Susan Gillard - Iced Pumpkin 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.

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Heather Shepherd fastened her Donut Delights apron and stepped up to the silver counter in the kitchen of her store.

Her assistants, three of them, at least Maricela and Ken manned the counter out front, and Ames was on errands gathered around her, elbow to elbow.

All right, she said, so, Ive taught the others how to make this weeks donut, and its about time I teach you guys too. Its really simple, but its a crowd pleaser.

Jung rubbed his palms together. I cant wait.

What is it, boss? Angelica asked.

Emily Potts licked her lips and brushed off her apron. Shed been the quietest of the bunch since shed joined their team.

Weve got Thanksgiving coming up, Heather said, so I thought wed do a pumpkin themed donut. The Iced Pumpkin donut, to be precise.

Oh gosh, Im getting hungry already.

We really want this to be a little chunk of Thanksgiving with every bite. Heather smiled at them all. Minus the turkey, of course.

Heather tapped her fingers to the side of a steel bowl. Weve got fresh roasted cinnamon pumpkin, which well mash up to add to the batter. Then add in some ginger for flavor, as well, and a touch of condensed milk. Flour, of course, whole grain, the best Ames can find. This is going to be quite a heavy, cake-like mixture.

So, youll do a light glaze then? Emily asked. She might be quiet, but she learned super-fast.

Thats exactly right, Emily. Heather beamed at her youngest assistant and Angelica gave her a thumbs up. I want this donut double-dipped in a very simple vanilla glaze. Well do a tiny splash of lemon juice in the glaze, to add a little zing to each bite, but the predominant flavor is going to be the cinnamon and pumpkin.

Wow, Jung breathed.

Its supposed to excite the taste buds, Heather said and tickled her fingers in front of her lips. Theyre cooked in the oven. Okay, so lets get started.

The assistants shuffled closer still. Emily whipped out a notepad and scratched across it with her pen.

First off, were going to mash up

The kitchen door swung inward, and Geoff Lawless stepped into the room, closely followed by Ken. Im sorry, Heather, I couldnt stop him, her assistant said, and frowned at the big, bald guy. He ran past me before I could.

Thats okay, Ken, Heather said. She stepped back from the counter, and curiosity twirled through her belly. You guys mash up the pumpkin and spice it with cinnamon. Ive put the recipe on the counter. Carry on with the batter, but dont cook it until Ive come back to have a taste.

Aye, aye, captain, Jung said and saluted.

Heather rolled her eyes at him, then chuckled and walked over to Geoff Lawless.

For many weeks, the man had been a sheer pain in her neck, but thatd changed last week.

His mockery of a donut store had closed, and hed quit his incessant Heather-stalking ways.

Geoff? Heather said. Do you want to talk in my office?

He shook his head in reply but drew her off to one side of the kitchen. It was huge, after the renovations the others couldnt possibly hear them.

Whats going on?

Had to come, Geoff said. Had to come to warn you about her.

Heathers insides turned frosty. Shed been through enough investigations and odd situations to sense another one incoming. About who?

Geoff glanced back at the kitchen doors and swallowed, loudly. Kate. My sister. Shes coming for you.

Heathers nerves jittered, but she kept her face smooth as red velvet donut. What do you mean?

Kates setting up another bakery. Another store to compete with you, Geoff said.

Heather arched both eyebrows. Oh, thats not so bad.

Its a cupcake store. She wants to set up right down the road. Shes going to try to steal your customers.

I see, Heather replied. Thanks a lot for warning me, Geoff. I appreciate that. She patted him awkwardly on the shoulder. But I dont think you or I need to worry about Kate Laverne. She can set up the store if she wants, but shes got a lot of work to do before she can compete with us.

Heather had all the confidence in the world in her store and her staff. They were a family, and nothing could break that.

Shes dangerous, Geoff said, darkly. Shell do anything to get what she wants. Be careful, Shepherd. Watch your back.

Thanks. Ill do that, Geoff. Heather walked toward the door, and he joined her. She pushed it open, and they traipsed out into the storefront of Donut Delights.

People chattered and ate donuts, and they slurped milkshakes and coffee, their coats over the backs of their chairs or hanging on hooks against one wall. The golden boards glinted beneath the downlights overhead.

Oh, yeah, itd taken Heather ages to get her store to this point. Full every day, online orders pouring in and happy customers. If Kate thought she could compete, well, she could bring it on.

Would you like to stay for a donut, Geoff? On the house.

Lawless thin lips twisted to one side. No thanks. I cant eat em. Not since the other place.

I understand, Heather said. Well, if you ever need anything, you just let me know.

Just be careful, he repeated. Shes not right. Shes not good. Be careful, Shepherd. And then he loped toward the door, in classic Geoff style, and brushed past several customers on his way.

They stared at him in consternation.

Heather couldnt help but chuckle. Somehow, shed made the weirdest friend shed ever had in her entire life.

Geoff pushed out into the blustery fall morning, and the bell tinkled overhead. Amy jumped out of his path and stared at him, then hurried indoors and toward the front counter.

What was that about? Geoff up to his old tricks?

Nope, Heather replied. All different ones, this time.

Chapter 2

Heather looped her arm through her besties and walked down the street. Lilly trotted along beside her, and Dave set their pace, his doggy claws scrabbling along the rough concrete of the sidewalk.

Just another week in paradise, Heather sang.

If paradise is freezing cold, Amy replied, and clutched the edge of her coat with her free hand. This is ridiculous.

Were in Texas, Amy, Lilly said. Its not that bad.

Says, you. Amy stuck out her tongue, then winked at the little girl.

Ames has always had a low tolerance for cool weather. And the hot weather, Heather said, and tapped her chin. Now that I think of it, you have a low tolerance for almost every kind of weather.

Its simple, really. Amy gestured with her hand. All I want is clear, blue skies, a moderately warm day and a hint of a breeze. Just a hint. No rain, no freezing winds, no boiling sun. Is that too much to ask?

Yeah, Heather and Lilly said, in unison. Dave barked his agreement.

Always ganging up on me, Amy muttered and pursed her lips.

It was an act, of course. Heathers bestie could never stay mad at them.

They continued their journey through suburbia. Houses and gardens passed by. Some had picket fences; others had trees. A dog yapped from behind a fence and launched himself at it.