Fruit of All Evil by Paige Shelton Page A

Allison and Ian. In an uncanny twist of luck, which made me think it was a sign that my plan was a good one, they were both available. Allison’s managerial moment was over for the time being, and Ian was pulling into Bailey’s from his early installation.
    They both appeared at my stall just as I put a bite of Mamma Maria’s peach delight in my mouth. It was like a cobbler, cake, and crisp all in one, and would make a perfect dessert; it would also be a great rehearsal morning breakfast—fruity comfort food.
    â€œYum,” I said with my mouth too full. I swallowed. then told Allison and Ian my plan.
    They were both hesitant at first, but I bribed them with some of the peach delight and mini banana cream pies, and before long they were on board.
    â€œI guess there’s nothing wrong with being prepared, just in case,” Allison said after a bite of a pie. “I get what you’re thinking, Becca. If Drew really is leaving, and their goal was to be married before he left, if the murder is solved that quickly, and if Drew can get to a good emotional place, then you have a good plan. But there are a lot of ifs in that equation.”
    â€œYes, I know. Here, try the peach delight.”
    â€œThis is amazing,” Ian said as he dug into his samples.
    Mamma laughed as she caught my eye. She saw that my plan to conquer my sister and boyfriend was working. “The peach delight will be easy. Sorry about the pies, but we’ll use them for someone else’s surprise wedding. Okay, Stella, I think it’s your turn.”
    I eyed Stella’s box of cupcakes.
    â€œOkay, first, I need a man’s opinion. Ian, look at this and tell me what you think.” Stella held an open notebook in front of him.
    â€œWow, Stella, that’s something,” he said as he set down his fork and took the notebook from her.
    â€œWhat?” I nudged my way to his side. “Oh, wow.” Stella had sketched a wedding cake design.
    â€œI can do the cake in any flavor, or more than one flavor if that’s what Linda wants—or you think she might want, but she was pretty specific about the type of design. This is just my first sketch. If it doesn’t work, I can do more.”
    It was difficult to pull our eyes away from the notebook. The design was simple, yet very elegant. The round cake had three layers; every layer was covered in white fondant, the bottom layer had navy blue stripes, the middle layer was circled with tiny gold anchors, and the top layer had tiny navy blue dots over it. Instead of a couple on the top, there was a navy blue bow of sorts. Somehow Stella had made the cake look both feminine and masculine at the same time.
    â€œWhen I talked to Linda, she was very clear that she wanted the anchors and the navy blue. I think Drew’s profession might be a bit clearer to me now, but I still get the feeling I’m not supposed to talk about it.”
    â€œIt’s gorgeous, Stella,” I said. “This looks like a lot of work, though. Are you sure . . . ?”
    â€œOf course I’m sure.” She waved away my concern. “It’s for Linda.”
    â€œThis will be perfect,” Ian said, his artistic eyes registering approval.
    â€œGood. Try these now.” Stella pointed to the cupcakes. “Decide on a flavor.”
    We tried white, chocolate, carrot, marbled, and raspberry filled. It wasn’t an easy choice, but considering that Linda made fruit pies, we finally decided on the raspberry filled.
    It wasn’t even eight o’clock in the morning, and we were starting the day on very full stomachs. Once the decisions were made, Stella and Mamma packed up their supplies (but left their remaining samples for us to snack on) and took off to attend to their own businesses. Mamma would be driving to the Smithfield market, and Stella would probably already have a line at her stall. We were surrounded by the pleasant buzz of a building crowd