”

Meghan sighed in relief, wiping a bead of sweat from her forehead as she tried to slow her racing heart. Jack was right; Meghan’s bakery, Truly Sweet, had received a large corporate order that had been keeping Meghan and Trudy, her trusted assistant, busier than they had ever been. Meghan was grateful for the business; Behzad Corporation was one of the largest manufacturing businesses in the Pacific Northwest, and Meghan knew a professional relationship with the company would be invaluable. Meghan also knew, however, that she was near her breaking point; she had been working nearly twenty hours each day, and she was exhausted trying to fulfill the large order.

“I thought it would be fun to take a break and go to the movies,” Jack explained as he drew her close. “We haven’t had a date night in forever, and I think it would be fun!”

Meghan pursed her lips as she thought of the hundreds of cupcakes, croissants, donuts, and eclairs she still needed to make; she had several hours of work to finish, and Meghan knew that it would be impossible to fulfill her obligations and have fun.

“Don’t you dare say no!” she heard Trudy yell from the kitchen. “Meghan Truman, get out of this bakery right now; you need a break, and I will stay up all night baking if it means you get to have some fun.”

Meghan felt her eyes brim with tears as Trudy marched into the dining area of the bakery. “You are too sweet, Trudy,” Meghan said as she wrapped her arms around Trudy. “You are the best assistant a girl could ask for.” Both ladies started laughing as Jack did a victory dance around the bakery, pumping his fists in delight. Meghan glanced up at the large, red antique clock in the middle of the bakery and was glad to know there would be enough time for her to have a quick shower and change into something nice for her date night.

Two hours later, Jack and Meghan walked hand-in-hand into the Sandy Bay Cinema. After purchasing their tickets, Jack directed Meghan to the concession stand. “The Sandy Bay Cinema makes the best gingerbread in the world!” Jack declared as he bought two gingerbread cookies. “You have no idea.”

Meghan laughed. “The Sandy Bay Cinema sells gingerbread? That is so random.”

Jack grinned as he popped a piece of his cookie into his mouth. “Random, but I’m not complaining,” he chuckled as he wiped the crumbs from his lips.

“Stop that!”

Meghan and Jack turned to see Mrs. Sally Sheridan, one of Sandy Bay’s elderly residents, hobbling across the Sandy Bay Cinema lobby. Mrs. Sheridan was like black licorice; you either loved her or wanted to run two hundred mile per hour in the opposite direction when you saw her coming. After several unforgettable interactions with Mrs. Sheridan, Meghan was definitely not a fan. Mrs. Sheridan’s mouth was agape, and she waved her cane up and down as she moved closer to Meghan and Jack.

“Put that gingerbread down, Jack Irvin!” Mrs. Sheridan screamed as she raised her cane above her head, bringing it down to strike Jack’s hand, knocking the remainder of his gingerbread cookie out of his hand.

Meghan placed a hand over her mouth in shock. “What are you doing, Mrs. Sheridan?”

Jack shook the hand that had been struck, wincing in pain. “Mrs. Sheridan,” he warned. “Mrs. Sheridan, I am off-duty right now, but as a Sandy Bay Detective, I have the authority to take you in to the police station after hitting me with your cane. What on Earth were you thinking?”

Mrs. Sheridan shook her head. “Gingerbread is bad luck, Jack Irvin. I don’t care if you are a detective or a clown; you should know that gingerbread is bad luck, and you shouldn’t be eating it.”

Meghan’s dark eyes widened. “Mrs. Sheridan, I’ve never heard anything like that before.”

Mrs. Sheridan bit her bottom lip and howled as Jack defiantly stuffed another piece of gingerbread into his mouth. “Don’t let him do that,” she pleaded with Meghan. “Gingerbread is bad luck, and you two are going to be sorry.”

An attendant walked up to the trio. “Is everything okay?”

Meghan smiled politely. “I think we’re fine. We are just going to head into our movie. I think Mrs. Sheridan could use some help getting to her seat, if you wouldn’t mind?”

Mrs. Sheridan glared at Meghan and Jack as the attendant took her by the elbow and led her into the closest theater.

“Well, that was a horror movie!” Meghan exclaimed as she turned to look at Jack. “Good thing we’re going to that silly comedy; I think I’ve had enough drama today.”

Jack shrugged his shoulders. “Sweetheart, I didn’t realize you wanted to see the comedy,” he began. “I really wanted to see the new horror movie….”

Meghan sighed. “It’s alright,” she told Jack. “I really don’t like horror movies, but you did get me out of the bakery tonight. I’ll be fine. Apart from a scary ending, I think I can just about manage to enjoy any movie I see as long as good prevails over evil. What’s the worst that could happen in a horror movie, anyway?”

2

“I can’t hear what they’re saying, Jack,” Meghan whispered as Mrs. Sheridan wailed for what felt like the millionth time since the movie began. “Mrs. Sheridan has been screaming through the entire movie. I have no idea what’s going on in the plot.”

Jack yawned, reaching over to tuck his arm around Meghan. “Sorry, I closed my eyes for a moment,” he admitted as a redheaded woman yelled onscreen. “What’s going on?”

Meghan clenched her teeth, annoyed that she had agreed to see the horror film and now had no idea what was even going on. “I don’t know,” she hissed to Jack as the actress fainted at the sight of the serial killer. “Mrs. Sheridan’s constant wails, sighs and sobs is robbing me of the opportunity to enjoy this film.”

Jack yawned again and rubbed his eyes with his spare hand. “Just relax,” he murmured to Meghan as he leaned back in his red, leather seat. “It’s probably not the best movie ever made, but things could be worse….”

Meghan’s heart fluttered as Jack pulled her closer. She breathed in the deep, familiar scent of his cologne, feeling her face grow warm as she leaned in to Jack’s embrace. “You’re right,” Meghan whispered as she happily snuggled closer to Jack. “Things could be worse.”

The movie continued, but rather than being annoyed by Mrs. Sheridan’s endless screaming, Meghan settled in, thinking about how lucky she was to be enjoying date night with her handsome, loyal boyfriend. Trudy was minding Truly Sweet and preparing the orders for the next morning, and Meghan knew that she had nothing to worry about.

“I can’t believe I was fussy earlier,” she thought to herself as she watched Jack’s eyelids droop. “I’m at the movies, on a date with the most handsome man in all of the Pacific Northwest. My wonderful assistant is holding down the fort back at my business. What else could I ask for?”

Meghan’s thoughts were interrupted by another piercing scream from Mrs. Sheridan as the killer onscreen attacked another unsuspecting victim, but Meghan did not mind; she smiled as she watched Jack’s head droop, and she giggled with the realization that he had fallen asleep.

“He’s too cute when he is sleeping,” she thought as Jack’s chest rose and fell. “I’ve never seen him asleep before. I think my heart might just burst.”

Mrs. Sheridan screamed again, and Meghan nearly leapt out of her seat. “I didn’t expect that,” she whispered as Jack’s eyes remained closed. “Her screams sound like they could be from the movie.”

Suddenly, there was a loud bang, and Meghan felt her heart pound in her chest as she frantically looked around. She noticed that the other moviegoers appeared to be startled as well, and Meghan leaned over to shake Jack’s shoulder.

“Jack,” she whispered as his eyelids fluttered. “Jack! Wake up!”

Jack stirred and slowly opened his blue eyes. “What? What did I miss?”

Meghan’s dark eyes widened. “I just heard a loud noise, Jack.”

Jack shook his head. “Meghan, it’s a horror movie. There are so many noises and screams. I’m sure it’s fine.”

Meghan bit her bottom lip. “I don’t know, Jack,” she protested. “Look around. The other people in the theater look scared, too. It isn’t just me.”

Jack raised an eyebrow. “Meghan,” he began. “I’m a Sandy Bay detective, Sweetheart. If something were wrong, I would know it. Trust me. It was probably just a noise from the movie, or maybe Mrs. Sheridan is being a nuisance with that cane of hers. Just relax. I know you’ve been on edge with your work schedule, but you should try to enjoy our night together, okay?”

Feeling embarrassed, Meghan nodded, leaning back in her seat and softening her shoulders. “Jack is right,” she thought as his eyes closed again. “I’m uptight from my hectic work schedule and I need to just take it easy.”

Before Meghan could return her attention to the movie screen, the lights in the theater came on. Meghan’s jaw dropped as a uniformed attendant marched to the front of the room and began waving her arms up and down.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the attendant yelled. “Ladies and gentlemen, please make your way to the exits on either side of the theater; we are evacuating the building at this time, and we need everyone to leave immediately!”

Meghan rose to her feet and tugged on Jack’s arm. “Come on, Jack! Let’s get out of here.”

Meghan and Jack followed the crowd outside. They all huddled together in the parking lot as the screams of police cars filled the air. Jack pulled out his cell phone and dialed Nunan, the Sandy Bay Police Chief.

“You’re kidding me,” Jack lamented as Meghan’s stomach filled with dread. An ambulance pulled up next to the curb, and a team of EMTs burst out of the doors and dashed into the movie theater. “And you’re sure it was a gunshot? Okay, good to know. Since I was here in a personal capacity, I’m sure I’ll have to speak to the officers, but as soon as I’m released, I’ll be at the station.”

Jack hung up the phone and looked down at Meghan. “It’s not good, Meghan….”

“What do you mean?” she asked. “What happened, Jack?”

Jack wrinkled his forehead and shook his head. “It’s bad. I shouldn’t say anything, but since you were in the theater, you’ll find out anyway; Tom Doncaster, the manager of the Sandy Bay Cinema, was shot while we were watching the horror film.”

Meghan clutched her heart. “Oh no, Jack! That’s terrible! Is he alright?”

Jack gestured at the EMTs, who were exiting the movie theater with a large, black bag. “It doesn’t look like it,” Jack muttered underneath his breath. “Chief Nunan didn’t have all of the details yet, but from the looks of that body bag….”

