Apple Cider Murder: A Frosted Love Cozy Mystery - Book 18 (Frosted Love Cozy Mysteries) Read online

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

  Copyright 2015 by Maven Publishing & Summer Prescott Books - 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

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 1

  Melissa Gladstone-Beckett was excited for the arrival of the new set of guests who would be staying for the next week at the elegant bed and breakfast inn that she owned with her dashing husband, Detective Chas Beckett. The petite blonde had moved to the Gulf Coast of Florida a few months ago from Louisiana, and the thought of being able to provide southern hospitality on a large scale had her in a tizzy.

  “Good morning, Maggie,” she greeted her innkeeper enthusiastically. “Have they arrived yet?”

  “Not yet,” the silver-haired woman replied with an indulgent smile. “I’m expecting them in about an hour.”

  “Wonderful – I can’t wait to meet them,” her eyes sparkled. “In the meantime, I’ll keep myself busy and out of the way by helping Echo open Cupcakes in Paradise,” she said, referring to the tea room and cupcake shop next door that she had purchased shortly after buying the inn.

  Missy’s best friend in the entire world, Echo Willis, had moved to California shortly before Missy and Chas left Louisiana for Florida. She had come out for a visit and was now torn between returning to California, or making a new start in Florida. In the meantime, she helped out at Cupcakes in Paradise, and occupied one of the smaller guest rooms at the inn.

  “Good morning, dearest,” Missy breezed into the cupcake shop, reaching for an apron from a peg by the back door.

  “Well, look at you,” her friend grinned. “Somebody took their happy pills this morning,” she observed dryly.

  “No pharmaceuticals needed. The wedding families arrive today,” she chuckled.

  “Oh my, well that’s certainly right up your alley,” the amused redhead remarked, knowing how much Missy loved weddings. She’d done some wedding planning, aside from her own, when she lived in her hometown of LaChance, Louisiana, and took great pleasure in every detail of bringing couples together in wedded bliss. “Are they going to let you help out?”

  “Not really,” she said, looking a bit crestfallen. “Apparently they’re bringing their Wedding Planner with them, but the Inn is doing the bridal shower and hosting the reception, so I’ll get to help Maggie with all of those details,” Missy brightened.

  “I’ll stay over here and mind the store, thanks,” Echo replied, shaking her head at the bouncy blonde’s enthusiasm.

  “Aww…c’mon, don’t you ever want to get married, sweetie?” Missy asked, setting out a tray of cupcakes to be frosted.

  “As you may recall, my track record for picking out decent men isn’t exactly stellar,” the laid-back Californian made a face and picked up a honey almond cupcake to frost.

  “Well, there’s gotta be one out there somewhere,” Missy insisted. “I can start looking for you if…”

  Echo held up a hand to stop that thought in its tracks. “Not a chance, don’t even think about it,” she warned. “I’m quite happy to attend social functions with Kel, who expects nothing from me but the pleasure of my company.”

  Phillip “Kel” Kellerman was a successful local artist in his early sixties who had taken quite a shine to the free-spirited Californian from the moment that he met her, despite the fact that there was a fifteen year age difference.

  “Alright, alright, just thought I’d offer,” Missy teased. “Has Spencer been in yet this morning?” she asked.

  “Not yet, but I’ll be sure to make my staring subtle when he gets here,” Echo grinned mischievously.

  Missy’s innkeeper, Maggie had hired a helper a few weeks ago who looked like he had just stepped off the cover of a magazine. Add a tender heart and vibrant personality to his movie-star good looks and you ended up with a twenty-something young veteran who charmed everyone that he met. Spencer performed various functions at the inn and tea room, from doing repairs to serving at afternoon tea, and helping Missy bake. He was a skilled and amiable worker who seemed to make the lives of those around him just a bit more pleasurable.

  “I hear you,” Missy nodded, letting it go at that.

  Chapter 2

  Echo and Missy deftly frosted over 150 cupcakes in just over half an hour when they heard the bell over the door jangle. Turning to each other in unison, they said, “Kel.”

  “Why don’t you take him an Apple Cider cupcake and I’ll start the coffee,” Missy suggested.

  “I’m on it,” her friend agreed, grabbing a delicate plate. Missy had enjoyed shopping at garage and estate sales, antique stores and thrift stores for the mismatched pieces of fine china that she used in the shop – a quirky touch which only added to the charm and character of the tea room and cupcake shop that was once upon a time a cute little cottage.

  Missy ground the Costa Rican coffee beans, and the small commercial kitchen soon filled with the rich aroma of a fresh pot of the dark, magical drink. Kel came in every morning at 9:05 precisely so that he could share the town’s daily gossip with her and Echo. He had his finger on the pulse of all that went on in the sleepy beachside town of Calgon, Florida, but in a most non-judgmental way. It was not for him to decide what was wrong or right with the exploits of his fellow citizens, but to merely report them dutifully to his friends. The accomplished artist made his own schedule, lived in his own universe, and delighted in the details of the relationships of others – the perfect harmless gossip. The fact that he knew nearly everyone in town and had insight into various relationships, had actually helped Missy and her husband Chas solve a murder, a fact that Kel felt the need to mention every now and again.

