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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 1

  Melissa Gladstone Beckett had a full agenda for the day. The busy owner of the Beach House B&B, and Cupcakes in Paradise, the cupcake shop and tea room next door, was in full holiday mode. Christmas was less than two weeks away, and she had a party to plan, along with figuring out the logistics of Christmas Eve and morning. Presents were wrapped and sent to friends in Louisiana and California, and her shopping for friends in the area was done, their gifts sitting under the massive tree in the Wedgewood Parlor.

  Missy was having a cookie baking day with her best friend Echo, a laid-back vegan who had recently moved to Florida from California. The two had met when the both lived in neighboring small towns in Louisiana. Echo had owned a vegan ice cream shop across the street from Missy’s cupcake shop, and it hadn’t taken long for them to become thicker than thieves. The two were as different as night and day – Missy, an energetic blonde who oozed southern hospitality, and Echo, a blunt redhead who wasn’t afraid to say what others were thinking – but the two were inseparable.

  The two ladies started nearly every day by meeting for coffee at Missy’s shop, along with local, but internationally acclaimed artist, Phillip “Kel” Kellerman, who considered it his duty to bring the two newcomers to the town of Calgon, Florida, up to speed on the latest gossip and events. Kel knew practically everyone in town and had a firm finger on the pulse of interpersonal and business relationships in the area. Echo had become his Gallery Manager, and went from working at Cupcakes in Paradise in the morning, to managing his busy schedule and gallery in the afternoon.

  Missy had just tied her red and green striped holiday apron on when the bells over the front door of the cupcake shop jangled, announcing the entry of her friends.

  “Hey you two!” she sang out, fully in the grip of her annual holiday glow. Missy loved this time of year, and was dedicated to making it as special as she could for everyone around her.

  “Echo, sweetie, if you grind the beans and get the coffee brewing, I’ll go to the back and grab some new cupcakes that I’d like you two to try,” she instructed.

  “Kel, you just have a seat and behave yourself,” she teased the early 60-something gent, who was always immaculately dressed and fancied himself a bit of a dandy.

  “I shall try my best, dear lady, but no guarantees,” the artist replied dryly, taking a seat and opening his morning paper.

  Echo brought three steaming mugs of coffee to the table, and Missy came out shortly thereafter, bearing a tray with all sorts of treats on it.

  “Hmmm…” Kel mused, perusing the tray when she set it down in the center of the table. “It certainly looks as though I won’t be going away hungry this morning.”

  “Do you ever?” Echo teased the man who definitely wanted to be more than friends with her, receiving a raised eyebrow in return.

  “What delights are these?” he asked, ignoring her jibe.

  Missy pointed out different items, describing them. She always made certain that she had plenty of vegan offerings in her shop, and there were several locals who came in specifically for those items.

  “Okay, these are Vanilla Bean cupcakes, but the frosting is special. I whipped up some crumbled sugar cookies in the frosting to give it a different consistency,” she indicated a cluster of cupcakes with festive red and green sprinkles on them.

  “Echo, these over here, with the silver and gold sprinkles, are the vegan version of those.”

  “And what are these?” Kel asked, referring to two little tarts and a glass cup on the tray.

  “The tarts have a sugar cookie crust, filled with a triple berry mousse, and topped with a fluffy meringue. I call them Sugar Plum Dreams,” Missy announced proudly.

  “And, Echo, because there was no way that I could think of to produce a vegan version of those, the glass cup is for you. I used vanilla bean soy yogurt, stirred in carob brownie chunks and walnuts, and topped it off with shredded coconut. I hope you like it.”

  “How could I not?” her friend replied, grabbing a spoon.

  The three sampled their treats and sipped their coffee for a few minutes, making sounds of contentment and delight.

  “You’re coming to the party tomorrow night, aren’t you?” Missy confirmed with Kel.

  “I wouldn’t miss it, dear lady,” he grinned, popping the last of a tart into his mouth.

  “Who all is going to be there?” Echo asked, busily scooping the last bit of soy yogurt from the bottom of her cup.

  “Well, you two, of course, and Carla, so you’ll have to behave yourself,” she warned.

  Her friend sighed and put down her spoon. “As I recall, it’s not me who has issues with behaving in public,” she replied, eyebrows raised pointedly. “Carla has a habit of embarrassing herself and anyone who happens to be in her immediate vicinity,” she reminded Missy.

  The two women had a history of animosity. Carla was an Interior Decorator who had become friends with Missy shortly after she had purchased the Beach House with her handsome and clever husband, Detective Chas Beckett. When Echo then moved from California to Florida, Carla had perceived the carefree redhead as a threat to her new friendship, and had taken an instant dislike to the Californian. Echo, who generally made it a point to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, had become all-too-quickly disenchanted with the decorator’s acid remarks and embarrassing public stunts.

  “It’s Christmas, sweetie, just try to be nice,” Missy pleaded.

  “Bah humbug,” her friend growled in response.

  “And who else will be attending, lovely lady?” Kel tactfully redirected the conversation to safer ground.