Meghan’s stomach lurched as she watched the EMTs load the body bag into the back of the ambulance. “That must have been the loud noise I heard during the movie, Jack. It was a gunshot.”

Jack’s blue eyes widened, and he pulled a notepad out of his back pocket and scribbled down a few lines. “I’m sure the officers will want to talk to you, but as a detective, I need to get that down,” he informed Meghan. “Is there anything else you can tell me, Sweetheart?”

Meghan shook her head. “That’s all I heard, Jack,” she answered softly. “I can’t believe it was a real gunshot. What a tragedy.”

Meghan nearly jumped out of her skin as she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned to find Sally Sheridan grimacing at her, her cane raised.

“I told you kids,” Mrs. Sheridan said. “I told you!”

Jack looked over at Mrs. Sheridan, a look of annoyance on his face. “Told us what, Mrs. Sheridan?”

Mrs. Sheridan rolled her eyes. “Did you forget already? I told you kids that gingerbread is bad luck, but no one listens to old Sally Sheridan!”

Meghan pursed her lips. “Mrs. Sheridan, that’s terrible.”

Mrs. Sheridan wrinkled her nose. “I’m just telling it how it is,” she said. “I told you kids that the gingerbread was bad luck, and you ate it anyway. Now that man is dead. His blood is on your hands, Meghan Truman and Jack Irvin, and you two should be ashamed of yourselves!

3

“You two should be seriously ashamed of yourselves,” Mrs. Sheridan continued as Meghan began to cry. “You ate the gingerbread, and you’re just as bad as the murderer!”

Jack glared at Mrs. Sheridan. “That is enough,” he ordered Mrs. Sheridan as he looked around the parking lot at the chaos that was brewing in the crowd. “Meghan, it looks like people are getting pretty shaken up; I am going to go ahead and go on-duty and talk with some witnesses. Will you be okay here?”

Meghan’s eyes flew to Mrs. Sheridan’s angry face. “Umm….”

Jack gently took Mrs. Sheridan by the elbow. “I’ll take the chance to speak with Mrs. Sheridan,” he told Meghan as he began to walk away with the elderly woman. “Meghan, you just take some deep breaths and relax; I will try to get us out of here as soon as we can.”

Meghan’s heart was pounding as she took a seat on the curb. She thought of herself only moments ago in the theater, snuggled up with her boyfriend and enjoying the evening, and her heart ached as she pictured Tom Doncaster being murdered.

Suddenly, Meghan’s phone rang. It was Karen Denton, her dearest friend in Sandy Bay. Karen and Meghan had met a few years earlier when the two had lived in Los Angeles; Sandy Bay was Karen’s treasured hometown, and after failing to secure a career in acting in Hollywood, Meghan had been convinced by Karen to move to Sandy Bay. Despite their significant age difference, Meghan adored Karen; at seventy-three years old, Karen was the most energetic, spirited woman Meghan had ever met, and Meghan loved her company and counsel as she navigated her new life and new business in Sandy Bay.

“Meghan!” Karen screeched as Meghan answered the phone. “Meghan, are you alright?”

Meghan’s hands shook as she gripped the phone, but she nodded. “I’m alright, Karen. Did you hear about what happened at the theater?”

“Oh, sweetie, I did,” she cried. “I was leaving the pilates studio when the news came on the television in the lobby. I called you to tell you, and when Trudy told me that you and Jack were at the movies, I could have just died with worry.”

Meghan sighed. “I heard the gunshot, I think,” she told Karen. “But I’m fine, and so is Jack.”

“Thank goodness,” she said. “I was so worried about you, sweetie. Meghan, on the television, they said a body was recovered. Do you know who it was?”

Meghan took a long breath. “Tom Doncaster? I don’t know him, but Jack said he was the manager?”

Karen shrieked. “Tom? Tom Doncaster? Oh no! She finally did it! She finally did him in!”

“What are you talking about?” Meghan asked Karen. “Who did him in?”

“Everyone around Sandy Bay knows about Sheila Doncaster,” Karen huffed. “Sheila, Tom’s wife. She’s been madly in love with one of the fitness instructors at my gym for years! Everyone has always seen the way she’s treated Tom; she speaks—spoke—to him like a dog, and she was obviously in love with the fitness instructor instead of her husband. Everyone always joked that Sheila would kill Tom someday so that she could run off with her fitness fellow, but I never really believed that she’d get the guts to do it.”

Meghan’s mouth opened. “Are you serious? Would she really do that?”

“Oh, yes,” Karen confirmed. “Sheila Doncaster is a real witch. She was a spoiled little rich girl growing up, and when she married a movie theater manager, everyone was confused. Word on the street was that she married for love, but that she got bored before the ink was dry on their marriage certificate.”

“That’s terrible,” Meghan said as she rose to her feet and began pacing around the crowded parking lot. “I’m going to tell Jack about her.”

“You don’t need to bother,” Karen sighed. “Everyone knows about Sheila and Tom. I’m sure the police have already gone to pick her up. It was only a matter of time….”

Meghan finished her call with Karen and tucked her phone back in her handbag. She took a moment to digest all that Karen had told her. As a teenager growing up in Texas, she had worked at the local cinema and knew the stress some of the managers went through. The job usually involved late nights and Meghan could see how Sheila Doncaster may have suffered many lonely nights on her own. She was also aware of the inaccuracy of the Sandy Bay rumor mill as she had been the target of it on a few occasions. Being a small town, it seemed everyone knew everyone else’s business. Meghan was initially amazed at how fast news travelled around town when she first arrived in Sandy Bay but after having lived there for a while, she was used to it. She didn’t condone it but could see why Sheila might have been tempted to find solace in the arms of another man who wasn’t her husband. But to kill him? Something just didn’t feel right about that and she hoped she’d be able to get to the bottom of this murder mystery.

4

There are some days you never want to end because you’re having so much fun. Today was not one of those days for Meghan Truman. She couldn’t remember having such a night where things had started so well but ended up miserably.

“That was not the relaxing date night I wanted to give you,” Jack lamented as he pulled up in front of the bakery. “I’m so sorry, Meghan.”

Meghan shoved a stray piece of dark, wavy hair out of her eyes as Jack came around to open the passenger door for her. She took his hand as he helped her out of the car, and leaned into his tall, muscled frame as he walked her to the front door.

“I just wanted you to have some fun,” Jack apologized. “I didn’t expect Tom to be shot, or that Mrs. Sheridan would go bananas on you.”

Meghan rolled her eyes at Mrs. Sheridan’s name; after Meghan had ended her conversation with Karen, Mrs. Sheridan came back to torment Meghan, and had not stopped until Jack threatened to arrest her. Mrs. Sheridan had been placed in the back of a squad car, and Meghan was interviewed by Chief Nunan, along with two other Sandy Bay Police officers.

“It wasn’t the date night I was hoping for,” Meghan admitted as she and Jack stood in front of the bakery door. “But I’m glad we got to spend some time together.”

Jack smiled down at Meghan and put his strong arms around her waist. A shiver flew up her spine as he pulled her close, and she closed her eyes, tilting her chin up as Jack kissed her softly on the lips.

“Thank you for coming with me,” Jack whispered as he gently pulled away and kissed Meghan on the forehead. “And thanks for being patient with me while I was on-duty; you are a trooper, Meghan Truman. A real trooper.”

Meghan felt butterflies in her stomach as she watched Jack walk back to his car; he was so tall and good-looking that Meghan still felt nervous every time she looked into his eyes. She had hoped for so long that they would start dating, and now that he was her boyfriend, Meghan could not have imagined a better Prince Charming.

“Tonight was scary,” Meghan thought to herself as she stepped into the bakery and greeted Fiesta and Siesta, her two little dogs. “But having Jack there was really nice; I feel so safe with him, and he knew just how to handle Mrs. Sheridan when she was bothering me. I just hope he can solve this murder quickly; there’s a killer on the loose in Sandy Bay.”

The next morning, as Meghan finished arranging a dozen freshly-made donuts in the front display case, she heard the familiar chime of the little silver bells attached to the front door of the bakery. Meghan tucked her hair behind her ears and smiled as a familiar looking adolescent boy shuffled into Truly Sweet.

“Good morning!” Meghan chirped as the boy blushed. “What can I do for you today?”

The boy raised an eyebrow at Meghan. “Miss Truman, don’t you remember me? I’m Danny. From the movie theater?”

Meghan nodded, remembering her brief encounter with Danny after the movie theater had been evacuated. He had been taking tickets at the outdoor ticket booth during the murder, and Jack had hastily interviewed him as Meghan watched nearby.

“Your boyfriend grilled me in the parking lot; he’s a scary guy, that Detective Irvin.” he exclaimed, as he bent down to study the variety of donuts in the display case. “I’ve never talked to the cops before; I’m a straight-A student and an Eagle Scout, and I had no idea what to say or how to act.”

Meghan smiled warmly at him. He was tall and skinny, and he moved awkwardly like all teenage boys do. She remembered seeing the terrified look on his face as Jack questioned him in the parking lot, and she gestured at the donut case as he licked his lips. “Those are fresh, you know,” she said kindly.

“Great. I’m in charge of taking in breakfast for the swim team this morning, and I thought donuts would be a good pick. The team will be so excited to have some fresh treats for after our workout.”

Meghan bent down to slide the display case open. “What sounds good to you?”

He furrowed his brow. “Let’s see….how about fifteen jelly-filled and fifteen glazed. Oh! And thirty donut-holes, ten lemon, and fifteen chocolate donuts! That should be enough.”

Meghan chuckled. “I should hope so.”

Danny grinned. “I need the sugar and the fuel, Miss Truman. Between the swim team, school, and working at the movie theater, I’m pretty busy.”

Meghan stared at him as she wrapped each donut in Truly Sweet’s signature yellow paper. “You do sound busy. Speaking of the movie theater, how do you like working there?”

He shrugged. “Well, to be honest it had been tense for awhile. Before Tom was killed, him and Lawrence Reid were always going at it. It could get so weird sometimes.”