  Missy loaded three mugs of coffee onto a silver tray that she had scored at a Flea Market, and headed for the eating area.

  “Morning, Kel,” she smiled, setting down the tray and handing the dapper gent a steaming mug.

  “And a lovely morning it is, fair Missy,” he greeted her dramatically, as was his custom.

  “What’s going on today?” she asked, taking a seat after grabbing a vegan limeade cupcake for Echo and an Apple Cider cupcake for herself. She loved how they the moist, dense cakes with rich cream cheese frosting tasted like Fall, reminding her of Louisiana, despite the palm trees just outside her window.

  “I have it on good authori
ty that the Pumpkin Patch and Haunted Corn Maze at Mitchell Farms is now open for the season,” he announced.

  “Wait, they have pumpkin patches and corn mazes in Florida?” Missy was astonished.

  “My dear southern lass, there is more to this fair state than sun and sand. Yes, we have pumpkin patches and corn mazes,” Kel grinned, then savored a hot sip of coffee.

  “We should check that out,” Echo said. “I make a vegan harvest pumpkin soup that is to die for.”

  “Why yes, I’d love to come for dinner. Thanks for asking,” Kel teased.

  The bells over the door jangled, sparing Echo from having to answer, and a somewhat breathless Spencer came in.

  “Hey, Ms. Beckett, Maggie sent me over here to tell you that the wedding guests have arrived, if you’d like to come meet them. I can help out here if you need me to,” the stunning young man offered.

  “I think that’s a great idea,” Echo chimed in mischievously. “You go ahead Missy, Spencer and I will hold down the fort.” Kel rolled his eyes.

  “Perfect,” she grinned, taking her mug of coffee and heading for the door.

  “A wedding?” the artist asked, when Missy had gone, wondering how on earth there could be a wedding taking place in Calgon when he didn’t know about it.

  “They’re from out of town – somewhere up North I think,” Echo explained. “They’ve rented out the entire inn and are having the bridal shower and reception there.”

  “Wait until you meet the mother of the bride,” Spencer snickered. Kel’s finely-tuned gossip radar went off immediately.

  “Explain yourself, young buck,” he demanded, gesturing at Spencer with a half-eaten cupcake.

  The young man moved to the table where Kel and Echo sat, and leaned in conspiratorially. “I like to work out, but this woman is as lean and mean as they come. Her first question to Maggie was whether or not the inn uses hydrogenated oils in their cooking.”

  “Oh dear,” Echo murmured. “Missy and Maggie both enjoy using rich, fresh ingredients in their food that aren’t always the most “healthful” option.”

  “Perhaps throwing a vegan in the mix would be a good idea,” Kel suggested practically.

  “I’m not the most diplomatic person in the world,” Echo pointed out. “If this woman is difficult…it could go badly.”

  Spencer grinned, having witnessed the feisty redhead dressing down a drunken guest at the inn for disturbing the other guests with his singing at one o’clock in the morning.

  “Oh my dear, I’m the last person you need to remind of that,” Kel laughed, having been on the receiving end of Echo expressing her opinions on everything from the environment to world peace on more than one occasion.

  “Poor Missy,” she mused. Her graceful southern friend always tried to maintain a balance between serving her guests and not getting trampled by unrealistic demands. It sounded like she might be in for quite a ride with the mother of the bride.

  Chapter 3

  Most of the guests had gone up to their rooms by the time Missy walked from Cupcakes in Paradise over to the inn. When she arrived, she saw Maggie talking to a very handsome couple who looked to be about her age, and a beautiful young woman with a mane of curly chestnut hair.

  “There you are,” Maggie exclaimed with a smile. “Mr. and Mrs. Covington, and Chelsea this is Melissa Gladstone-Beckett, she and her husband own the inn. Missy, this is Carlson and Kendra, father and mother of the bride, and Chelsea, the woman of the hour,” she introduced them.

  “Pleased to meet you,” Carlson shook her hand with a slight smile.

  “Delighted,” Kendra grinned.

  “Hi, I love this place,” Chelsea gushed.

  “Well, thank you. You must be so excited,” Missy said. “I know I am,” she confessed.

  “We just want our little girl to have the perfect wedding,” Carlson said, gazing at his daughter affectionately.

  “We’ll certainly do everything we can,” Missy assured them.

  “That’s very sweet of you, I’m sure it’ll be wonderful. I’m going to go unpack,” Chelsea announced happily, heading for the stairs. “Nice to meet you Mrs. Beckett,” she called out over her shoulder.

  “You too, Chelsea.”

  As soon as the bride had disappeared from view, her mother leaned in, keeping her voice low.

  “I just wanted to speak with you about a few things,” she said, her expression turning serious.

  “I’m going to go check my email. I’ll see you in the room, darling. Again, a pleasure, Mrs. Beckett,” Carlson broke in, taking his leave.

