Chai Cupcake Killer: Book 4 in The INNcredibly Sweet Series Read online

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  CHAI CUPCAKE KILLER

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Chai Cupcake Killer

  Book Four in the INNcredibly Sweet Series

  By

  Summer Prescott

  Copyright 2016 Summer Prescott Books

  All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication nor any of the information herein may be quoted from, nor reproduced, in any form, including but not limited to: printing, scanning, photocopying, or any other printed, digital, or audio formats, without prior express written consent of the copyright holder.

  **This book is a work of fiction. Any similarities to persons, living or dead, places of business, or situations past or present, is completely unintentional.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

  Inspiration can come from many sources and in many forms. Readers touch my heart in so many ways—I’ve heard so many personal stories that bring me to tears, or laughter, or give me hope. Some of you have sent me messages revealing that my books have provided some moments of respite during stressful times. I can’t tell you how much it means to me to know that what I’ve written is bringing a moment of happiness to folks who are battling illness, depression, loneliness, and a whole host of other painful challenges that life tends to throw at us.

  I love the daily interactions that I have with readers on Facebook, and delight in being able to see what’s going on with such a wonderful group of folks from all over the world.

  A few months ago, I was delighted to discover, by reading several sweet reviews, that there is a lovely twelve-year-old young lady named Destiny who really enjoys my books. I know nothing about her, other than the fact that she travels with her family a great deal and reads my books while she’s traveling. The fact that she loves the books so much inspired me to create a character in Chai Cupcake Killer, a twelve-year-old, named Destiny, who is quite the bookworm.

  Destiny, if you’re reading this, I want to thank you for your reviews and support. It makes me feel really good to know that you enjoy my books, and I’m dedicating this one to you.

  Author’s note: I’d love to hear your thoughts on my books, the storylines, and anything else that you’d like to comment on—reader feedback is very important to me. My contact information, along with some other helpful links, is listed below. If you’d like to be on my list of “folks to contact” with updates, release and sales notifications, etc.… just shoot me an email and let me know. Thanks for reading!

  Also…

  … if you’re looking for more great reads, I am proud to announce that Summer Prescott Books publishes a popular series by new cozy author Patti Benning. Check out my book catalog http://summerprescottbooks.com/book-catalog/ for her delicious stories.

  Contact Info for Summer Prescott:

  Twitter: @summerprescott1

  Blog and Book Catalog: http://summerprescottbooks.com

  Email: [email protected]

  And… look me up on Facebook—let’s be friends!

  If you’re an author and are interested in publishing with Summer Prescott Books, please send me an email and I’ll send you submission guidelines.

  CHAI CUPCAKE

  KILLER

  Book Four in The INNcredibly Sweet Series

  CHAPTER ONE

  Melissa Gladstone-Beckett’s heart skipped a beat as the plane touched down at the small airport in Lake Charles, Louisiana. It had been many months since the native Louisianan had married and moved with her clever, handsome husband, Detective Chas Beckett, to Calgon, Florida. The happy couple owned a bed and breakfast and the cupcake shop next door in the sleepy seaside town, but the petite, spunky blonde still had a particular fondness in her heart for her hometown of LaChance.

  Missy and her best friend Echo Willis, a carefree former Californian with flame-red hair, had flown from Florida to Louisiana to help plan a wedding for one of Missy’s former employees, Grayson Myers. Grayson was an artistic, quiet youth who had blossomed into a remarkable cupcake artist under her expert guidance. While his appearance—Grayson was tall and pale, with long dark hair and dark eyes, and his body displayed multiple piercings and tattoos—was not precisely what one might have expected out of a cupcake shop employee, Missy’s customers had instantly warmed to the shy youth, and when she left Louisiana for good, she had given her shop, Missy’s Muffins, Cupcakes, and More to Grayson.

  Such an act of generosity would have been far outside her reach were it not for the huge fortune that her husband Chas had inherited when his father passed. The detective had come from old money, but chose to live an unassuming life under the radar, working for the Calgon Police Department and donating time and money to various charities.

  Echo reached over and squeezed her friend’s hand as the plane touched down.

  “We’re here again. Can you believe it?” she asked, eyes sparkling.

  The tender-hearted vegan was just as excited to see Grayson as Missy was. The hopeless romantic in her soul loved nothing more than the thought of planning a wedding for two of her favorite people.

  “Oh honey, the butterflies in my stomach are dive-bombing right now,” Missy grinned.

  The scenery outside the rental car during their hour-long drive north to LaChance became more and more familiar, and Missy and Echo chattered like magpies, excited to be back. Halfway to La Chance, they stopped for lunch in one of Missy’s favorite Cajun restaurants that had many vegan dishes available for Echo; however, they found that they were so anxious to get to their destination that it was nearly impossible to eat.

  When Missy guided the car to a stop in front of her former shop, she turned off the engine, and for a moment, just sat and stared. Grayson had renamed the shop G & G Cupcakes Galore! and had given the front of the building a facelift by painting the clapboard siding a lovely light shade of sage green, brightening the white trim around the huge display window, and adding black shutters and a black canvas awning with darker sage green piping.