Meghan bit her bottom lip. “Lawrence Reid?”

He bobbed his head up and down. “Yeah, Lawrence Reid. He worked at the movie theater forever. Him and Tom never got along, and they were always fighting. Tom finally fired him last week, and Lawrence was so mad that he egged Tom’s car!”

Meghan’s jaw dropped. “It sounds like he was pretty angry….”

“Oh, he was. But anyway, I’m running late for practice, so I need to get going,” Danny informed her as he eyed the clock on the wall.

“The donuts are on the house today,” she told him. “Thanks for coming in.”

“Thank you, Miss Truman. That is awfully nice of you,” he said with a silly wink as he walked out with three cardboard boxes of fresh donuts.

As Meghan giggled at Danny’s attempt at being flirtatious, she heard a familiar voice.

“Meghan Truman.”

Meghan looked up to see Kayley Kane, a sassy, no-nonsense real estate agent, marching toward the counter on six-inch heels, her lips bright with pink lipstick and her hair loose. “Kayley, how are you?”

Kayley snapped her gum, her eyes bright with excitement. “I can’t complain. I might have a new opportunity on the horizon, Meghan. Also, can I get a croissant? I’m dying for something delicious this morning.”

Meghan nodded and reached into the display case for a fresh, flaky croissant. “Here you are,” Meghan said as she handed the croissant to Kayley. “Anything else?”

Kayley shook her head. “Nope! A sweet treat and some sweet news, all in one morning. Lucky me.”

Meghan tilted her head to the side. “What are you talking about, Kayley?”

Kayley leaned across the counter to whisper into Meghan’s ear. “The movie theater,” she breathed. “Word around town is that it’s going to be up for sale. It’s going to be a big sale, Meghan, and I think my boss is going to let me have it if it comes up….”

Meghan’s dark eyes widened. “Kayley,” she said slowly. “A man was murdered at the theater, and you’re already thinking about the sale?”

Kayley shrugged. “It’s not an ideal situation, but I really, really want to be behind the sale. Anyway, I have to run. Here’s a five for the croissant. Keep the tip.”

Kayley turned to sashay out of the bakery, and Meghan began twirling a dark, wavy lock of hair between her fingers. “Tom was murdered,” Meghan thought to herself as she recounted the conversation with Kayley. “And Kayley looked as though she had won the lottery. Why is she so excited about that sale? What’s in it for Kayley if the theater sells?”

5

The next day, Meghan glided her car into a parking space at the Sandy Bay Farmer’s Market. It was a bright, crisp morning, and Meghan smiled as the sunshine warmed her face. She breathed in the heavy, thick scent of the salty sea air, savoring the way it clung to her face and hair as she stepped out of her vehicle.

Meghan scanned the crowd in search of Lawrence Reid, the man Tom Doncaster had fired from the movie theater before Tom had been killed. After mentioning her conversation with Danny to her, Karen had insisted Meghan go to speak with Lawrence.

“I bet he knows something,” Karen had declared during their phone call. “Lawrence and I worked together in the local pharmacy many years ago, and he has always been trouble. It’s funny how one day, he is fired from his longtime job, and then immediately after, the man who fired him is dead….”

Meghan had agreed. “You’re right. I should talk to him.”

“Yes, you should,” she said. “His wife runs a stand at the farmer’s market every Tuesday. He usually helps her out. I bet you can catch them there tomorrow. Here, I’ll text you a picture of him so you know who you are looking for.”

When Meghan spotted Lawrence at the farmer’s market, her heart sank; he appeared older than the picture Karen had sent her, and his eyes were weary. Meghan slowly ventured over to the booth where Lawrence was sitting, and she leaned down to greet him. “Lawrence Reid?”

Lawrence’s eyes flashed with anger, and Meghan felt her stomach churn.

“Who wants to know?”

Meghan shook her head. “You aren’t in trouble! I’m Meghan Truman? I own the bakery in town? I just wanted to ask you a few questions….”

Lawrence narrowed his eyes at Meghan. “I know who you are,” he hissed. “You’re the girlfriend of that detective! Look, lady. I don’t know anything about Tom Doncaster’s murder. That jerk didn’t treat me well, but I sure as heck didn’t kill the man.”

Meghan placed a hand on Lawrence’s shoulder. “I’m not here on my boyfriend’s behalf,” she said softly. “I was at the movies the night everything happened. I just want to find out who killed Tom.”

Lawrence glared at Meghan. “I hate to say it, but that man had it coming.”

Meghan’s dark eyes widened as she edged away from Lawrence. While he was older, he was a huge man, and Meghan took in the sight of his huge biceps and muscular build as he stared into her eyes. “What do you mean?”

Lawrence sighed. “He fired me because I had been late to work twenty times in the last month. And you know why? My mom has been terribly ill, and my wife and I are the only ones taking care of her. My wife works out of town most days, so I’m the only one my mom has. Tom knew she was sick, and he knew that’s why I had been late, and he fired me anyway. You would think twenty-three years of faithful service to that theater would matter for something, but it didn’t. Tom had it coming; you don’t fire someone for taking care of their mother. He had it coming, and he got killed….”

Meghan frowned. “I’m sorry to hear that. Did you talk to Tom about the details of what was going on with your mom? I can’t imagine anyone would be that cruel to fire you because you were being a good son.”

Meghan shuddered as Lawrence puffed out his chest and rose to his feet. “Are you calling me a liar? I told Tom everything, and he fired me!”

Meghan leaned away from Lawrence, feeling her body grow cold as she stared up into his furious face. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…”

“Didn’t mean to make me sound like an idiot? Or a fool?” Lawrence screamed as passerbys stopped to stare. “I’ve had enough of this! Tom got what he deserved, and I am not sorry he’s dead after how he treated me.”

“I’m so sorry,” Meghan whispered. “I’m sure this has been a difficult time for you, with your mother being sick and your….change...in employment. I’m going to go now, but it was nice meeting you….”

Meghan turned on her heel and sprinted away from Lawrence’s booth. She pulled out her cell phone from her little red purse and dialed Jack’s work number. “Jack? I have some news.”

“News?” he asked. “What about?”

“I just talked to Lawrence Reid. He had been fired from the movie theater right before Tom died. I think he had something to do with it, Jack. He kept saying that Tom had it coming, and his temper was terrifying.”

“Meghan,” he sighed. “We have a lead of our own we’re working on right now. Can I call you back later?”

 “A lead? What kind of lead?” Meghan inquired.

“A lead on the getaway car,” he explained. “The security cameras outside of the theater have been recovered. A metallic purple car sped away from the movie theater only moments after Tom Doncaster was murdered, and we’re trying to figure out just exactly who was behind the wheel….”

6

If there was something that brought joy to Meghan’s heart, it was the opportunity to spend time with her dogs and see them happy. She couldn’t wait to have children of her own and having her twin dogs was the closest thing she had to exercising her maternal instincts.

“Come on, my loves!” she called out to Fiesta and Siesta as they walked around the block. “It’s another sunny day, but the wind from the sea is too strong. We’re going to walk in town today!”

The two little dogs barked good-naturedly as Meghan led them around the corner, and Meghan giggled as they wagged their little tails. “Good dogs! You are such good doggies!” she cooed.

She walked the dogs down the main street of town and around the courthouse. Meghan was tired from a long day at the bakery, but happy to be out and about in the fresh air. She wandered aimlessly, lost in her thoughts, and was startled when she heard a deep voice behind her.

“Can I help you with something?”

Meghan turned around and looked up, realizing she was in front of the movie theater. A short, sandy-haired man squinted his eyes at her, and Meghan extended her hand. “I’m Meghan Truman! Sorry I didn’t see you there; I’ve been enjoying the nice day and didn’t even realize anyone was around.”

The man laughed. “It’s not a problem. I’m Tim Dollar, the new manager of the movie theater. I was sent out here from the New York headquarters to make sure things are in order with the death of Mr. Doncaster. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Meghan smiled warmly. “Welcome to Sandy Bay. It’s a nice little town, so I’m sorry such terrible circumstances brought you here….”

Tim shrugged. “That’s what happens. It’s all part of the job. Anyway, I was out here walking around the property when I saw you and your little dogs. They’re too cute.”

Meghan grinned. “Thank you, Tim. They are the little loves of my life.”

Tim’s face fell. “I had to leave my dog back in New York. I hope I can send for him soon.”

Meghan gestured at her two dogs. “Well, if you need a fix of some furry friends, you can always borrow mine.”

“Hey, are you Tim Dollar?”

Meghan and Tim turned to see Ryan Branson, the owner of the local confectionary shop. Ryan was tall, with curly black hair and a matching beard, and he was smiling as he approached the pair.

“You must be Mr. Branson,” Tim said as he reached to shake Ryan’s hand. “We’ve spoken over the phone so much this week that I would recognize your voice anywhere. How are you?”

Ryan nodded. “I’m well,” he replied. “Glad to catch you. Welcome to town. Meghan? How are you doing?”

Meghan smiled at Ryan. He was one of her primary suppliers for little candies and sweets to garnish her desserts, and she had always enjoyed his company. “I’m great, Ryan. Just getting to know Sandy Bay’s newest resident. It’s nice to have a bright spot amidst all of the trouble we’ve had in town lately with Tom Doncaster’s death.”

Meghan saw Ryan’s face darken at the mention of Tom Doncaster. “Tom was a friend of mine,” Ryan murmured as Meghan’s heart sank. “We grew up together; he always supported my dream of opening the confectionary, and he was the one who recommended my business to the cinema’s head office in the first place. I’ve been supplying the theater with candy for years.”

Meghan hung her head and reached for Ryan’s arm. She gave it a gentle squeeze. “I’m so sorry to hear that,” she whispered to Ryan. “It’s terrible to lose friends. I’m sorry for your loss.”

Tim nodded, his face sympathetic. “Terribly sorry for your loss, man.”

