Nancy McGovern - Banana Whip Safari Trip: A Culinary Cozy Mystery With A Delicious Recipe

A SLICE OF PARADISE COZY MYSTERY

BOOK 4:

Banana Whip Safari Trip

By

Nancy McGovern

&

Cyra Bruce

Get A FREE Book!

At the end of this story, there is an offer to join our mailing list for this series , through which you will receive updates, special offers & discounts on all future books in this series as well as information about joining our Street Team. Plus, you will receive a FREE BOOK from this series as a Thank You for signing up (a book you cannot get anywhere else)! If interested, the link is immediately after this story

Chapter 1

If there was one thing Faith had learned about life, it was that it was almost impossible to predict. Back in her mom Dianas cramped apartment in Minnesota, Faith would never have dreamed shed one day be the owner of a sweet little wooden Florida tea room, nestled amongst tropical trees and mere steps from the beach. It sounded like something out of a storybook. But it had come true.

And there was certainly no way she could have predicted what shed be doing on this particular April late afternoon stepping into the polished marble floor of the Hilton Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, surrounded by all the people she loved the most, except for Diana, who thought the idea of a safari was the worst kind of vacation imaginable.

Whoa, Faith whispered, then turned to Nathan and gave him a wide smile. It was such a long time since shed ever been to a hotel, and shed never stayed anywhere the likes of the Hilton. They were arm in arm, and the closeness still felt so good, even though theyd been together for a while by then. Faith had been worried all that soft, sweet feeling would melt away over time, but it hadnt. There were trying moments, for sure, when Nathans idealism and Faiths practical approach locked horns, but they both knew how to forgive.

Before they could even reach the gleaming mahogany front desk, a Kenyan woman hurried up to them. The doormen had not yet closed the heavy glass doors out front and a breeze floated in, ruffling the womans long chiffon dress.

The Jones and Franklin party? she said with a smile. There was a little gap between her front teeth that gave her a slight lisp.

Hello there, Arthur said, holding out his hand for her to shake it. Grandma Bessie still wouldnt admit he was her boyfriend, even though hed taken to pecking her on the cheek whenever he could get the chance. You must be Mary Mbiti? Did I say that right?

Mary broke out into a huge smile. Right first time. You are all in good health, I trust? The flight was okay?

Arthur nodded. All good, thank you, Mary.

Mary broke out into a genuine smile. That is good to know. Solomon - thats our driver - is upstairs in the lounge with some of the other guests. I hope youre all looking forward to getting going tomorrow, but you can relax for today. Well, there sure are a lot of you. She cast an eye over them with a deep breath and wide eyes that made everyone laugh. You would think a tour guide would be good with names, but I might struggle, so you will have to forgive me.

Im Bessie, Grandma said. This here is my granddaughter Faith and her boyfriend Nathan, and

Its so darn ridiculous! a loud voice called out from the entrance. A man with a fake tan, his gut sagging over the waistband of his khaki linen suit and his blue eyes narrow, marched up the marble stairs, through the hastily opened doors and into the lobby. I cant believe it. I just cant believe it, he said to himself, pacing around.

Laura flashed a wide-eyed look in Faiths direction.

Babe! A young woman hurried up after him, breathless after just a few stairs. Dont be like that, please, babe, she said through panting, going over to him. Youll ruin our vacation. She tried to touch him on the back and he jerked away.

Ill ruin the vacation? he said, his face turning red, his eyes locked on hers.

She let out a long sigh. Oh, babe, come on. Lets try and have a nice time, huh?

How can I have a nice time after the stunt that moron pulled? The man planted his hands on his substantial hips and shook his head. This worlds going to the dogs, I tell you.

The whole lobby had gone silent by then, and everyone was still, staring at the pair of them. The receptionist was the only one moving, slipping out behind the desk to come and resolve things, but Mary was faster.

Aha! she said, hurrying over to them. I think you are Mr. and Mrs. Daish. Could I possibly be right?

Oh, um, yes, the man said, taken off guard by her charm.

Im Jasmine, and this is my husband Roy, the woman of the couple said.

Mary shook both their hands, then enquired after their health and the flight. Roy looked like the wind had been sucked out of his sails and he didnt quite know what to do with himself as he nodded and Jasmine answered all the questions.

Come on, everybody, Mary then said. Faith loved the way her rs rolled in her Kenyan accent. Why dont we go up to the lounge together and meet our fellow travelers? She clapped her hands as she led them all to the elevator, grinning. This is going to be a spectacular trip. Just spectacular. Oh, please, leave your bags here in the lobby. Someone will take them up to your rooms.

Laura leaned to Faith and Nathan in as they made their way toward the elevator. They look like a bundle of laughs, she whispered.

Faith smiled. What I want to know is what was so ridiculous anyways.

I expect were going to find out, Laura said, throwing a glance over at Roy, who was muttering angrily under his breath to his wife. And probably pretty soon.

Nathan twitched his nose. Lets just hope hes not a serial complainer. Then he grinned. I can just imagine the peaceful African savannah, serene and quiet, and then all we can hear is the outraged grumbling coming from Roys tent.

Uh, dont, Faith said, rolling her eyes. Then Roy and Jasmine came up behind them and they went quiet, just as the elevator opened.

Actually, well go to our room first, Roy said as everyone else except Jasmine stepped into the elevator. Well want to change before having drinks. See you later.

No one was sorry about that, though Mary did make an attempt to persuade them their clothing was, in fact, just fine.

But soon the rest of the party were up in the lounge, a gorgeous glass-walled room with a huge bar and a spectacular view over Nairobi. The sun was just beginning to set on the city, and it gleamed golden off the skyscrapers. Some vehicles had switched on their headlights and they moved like little toys throughout the darkening city.

Theres Solomon and our other guests, Mary said, pointing at a group sat on large, plush couches and nursing expensive drinks.

But no one was really looking at them the sweeping view was breathtaking, and everyones eyes were fixed on it.

Wow, Faith said. Look at that, Grandma Bessie, isnt it amazing?

Grandma Bessie had always been notoriously hard to impress, but she had mellowed in the last couple years. Since Faith had taken over the Slice of Paradise caf, Grandma Bessie had thrown herself headlong into a riproaring retirement, full of activity and adventure. And Faith couldnt help but notice the calming effect of Arthur (as he insisted they call him, laughing when theyd called him Mr. Jones), who was an easygoing old chap and took Grandma Bessies finickity tendencies well in his stride.

You bet, kiddo, Grandma Bessie said. She and Arthur were standing shoulder to shoulder, but when she saw Faith looking at them with an affectionate smile, she made a sharp step away. Come on, lets go get some drinks. That flight was murder.

Mary turned and gasped. Someone was murdered on the flight?

At that moment a tall man with a deep tan real this time and deep set wrinkles that were pleasant, like hed laughed a lot in his life, came up behind her. He clapped his hand on her shoulder in a friendly way, laughing. No, Miss Mbiti, thankfully not, he said, in an upper class English accent. Its merely rather a dramatic way of saying that the flight dragged terribly, or the film selection on the in-flight entertainment was disappointing, or the pilot was having an off day, perhaps. He gave Faith and company a sympathetic smile. Or mother nature decided to batter the 747 about with a spot of turbulence.