Fudge-Laced Felonies (7 page)

“Ah, an entrepreneur. How mahvelous.” And with those words, she dismissed me and turned her black eyes to Ethan.

“What are you doing back in town, Terri Lee?”

“Working at Shadow Jewelers. I’m a designer now. They’ve got quite a few of my pieces featured.”

Well, la-dee-da. I designed things, too. Mouthwatering chocolates. Nothing made a person feel better than great chocolate. Not even diamonds. Who said they were a girl’s best friend? Give me a vanilla cream any day. I stepped between Ethan and the evil fire-temptress. “I’m thirsty, Ethan. Would you mind getting me a drink?”

He frowned but nodded. I turned back to Mountain Shadows’ most dangerous. “How long do you plan on staying in town, Terri Lee?”

She patted her date, Duane Parker of all people, sending him off after Ethan. The man nodded, looking uncomfortable in an ill-fitting tux, and left to do her bidding. Terri Lee’s gaze flicked to the returning Ethan, and my heart plummeted to the depths of my stomach.

“Forever, ’cause I’ve come home. And I’m looking forward to reconnecting with old acquaintances.”

“Beginning with Duane?” I should’ve bit my tongue. Her eyes shot daggers. “Yes, Duane. For starters. We dated in high school. Turns out he knows a thing or two about gemstones. He read a lot while in prison and can be quite useful to me. Don’t you think?

Six

I sat at the candy-dipping machine the next morning, forlorn, using my finger to swirl the chocolate into cursive letters on top of the covered vanilla creams. I hadn’t gathered any evidence on the diamond case while at the ball. Worse, Ethan hadn’t kissed me good night at the door. Instead, he’d chucked me under the chin like a two-year-old. I bet he would’ve kissed Terri Lee. Kissed her so hard the red would’ve melted off her dress.

On the way home, April and Joe had chattered like a couple of magpies. Apparently, their date had gone as planned. I hoped she’d at least remembered to garner information from him.

I sighed. There had to be a better way of gathering clues. Watching people didn’t work. I’d bet my last dollar the guilty party was Terri Lee. She was too beautiful to be innocent. I sighed again.

“What’s wrong with you this morning? You should’ve stayed home like I told you to if all you’re going to do is mope around.” Aunt Eunice removed the full tray and replaced it with one I had to complete. Strawberry creams this time.

“Do you mind if I take off for a bit? I’d like to run by the bookstore.”

“Didn’t I just say that? Why is this business with the diamonds so important to you, Summer?” She planted her fists on hips covered with a red apron. “Why do you feel compelled to get involved?”

Why did I? Maybe I wanted people to stop thinking of me as an empty-headed Barbie doll. I didn’t look like a Barbie doll, not having the proportions that famous female possessed. All my life, I’d been sheltered. Protected. I wanted everyone to know I could take care of myself. That I was stronger than my thin, five-foot-two-inch frame suggested.

“Just for fun.” I ran the last cream through the machine and flipped the Off switch. “Keeps my brain functioning.”

“Keeps your brain functioning, my foot. A girl your age doesn’t have to worry about a brain going lax. Not yet.” The bell over the front door tinkled, and Aunt Eunice went to wait on the customer, muttering under her breath.

Two doors down from Summer Confections sat the greatest bookstore in the world: Grandma’s Story Corner. They’d expanded the store over the years, as folks from neighboring towns came to Mountain Shadows for the Story Corner’s ambience. Grandma sold freshly baked pastries and delicious fragrant coffee served hot or frozen. And if Grandma didn’t carry what you wanted, she could get it for you.

I pushed open the dark walnut door and took a big sniff. I loved the smell of new books. Had ever since I was a child. That welcome aroma drifted to me along with the smell of warm, yeasty pastries.

“Good morning, Summer.” Grandma didn’t look the stereotype. She was tall and thin with dyed, coal black hair, painted-on eyebrows, and heavily outlined lips. But the woman knew her business.

“Good morning, Grandma.” I leaned on the counter, eyeing the blueberry muffins. “I’m looking for a book on crime solving. And I want a muffin and a frozen mocha.”

“Are you going into the detective business?” Grandma lifted the muffin with a pair of silver-plated grips. She smiled a greeting at a couple who stood behind me.

“No, uh, I’m writing a novel.” Great. Now I’ll have to write one. I didn’t want another lie on my conscience.