Ryan shrugged and brushed a stray curl from his forehead. “It is what it is,” he said. “I wanted to talk with Tim about our continued partnership. I do hope that the theater will continue stocking the candy from my store?”

Tim smiled brightly. “Let’s plan on meeting tomorrow morning to talk it through,” he answered.

“Sounds great,” Ryan replied as he shook Tim’s hand. “Tim, Meghan, it was a pleasure.”

As Ryan turned to leave, Tim rolled his eyes. “Maybe what this theater needs is change,” Tim muttered under his breath. “The New York office sent me here to clean up this mess, and I’m going to do everything it takes to turn this tragedy into a success. A whopping success, mind you.”

Meghan raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?” she asked Tim. “What does Ryan have to do with any of that?”

Tim bit his lip. “I shouldn’t be telling you this,” he began. “But you’ve been such a nice person to talk with, and you seem to just understand things.”

“Go on….” she implored as Tim crossed his arms across his chest.

“Let’s just say that we will be making some changes to the theater under my management,” he explained. “We’ll be going in some….different directions. This theater is in shambles, and I will move mountains to fix this disaster, no matter what it takes.”

7

Meghan loved occasionally flicking through the local Sandy Bay Chronicle. She liked getting to know more about the town she now called home. She was pleasantly surprised when she once saw a piece about her bakery in it. This glowing article had identified her bakery as a wonderful place for residents of Sandy Bay to meet up and consume the finest treats in all of the Pacific Northwest. That single article had done wonders in attracting a new clientele base to Truly Sweet. That morning as she thumbed through the newspaper which a customer had left, she spotted a headline that caught her attention.

Stress Identified as the Number One Killer Among Young People

The article said that stress brought about by unrealistic expectations in young people due to social and economic pressures, was the number one factor in causing depression and ultimately a shorter life expectancy among young people. The article went on to say that stress could be overcome by maintaining a consistent exercise regime. Meghan closed the newspaper and took some time to analyze how she had been feeling since she had gotten the big Behzad order. She had found herself snapping at Trudy and being short with Jack on a few occasions. “Maybe I do need to exercise more,” she thought to herself. Just then, her phone rang. It was Karen.

“Hello Sweetie, just wanted to let you know that I’ll be swinging by after my class this morning at the gym. Today’s bring-your-friend day but you’ve rejected my offer so many times that…”

“I’ll come.”

“What did you say Sweetie?”

“I said I’ll come. I’ll change and meet you in the gym’s car park in thirty minutes.” Meghan hung up and let out a shout of victory. She was determined not to be a negative statistic and bounded up her stairs, after informing Trudy of her intentions, to change into some gym attire.

“Look, I know what I’m talking about,” Karen declared as she and Meghan walked into Sandy Babe, the local gym. “I think Lawrence is a shady character, but don’t forget about Sheila, Tom’s wife! Like I told you, everyone knows that Sheila couldn’t stand her husband, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she had something to do with his death.”

Meghan sighed as they signed in at the gym. She glanced around at the dozens of fit, leggings-clad women milling about the lobby, and Meghan was flooded with embarrassment. Meghan peered down at herself. Due to the bakery’s massive success, she had not had time to exercise much since moving to Sandy Bay, and she felt self-conscious as she stared at the fitness enthusiasts surrounding her.

“Sheila loves this class,” Karen whispered in Meghan’s ear as the doors to the studio opened and the women began to file in. “I’m sure she’ll be here. You can get a good look at her, and then maybe we can talk with her in the locker room after class.”

Meghan and Karen walked into the studio and Meghan gasped. The room had bright, unflattering fluorescent lights, and three of the four walls were covered in floor-length mirrors. “You said that I wouldn’t feel embarrassed,” Meghan hissed, as Karen directed them to the front of the room. “This lighting is terrible; every curve of my body is out there for the world to see, and I can’t escape my own reflection in all of the mirrors.”

Karen shook her head. “Once the music starts and we begin the circuits, you’ll snap out of it; this is a no-judgement zone, Meghan. Just enjoy the class!”

Meghan frowned, but she took a moment to be grateful that she had a relatively healthy, strong body that would allow her to workout. “Even if I am not perfect, I am healthy and young and happy,” Meghan whispered to herself.

“What did you say?” Karen asked as she adjusted her neon-colored sweatband.

“Nothing,” she replied.

“Well, if you’re interested, look up; Sheila just walked in,” Karen murmured.

Meghan looked at the door as a lithe, elegant woman slipped into the room. Sheila was tall and slender, her hair cascading in loose waves down to her narrow waist. “She looks like a princess,” Meghan said in awe as Sheila glided to the other side of the room.”

“I know,” Karen agreed. “Everyone was so confused when Princess Sheila married Tom, the movie manager. It just didn’t make sense.”

“Hello, everyone!”

Meghan turned to see a brawny, beaming blonde-haired man march into the room. All of the women perked up at his presence, and Meghan could see Sheila appeared to be especially enthralled.

“Welcome to Sandy Babe Circuits, the best calorie-burning, booty-busting class in the Pacific Northwest,” the man announced to the crowd. “Do we have anyone new here? Come on, people. If you’re new to our bunch, raise your hand tall and proud. Give us a little wave.”

Meghan did not raise her hand, but Karen grabbed Meghan’s wrist and lifted it into the air. “She’s new. This girl is new,” Karen announced. “This is Meghan Truman, my friend! She is new to class!”

The instructor smiled at Meghan. “Thank you for letting us know, Karen. Meghan, welcome to the class. This will be a fun, fabulous workout, and we are so happy you are joining us today.”

Meghan blushed, embarrassed to have been outed as a new member to the class, but pleased that the instructor was so encouraging. She adjusted her purple leggings and matching headband, ready for the fun that had been promised.

“Alright everyone,” the instructor commanded. “Take your places.”

Ten minutes into the workout, Meghan was heaving like an overweight hippo; her heart was racing, sweat was pouring from every crevice of her body, and she could no longer feel her feet. Meghan gasped for breath, and she was in too much pain to care that she was making a spectacle of herself.

“Just keep going,” Karen urged Meghan as they bent down into a set of squats. “The first time is always the worst, but you look great.”

“I….don’t….look….great,” Meghan choked as she saw her red-faced reflection in the mirror in front of her. “I….look….miserable….and….I...feel...miserable!”

Thirty minutes into the workout, Meghan had to take a break; she pulled herself into a tiny ball on the floor, and she was mortified when the handsome instructor walked up beside her. “Up on your feet, girly!”

Meghan shook her head. “I need a rest,” she pleaded as the instructor looked at her in disdain. “I feel awful.”

The instructor looked at Meghan, and then over to Karen, who looked like she had stepped out of a sports magazine. “Your friend needs some pep in her step, Karen.”

Karen was panting, but she had a smile on her face. “I keep telling her to work out with me, but she always says no.”

The instructor grimaced. “Looks like she needs to say yes sometimes….”

When the class had finally finished, Meghan could barely walk to the locker room. “That’s what you do every week?” Meghan asked Karen in amazement. “That was the hardest workout I’ve ever done, and I only managed to do half of it.”

“I do it five times each week,” Karen said nonchalantly. “It keeps me young. Hey, look, Meghan. Sheila is packing up her bag over there. I’ll introduce you two.”

Karen led Meghan over to the wooden bench where Sheila was loading her dirty luxury workout gear into a satin monogrammed bag. “Sheila? Sheila, so good to see you here. I’m so sorry for your loss,” Karen said softly as they approached.

Sheila looked confused. “My loss?”

Meghan raised an eyebrow. “Your husband?”

Sheila laughed. “Oh, yes! My husband. Forgive me; the endorphins from the class just flooded my head. Thank you for the kind words, Karen. And Meghan, so happy you joined the class today.”

Meghan smiled. “It was an adventure, that’s for sure.”

Sheila tossed her wavy hair behind her shoulder. “This class has been my lifeline for years,” she admitted as Meghan and Karen leaned in. “My husband worked so much and was hardly ever home at night, and when I used to get lonely, I would come to this class just to have some company.”

“Used to get lonely?” Meghan pried.

Sheila sighed. “I think we all know what I mean,” she admitted. “It hasn’t been a secret that a certain instructor here has become very special to me. Do you know Tom couldn’t care less when he found out about me and my instructor? Sometimes though, I wonder what would have happened if Tom had been home more. Would I have even wandered into this gym? Would I have caught the eye of my fitness instructor? I don’t know, honestly….”

Meghan’s stomach churned. She thought of Jack and his busy work schedule; he was often called into the police station in the middle of the night, and sometimes, she didn’t hear from him for days at a time. “Its work,” Jack would tell Meghan. “Work keeps me on my toes, beautiful!”

Meghan, Sheila, and Karen walked into the lobby of the gym. The blonde instructor walked by the trio and winked at Sheila. Meghan’s jaw dropped, but she quickly recovered her composure.

“I can’t help how I feel,” Sheila said softly as they walked out of the lobby and into the cool evening. “My husband was never home, girls. He was never around. I fell in love at that gym--with myself, with my body, and with my fitness instructor. I wish that things had been different. I wish that poor Tom were still with us. But I can’t change the past. And I’m going to live happily in the moment. And that moment is my new life, without my husband, a man who never managed to make his beautiful, bright wife happy. I have no regrets, girls. No regrets in the slightest.”

Karen turned to Sheila and stared at her. “No regrets?”

Sheila shrugged. “Everyone in town knows what I have done,” she confessed. “And let me just tell you girls something: when a wife is ignored, she has to do what she has to do to find her own happiness again. Let’s just say that I did what I had to do….”

8

Sheila’s cold words about the state of her marriage kept playing on a continuous loop in Meghan’s mind. She couldn’t imagine things deteriorating to that level in her relationship with Jack. The arrival of her least favorite person in Sandy Bay broke up her musings.

