Death by Lime: A Key West Culinary Cozy - Book 5 (7 page)

“How does it feel to be able to walk alone again without being afraid?” Marilyn asked Kelcie as they prepared vanilla cupcakes with key lime filling and buttercream frosting.

“Honestly, I’m still pretty paranoid. I’m hyper-aware of everything that’s going on around me, and I jump if I hear unfamiliar sounds, but it’s getting better with every day that passes. It’s nice not to have to be afraid to open my door…although I still haven’t ordered takeout for quite some time,” she smiled ruefully.

“Well, that’s completely understandable,” her boss replied, finishing the frosting on a cupcake with a flourish. They both heard the bell over the door jangle.

“Do you want me to get that?” Kelcie asked, peeling off her plastic gloves.

“Would you please? Tiara hasn’t returned from her dental appointment yet.”

“Of course, no problem, I’ll be right back,” the assistant assured her.

Marilyn had a strange feeling that for whatever reason, she should follow Kelcie to make sure everything was okay, so she stood, out of sight, behind the door that led from the front to the kitchen, observing.

Kelcie squared her shoulders when she saw who was standing in front of the counter. “Good morning, Mr. Eckels, how may I help you?” she asked politely, not even bothering to try out a smile.

“You hated my pie. They told me. My grandma makes the best pie, and you hated it, and you took the job that I was supposed to have,” he accused, blinking rapidly at her.

Marilyn observed Kelcie’s back stiffen, and saw a red flush creeping up the back of her neck to the tips of her ears.

“You know what, Terrible Tim? I’ve had just about enough of your weirdness and accusations. I didn’t even try your stupid pie because I thought that you might be trying to make me sick, like you did with Ms. Hayes and Tiara when you gave them a pie. The detective took the pie for evidence because you act so creepy all the time that we thought you might be dangerous. I applied for this job just like you. I got it. I work my tail off every second that I’m here, and I deserve to be here, so you need to quit hassling me, because I’m not going to stand for it anymore. Either you pick something out of the case and buy it, or get the heck out of this shop and leave me alone!” she finished, breathing hard, hands on hips, leaning aggressively over the counter.

Tim blinked at her, using his forefinger to push his heavy glasses up the bridge of his nose. “Okay,” he replied mildly, and turned around, shuffling out of the shop.

Marilyn rushed out to the front, clapping her hands together with pride. “You were brilliant, young lady! I’m proud of you,” she said, giving Kelcie a hug.

“Oh my goodness! I don’t usually speak to people that way, but I can’t tell you how much better I feel, now that I’ve let that all out,” she took a deep breath and let it out in a giant sigh of relief.

“That was perfect,” her boss nodded with approval. “Someone, besides Tiara and I, needed to put that strange little man in his place, and you did a fine job. I almost expected him to buy a pie from you before he left,” she giggled with wicked glee.

Tiara came bursting in the front door. “I just saw the creepy neighbor come out of here and walk faster than I’ve ever seen him move. He was looking over his shoulder like he was afraid that someone was following him. What happened? Is everyone okay?” she asked, concerned.

Marilyn and Kelcie looked at each other and cracked up.

“Yes, my darling daughter and superhero, everyone is just fine,” the boss lady grinned, as her baffled offspring rolled her eyes.

A letter from the Author

To each and every one of my Amazing readers:
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Summer Prescott