  “Chas has invited the Chief and several of the officers, with their significant others. Spencer and Maggie will be there, of course,” she said, referring to the handsome young Marine veteran who served as the handyman for the Inn and cupcake shop, and the lithe, silver-haired innkeeper who had been running the Beach House long before Missy and Chas purchased it. “And I’ve invited the guests who are staying at the Inn. I think that about covers it. Just a small gathering, but it should be fun.”

  “I still don’t have a cocktail dress,” Echo shook her head. “Will we have time to shop after we bake cookies?”

  “Definitely. I still have to find shoes and accessories, so we’ll make sure that we’re done in time.” Missy was excited at the thought of the quality “girl time” that they’d be having. It would be
an oasis of fun in the midst of a hectic season.

  “Well, my beauties, as much as I’d like to stay and chat, I’m afraid I have to get back to working on my most recent sculpture. I have a potential buyer coming in from New York tonight who’ll be wanting a preview,” Kel rose to go.

  “Oh, that’s right, Mr. Crump is coming in tonight. I forgot about that,” Echo nodded. “How long is he going to be in town? Do I need to make any reservations for you?”

  “He’ll be in for the weekend, so yes, I think entertaining him will be appropriate.”

  “You should bring him to the party,” Missy exclaimed, ever the proper southern hostess.

  “Great idea. I’ll ask him if he’d like to attend,” the artist agreed.

  Kel went on his way and Echo and Missy went to the kitchen to bake.

  Chapter 2

  Missy gazed at her reflection in the mirror, making sure that everything looked just right before she went down to greet her guests, who were scheduled to arrive at any moment.

  “Beautiful as always,” Chas came up from behind her, meeting her eyes in the mirror and kissing her neck.

  Her winter white cocktail dress was beaded with silvery crystals that looked like tiny prisms of ice, which formed a snowflake pattern at the shoulders and the bottom of the flared skirt. Her ever-considerate husband, upon hearing that she didn’t find any acceptable accessories, had presented her with diamond “icicle” earrings in a platinum setting, along with a matching necklace and bracelet, which were the perfect complements to her dress. While shopping with Echo, Missy had found an elegant pair of strappy, silver, heeled sandals to complete her outfit.

  “Thanks, sweetie,” she smiled at her dashing, dark-haired mate, who looked devastatingly handsome in his white dinner jacket with black lapels. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

  “Ready to go down?”

  Missy took a deep breath. “I can’t wait,” she grinned. “Let’s go.”

  Chas offered his arm and escorted her to the foyer to await the arrival of their guests. They had hired a caterer so that everyone could enjoy the party without worrying about replenishing the food or serving drinks, and the ballroom at the Inn had been transformed into a holiday fairyland, with twinkle lights, silver and gold ornaments, crystal, garland, icicles, and fluffy “snow.” The doors to the patio were open to let in the somewhat chilly ocean breeze, which was balanced by a fire in the massive stone fireplace.

  “Oh Chas, it’s so beautiful,” Missy exclaimed, her kitten-grey eyes shining as she checked the room one last time before heading back out to the foyer.

  “Just like you,” was the adoring reply, as Chas brought her hand to his lips, lingering there when he caught the scent of her perfume.

  The doorbell chimed and from that moment on, a steady stream of guest flowed into the party. Kel and Echo brought Kel’s client, art collector and entrepreneur, Robert Crump, all of the officers who had been invited were there, and Carla showed up, thankfully sober. The food was delicious, ice cubes tinkled in glasses, and the group seemed to mix well. Echo and Missy stood together for a quiet moment, observing the party and sipping champagne.

  “Great job, girl,” Echo kissed her friend’s cheek. “Everyone is having a great time, and Kel is being kind enough to keep an eye on Carla.”

  “She’s so much happier when she’d sober,” Missy remarked, thinking back to some disastrous incidents that the decorator had drunkenly caused at other events. Her husband and son had tragically been killed several months ago, and she had initially dealt with her grief by self-medicating with alcohol.

  “We’ll see how long that lasts,” her friend replied. “Look at what’s in her glass. Somehow I don’t think that’s iced tea,” she observed.

  “Oh no,” Missy bit her lip. “Well, hopefully, she’ll practice moderation.”

  “It’s never turned out that way before, but we can keep our fingers crossed,” Echo said dryly.

  “Hello ladies,” Kel’s client approached, looking both of them up and down. “I just had to come over and corner the most beautiful women in the room,” he grinned.

  Echo introduced Missy to the client, Robert, and they chatted for a few minutes about the party, the weather, and finally Kel’s work.

  “He’s very impressive,” Crump nodded. “I’m banking on his work appreciating significantly in the next few years.”

  “Do you mean to say that you collect art for its monetary value rather than its aesthetic or emotional appeal?” Echo was appalled, but trying hard not to show it.

  “Not at all,” he shrugged. “I just happen to believe that if something can both appeal to my sense of style and add to my net worth, it’s a win-win.”

  “That sounds sensible,” Missy said, diplomatically.