“I told you, Meghan Truman,” Mrs. Sheridan screeched as she waved her cane up and down to destroy the arrangement of fresh gingerbread on the counter of Truly Sweet. “Gingerbread is bad luck! You and that Jack had gingerbread at the movies, and Tom Doncaster was killed! How can you bring this bad luck into your bakery at such a time? Shame on you.”

Meghan’s dark eyes filled with tears as Mrs. Sheridan kicked one of her display cases. The fresh gingerbread cookies fell to the floor and crumbled, and Meghan shrieked. “Please,” Meghan pleaded as Mrs. Sheridan raised her cane. “Please, stop! Those cookies were for a new order, Mrs. Sheridan! The customers paid over the phone. I stayed up all night to make that gingerbread!”

Mrs. Sheridan scoffed. “I don’t care,” she declared to Meghan. “I told you that gingerbread is bad luck, and you went and filled your bakery with GINGERBREAD. It’s like you are asking for bad luck to sneak up and bite you on the bottom, Meghan Truman, and I won’t stand for it.”

Meghan balled her hands into fists, thinking of the sleepless night she had spent preparing the last minute order. “Mrs. Sheridan,” she murmured. “You’ve ruined my order. What else do you want?”

Mrs. Sheridan stared at Meghan. “I want you to understand that gingerbread should not be in this town,” she explained to Meghan as her eyes flashed in anger. “Ever since I was a little girl, anytime gingerbread has been around, there has been trouble! You listen to old Mrs. Sheridan, Meghan. I know what I am talking about.”

Out of nowhere, there was a loud crash in the kitchen, and Meghan heard Trudy let out a scream.

“Ouch!”

Meghan turned toward the kitchen. “Are you okay?” Meghan called to Trudy.

“I’ll be fine,” she replied. “Just spilled some cake batter, but I’ll clean it up.”

Mrs. Sheridan cackled. “I told you,” she said to Meghan. “The gingerbread. The gingerbread caused that woman to fall. I told you, Meghan Truman. I told you.”

“Told her what?”

Meghan’s shoulders dropped in relief as Jack walked into the bakery. “Mrs. Sheridan, are you talking about the gingerbread again?”

Mrs. Sheridan narrowed her eyes at Jack and gestured at the spilled gingerbread on the floor. “I did what I had to do.”

Jack gasped. “You did that? Mrs. Sheridan, I am warning you; if you ruin anything from this bakery ever again, I will arrest you.”

Mrs. Sheridan rolled her eyes at Jack and hobbled out of the bakery. Meghan collapsed to the floor and began to cry.

“Oh, Meghan,” Jack soothed as he bent down to sit with her. “What happened?”

“I was up all night making gingerbread for a last minute order, and then Mrs. Sheridan came in and destroyed it all. She kept saying that gingerbread is cursed, Jack. She ruined the order, and now, there’s another mess to clean up in the kitchen. Trudy fell and spilled some cake batter. It just isn’t going well today.”

Jack leaned over to wrap Meghan in his strong, muscular arms. “It’s okay,” he whispered to Meghan as he smoothed her messy dark hair. “I’m here. We’ll get this squared away, Meghan.”

Jack kissed Meghan on the forehead and pulled her to her feet. “Why don’t you go take a nap?” Jack suggested. “You look exhausted. Go rest. I’ll help Trudy take care of the mess.”

Meghan nodded gratefully. “Thank you,” she muttered as she wandered upstairs. “Thanks, Jack.”

An hour later, Meghan returned to the kitchen with a smile on her face. “I just got off the phone with the client who ordered the gingerbread,” she informed Jack. “They said that I can push the order to tomorrow with no issue. Thank goodness. I have time to begin again.”

Jack beamed. “That’s great, Meghan,” he said. “Trudy and I cleaned up the kitchen, and she told me to tell you that she’s going to take next week off.”

Meghan bobbed her head up and down. “That’s fine; I remember she told me that she was going on vacation. Thanks for helping her clean up.”

Jack reached for Meghan’s hands and stared into her dark eyes. “Something else happened while you were sleeping,” he told Meghan. “I received a phone call from Chief Nunan with an update on the case.”

Meghan’s jaw dropped. “Did they catch the murderer? Do they know who it was? From talking with Sheila and Lawrence, I wouldn’t be surprised if it were one of those two. They seemed so suspicious, Jack.”

Jack bit his lip. “They found the owner of the metallic purple car,” he explained to Meghan. “The car that was spotted leaving the theater only moments after Tom was murdered.

Meghan clapped a hand over her mouth. “They found the owner of the car? Who is it, Jack?”

Jack furrowed his brow. “It was Trevor Souza,” he said.

“Trevor Souza?” Megan asked. “Who is that?”

Jack’s blue eyes were somber, and he gripped Meghan’s hand. “Trevor Souza is Sheila Doncaster’s fitness instructor at Sandy Babes….the one she has had eyes for, Meghan. Trevor Souza owns the car that sped away from the theater only moments after Tom, Sheila’s husband, was murdered in cold blood.”

9

Friends are the family you get to choose and Meghan was grateful for the friendships she had made in Sandy Bay. She had had her highs and lows in her short stay in Sandy Bay but at every point she had been blessed with friends to share those key moments.

“I’m so glad I have you around to help while Trudy is on vacation,” Meghan gushed to Karen as they tidied the bakery. “I’ve loved having you today!”

Karen grinned, licking blue frosting from her fingertips from a batch of cupcakes she had decorated. “It’s my pleasure, sweetie,” she said to Meghan. “It’s just fabulous to help friends, and you know how much I love helping you!”

Both women looked up as the little silver bells attached to the front door chimed. A stout, mousy-haired woman walked in. “Meghan Truman? I’m Felicia Foust. I made the order for the gingerbread?”

Meghan smiled and walked around the counter to shake Felicia’s hand. “Pleasure to meet you, Felicia. Thank you for being so flexible about the pickup date for your order. I really appreciate it.”

Felicia waved her hand. “No problem! The gingerbread is for a little work party at the end of the week, so it really didn’t matter. Thank you so much for taking on the order last minute. I’m so thrilled to find someone in town who makes gingerbread.”

Karen winked at Felicia. “You came to the right place, Felicia,” she informed the customer. “Meghan is the best. Her sweets are the best in the Pacific Northwest, you’ll see.”

Karen went to the kitchen to retrieve the order. She returned holding three yellow cardboard boxes. “Here you are.”

Felicia opened one of the boxes, her eyes wide with excitement. “These look gorgeous!”

Meghan smiled demurely. “You are too kind.”

Felicia shook her head. “Seriously, these look wonderful. I cannot wait to share them.”

Felicia paid Meghan, and as she left, Meghan bid Felicia farewell. “Bye, Felicia!” Meghan called out. “At least someone in this town appreciates my gingerbread,” she muttered as Felicia left.

The little silver bells chimed again, and Kayley Kane strutted into the bakery. “Meghan Truman,” she cooed. “Long time no see. I have some treats to pick up, as well as a question for you.”

Meghan sighed, but pasted a smile on her face. “I have your treats right here. What did you need to ask me, Kayley?”

Kayley gestured at the door. “I just passed Felicia Foust walking out of here, and she was gushing about the gingerbread you made for her. I’ve never heard her be so complimentary of anyone before. Meghan, I have a favor. My son is having a birthday party next week and wants a fruit cake. Would you be available to make one? I know that fruit cakes aren’t your usual treats to make, but would you make an exception for me? Just this once?”

Before Meghan could respond, Tim Dollar, the new manager of the movie theater, walked into the bakery. “Meghan Truman! Good evening!”

Meghan waved at Tim, and then gestured to Kayley. “Tim Dollar, this is Kayley Kane. Kayley is a real estate agent in town.”

Kayley stuck her hand out to shake Tim’s hand, pumping it vigorously. “Pleasure. What do you do, Mr. Dollar?”

Tim smiled, revealing a deep dimple on his left cheek. “I am the new manager of the movie theater. I just arrived in town from New York. Our headquarters sent me out here to get that place in shape!”

Kayley’s face brightened, and she batted her eyelashes at Tim. “The new manager of the movie theater? Oh, it is an absolute pleasure to meet you,” Kayley breathed. “I have been trying to track you down for days!”

Meghan watched as Tim raised an eyebrow at Kayley. “You’ve been trying to track me down? Why is that, Mrs. Kane?”

“Ms. Kane,” she corrected Tim as she flirtatiously bit her bottom lip. “I’m not married. Anyway, I’ve been trying to track you down all week. Like Meghan said, I am a local real estate agent at one of the best firms in town. I wanted to ask you a question about the movie theater. Are you planning on selling the theater?”

Tim shook his head. “Absolutely not,” he informed Kayley. “Headquarters sent me out to Sandy Bay to fix things, not to sell the business.”

Kayley’s face fell. “Are you sure? You are sure that the movie theater is not going to sell?”

Tim laughed. “Ms. Kane, I’ll be honest with you. I’ve had my eye on the Sandy Bay branch of our theaters for a long time, and I am thrilled to finally be the one in charge now that Tom is out of the way….I mean, no longer with us.”

Kayley frowned. “I see. Well, it was nice to meet you. Meghan, I’ll talk to you later.” Kayley took her sack of treats and stomped out of the bakery.

“What a lovely woman,” Tim admitted to Meghan as she stared into his eyes. “Sandy Bay is just filled with the nicest, prettiest girls! Including you. Anyway, I just wanted to grab an eclair, if that’s possible.

Meghan nodded and fetched an eclair from the kitchen. As she wrapped the sweet in the bakery’s signature yellow paper, she wrinkled her forehead in confusion. Meghan was perturbed by the conversation Kayley and Tim had shared; Tim sounded pleased that Tom had been killed, and she felt goosebumps on her arms as she handed him his eclair.

“Thanks, Meghan. Good to see you. You have a truly sweet day,” Tim joked as he walked toward the door.

Meghan turned to see Karen walk into the front of the bakery, her mouth agape. “Did you hear all of that?”

