Chocolate Cadavers Read online

  He smiled at me. “That sounds perfect.”

  We walked back to the car, and I helped him slide into the passenger seat.

  As I got into the driver’s side, Logan spoke up. “You know, I must be the luckiest guy in the world.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “How do you figure that after everything that’s just happened.”

  “Well, I was captured by a murderer, and only an hour or so later, I’m being taken home by a very lovely woman who not only saved me, but is now going to feed me some of my favorite treats.”

  I laughed and started the car.

  “You’re right. You are the luckiest guy in the world.”

  Chapter 30

  Scooter and I could barely hand out pastries as fast as we were selling them. The Harvest Festival was in full swing, and it was a booming success.

  Despite the fact that a few crimes took place there, the town could finally rest easy. I think everyone was ready for a nice relaxing festival without a killer on the loose looming over their heads.

  Laurel stopped by our kiosk dressed in full Harvest Festival regalia.

  “Good day, Harvest Queen,” I said. “How can we serve you?”

  She laughed. “What this Harvest Queen needs is a break. I think I want to park myself for a while and enjoy a few of your delicious pastries. I’ll bring some along for my denizens as well.”

  “You should have done this before the voting,” I joked. “I guess you’re queen either way, but it would have made campaigning easier.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind for next year,” she said with a laugh.

  I grabbed a tray filled with all of our different fall pastries on it. “I put a few extra toffee apple treats on there for you. They’re a huge hit. I expect we’ll run out soon.”

  “Oh, Coco,” she said. “You’re the absolute sweetest.”

  Alric came over to help Laurel with the tray. “No, no, no.” He said. “Our queen will not do this sort of labor herself.”

  Laurel laughed at his joke and blushed. I gave her a smile. I could tell that her relationship with Alric was progressing nicely.

  “I’ll see you later, Coco,” she said. She gave me a royal wave and went off towards a picnic table. Alric carried the tray of treats for her.

  I turned and called up the next person in line. I was shocked to see that it was Angie.

  “Hi, Coco,” she said nervously. “I heard your pastries are a hit. They’re always so good. I was hoping I could try one for myself.”

  I had never seen my cousin look so nervous. I know she betrayed me, but it hurt me to see her look so shy and small. I gave her a small smile and grabbed one of the pastries and passed it to her.

  “Here,” I said. “It’s on the house. Family eats for free.”

  “Oh, Coco, no. Let me pay you for it. I insist.”

  I put up a hand to stop her from pulling out her checkbook. “How about this. Why don’t we maybe talk about doing another cookbook together in the future instead? We can make it all fall themed. It will be great.”

  She looked shocked. “Do you really mean that?”

  I nodded. “I do.”

  She looked like she wanted to cry. “Oh, Coco. You’re the best.”

  I smiled. “Thank you, Angie.”

  She waved at me as she walked off and let the next person in line come through.

  Scooter and I continued to work the stand until things died down a bit. In the crowd, I spotted Logan.

  “Scoot, are you okay taking this over for a while?” I asked.

  He looked up and saw Logan. “Don’t worry, Coco. I can handle this.”

  I walked out from behind the stall and went over to Logan. He was holding both of his hands behind his back.

  “What have you got there?” I asked, laughing.

  “A gift. I’m hoping you’ll accept it along with my offer to go to dinner with me next week,” he said.

  I smiled and nodded. “Of course I’ll go to dinner with you.”

  He smiled back and pulled out a small bouquet of dahlias.

  “Oh, Logan,” I said taking them. “They’re beautiful.”

  “I’m happy you like them,” he said.

  I heard the unmistakable sound of Vivian and Stella’s laughter behind me.

  Logan pointed back to the stall. “I think they’re waiting for you.”

  I turned around, and sure enough, Red, Henry, Vivian, and Stella were all waiting for me.

  I took Logan’s hand and led him back to the stall with me.

  “Look at these love birds,” Red joked.

  “Oh stop. Don’t embarrass them,” Henry said.

  “Are you all enjoying the festival?” I asked, ignoring their comments.

  “We are,” Vivian said, excitedly. “And we have great news.”

  “News? What news?”

  They all turned to Stella who sighed. “I maybe fibbed about moving away.”

  My jaw dropped. “Stella, why would you lie about such a thing?”

  Vivian hugged her tightly. “Just a simple miscommunication. I was spending more time with Henry than normal, and the old bat thought I was going to abandon my lifelong best friend. Can you believe that?”

  I smiled. “Whatever the reason, I’m just glad everyone is staying put.”

  “Speaking of staying put, what are you doing with The Grove, Coco?” Red asked.

  “Oh, did I forget to mention it? I sold it.”

  “You sold it?” Vivian exclaimed.

  “To who?” Stella asked.

  “Alric,” I said. “He needed more space for his dogs, and he loved that home more than I did anyway. It needs someone that has a real vision. I’m happy right where I am.”

  I looked at my friends who had become my family smile back at me.

  “I think it’s time for a group hug,” Vivian announced.

  Everyone immediately crowded in. It was cheesy, but it felt perfect for the Harvest Festival.

  As I pulled away, a young woman tapped on my shoulder.

  “Excuse me,” she said. “You own The Mad Batter, right?”

  I smiled and nodded. “That’s right.” I shook her hand. “My name is Colleen Foster, but everyone calls me Coco.”

  “Coco,” she repeated, smiling. “I have to ask. How do you make these pastries so good? I want to be a baker too, but I’m not nearly as talented as you.”

  I smiled. “Well, a baker has to wear many hats,” I said. “You have to be talented with creating the right taste as well as the right design. If you own your own shop, you have to learn how to manage it.”

  I looked back at everyone and smiled. “And most importantly, it helps to be adaptive. All good bakers should know their way around the kitchen and know when something just isn’t working right.”

  “Basically,” I continued. “It pays to be a good detective.”

  Don't Miss the First Book in my new Series:

  Spooks and Spells

  Thanks for Reading

  I hope you enjoyed the book and it would mean so much to me if you could leave a review. Reviews help authors gain more exposure and keep us writing your favorite stories.

  YOU CAN FIND ALL OF my books by visiting my Author Page.

  SIGN UP FOR CONSTANCE Barker’s New Releases Newsletter where you can find out when my next book is coming out and for special discounted pricing.

  I NEVER SHARE OR SELL your email.

  Visit me on Facebook and give me feedback on the characters and their stories.

  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

  A Risky Potion

  CALAMITY CORNERS COZY Witch Mystery Series

  Calm Before the Witch Storm

  The Witch is in the Details

  Bet
ter 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