Buttercream Murder: A Frosted Love Cozy Mystery - Book 7 (Frosted Love Cozy Mysteries) by Carol Durand, Summer Prescott Page A
Authors: Carol Durand, Summer Prescott
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Particularly from men,” she gazed pointedly at Chas over the rim of her glass.
“I think the degree of emotion was appropriate for the situation. Remember how upset you were when your house was vandalized a few months ago?” he chided her gently.
“Of course,” Missy agreed reluctantly, savoring a succulent piece of shrimp. “It’s just hard to take Chloe Beauregard seriously after having seen some of the fits that she’s thrown over absolutely nothing.” She dug into her gumbo with gusto, and Chas, seeing that she wasn’t going to budge in her skepticism, changed the subject.
“How was your day? You stayed well past your usual time,” he observed, concerned.
“Long, but good. I finally perfected my peach cupcake recipe, so it’ll be featured as Cupcake of the Day at both shops tomorrow.”
“Hmmm…sounds like I’ll have to pay you a visit tomorrow then, peach is one of my favorites,” he grinned in anticipation.
“Seeing you devour one of my cupcakes is one of my most favorite things in the world,” she admitted shyly, then focused on her wine.
Chas reached over and took her hand. “Missy, are you okay? You’re working so hard these days. Your hours are stretching longer and longer…I worry that you’re overdoing it.”
Missy sighed. She knew that Chas was right. She had been burning the candle at both ends for quite some time, and with the Holiday season in full swing, it was going to get worse before it got better. “I’m okay. I need to figure out a new strategy though. I’ve been trying to do a new recipe every day for the featured cupcake, and it’s wearing me out.”
“Maybe you should go for a new recipe once a week, rather than every day,” he suggested.
“Maybe, but my customers love seeing what’s new, and I’d hate to lose business by cutting back the new recipes to once a week,” she worried.
“I think folks love everything you make, and would still come in for their old favorites whether there was a new feature or not. I know I would,” he kissed her hand.
She smiled fondly, appreciating his concern. “I’ll figure something out. I’m doing a staff dinner here at the house on Sunday, and we’ll toss some ideas around then.”
“Staff dinner? Are non-staff members invited?” he asked hopefully.
“Only if they bring their world-famous five alarm chili,” she teased.
“Consider it done.”
Chapter 2
Missy scurried around the kitchen all day on Sunday, preparing for the staff dinner. Her contribution, as hostess, consisted of cooking up massive amounts of her renowned southern fried chicken, and grilling all sorts of fresh veggies. All other dishes, drinks and desserts had been delegated to the attendees. Cheryl, the manager of the LaChance shop, was the first to arrive; proudly bearing a large pan of Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread that would be a perfect complement to Chas’s chili. She was followed soon after by the Dellville manager, Ben, who brought an out-of-this-world Sour Cream Potato Salad. Grayson, Cheryl’s sidekick, arrived next shyly presenting the most decadent Triple-layer Chocolate Cake that Missy had ever seen, and Chris, Ben’s assistant, completed the staff presence with his homemade deviled eggs.
Missy had invited her friend Echo, who had moved from California a few months prior and bought the vegan ice cream shop across the street from Crème de la Cupcake. Echo tried to live a completely “green” lifestyle that had as little impact on the environment as possible, and didn’t have a car, so Chas was picking her up on his way. The duo appeared just as Missy was setting the table, Toffee’s enthusiastic tail wagging signaling their arrival. Echo brought a Sesame Quinoa Salad that looked and smelled delicious, and Chas carefully carried in a huge crockpot of chili. The kitchen had never smelled so delightful, and the guests readily grabbed plates and loaded them to overflowing. Once everyone was seated and munching contentedly,
“I think the degree of emotion was appropriate for the situation. Remember how upset you were when your house was vandalized a few months ago?” he chided her gently.
“Of course,” Missy agreed reluctantly, savoring a succulent piece of shrimp. “It’s just hard to take Chloe Beauregard seriously after having seen some of the fits that she’s thrown over absolutely nothing.” She dug into her gumbo with gusto, and Chas, seeing that she wasn’t going to budge in her skepticism, changed the subject.
“How was your day? You stayed well past your usual time,” he observed, concerned.
“Long, but good. I finally perfected my peach cupcake recipe, so it’ll be featured as Cupcake of the Day at both shops tomorrow.”
“Hmmm…sounds like I’ll have to pay you a visit tomorrow then, peach is one of my favorites,” he grinned in anticipation.
“Seeing you devour one of my cupcakes is one of my most favorite things in the world,” she admitted shyly, then focused on her wine.
Chas reached over and took her hand. “Missy, are you okay? You’re working so hard these days. Your hours are stretching longer and longer…I worry that you’re overdoing it.”
Missy sighed. She knew that Chas was right. She had been burning the candle at both ends for quite some time, and with the Holiday season in full swing, it was going to get worse before it got better. “I’m okay. I need to figure out a new strategy though. I’ve been trying to do a new recipe every day for the featured cupcake, and it’s wearing me out.”
“Maybe you should go for a new recipe once a week, rather than every day,” he suggested.
“Maybe, but my customers love seeing what’s new, and I’d hate to lose business by cutting back the new recipes to once a week,” she worried.
“I think folks love everything you make, and would still come in for their old favorites whether there was a new feature or not. I know I would,” he kissed her hand.
She smiled fondly, appreciating his concern. “I’ll figure something out. I’m doing a staff dinner here at the house on Sunday, and we’ll toss some ideas around then.”
“Staff dinner? Are non-staff members invited?” he asked hopefully.
“Only if they bring their world-famous five alarm chili,” she teased.
“Consider it done.”
Chapter 2
Missy scurried around the kitchen all day on Sunday, preparing for the staff dinner. Her contribution, as hostess, consisted of cooking up massive amounts of her renowned southern fried chicken, and grilling all sorts of fresh veggies. All other dishes, drinks and desserts had been delegated to the attendees. Cheryl, the manager of the LaChance shop, was the first to arrive; proudly bearing a large pan of Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread that would be a perfect complement to Chas’s chili. She was followed soon after by the Dellville manager, Ben, who brought an out-of-this-world Sour Cream Potato Salad. Grayson, Cheryl’s sidekick, arrived next shyly presenting the most decadent Triple-layer Chocolate Cake that Missy had ever seen, and Chris, Ben’s assistant, completed the staff presence with his homemade deviled eggs.
Missy had invited her friend Echo, who had moved from California a few months prior and bought the vegan ice cream shop across the street from Crème de la Cupcake. Echo tried to live a completely “green” lifestyle that had as little impact on the environment as possible, and didn’t have a car, so Chas was picking her up on his way. The duo appeared just as Missy was setting the table, Toffee’s enthusiastic tail wagging signaling their arrival. Echo brought a Sesame Quinoa Salad that looked and smelled delicious, and Chas carefully carried in a huge crockpot of chili. The kitchen had never smelled so delightful, and the guests readily grabbed plates and loaded them to overflowing. Once everyone was seated and munching contentedly,
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