“Then I’d suggest the ‘Dummy Corner.’ ” She pushed the button on the blender, mixing my coffee.

Dummy Corner? I was getting a complex.

“You can find a book on anything suited for the ordinary layperson.”

“Okay. Thanks.” I prayed no one would see me as I made my way to the back corner of the store, avoiding other patrons. I let out a breath of relief once I reached the section. A wide selection lined the walls, from The Dolt’s Complete Guide to Calculus to The Dolt’s Complete Guide to Learning Spanish. And right there, staring at me, The Dolt’s Complete Guide to Private Investigating. I ran a finger down the table of contents. “What It Takes to Be a PI,”

“Becoming a PI,” and so on. I completely forgot how offended I should be from the title.

Ecstatic, I rushed to Grandma and shoved the book into her hands. “I’ll take it.”

“I don’t get many requests for books like this.” She rang up my purchases, and I fished a twenty out of my purse. “Must be some novel you’re writing.”

“I hope so. A mystery.” And I’ll title it Summer Investigations.

I felt more like one of Charlie’s angels than Miss Marple. “Could you put the book in a brown sack?” I wanted to keep my aunt from seeing what I bought.

When I returned, April sat behind the counter. Things were obviously slow at the real estate office where she worked as a receptionist. I stuffed the package, along with my purse, under the counter. No customers milled about, so I grabbed her arm and pulled her to the back room. “Find out anything from Joe last night?”

“Yes.” She perched on one of the stools. “He’s the sweetest guy.”

“About the case, April.”

“Oh, that.” She waved a hand dismissively in the air. “A little, as in not much. Still no clues, no fingerprints, no DNA, nothing. But these things take time, I’ve heard. No one at the station can figure out who keeps breaking into your house or why they’d want to. The only newcomers, besides the missing broker, are Terri Lee Rupert and Duane Parker. I’m not sure they’d be considered newcomers, since they used to live here.” April plucked a strawberry cream from a nearby tray. “Did you see Terri Lee last night?”

“Yes. I saw her.” The green-eyed monster raised its ugly head. “Ethan couldn’t keep his eyes off her.”

April popped the candy in her mouth. “Well, they used to date, you know. Before he went to college.”

“I’d chosen to forget that.”

April wiped her hands on a nearby towel. “Thank you for setting me up with Joe. I had a wonderful time. We’re going out again on his next night off.” She hopped off the stool, gave me a quick hug, and headed out the door with a wave to Aunt Eunice.

At least someone had a wonderful time last night. I’d expected more from Ethan.

He’d even seemed preoccupied during the drive home. Maybe as payback for my own preoccupation while dancing? Or the return of a long-lost love? The day’s sunshine disappeared, casting my heart into shadow.

I spent my time making candy and let Aunt Eunice handle the customers. There weren’t many. A few came in for gifts, and I’d look up to study their faces, hoping to spot a potential suspect. My fingers itched to turn the pages of my new book. By tomorrow I’d know everything about being a private investigator.

“We need more peanut brittle.” Aunt Eunice handed the last bag to a waiting customer. “And someone requested cashew brittle. Do you know how to make that?”

“Same recipe. Just use cashews instead of peanuts.” It looked like I’d be putting in longer hours restocking candy after all.

My cell phone rang a jaunty melody, and I wiped my hands on my apron before grabbing it. Caller ID said Ethan Banning. My breath caught, and my finger paused over the button. I experienced hope and fear at the same time. The music continued to play, and I sent a prayer for peace heavenward.

“Hi,” I said.

“Hello, Summer. I called to let you know I had a good time last night.”

“You did?” I leaned against the wall behind me, getting a warm and fuzzy feeling.

“Why do you sound so surprised?”

“I don’t know. You seemed a bit preoccupied.”

“And you didn’t?”

“I’m sorry. You’re right.” I decided to switch the topic of conversation. “April and Joe seemed to get along real nice.”

“Yeah, Joe’s a great guy.”

I gnawed the inside of my cheek for a moment. “And you met up with an old friend.”

“Who? Terri Lee? Yeah, it’s good to see her again.” Who was he kidding? “April said you two were close once upon a time.” I studied the ragged cuticles on my right hand, trying to sound nonchalant, while inside, my heart galloped.

“A long time ago. Gotta go, Summer. Thanks again.”

Click.

