Susan Gillard - Blueberry Stars & Stripes Murder

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Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the authors imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Copyright 2017 by Guardian Publishing Group - All rights reserved.

All rights Reserved. No part of this publication or the information in it may be quoted from or reproduced in any form by means such as printing, scanning, photocopying or otherwise without prior written permission of the copyright holder.

Table of Contents

What do you think? Amy asked as she made a grand gesture and waved her hands towards the house.

Well, Heather said slowly, trying to put a positive spin on her thoughts.

She loved the location of the house, as it was close to one of her already established routes when walking her dog Dave and kitten Cupcake. Yes, she walked her kitten too. However, Cupcake practically thought she was a dog, especially on a walk. She would wear a leash, sniff what her canine companion found interesting, and was even known to investigate fire hydrants.

The location was wonderful, and if Amy and her boyfriend Jamie decided this was the house to move into, then Heather would live even closer to her bestie. However, she couldnt honestly say that she appreciated the beauty of this particular house. In fact, she found its faade intimidating.

It does look a bit austere, Heather said, finally.

Thank you! Amy agreed. The way the windows are there and the dark roof on top and the line from the drain pipe at an angle. To me, it looks like and angry face.

Now that you said that, I cant un-see it, Heather laughed.

And why would I want to move into a house that doesnt look happy to see me?

Heather nodded. Great location or not, it didnt look like Amy was interested in this house. Though if Heather was honest it wasnt like there was a shortage of time for the two friends to spend time together. They already worked together by baking donuts and solving crimes together. Throw in their regular movie night together, and they were set.

Even though the humans had decided against the house, Dave decided to claim it as his own by marking the mailbox.

You know that interfering with the post is a federal crime, dont you? Heather asked her canine companion with mock severity. Dave just looked pleased with himself, and she smiled.

Come on, she said to the animals, and they started walking again.

Amys thoughts were wandering about her housing search as they wandered down the street.

Weve been visiting houses, but nothing has been right so far. One place was too small. One was too expensive. One smelled like cat pee.

Cupcake looked up at Amy with a look of indignation.

Sorry, Amy said before continuing. One had a ventilation system that made funny noises and would have made me thought I was hearing ghosts all night. One was still living in the seventies and had shag carpets in every single room. And one only had a bathroom outside.

Outside?

Like an outhouse. And then yet another house looks like an angry face. Real estate in Hillside is weird.

Sounds like it. Could you make any changes to the houses? Turn it into something you like? Maybe you could turn the angry faade into a smile?

I dont think we can, Amy said. Were renting, not buying. I dont think wed buy a house unless well, bigger steps. But this is a big step already. Moving in together. Thats big. And one step at a time, please. Okay?

Heather smiled at her besties rambling. She knew that Amy loved Jamie very much, but that she also didnt want to rush anything. Moving in together would be a good move for them.

Im sure youll find something that will be perfect for the both of you, Heather said. You know how they say youve got to kiss a few frogs before you find your prince?

I just need to walk across a few shag carpets before I find my dream home? Amy asked with a chuckle.

Something like that.

Im sure we will find the prince house too, Amy said. Just now that weve hit the ground running, wed really like to find the finish line. But with Fourth of July festivities, schedules have been a bit weird. Some people have more availability to show the space, and some only have a few times.

Speaking of festivities, were really going to miss you at the fireworks.

I know. But Jamie and I really want to see this house, and the only time we could see it is the night of. We dont want to miss it. Maybe this house is the one.

Heather nodded. She understood how tricky balancing schedules could be. Hearing Amys descriptions of some houses she saw, also made her think that she was encountering some pretty eccentric landlords.

Maybe its for the best, though, Amy said. The landlord is fine with us bringing Dave and Cupcake to the meeting. And its on the other side of town from where they set off the fireworks, so it will keep our furry friends calm.

That is the bright side, Heather said. She gave the grateful Dave a scratch behind the ears. She was happy that her pets would be far away from the scary noise. She hated to think what it must be like for them to hear explosive sounds all night and not understand that they were supposed to be festive and fun.

Is Lilly excited for the bonfire?

She is. But I think Im more excited to make the holiday exciting for her, Heather admitted.

Last Fourth of July had been far from fun for Heather. She was normally content to investigate crimes, but solving the murder of a friend from high school had hit close to home. This year Heather was pushing the unhappy memories away and was focusing on making happy memories with her daughter.

She smiled as she thought about how this was the first of many fireworks displays with her adopted daughter. She was happy to think about how wonderful these first holidays spent together would be, but also about all the wonderful holidays they would have through the years.

What are you smiling about? Amy asked.

Motherhood, said Heather as she admitted it to herself.

Nope, Amy said. I cant think about that now. One step at a time.

You say that, but I do have a suspicion about another step.

Youre normally a great investigator and have smart suspicions, but Im really set on this one step at a time thing.

But if you can bring Dave and Cupcake to the house viewing, then it means that youre looking at a place that allows animals. Not all rentals do. Are you looking at getting a pet?

Amy grumbled. Not right now. But eventually.

One step at a time?

Exactly, Amy said. Right now Im going to focus on celebrating Independence Day by trying to become independent of my old place.

And Ill focus on celebrating it by making it the best Independence Day possible for Lilly.

As long as your family is together, it will be happy for her. Especially if you bring some festive donuts. And if I know Heather Shepherd, shell have donuts.

What do you call them, dear? Eva asked.

Blueberry Firecracker Donuts, Heather said with a smile.

I feel like were VIPs, Leila said. We didnt even have to travel to Donut Delights for this flavor unveiling. It came right to us.

It helps that you live with the creator, Heather laughed.

The two older ladies were her favorite customers at her donut shop and had also become her close friends. They were also staying in her living room until their home was fixed after it had been a victim of arson. Repairs had begun and the home would soon be returned to its former glory. However, she had to admit that she liked seeing the ladies excited about her donuts at her kitchen table as much as she enjoyed them sitting at their favorite usual table at her shop. They had long since moved from feeling like customers to feeling like family.