  “It’s beautiful,” she murmured, her heart flooded with memories of her parents. She knew how proud they’d be if they saw the hip, updated look.

  “Sooo… are we going to go in?” Echo teased, knowing that her friend was “having a moment.”

  Missy shook herself out of her reverie, dabbing under her eyes with her fingertips. She might cry after she finally got to see Grayson, but she absolutely refused to walk in with smudged mascara.

  “Yes, we are,” she grinned. Having been back in Louisiana for only a few hours, her southern accent had returned with a vengeance, making Echo chuckle.

  The bell over the door jangled merrily as Missy opened it and felt as though she were stepping into another universe. Her old shop smelled much the same, and the mixed aromas of coffee and cupcakes made her tummy rumble; but Grayson had updated the interior to reflect the easygoing French country theme that she had seen outside. Redecorated in grey and white stripes with accents of sage and deep purple, the shop had the same layout but seemed much more refined and elegant—she loved it on sight.

  Sarah came tearing out from behind the counter to envelope the visitors in a hug, while ca
lling Grayson’s name over her shoulder.

  “Oh, darlin, it’s so good to see you,” Missy said, embracing the younger woman.

  When Sarah had given her a good squeeze and moved on to Echo, Missy saw Grayson appear in the doorway, and couldn’t believe her eyes. He had somehow matured into a handsome young professional that she hardly recognized. His long hair had been cut fashionably short, the only piercing remaining was a single diamond stud in his left ear, and, instead of black clothing that made him look like a member of a metal band, he wore stylish dark-wash jeans and a striped button-down shirt.

  “Oh my goodness, look at you,” Missy exclaimed, wrapping her arms around the young man who was like a son to her.

  “Didn’t mean to shock you,” Grayson chuckled, sounding relaxed and confident, and returning her hug with gusto.

  Clearly, owning a business had given him the self-esteem boost that he’d needed to establish his own identity.

  “Not at all, honey. You look amazing, and I love what you’ve done here,” Missy assured him, wiping her eyes, but unable to contain her delighted grin.

  “That’s a relief,” he replied. “I was hoping that you wouldn’t mind that I had changed some things.”

  “Well, darlin, it’s your store now, do with it what you will,” she patted his arm affectionately, as Sarah moved to his side.

  “What does G & G stand for on the sign?” Echo asked.

  “Gladstone and Grayson, of course,” the proud young man answered, with a warm look in his eyes that started Missy’s waterworks again.

  “We’re so excited to start on the wedding planning. Congratulations, you two,” Echo said, excited, giving Missy’s shoulder a quick squeeze to try to help dry up the fresh well of tears.

  She had somehow known that her friend would be emotional when they returned to LaChance, and had stocked up on packets of tissues.

  “I am too,” Sarah confessed, a charming blush coloring her cheeks. “Grayson promised to design the cake, but he’s leaving the rest of it up to me.”

  “Well, we’ll take good care of you, honey,” Missy said with an eager grin. “This is going to be fun!”

  They chatted in the eating area for a bit, until Grayson announced that it was closing time, then Missy and Echo headed for a bed and breakfast that was just a few blocks from where Missy used to live. The two friends would unpack, freshen up a bit, and get ready to meet the happy young couple for dinner at their favorite steakhouse, which also served a few vegan dishes for Echo.

  Missy took an alternate route to get to the B&B, one that wouldn’t take her past her old house. She wasn’t quite emotionally ready for that yet. She planned eventually to take a route from the B&B that would wind past the house and the park where she used to walk her sweet golden retriever, Toffee, and her spunky maltipoo, Bitsy, but for now, she just wanted to get settled and breathe for a bit.

  “I wonder how Daimler and Benz are doing,” Echo murmured suddenly, looking concerned.

  She had adopted a wonderful, wriggly pair of dachshunds recently, after their owner was taken to prison. It was a tragic story that would’ve sent the adorable doggies to a shelter had Echo not stepped in and volunteered to take them home.

  “Are you texting Kel to find out right now?” Missy asked, amused.

  Echo had become so attached to the sweet little guys so quickly that now she fussed about them like a mother hen. Her fiancé, Kel, a local but internationally renowned artist in Calgon, was currently babysitting the “boys.”

  “Guilty as charged,” her fingers flew over her phone, then she stared at it, waiting for Kel’s response.

  “Oh, good,” she breathed, moments later.

  “Let me guess, Daimler and Benz have survived without you for a day,” Missy teased.

  “Barely,” she chuckled. “Kel has taken them to the park and given them treats and followed my instructions to the letter. And don’t even pretend that you’re not going to call Chas and ask about Toffee and Bitsy tonight,” she quirked an eyebrow at her fellow animal lover.

  “Oh, that goes without saying,” she nodded. “I bet Kel is loving the quality doggie time.”

  “I’m sure,” Echo agreed. “He’s probably spoiling them rotten.”