I wasn’t sure how to interpret the conversation. Could he be interested in Terri Lee? I’d decided to add a visit to the jewelers at the bottom of my growing list of things to do. Maybe I could get some feedback from the wonderful, beautiful Terri Lee. Was she interested in Ethan? I decided to make her number one on my list.

I was on my way to church, still with no clue, literally, about where the diamonds came from. The as-of-yet- unopened Dolt Guide lay on my nightstand, and I vowed to spend my afternoon learning everything it had to offer.

I drove into the church parking lot, and the first thing I laid eyes on was Beauty Queen Terri Lee hanging on Ethan’s arm. Well, maybe she wasn’t hanging on him, but one dainty paw rested in the crook of his elbow. Why wasn’t the man greeting parishioners? He did have a job to do.

The advice my aunt gave me about asking God who should go on my suspect list had me pause and offer a quick prayer before I exited the car. My eyes scanned the area for anyone God might bring to mind. I slammed my car door, took a step, and jerked to a stop. I’d shut the hem of my dress in the door, and wouldn’t you know it, Ethan and Terri Lee stared in my direction.

Ethan shot me a huge, dimpled grin, while Terri Lee arched one finely tweezed brow. I gave the pair what I hoped to be a dainty wave and swept my full skirt free.

“Good morning, Summer.” Ethan chuckled as I breezed past him.

“Good morning, Ethan. Terri Lee.” I gripped my Bible tighter to my chest. “I enjoyed our phone conversation yesterday, Ethan. It really brightened my day.” I gave Terri Lee a smile and entered the building.

As usual, I made a beeline for the coffee bar to purchase my drink. This time I pulled up a chair at one of the little café tables. Although I hated to admit one of my fellow churchgoers could be a criminal, I intended to scrutinize everyone.

Ethan and Terri Lee entered and went their separate ways. Terri Lee went toward the main sanctuary, and Ethan took his position to greet those arriving. He looked amazing. Tan Dockers and a black polo shirt set off the golden tone of his skin and hair, and I temporarily forgot what I searched for.

“Hey, Summer.” April pulled up a chair across from me. “What are you doing?”

“I’m on a stakeout, kind of.”

“Who are you staking out? My brother?” April turned to look.

“No. I’m people watching.” I twirled my plastic cup in the condensation on the tabletop. “Maybe something will jump out at me. I’m clueless.”

April giggled. “Everyone knows that.”

“I mean about the case.”

“Sounds like fun. I’ll help.” She crossed her legs then bolted upright like a jack-in-the box. “There’s Joe. See you later.”

So much for my sidekick. The first strums of praise music drifted from the sanctuary, and people stopped mingling to merge in one coursing wave toward their seats. One man stood alone. Tall, dark, and mysterious. Mysterious because all I’d seen of him before was the back of his head. Mister GQ had to be Nate, the new barista.

He stood a few inches shorter than Ethan’s height with chestnut hair and mahogany eyes. I couldn’t help but notice how handsome he was. Movie-star handsome— but I preferred my men golden. The man glanced around the atrium, caught my gaze, and headed into the men’s restroom. I’d have to ask Aunt Eunice about him. She knew everyone in town, or at least about everyone in town.

I pitched my drink and went to find a seat. I had lingered at the coffee bar too long and had to sit near the rear of the sanctuary. Aunt Eunice waved for me to sit next to her. I took one look at the seat in the corner and shook my head. Another row up, I squeezed past a rather heavy-set woman, muttering apologies.

Two rows up, I spotted the back of Terri Lee’s head. From that point on, worship was a struggle. She probably sang like an angel. I craned my neck to see whether the mystery man had made an appearance but couldn’t spot him. I remained preoccupied during the announcements, not paying attention until the pastor spoke about trust. From Psalm 25, verses 2 and 3.

“In you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.”

I sat higher in my seat. The pastor’s words confirmed the raven-haired temptress wouldn’t win Ethan. The day grew brighter.

“No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.”

I wasn’t treacherous, was I? I felt like the pastor singled me out. Was everyone staring at me? I squirmed in my seat and tried to refocus. My hope was in the Lord. Always had been, always would be. Somehow, I knew my crush on Ethan wasn’t what the verse spoke of. I squirmed again.

Something hit me in the back of the head, and I looked to where my aunt sat. She wore a scowl on her face and shook her head as she pointed toward the front of the chair. The wadded paper wrapper from a straw lay on the empty seat next to me. How old did she think I was? She hadn’t chastised me that way since childhood.