Karen nodded, her eyes large. “Yep. I heard every word. It sounds like we need to add another suspect to the list; Tim Dollar sounds guilty, and I think we might have our guy now.”

10

Meghan nervously bit her fingernails as she walked up the pathway to Kayley’s house. Kayley had called the previous night to confirm her request for a fruit cake to serve at her son’s birthday party, and Meghan had agreed to fill the order. As she approached Kayley’s beautiful home, she could feel her heart beating nervously in her chest.

“Meghan,” Kayley greeted her as she flung open the door. “So glad you are here.”

Meghan stepped into the entryway of Kayley’s elegant home and gasped. “This is a lovely home, Kayley,” she gushed.

Kayley snapped her gum dismissively. “It was all I got in my divorce,” she shrugged. “It’s fine. You brought the cake, yeah?”

Meghan nodded and held up the yellow cardboard box containing the cake. “It’s my first fruitcake, but I think your son will like it!”

Kayley bit her lip. “I hope so,” she whispered. “This party is already off to a strange start.”

Meghan cocked her head to the side, yelping as she felt Siesta and Fiesta nipping at her ankles. “Oh! I hope it’s okay that I brought my dogs. You mentioned that you have a dog, and I wanted my dogs to get some fresh air.”

Kayley shrugged. “Whatever,” she answered. “It’s fine. Your dogs are the least of my worries today.”

Meghan followed Kayley into the kitchen. She studied Kayley’s outfit. Kayley was dressed in a tight red skirt and a matching jacket. She wore her signature high heels and matching lipstick. Meghan knew that she could never pull off such a look, and she pulled nervously at her party dress, a navy blue tea-length frock with large white polka dots across the skirt.

“She came to the party,” Kayley hissed, as Meghan tugged at her skirt. “She came. It’s so uncomfortable, Meghan; I extended an invitation to her before the scandal at the movie theater, and she still had the audacity to show up. Granted, I only invited her so I could find out if her husband would think about selling the theater to me, but now, he’s dead, and she’s still here, and it’s terribly classless.”

Meghan raised an eyebrow. “Who is here, Kayley? Are you talking about Sheila?”

Kayley nodded. “Yes. Sheila Doncaster is here. I invited her in the first place so that I could pick her brain about her husband’s business plans, but now that her husband is dead, there is no reason for her to be here!”

Meghan bit her lip. “But she doesn’t have children. Why would you invite someone without a child to your son’s party?”

Kayley rolled her eyes. “You are so naive, Meghan. I needed to talk with her, and this was the perfect excuse to have her over.”

Meghan sighed. “Whatever you say, Kayley.”

Kayley glared at Meghan. “It’s just a disaster, Meghan. First, she shows up here, and she’s dressed like trash. You should see her. She looks like trash. It’s a child’s birthday party, for goodness sake!”

Meghan peered out the kitchen window. The party was taking place in Kayley’s immaculately decorated backyard, and Meghan could see Sheila holding court amidst the Sandy Bay mothers. While Sheila was approximately the same age as the Sandy Bay mothers, her age was the only similarity between her and the other women; her hair was long and flowing, and she was dressed in a designer dress and dripping in diamonds.

“She looks ridiculous,” Kayley hissed. “She says that this is her official goodbye to Sandy Bay. Upon her arrival, she announced to the group that she is leaving for an extended-stay luxury cruise and that we won’t be seeing her for a long time.”

Meghan stared at Kayley. “She said that to you?”

Kayley nodded. “Good riddance, though. Sheila has always been spoiled and sassy, and drama just seems to follow her all over the place. She couldn’t keep her eyes on her own husband, and look what happened to him. Everyone in town knew about her interest in that fitness instructor, Trevor. I think Sandy Bay will be better off without Sheila, and after the gauche way she showed up here, I’m of half a mind to tell her that myself!”

Meghan’s jaw dropped. “So she’s leaving? Indefinitely?”

Kayley shook her head. “I just said that. Aren’t you listening to me, Meghan Truman?”

Meghan said nothing. She reached into her red purse and retrieved her cell phone, walking out of the kitchen and leaving Kayley alone. Meghan hastily dialed Jack’s phone number, praying that he would pick up. She felt relieved when she finally heard his voice after the third ring.

“What’s up, Meghan? I thought you were delivering a cake to Kayley Kane’s kiddie party?”

Meghan stepped outside the house and into the side-yard, hoping that no one would overhear her conversation. “Jack,” she whispered. “Sheila Doncaster, Tom’s wife? She’s leaving town, Jack. She’s leaving town indefinitely, and she just announced it to a group of women at the party.”

Jack said nothing, and Meghan gripped the phone harder, her stomach tossing and turning as she grappled with Kayley’s words. “Jack?”

Meghan heard Jack shifting in his chair. “Meghan,” he said slowly. “Is anyone around you right now?”

Meghan looked left and looked right, seeing no one. “No,” she responded. “Everyone is in the backyard for the party. I stepped outside into the side-yard.”

“Good,” he said with relief in his voice. “Good. Meghan, I need you to listen to me. We had some breaks in the case today, and I need you to do a huge favor for me.”

Meghan’s heart beat faster and faster. “What is it, Jack?”

“Meghan,” he whispered. “Do not let Sheila Doncaster leave that house.”

“What?” she asked.

“Do not let Sheila Doncaster leave that house,” he repeated. “I need you to do everything you can to keep her there. It is imperative that I talk to her immediately, and I need you to make sure she doesn't run!”

Jack hardly ever asked for any favors from Meghan but as she stepped back into Kayley’s house, she was determined to do all she could to ensure Sheila was still present when Jack arrived. As she made her way to where Sheila was holding court, she spotted Kayley’s son and his friends playing with Siesta and Fiesta. She bent down to give the dogs some treats which she had saved in her purse. The excited children all clamored to have the opportunity to feed the dogs. Meghan giggled as her dogs rewarded every child who gave them a treat with animated yelps. From the corner of her eye, she saw Sheila withdrawing from the group and making a phone call. It seemed if she didn’t make a move then, Sheila might make a quick getaway and wouldn’t be there when Jack arrived. That was definitely not going to happen under her watch.

11

“Sheila Doncaster, you are under arrest!” Jack shouted as he marched into Kayley Kane’s house.

“What is this?” Kayley shrieked as Jack snapped a pair of handcuffs around Sheila’s thin wrists. “This is a children’s birthday party, Detective Irvin! What do you think you are doing?”

Jack shook his head and adjusted the handcuffs around Sheila’s hands. “Ms. Kane, please step back,” Jack advised as Kayley began pawing at him. “I have reason to believe that Sheila is connected to the murder of Tom Doncaster, and I need to take her in immediately!”

The crowd gasped. “This is an outrage,” Sheila said weakly as Jack ushered her into the house from the backyard. “I’m not connected to my husband’s murder! This is a setup! All of you people are just jealous of me and want me locked away. I’m looking at you, Kayley Kane. And Meghan, I saw you staring at me in the gym. You are all just jealous, and it would make you all feel better about yourselves if I were gone.”

No one responded to Sheila’s accusations, and Jack loaded her into the police car. “This is shameful,” Kayley wailed as Jack’s car sped away. “My son’s party is ruined. Ruined!”

Later that evening, Jack called Meghan to update her on the situation at the police station. “I think we’re making some strides with this, Meghan,” he said as Meghan twirled a dark hair around her finger. “I got some interesting information today during my conversation with Sheila. You’re never going to believe this….”

Meghan stared at the night sky through her bay windows. The stars were sparkling, and she sighed as Fiesta and Siesta growled at each other from beneath her bed. “What is it, Jack?”

Jack took a long breath. “I talked with Sheila and Trevor, that fitness instructor.”

Meghan gasped. “Both of them? What did you find out?”

Jack paused. “It’s strange, Meghan. They both have alibis, which we are verifying, but for now, we are keeping both of them in jail.”

Meghan cocked her head to the side. “What were their alibis?”

Jack sighed. “I can’t disclose that information yet, but I’m leery of both of those people; Sheila just seems sneaky, and Trevor has been nothing but nasty.”

“I’m not surprised to hear that,” Meghan admitted. “Trevor was so rude to me in that fitness class; he was nice at first, but when I made him angry...it became quite frosty in that gym studio.”

“Yeah, I saw that awkward side today, but I didn’t let that unnerve me,” Jack explained. “Instead, I learned that they are both involved in a ring of illegal supplements being sold at the gym. Sheila has such fine taste, and Trevor couldn’t give her the things she wanted, so they started selling supplements to gym members. It’s totally illegal, and my guys are all over it.”

Meghan’s jaw dropped. “An illegal supplement ring? That is crazy! What’s going to happen now?”

“Like I said, we’ll keep them in jail until we can verify their alibis. I’m pretty certain one of them shot old Tom, so once we figure out who did it, we can work on getting to the bottom of the illegal supplement ring and shut it down.”

Meghan thought for a moment. With Tom’s murder and her busy schedule at the bakery, she had not gotten to spend a lot of time with Jack lately, and she knew they were long overdue for some fun. She remembered how excited she had been when he had proposed date night a few weeks earlier, and Meghan smiled as she announced an idea.

“Jack,” she began. “Let’s go to the movies. I know things have been wild lately, but what would be better than a night out to take our minds off of things? That new manager, Tim Dollar, seems to like me a lot, and maybe he’ll even give us our tickets for free!”

Jack took a long, slow breath. “I don’t know if that is a good idea,” he argued. “Meghan, the last time we went to the movies, Mrs. Sheridan threw a fit, and someone was killed. It just seems like bad luck to go back to the place where tragedy struck on our last date. Can’t we just go bowling instead? Or play mini-golf? Come on, what do you think? Mini-golf sounds like fun to me.”

Meghan pursed her lips. She thought of herself and Jack curled up together in the dark movie theater, his strong arms around her shoulders as they watched a romantic comedy together. Meghan’s stomach fluttered as she imagined Jack leaning over during the movie to share a little kiss, and she knew that she had to hold her ground.

