Rum Cake Murder: A Frosted Love Cozy Mystery - Book 8 (Frosted Love Cozy Mysteries) (7 page)

Missy had closed the Dellville shop for a week while Ben and Cheryl were on their honeymoon, so that Grayson and Chris could both work at the LaChance shop. Business at Missy’s Muffins and More had picked back up once it was proved that neither Missy nor Ben had made Dr. Aston’s daughter sick by giving her the wrong cupcake. Loretta Christianson had personally stopped by to apologize for being rude to Missy, and had made phone calls to her society friends who were having events, encouraging them to patronize the shop. She had confided to Missy that she knew her husband had fathered Kelcie Aston’s child, but that she chose to look the other way because she and Sidney were unable to have children. Missy felt nothing but pity and admiration for the childless socialite who devoted herself to serving her community, and had forgiven her entirely for the mistreatment that she had suffered.

Missy was happily creating a new Cupcake of the Day in her spotless commercial kitchen, when Grayson came back to speak with her, eyes wide.

“Ms. G.,” he whispered, clearly excited about something. “You’ll never guess who’s up front, wanting to talk to you.”

Setting down her measuring cup, Missy smiled, intrigued. “Who might that be, Grayson?”

“The Mayor! Mayor Chadwick is here and he wants to talk to you,” the youth exclaimed, still whispering and clearly awed.

Missy was amused. “Well, send him back, I’m right in the middle of a new recipe,” she directed.

“Yes ma’am,” Grayson disappeared in a flash.

“Good morning!” Felton Chadwick’s voice boomed when he strolled into the kitchen, resplendent in a blue and white seersucker suit with a red vest and tie. “How are you on this fine Louisiana morning, little lady?”

“I’m well, thank you Felton, and you?” Missy asked, measuring cups of flour and dumping them into a bowl.

“Just dandy,” he grinned, coming over to peer in the bowl. “What’s this fine creation?” he asked, unconsciously rubbing his ample stomach.

“I’m creating a new recipe, and calling it Boston Cream Cupcakes. They’ll be like miniature Boston Cream Pies, with a yellow cupcake, filled with vanilla pudding and topped with fudge frosting,” she explained, much to the Mayor’s delight.

His stomach growled audibly, and Missy giggled, plucking a Coconut Cream Cupcake from a nearby tray and handing it to him. “Here, try one of these, I think you’ll like it, and you can grab a cup of coffee over there,” she gestured to the coffee maker burbling happily in the corner as it finished brewing a fresh pot. “That one is for staff only, we like having our own supply,” she explained, cracking some eggs into her bowl.

“Well, my stars, Missy Gladstone, this is quite the setup you have here,” Chadwick nodded appreciatively, taking a large bite of his cupcake and pouring a steaming mug of fresh coffee.

“It’s humble, but it’s home,” Missy smiled proudly. She loved her thriving little shop, and delighted in seeing others react positively to her efforts.

“Well now, darlin, the reason I popped in to see you today, other than making a shameless ploy to procure some of your baked goods, is to ask you what your thoughts are concerning my Priscilla’s wedding,” he looked at her pointedly, but with his same glad-handing politician’s smile.

“I’ve thought about it,” Missy stopped stirring for a moment. “And I’ve decided that, as a favor to you, and to help out your lovely wife, I’d be happy to take on the planning of your daughter’s wedding,” she smiled, breaking the happy news.

“I knew I could count on you,” Chadwick beamed, pleased with himself. “You just let me know how much you’re going to charge for your services, and don’t be shy young lady, money is no object. You just make sure that what my Prissy wants, she gets, ya hear?”

“I will do my best, Felton,” Missy nodded. “When do I get to meet her?”

“I’ll have my wife arrange a luncheon for the three of you at my house, she’s capable of doing that much,” he joked, fanning himself. “Then you and Prissy can get together and talk about all of those girly details that mystify me.”

“That sounds lovely, I’ll look forward to it,” she smiled, carefully pouring batter into pre-arranged foil cups.

“Well, that’s settled then,” the Mayor clapped his hands together, having finished his cupcake in three bites. He took another swig of coffee, then set his mug in one of the stainless steel sinks. “I surely do appreciate this, Missy Gladstone. Just…one more thing…” he trailed off as though uncertain how to phrase what he wanted to say.

“Yes?” Missy inquired.

“My Prissy…well, some folks find her a bit…opinionated,” he shrugged.

Missy nodded and smiled. “Not a problem, Felton,” she assured him. “She’s the bride. It’s her day, and we’ll make sure that she gets exactly what she wants.”

Chadwick chuckled nervously and nodded. “Well, that’s good then. That’s what she’s accustomed to.”

He said his goodbyes and Missy watched him go, shaking her head. What could possibly be so difficult about figuring out what Priscilla Chadwick wanted and making it happen? Men were so silly sometimes. She put her Boston Cream Cupcakes in the preheated oven to bake, and leaned back against the counter, thinking about the past few weeks.

A murder had been solved, Ben and Cheryl had gotten married, she’d been drafted as a wedding planner, and Chas had been looking at her in a new way that made her heart skip a beat whenever he was around. Life was good in LaChance, Louisiana. Missy couldn’t wait to tell her friend Echo, who owned the vegan ice cream shop in Dellville, all about it when the free-spirited former Californian
returned from her vacation in India. Smiling to herself, she took off her apron and headed back to the front, confident in knowing that all was right with her world.

A letter from the Author

To each and every one of my Amazing readers:
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Carol Durand