  “Is there a spa on the premises?” Kendra continued, ignoring her husband as he gave her a peck on the cheek and disappeared.

  “Spa?” Missy was thrown off a bit by the question. Their website was pretty clear as to the amenities that they offered. “We have a hot tub…” she replied, not certain as to what Kendra meant.

  “No, no. I mean an organic spa where we can have facials, pedicures, waxes, that sort of thing, but since you mentioned it…how often is your hot tub cleaned?” she blinked at her hostess, waiting.

  Missy stared at her for a moment before replying, taken aback by the somewhat strange question. “It’s cleaned daily, and completely emptied every three days,” she replied.

  Kendra raised an eyebrow and nodded. “Good, good. What kinds of chemicals are used in that process?” she persisted.

  “I…uh…I’m not…certain. You’ll want to talk with Spencer, our maintenance man, about that.”

  “Is he certified?” Kendra continued her rapid fire questioning.

  “Is…I’m sorry, what?” Missy found herself wanting to escape.

  “Certified. Is your maintenance man certified in pool and spa care?”

  “I don’t actually know…” Missy began.

  “Here we go!” Maggie swooped in to save the day, holding out her phone to show Kendra. “There is an organic spa overlooking the ocean about 30 minutes from here,” she said. “I’ve emailed you the link, so you can check it out at your leisure.”

  “Well, that’s wonderful,” Missy smiled. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think Echo needs me over at the shop. It was wonderful meeting you, Kendra,” she rushed from the room with a jaunty wave.

  **

  Back at Cupcakes in Paradise, Missy told Echo and Kel about her encounter and warned Spencer about the inquisition that he was about to face.

  “No problem, ma’am, I’ve faced enemy fire before,” he gave a lopsided grin that had undoubtedly melted many a female heart.

  “Well, Spence, if anyone can handle a high-maintenance woman, I would guess it would be you,” Missy patted his arm with a chuckle. “Good luck.”

  Chapter 4

  Afternoon tea in the Wedgewood Parlor at the inn was always a hit with guests, and Maggie and Missy pulled out all the stops for the Covington/Vance wedding. There were trays and plates laden with finger sandwiches, hors d’oeuvres, relish trays, shrimp towers and crystal bowls of ice topped with oysters on the half shell. There was beer, wine, and a variety of waters available as well as an extensive selection of imported teas, and everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time.

  Chelsea brought a shy young man over to meet Missy and introduce him as her fiancé, Max.

  “This is really spectacular,” Max said with a smile, shaking her hand. “Thank you so much for going to all the trouble.”

  “Oh, sweetie, it’s no trouble at all,” Missy assured him. “We love making our guests feel welcome. Are you excited about the wedding?” she asked.

  “Oh, yes ma’am,” he nodded, blushing a bit. “I can’t wait to marry the most wonderful woman in the world,” he looked at his bride-to-be with a tender smile.

  “That’s precious,” Missy said, touched. “Y’all just let me know if you need anything,” she said, giving Chelsea a pat on the shoulder as she moved on to circulate among the other guests.

  Looking across the room, Missy saw Kendra standing by one of the food t
ables, staring at something in dismay.

  “Is something wrong?” she hurried to the woman’s side.

  “How long have these shrimp trees been sitting out?” the whip-thin and highly muscled woman asked, gesturing at the shrimp trees.

  “Since just before the tea began,” Missy said, wondering what was coming next.

  “That might not be safe. Seafood should be refrigerated,” Kendra snipped, crossing her arms and staring at Missy expectantly.

  “Taste good to me,” a rather rough-looking man remarked from behind her, his mouth full of shrimp.

  “A scrap of shoe-leather dipped in bacon grease would probably taste good to you, Lyle,” Kendra snapped nastily.

  “At least I won’t go hungry because I’m imagining that everything the world has to offer is toxic, Kendra,” he growled in return.

  “Back off, Vance,” Carlson Covington’s cultured voice joined the mix.

  “Yup, just like usual, the wife stirs up a situation, and Clark Kent here swoops in to save the day,” Lyle Vance, father of the groom sneered. “Do you have any idea how rude and obnoxious this woman is?” he challenged Carlson. “Oh wait, of course you do, you have to live with her,” Lyle rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to his plate.

  “You’ll want to keep that mouth of yours under control,” Carson warned, his hands clenching into fists.

  “Or what?” Lyle asked, stepping up closer to the father of the bride.

  “Hey guys,” Spencer appeared out of nowhere and stepped between the two furious dads. “How about we remember why we’re all here and take a quick break, huh?” he suggested, his tone brooking no nonsense. The two middle-aged men looked at the muscle-bound veteran who separated them and backed off.

  “He’s not worth it,” Carlson muttered, curling his lip and turning back to his wife.

  “Rich sap wouldn’t want to wrinkle his tie anyway,” Lyle remarked, wandering away.

  “Thank you,” Missy mouthed to Spencer, who answered her with a wink and returned to the kitchen.