“I don’t want to mini-golf, Jack,” she said firmly. “I want my handsome, sweet boyfriend to pick me up and take me to the movies.”

Jack laughed. “Okay, beautiful,” he relented. “I’ll pick you up for the evening horror movie. How does that sound?”

Meghan shook her head. “Jack,” she said. “No, no, no. The last time we went to the evening horror movie, someone was murdered. Tonight, we’re seeing the romantic comedy!”

Jack chuckled. “That sounds like fun, Meghan,” he agreed. “I could really use a story with a happy ending after all we’ve had going on over the last few weeks.”

“For sure,” Meghan affirmed. “And who knows, Jack; maybe it isn’t too late for a happy ending after all…..”

12

Sinking into the soft, leather seat in the movie theater, Meghan folded her arms across her chest. Her visions of a sweet, romantic night out at the movies had been crushed only moments into the film; Jack was snoring heavily beside her, and she realized that the film featured an actress she detested.

“This is a joke,” she muttered angrily to herself as she glared at Jack sleeping beside her. She had woken him up the first time he had fallen asleep, but after he told her that sleeping in the movie theater was “the best sleep he had ever had”, she decided to leave him alone.

“So much for my romantic date night,” Meghan grumbled as Mrs. Sheridan shrieked and moaned. Despite avoiding the concession stand this time, Meghan and Jack had run right into Mrs. Sheridan as they purchased their tickets. They were dismayed to find that she was seeing the same film as them, and Meghan grew more and more frustrated with every loud wail Mrs. Sheridan made.

“No! Don’t kiss her! She’s bad! She’s an awful lady!” Mrs. Sheridan screeched as the male lead leaned in to kiss the female lead in the film.

Meghan balled her hands into fists and shook her head. She was annoyed, but she tried to maintain her composure. “I’m going to the restroom,” she whispered to Jack as she rose to venture to the ladies’ room. Jack did not stir, and Meghan wandered down the dark hallway into the bright lights of the theater’s corridor.

Meghan walked past three theaters, shaking her head. She was startled to run into an elderly woman in a wheelchair.

“Excuse me,” the elderly woman whispered. “My chair is stuck, and I can’t remove the brake. Can you help me?”

She bent down to help fix the brake. “Goodness, it’s pretty stuck there.” Meghan worked the lever of the brake back and forth. “I can’t get it. Let me see if I can go find someone who can help.”

The elderly woman nodded gratefully, and Meghan walked to an office. “Hello?” Meghan called as she gently opened the door. “Mr. Dollar? Are you in here? Is there a manager around?”

Meghan stepped inside the office and gasped. Tim Dollar was sitting in a chair, tears streaming down his face and his mouth agape. “Mr. Dollar?” Meghan shrieked. “What is going on?”

Meghan looked to the right and saw Ryan Branson in the corner. He was glaring at Tim Dollar and pointing a gun at Tim’s shaking body.

“Ryan?” Meghan cried. “Ryan? What are you doing?”

Ryan bared his teeth as Meghan began to quake. “Meghan, I’m sorry you got wrapped up in this, but I’m going to need you to quietly close the door and have a seat.”

Meghan obeyed. She silently pulled the door shut and sat in the empty chair next to Tim. “What is going on here, Ryan?”

Ryan closed his eyes and sighed. “I didn’t want it to come to this, Meghan,” he murmured. “This isn’t what I wanted. But it’s what has to happen.”

“Please,” Tim Dollar pleaded as Ryan lifted the gun to Tim’s head. “Please don’t do this!”

Meghan waved her hands in front of Ryan’s face. “Ryan, tell me what is happening? Why are you doing this?”

Ryan growled. “He cancelled my contract,” he explained gruffly to Meghan. “This new fancy manager from New York cancelled the contract between my confectionary and the movie theater. I’m losing a huge chunk of business, Meghan. I can’t let that stand.”

Meghan turned to look at Tim. “Mr. Dollar, can’t you just restore the contract and let this go? Please?”

Tim shook his head. “It was not entirely my decision,” he told Meghan in a shaking voice. “Headquarters did not like the contract and advised me to do away with it. I didn’t want the deal, and headquarters gave me permission to let it go.”

Ryan grimaced. “This is going to kill my business, so instead, I am going to kill him.”

Meghan bit her lip. “That’s crazy, Ryan. That is unlike you. You are a treasured member of this community, and you have been for years. You are not a killer, Ryan. You are a business owner and a staple of Sandy Bay. You aren’t a cold-blooded killer.”

Ryan turned to stare into Meghan’s eyes. “But I am, Meghan,” he whispered.

Meghan raised her eyebrows. “What did you say?”

Ryan sighed. He looked down at the floor, and then looked back at Meghan, hanging his head. “I am a cold-blooded killer, Meghan. I did away with that old manager, and I’ll do away with the new one.”

Meghan gasped. “You killed Tom Doncaster? Ryan, you didn’t. I’ve known you and respected you since I arrived in town all of those months ago. Please tell me you are lying.”

Ryan shook his head. “I wish it were different, Meghan. I’m embarrassed that it’s come to this. Things just got so crazy with my finances, and Tom was threatening to end my contact a few weeks ago, and I had to end him. I hoped that the new manager would keep the contract, but now, this fellow is telling me that headquarters wants him to end it.”

Tears poured from Tim’s eyes. “I’ll talk to corporate,” he pleaded. “I’ll beg them! I’ll tell them that your contract will stand. I’ll do anything. Anything. Please?”

Ryan gripped the gun tighter. Meghan could see his hands were shaking, and she gently rose from the chair and edged toward him. “Ryan,” she said quietly. “Put the gun down. Put it down, and we will all walk out of here like nothing happened. Right, Tim?

Tim nodded. “That’s right. I’ll call headquarters in New York, and I’ll personally make the arrangements to have your contract with this movie theater reinstated. I’ll even request contracts with other local theaters to boost your business. We can all win here.”

Ryan gritted his teeth and ran a hand through his curly hair. “Lies! You’re lying! It’s just too late for all of that,” he said. Meghan could see the tears in his eyes, and she continued walking toward him.

“Stop, Meghan,” Ryan ordered. “Back up. I’m sorry I have to do this, but it’s too late. I’ll make it quick, I promise…”

Meghan sat down in the chair and began to scream. “Stop that,” Ryan ordered. “Stop screaming!”

Meghan continued to howl, and suddenly, there was a loud crash and a burning smell. Meghan looked at the wall above her and saw a small, gaping hole.

“Look what you made me do,” Ryan cried. “Now, I have to shoot the both of you. Sit down and shut up. It will all be over soon.”

Ryan shuffled over to Meghan and held the gun against her skin. She shivered as the cool, hard metal touched her forehead, and she gagged as Ryan began to pull the trigger.

“I’m sorry, Meghan,” he whispered.

“Please don’t do this,” Meghan shuddered as Ryan’s finger moved. She closed her eyes as his finger continued to shift the trigger. Meghan gasped as she heard a small click. Ryan had pulled the trigger, and there was no going back.

13

“Stop right there!”

The trio turned to see Jack burst through the doors of the office. His own gun was drawn, and he pointed it at Ryan’s head. Meghan opened her eyes. Ryan had dropped the gun on the floor, and Meghan dove for it, picking it up and examining it as Jack apprehended Ryan.

“It misfired,” Meghan said in amazement as she looked at the gun that had failed to kill her. “I’m alive.”

“You are under arrest, Ryan Branson,” Jack stated as Tim fainted. “Mrs. Sheridan’s wailing woke me up from the movie, and I realized Meghan was gone. When I came to find her, I stumbled upon the elderly woman in the wheelchair. She had heard everything, Ryan, and she told me where to find Meghan. Thank goodness I arrived in the nick of time.”

Ryan collapsed onto the floor as Jack fastened the handcuffs around his wrists. “This isn’t like me, Detective Irvin,” Ryan moaned as Jack surveyed his handiwork. “This is not like me. My finances were messed up, and I acted too fast when I killed Tom. I didn’t want to do it. I just broke down.”

Jack glared at Ryan. “Save your sob story for the station,” he spat at Ryan. “You tried to kill my girlfriend. I don’t want to hear any more of your sob story before I have to.”

Ryan began to weep as Jack led him outside. Meghan’s hands shook as she carried the gun outside. “That was a close call,” she said to herself. “If that gun hadn’t misfired…”

“It was the gingerbread curse!” Mrs. Sheridan declared, scaring Meghan.

“I didn’t see you there, Mrs. Sheridan,” she said, her heart pounding.

“I heard the commotion and came out of the theater,” Mrs. Sheridan explained. “It sounds like the gingerbread curse has happened again.”

Meghan shook her head. “No,” she said firmly. “The gun misfired and I wasn’t killed. If that isn’t good luck, I don’t know what is. The curse is broken, Mrs. Sheridan, and I want you to know that, once and for all.”

One week later, life had returned to normal in Sandy Bay. After the bullet retrieved from Tom Doncaster’s body had been matched to the gun that had nearly killed Meghan, Ryan had been charged with murder. Sheila and Trevor had been released from jail with a hefty fine and were instructed to cease their illegal activities. Meghan even made a special batch of gingerbread cookies to celebrate the capture of the murderer, and admittedly, to spite Mrs. Sheridan a bit.

“Trudy?” Meghan called out to her assistant as she wiped her hands on her apron. “Trudy, we are closing the bakery for the day.”

Trudy bustled out of the kitchen, still tanned from her week of vacation. “Oh?”

Meghan nodded. “There’s been so much stress around this town lately, and with all of the activity from the murder and the investigation, I need a break.”

Trudy smiled. “That’s good, Meghan. You need that.”

Meghan grinned. “So do you, Trudy. Let’s take the day off and start afresh tomorrow.”

