Pound Cake Predator Read online

  Crouching down, I gestured them both in closer. “Shirley, the Shirley—who can’t stand my guts—asked me if I had any tips on buttercream. Apparently, someone grabbed her a slice of vanilla almond and she loved it. We actually had a perfectly civil conversation about frosting, Italian verse Swiss meringue and she wasn’t nasty a single time. What do you think of that?”

  Both women looked a little disappointed at my sub par gossiping skills but nodded supportively. “It’s good she’s coming around. It isn’t right to have business owners fighting. Part of what makes Haverfield so great is we aren’t all soulless big box stores. So no need to be catty small shops,” Vivian asserted, safely out of her dramatic red outfits and back into her spring closet. Stella waved a hand at me to shush and I was pleased to see no cigarette in her fingers. It had taken another week or so after Logan closed the case for her to get back out of the habit of smoking and she still tended to absently dig in her pocketbook for a lighter on occasion.

  We were nearly at the final announcement when I saw Logan jog up and step into the shop. “Did I miss it?” He looked to everyone seated in rapt attention to the television. I took his arm and pulled him out of the line of view, sitting him down by the counter. Offering a cup of coffee, I shook my head. “Not yet. Any minute now though.”

  Scooter had been absolutely mute on the outcome of the show, insisting that we watch it together to see how it went. For a week after he got back, everyone tried different ways to get him to spill but for once, he was incredibly resolute.

  “No spoilers.”

  I couldn’t help but look to him as the hosts came up, showing the final products and critiquing each. The young man was bouncing on his heels, fighting down a wide happy grin.

  “And now for our First Place Bake and the winner of this Game of Scones Challenge...”

  The air was sucked out of the room and Red waved a hand at the host as though to encourage him to get on with it.

  “.... Jeffery ‘Scooter’ Johnson!”

  The Mad Batter erupted into cheers and claps and Scooter got red enough to match his doppelganger on the television. After a moment of thanking everyone, he tried to quiet them down, pointing back to the television.

  “Congratulations Scooter! What do you plan to do with your $1000 prize?”

  The on-screen Scooter wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and beamed at the camera. “I’m giving it to the Mad Batter, my boss and teacher Coco Foster, so we can get some new kitchen equipment. She’s been an inspiration and has helped me grow so much. She never holds me back and she’s why I’m here today. Love you Coco!”

  My own eyes started to sting and I put my hand on my heart, turning to find him. But he had already made his way around the crowd to me and was holding out a check with an almost nervous smile. “I meant it, you know.”

  Tears fell down my cheeks and I bypassed the check to wrap him in a big hug. “You’re a sweetheart, Scooter. And I’ll take that check but only if you take a raise. And help me pick out the equipment. Deal?”

  I heard him sniff into my shoulder and he nodded. “Deal.”

  A few more people came up and gave Scooter their congratulations. Henry pointed out that we might end up with new business. People come a long way for award-winning food. Scooter seemed equally delighted and anxious about the thought.

  Eventually, Rose and I were the last ones in the shop and she watched me close up. “Do you think you can stand any more good news?” She asked with a smirk.

  I stared at her a moment, “Uh, yes?”

  “I’m done with my cheese making. I’ll take Fatty Fritz back. You’re off the hook for cat-sitting.”

  “Oh, thank goodness.”

  She laughed at my relief and I hurried to reassure her. “I love him, Rose, but it takes me twenty minutes to get all the cat hair off me before I come in to work. It’s a nightmare.” She was still laughing and I started too. We stepped outside as I tried to explain, locking the door as I did so. “It gets everywhere, Rose. It floats, I swear. Just hovers until I think I’ve got it all, then zap right onto the apron. Witchcraft. Or, you know, static. Whatever.”

  So that night, I had the bed entirely to myself. And my happiness was complete.

  Don’t miss the next book in the Mad Batter Cozy Mystery Series:

  Chocolate Cadavers

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  Catalog of Books

  The Happy Blendings Cozy Witch Mystery Series

  The Potion Commotion

  A Pumpkin Potion Explosion

  A Drop in the Potion

  A Notion of a Potion

  A Deceptive Potion

  A Formidable Potion

  CALAMITY CORNERS COZY Witch Mystery Series

  Calm Before the Witch Storm

  The Witch is in the Details

  Better the Witch You Know

  A Witch Axe to Grind

  A Cauldron of Witch Tricks

  TRIPLET WITCH SISTERS Mystery Series

  Two’s Company, Three’s a Coven

  Resting Witch Face

  Bewitched and Bewildered

  Triple Toil and Trouble

  THE WITCH SISTERS OF Stillwater

  Hoodoo and Just Desserts

  A Shade of Murder

  That Ol’ Black Magic

  A Whole Lotta Witchin Goin On

  The Beast Cometh

  Secrets and Sorcery

  The Grumpy Chicken Irish Pub Series

  A Frosty Mug of Murder

  Treachery on Tap

  A Highball and a Low Blow

  Cursed With a Twist

  A Whiskey Sour Wipeout

  Hops and Homicide

  OLD SCHOOL DINER COZY Mysteries

  Murder at Stake

  Murder Well Done

  A Side Order of Deception

  Murder, Basted and Barbecued

  Murder Ala Mode

  The Candy Cane Killer

  The Blue Plate Slayer

  THE CURIOSITY SHOP Cozy Mysteries

  The Curious Case of the Cursed Spectacles

  The Curious Case of the Cursed Dice

  The Curious Case of the Cursed Dagger

  The Curious Case of the Cursed Looking Glass

  The Curious Case of the Cursed Crucible

  WITCHY WOMEN OF COVEN Grove Series

  THE WITCHING ON THE Wall

  A Witching Well of Magic

  Witching the Night Away

  Witching There’s Another Way

  Witching Your Life Away

  Witching You Wouldn’t Go

  Witching for a Miracle

  TEASEN & PLEASEN HAIR Salon Series

  A Hair Raising Blowout

  Wash, Rinse, Die

  Holiday Hooligans

  Color Me Dead

  False Nails & Tall Tales