Amber Crewes [Crewes - Gingerbread and Scary Endings

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

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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Everyone has their favorite season . Meghan Trumans 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 Trumans heart sank as she turned to face him. What did you say? Meghan whispered incredulously as she stared in Jacks 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, youre hugging me?

Jack shook his head as he planted a kiss on Meghans cheek. Meghan, he said patiently. You werent 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. Youve been working nonstop at the bakery since you received that massive corporate order from the Behzad Corporation, and Im 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 ; Meghans 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 havent 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.

Dont 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 Im 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 Bays 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. Sheridans 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 Jacks 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 dont care if you are a detective or a clown; you should know that gingerbread is bad luck, and you shouldnt be eating it.

Meghans dark eyes widened. Mrs. Sheridan, Ive 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. Dont let him do that, she pleaded with Meghan. Gingerbread is bad luck, and you two are going to be sorry.