Trudy bid Meghan farewell, and Meghan called Jack. “I closed the shop for the day,” she informed her boyfriend as she smiled. “I have an idea….”

Jack sighed. “Please tell me this doesn’t involve going to the movies….”

“It does,” Meghan replied gleefully. “Third time is a charm, right? Let’s go, Jack! The gingerbread curse is over, and the day is young. Let’s have our little movie date and do it right this time. I’ll even buy you a coffee beforehand so that you can enjoy the entire film. What do you say?”

“I say that I would do anything to spend time with you,” he gushed as Meghan blushed. “When I saw Ryan pointing the gun at you last week, I thought I was going to lose you. It made me think about us and our relationship, and I just want to do everything in my power to make you the happiest girl in the world, Meghan Truman. If that means drinking a coffee or two and seeing a romantic comedy, you can count me in.”

Meghan beamed. “Perfect. We’ll have a wonderful date night. I’m looking forward to it, Jack.”

When Jack and Meghan arrived at the movie theater, they did not stop at the concession stand; their pockets were stuffed with warm, fresh gingerbread cookies that Meghan had baked that morning. “It will be our little sweet treat,” she whispered mischievously to Jack as he laughed.

They were both pleased to see that Mrs. Sheridan was not at the movies, and they settled into their seats for the third time in nearly a month. “I hope we get a happy ending this time,” Jack whispered to Meghan as the previews began playing.

Meghan looked over into Jack’s blue eyes. She felt her body grow warm and she reached over and took his hand. Jack leaned over the armrest of his chair and took Meghan’s face in his hands. He bent down to kiss her on the forehead, and slowly, he kissed her tenderly on the lips.

Meghan closed her eyes, thinking of her time in Sandy Bay, and how happy she was to have settled into her new life as a business owner, a dog mother, and now, as a girlfriend. “I think we’ll get a happy ending this time, Jack,” Meghan declared as the credits began to roll. “I think we’ll get the happiest ending of all.”

The End

Thank You!

Thank you for reading Gingerbread and Scary Endings! I really hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I had writing it!

If you have a minute, please consider leaving a review on Amazon.

It doesn’t matter how long or short it is as other cozy mystery readers will find value in what you liked about this book.

Many thanks in advance for your support!

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The next book in the series, Hot Chocolate and Cold Bodies is now available to PREORDER! Turn the page to see the book cover and read the first chapter!

About Hot Chocolate and Cold Bodies

Released: November, 2018

Series: Book 8 – Sandy Bay Cozy Mystery Series

Standalone: Yes

Cliff-hanger: No

The end of year Sandy Bay festival is an opportunity for the town to display its history, promote local businesses and attract visitors to the best kept secret in the Pacific Northwest. There's just one problem. It's always associated with an increase in crime. This year, a stranger with no known identity is found dead during the fireworks display.

Some of the town’s residents have had enough of the annual hassle. Others would rather die than see an end to this popular festival. Meghan Truman, a new resident in Sandy Bay with a successful bakery, is torn between either supporting an event that shines a light on all the good things about her adopted hometown or showing allegiance to a dear friend who is leading the cause to ban the festival.

With the town on the brink of a riot, no forthcoming clues to help Detective Jack Irvin in his murder investigation, Meghan must retain the hot passion that has seen her business and relationships prosper thus far while she confronts cold bodies all around.

The clock is ticking...

A murder investigation is growing cold...

Will Meghan provide the spark that unlocks this murder mystery?

HOT CHOCOLATE AND COLD BODIES CHAPTER 1 SNEAK PEEK

It was a crisp, autumn day in Sandy Bay, and as Meghan Truman descended the stairs of Truly Sweet, her beloved bakery, she could sense that something was about to happen. She could not quite put her finger on it; while Sandy Bay was a small town in the Pacific Northwest, Meghan had been through a lot during her short stint as a resident, and as the chilly air hit her face, she knew in her heart that she was on the precipice of another adventure.

“Fiesta, Siesta, come on, babies,” she urged her little twin dogs as they slowly waddled down the steps. “Come keep me company in the bakery! The fall festival is this week, and with the town being so busy with the setup, I think business will be a little slower than usual….”

As Meghan spoke, she heard a knock at the front door of the bakery. She glanced down at the watch on her left wrist; it was not yet nine in the morning, and the bakery was not open yet. Who could be at her door so early?

“Maybe it’s Jack,” Meghan wished as she smoothed down her wild, long dark hair. “He dropped off some bagels in the morning for me as a surprise last week. Maybe he brought more?”

Meghan’s heart fluttered as she thought of her adoring, handsome boyfriend, Jack Irvin. Jack was a detective in Sandy Bay, and Meghan had been dating him for a few months. Meghan could hardly keep the smile off of her face when Jack was around; he was tall, with striking blue eyes and blonde hair, and Meghan was smitten with him.

“Oh,” Meghan said to herself as she peered outside.

Jacqueline Peters, the owner of the new salon and beauty shop in Sandy Bay, stood outside of the bakery. Meghan could see Jacqueline frowning, and she groaned as she unlocked the door.

“I want to be hospitable,” Meghan whispered to her two dogs who were nipping playfully at her ankles. “But I haven’t had my coffee yet, and I was hoping it would be Jack at the door…”

As Meghan unlocked the yellow front door of the bakery, Jacqueline came sweeping in.

“Meghan,” she said kindly. “So good to see you this morning.”

Meghan raised an eyebrow. “Good to see you too, Jacqueline,” she replied slowly. “Truly Sweet isn’t open for business yet, though.”

Jacqueline shook her head. “I’m not here for treats today, Meghan,” she informed Meghan. “I’m here in a professional capacity.”

Meghan cocked her head to the side in confusion. “What do you mean?”

Jacqueline took a deep breath. “I know we are in different fields,” she began. “You sell treats, and I make people beautiful.”

Meghan nodded. “I know,” she agreed. “You do. Every time I have had something done at your salon, I’ve loved the result; your stylist, Amelia, did a beautiful balayage on my hair two weeks ago, and I’ve gotten so many compliments!”

Jacqueline beamed. “Well, I’m thrilled you’ve been pleased,” she said. “But I’m here today to ask you some questions as two businesswomen in a small town. Meghan, you are a small business owner. How did Truly Sweet fare when it first opened?”

Meghan bit her bottom lip and thought back on her first few days in town. The bakery had seen its ups and downs, but ultimately, Meghan was proud that she had persevered and grown her business to its current state of success. After a few setbacks and many, many triumphs, Truly Sweet was now one of the most popular bakeries in the area, and Meghan knew that her hard work had paid off.

Meghan opened her mouth to explain this to Jacqueline, but Jacqueline immediately cut her off.

“Let me explain, Meghan,” she began. “My business has been growing so slowly! I’m getting frustrated, and part of me wants to throw in the towel. I knew I could come to you for some insight; you are a relatively new business owner, and you always seem so sweet.”

Meghan smiled at the compliment. “That’s kind of you to say,” she told Jacqueline. “I understand that business can be slow in the beginning, but you can’t give up. Your salon is fantastic; my hair has never looked or felt better, and the service I received was top-notch. Don’t give up on yourself yet, Jacqueline. There are so many possibilities that happen when you believe in yourself. Just give it a chance.”

“Good morning, ladies!”

Meghan and Jacqueline looked to the front door where Kirsty Fisher, one of Sandy Bay’s most dedicated citizens, marched through the front door. “You’re open early today, Meghan? I was popping by the stationary store to pick up new business cards, and I saw that you were in.”

Meghan shook her head. “I had a surprise visitor. Kirsty, do you know Jacqueline?”

Kirsty nodded at Jacqueline. “You own that salon just across the way? I’ve had my nails done there before; what a darling place. My cuticles have never looked nicer!”

Jacqueline blushed. “That is so nice of you to say.”

Kirsty shrugged and adjusted the string of pearls around her neck. “I like to maintain my image, and it is not always easy to do that here in a small town. When your salon opened, I was delighted to find a place that meets my standards.”

Meghan grinned. “See, Jacqueline? Business might be slow right now, but in this room, you have two happy customers.”

Kirsty wrinkled her nose. “Business is slow?” Kirsty asked Jacqueline. “Well, I have a solution for you. I was going to come by later to invite you, Meghan, but it sounds like I will be inviting both of you! Ladies, at the Sandy Bay Fall Festival, Sandy Bay’s most beloved annual event, we try to celebrate Sandy Bay’s culture and local businesses. Would you two be interested in serving hot chocolate at one of our booths? You can decorate it with items from your stores, and you can pass out business cards.”

Jacqueline looked to Meghan nervously. “What do you think?”

Kirsty interjected. “Meghan, you don’t even have to bring treats! Both of you could simply show up, serve hot chocolate, and gain some valuable exposure for your businesses. What do you say?”

Meghan pondered the idea for a moment. Her business was booming, but she knew Jacqueline needed some help and encouragement. Meghan did love hot chocolate, and serving the toasty drink on a chilly evening at the fall festival sounded like the perfect seasonal activity that would warm Meghan’s heart, promote the bakery, and help Jacqueline Peters.

“We’ll do it,” Meghan declared as Kirsty clapped her hands. “It will be a fun way to participate in the fall festival. What could possibly go wrong?”

-

Click here to find out what happens next in Hot Chocolate and Cold Bodies, the 8th book in the Sandy Bay Cozy Mystery Series!

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ALSO BY AMBER CREWES

The Sandy Bay Cozy Mystery Series

Apple Pie and Trouble (Book 1) – OUT NOW

Brownies and Dark Shadows (Book 2) – OUT NOW

Cookies and Buried Secrets (Book 3) – OUT NOW

Donuts and Disaster (Book 4) – OUT NOW

Éclairs and Lethal Layers (Book 5) – OUT NOW

Finger Foods and Missing Legs (Book 6) – OUT NOW

Gingerbread and Scary Endings (Book 7) – OUT NOW

Hot Chocolate and Cold Bodies (Book 8) – PREORDER NOW

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