  “I’ve been enjoying my time in Calgon,” the collector changed the subject. “It’s quite the change of pace, but it’s been very relaxing. The scenery is…exquisite,” he looked at Echo meaningfully, causing her cheeks to flush a deep pink.

  The flame-haired beauty was spared from responding by the sudden appearance of Carla, who sauntered up, glass of whiskey in hand.

  “Missy, you look lovely,” she leaned in to kiss her hostess on the cheek, reeking of booze.

  “Echo,” the decorator nodded, appraising her from head to toe and making a disdainful face.

  “And who do we have here?” she approached Crump, getting a bit too close, which didn’t seem to bother the elder man at all.

  “Robert Crump,” the entrepreneur replied, kissing her hand when she extended it.

  “Well, aren’t you just a sight for sore eyes,” Carla drawled. “You must be new in town, I would have remembered if I had met you,” she sipped her drink, then licked her lips.

  “I’m from New York actually. I’m in town building my art collection, with Miss Willis’ expert help,” he gazed at Echo with a heat that made her blush again.

  “Expert?” Carla snorted derisively. “You’d probably get better advice from a kindergarten art teacher.” The decorator moved in closer to Crump. “I’m Carla Mayhew. Fortunately, I happen to be a decorator with a very impressive client list, and I’d be happy to help you round out your collection, Robert,” she cooed, running a finger along his satin lapel.

  The entrepreneur was amused.

  “Oh, honey, you are trying way too hard,” Echo shook her head. “Why don’t you go see if one of the nice police officers over there would like a woman to fling herself shamelessly at them, and leave my client alone,” she suggested.

  “Says the woman in the thrift shop dress,” Carla shot back, slurring only slightly. “Whassamatter, Echo, don’t they make sequined Birkenstocks?” she said nastily.

  “Drunk again?” Echo asked, not fazed in the least by the insults. She looked fabulous in her emerald green satin cocktail dress. The reaction of nearly every male in the room when she passed by was testament to that. “Why am I not surprised?”

  “Maybe you should lighten up and have a little of this yourself, you judgmental hippie wretch,” Carla exclaimed, flinging the remaining contents of her glass down the v-neck of Echo’s dress.

  Echo gasped with shock as the icy liquid splashed her skin.

  “Carla!” Missy exclaimed, horrified, as Robert handed Echo his napkin and she dabbed madly at the ruined satin.

  The decorator turned to regard her hostess. “What? You got a problem, Miss “I’ve-got-a-perfect-husband-perfect-life” Princess?” she slurred, eyes narrowed.

  As always, Spencer appeared out of nowhere to defuse the situation. He handed Echo a towel, and smiled at Carla, showing off his dimples and white teeth.

  “Mrs. Mayhew, you look stunning this evening,” the Marine intervened, placing himself strategically between Echo and Carla.

  “Why thank you,” the decorator smirked, shooting a dirty look at Echo. “I’d like another drink, young man. The other one was wasted on someone who clearly didn’t appreciate it,” she chuckled nastily
.

  “I have an idea,” he proposed, clever and quick thinking as usual. “I’ll get you another drink, if you agree to take a walk on the beach with me. I need some air. What do you think?”

  Carla thought for a moment, then nodded. “It is a little…stuffy in here,” she drawled, raising an eyebrow in Echo’s direction, still managing sarcasm, even in her inebriated state.

  Spencer offered his arm and she stumbled a bit as she took it, the Marine steadying her with one strong, capable hand.

  “And as for you, Mr. New York,” she put a hand on Robert’s sleeve. “You come see me anytime,” she attempted to sound seductive.

  With an amused grin, Robert responded, “Very kind of you to offer, Carla.”

  “Oh, sweetie, I’m so sorry,” Missy said, trying to help Echo salvage her dress.

  “That woman,” Echo muttered.

  “It didn’t diminish your beauty one bit,” Crump assured her. “And I have to say, I haven’t witnessed a cat fight like that in a very long time.”

  “She can never leave it alone. She’s had it out for me since the first time we met,” the redhead commented, embarrassed that more than a few party guests had witnessed the spat. “I should just go home.”

  “Nonsense,” Missy shook her head. “This is my party and you’re my best friend and you’re not leaving,” she decreed. “Get the keys from Chas, go up to my room and get my sapphire blue cocktail dress from my closet. It’ll look fabulous on you,” she crossed her arms, a signal to her friend that she would not tolerate any argument.

  “Okay, thanks,” Echo whispered, turning away.

  “We’ll save you a spot at the table,” Robert assured her.

  Spencer managed to get Carla outside before she embarrassed herself further, and after she paused on the beach to void the contents of her stomach, he was able to convince her to take a cab home. Missy thanked the Marine profusely when he came back to the party, and the rest of the evening passed uneventfully, with Echo managing to have a grand time, looking terrific in Missy’s blue dress. Kel, surprisingly, left before Echo did, so she and Robert decided to share a limo after the party. When the rest of the guests had departed, Missy and Chas headed for the owner’s wing, tired, but content.