  “Well, here we are,” Missy glanced up at the gracious southern home that had been turned into a cozy little bed and breakfast.

  “At last,” Echo sighed, glad for a chance to relax after their day of travel.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Twelve-year-old Destiny Crandall swiped a lock of hair from her damp forehead. Her parents’ RV had broken down again, this time in the heat and humidity of a late Louisiana spring. She’d traveled all over the country with her parents, and it seemed inevitable that whenever the aging RV broke down, it would be somewhere that would be boring and physically uncomfortable.

  She’d weathered flat tires, malfunctioning fuel pumps, and overheated radiators in blizzards, thunderstorms, and oppressive heat, so today’s occurrence, while inconvenient and uncomfortable, hadn’t surprised the intelligent tween in the least. Life on the road was pretty great most of the time. Destiny did lessons with her mom while they traveled, and when they stopped, her dad always tried to park somewhere picturesque and interesting.

  She’d eaten meals next to roaring rivers and trickling streams, taken hikes in mountains and deserts, and had swum beneath waterfalls and ocean waves. At this very moment, however, even the memories of wading in the icy, clear waters of the Boise River last summer couldn’t keep her cool. A swarm of gnats magically appeared in front of her, and she ducked beneath the cloud of insects with practiced ease, wandering down the middle of the country road, hoping to find something to explore.

  Putting up a hand to shade her eyes, Destiny looked into the distance and saw some sort of building up ahead. Quickening her pace a bit, despite the fact that she now had all day to get there, she made a beeline for what looked like it might be a house. The closer she got, the more certain she became that she would probably encounter people, one of her favorite things. She was a bit shy, but so much time on the road with just her parents caused her to crave the company of fellow humans, particularly if they happened to be around her age.

  The house was an old Victorian farmhouse. Although the building’s glory days had passed decades before, someone was trying to revive the aging beauty. The front lawn of the huge lot was neatly mowed, but the grass in the back stood nearly six inches tall. Destiny shuddered at the thought of the creatures that she might encounter in an overgrown, rural Louisiana backyard. The house itself stood tall and proud, behind several trees that were artfully draped in Spanish moss. The paint was faded, but not peeling, and it looked as if someone had recently replaced the windows.

  When she stepped onto the neat front lawn and started toward the house, Destiny noted a For Sale sign that leaned up against the railing of the porch, and surmised that someone must have just moved in. There were stacks of broken-down moving boxes on the porch as well. She marched straight up the steps, which creaked a bit, and rang the bell. Other than the sound of a cat meowing loudly from inside, she heard nothing. Figuring that perhaps the doorbell of the old farmhouse didn’t work, she knocked as loudly as she could, her knuckles smarting. Still no answer.

  Curious, she trotted down the porch steps and walked to the side of the house, spotting a door to what had to be the kitchen, and made her way over to it, watching the ground carefully for anything that might be slithering in the grass. She spotted an empty bag of corn chips stuck in the grass, and picked it up with a frown, stuffing it in the pocket of her worn but comfortable denim shorts, to throw away later.

  “Hello,” she called out, knocking on the kitchen door. “Hello?”

  Putting her nose to the glass in the door, and placing her hands around the sides of her face to block out the sun, she peered into the semi-dark interior of the kitchen. As she leaned forward, the door swung inward, startling her, but she managed to keep her balance and walked i
n slowly.

  “Hello? Anybody home?” she inquired, walking quietly into the kitchen.

  Hearing no response other than the cat who came bounding into the kitchen and commenced twining around her ankles, she went over to the counter, where there sat two plates containing half-eaten cupcakes and a basket of goodies that had a note on it. The basket was filled with treats that made Destiny’s mouth water, despite the dryness that had taken over her throat. There were fancy crackers and cheese, luscious candies, and a note that said, “Welcome to LaChance.”

  Clearly, someone had to be home. Who would just leave those delicious cupcakes just sitting there like that? When she walked further into the kitchen, she heard a strange noise coming from the far doorway, and quickly covered her nose and mouth with her hand as a putrid stench reached her nostrils.

  “Oh, gross, what is that?” she asked the cat, not expecting an answer, but glad to have someone to talk to.

  Her stomach churned with apprehension as she walked over to the opening of the next room. What she saw next made her eyes fly wide open in shock and her already churning stomach clench painfully, nearly making her double over. The strange sound was the buzzing of more flies than she had ever seen in her life—there were thousands of them, millions maybe, she estimated. But worse than that was the fact that the flies were crawling over and buzzing around what must have once been the owners of the house. There were two bodies, lying side by side, surrounded by a ring of candles. When Destiny saw them, she bolted for the door as fast as her turquoise flip-flops would take her, the cat right on her heels.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Missy and Echo had their heads together with Sarah, poring over bridal magazines and making a list of items that needed to be attended to, when they all sat bolt upright. The LaChance Police Department wasn’t huge, but it seemed like every available police car available had just gone screaming by the front of the cupcake shop, lights and sirens blazing.