Susan Gillard - Hot Chocolate Glazed Murder

Table of Contents

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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 2016 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

Chapter 1

Heather hummed Jingle Bell Rock under her breath and positioned herself in front of one of the massive ovens in the kitchen of Donut Delights.

Theyd installed a speaker in the top corner of the kitchen, exactly for this purpose. The melody trilled through the room, and Heather bopped along to the beat.

Donuts crisped up in the oven, and the rich scent of sweet, chocolate batter swirled up her nostrils.

Oh yeah, this was set to be the best holiday season yet.

What are they? Emily Potts asked, and peered past Heather at the newest creations. They smell divine.

These are just the basic chocolate batter base, Heather said and met her assistants eager gaze. Its what goes on top of them thats real special.

What is it? Emily asked.

Heather turned and strolled to the counter, then tapped a finger to the first of three bowls. A fluffy marshmallow whip, she said.

She shifted up the counter to the next bowl. And then, a dripping warm chocolate ganache. Warm, not hot, because we want the marshmallow whip to maintain its position.

Oh my gosh, Emily said and whipped out her notepad. My mouth is watering already.

And finally, a handful of marshmallows, Heather said, and pinched two white marshmallows from the bowl. She gave one to Emily, then popped the other into her mouth. I call them Hot Chocolate Glazed Donuts. Not exactly an imaginative name, but hey, theyre going to taste awesome.

I bet! Emily said, and gobbled up her marshmallow.

The kitchen doors swung inward, and Heathers bestie strolled into the room. She placed her fists on her hips and pursed her lips. Youd better not be eating donuts without me, in here, Shepherd, Amy Givens said. You know how I feel about that. Its a serious offense.

We had a marshmallow, Emily said and grinned.

Amy feigned a gasp. Betrayal, she sang and pressed the back of her hand to her forehead.

Do you need help out front? Heather asked.

Yeah, but not in the way youd think, Amy replied. She dropped her arms to her sides and swung them back and forth. Shed chosen a lurid, red sweater with Santa Claus face on the front and a pair of jeans for her outfit today. The Donut Delights apron did little to cover up the fashion disaster.

Amy didnt care a bit.

Then whats up?

Sharon Janis is out there, Amy said. And shes causing trouble.

Oh boy, Heather said and sighed. She tightened the straps of her apron, then touched Emilys arm. Take care of the donuts for me, please. Theyll need to come out in a few minutes.

Sure thing, boss.

Heather walked to her bestie and grimaced. How bad is this trouble you speak of?

Amy pushed the kitchen door open and led the path out into the front of the store. See for yourself, she whispered.

Sharon Janis stood in the center of the room. Larger than life, in her leopard print jeans and gold knit sweater. Shed piled her hair on top of her head again, in that classic bright, red cone.

A woman faced off against her, arms folded. She was Sharons opposite. Her gray cardigan hung loose, along with her soft, blond hair. Though her green eyes couldve burnt a hole in an ice sculpture.

You shouldve called me sooner, Heather whispered.

It wasnt this bad when I left. They were sitting down across from each other, yelling, Amy replied, in equally hushed tones.

Youve ruined my sons life, the woman said.

Sharon Janis tittered a laugh which didnt hold any mirth. Ruined? Jane, please. We all know he ruined his own life by planning to steal from the dealership.

Janes lips quivered. She opened and closed her mouth.

Every eye in Donut Delights focused on the pair of women. Who would win? Had Sharon finally crossed the line?

Ugh, what a totally un-Christmas-like occurrence. And in the center of Heathers store no less.

Mark is not a thief! Hes a good man. Youve ruined him with your rumor-mongering.

I didnt do a thing, Sharon said and examined her bright red nails. She flicked them through the air. I merely gave George a nudge in the right direction.

Liar! Everyone in Hillside knows what you are, Jane hissed.

Silence fell. Even the clinking of cups and the slow chew-chew of donuts ceased. The twinkle of Christmas music did nothing to ease the mood, nor did the white misted Christmas trees on the windows.

This is better than Days of Our Lives, Amy whispered.

What am I? Sharon asked. Id love to hear it from you, doormat.

Youre a mean, lonely gossip. Youve got no life, so you spend your time trying to ruin everyone elses. I wont stand for it, Jane growled.

Sharon squared her shoulders. Why, you little

Thats enough, Heather said, in a clear tone. I wont have this kind of behavior in my store. Youre ruining Monday morning for everyone else.

Sharon opened her mouth to reply.

No, Janis, Heather said. Im afraid Im going to have to ask both of you to leave. If you dont, Ill be forced to call the police.

Amy broke into a wry grin. Out you go, Sharon, she said. Of all the women in Donut Delights, Ames had the least patience for the town gossip. Run off back to your hidey hole.

Dont you start, Heather muttered.

Ames shrugged and returned to her spot behind the counter.

The woman, Jane, didnt hesitate. She made a swift exit and had the grace to blush. But Sharon, oh dear, Sharon, she didnt give two hoots.

She narrowed her eyes at Heather and placed both fists on her leopard-print hips. Youll regret this, Heather Shepherd. Mark my words.

Sharon spun on her heel and clip-clopped out of the store. The bell tinkled, and the door slammed behind her.

Noise resumed in the store as usual. People turned back to their snacks or leaned in to discuss the argument.

Another day in the life of the Donut Delights crew.

Chapter 2

Heather strolled down the sidewalk, gaze on the horizon, where the setting sun stroked pink and orange across the cloudless sky. Another perfect afternoon in Hillside, she said, in a low hum of pleasure.

Perfect, Amy said and shivered along beside her bestie. She puffed up her coat and sank into it. If you call being frozen alive, perfect.

Lilly giggled and held onto the ends of two leashes. One for Cupcake, whod followed them out of the house and insisted on a walk, and the other for Dave, who wagged his tail and sniffed Cupcake every other step.

The adoption process had only begun with Lilly, but the mood in their home had never been higher.

Come on, Ames. Its almost Christmas. Even you cant be grumpy at this time of year, Heather said and punched her bestie on the puffed up arm.

My grumpiness knows no bounds, woman. Dont you forget it, Amy replied.

They turned the corner and walked down the sidewalk toward Heathers house in the distance. Theyd already organized a full-on girls dinner at home since Ryan had an evening shift.

Itd end early for Lilly, who had school tomorrow, but the laughter and jokes would carry her off to a warm bed and good dreams, no doubt.