The Sweet Dreams Bake Shop (A Sweet Cove Mystery Book 1) by J A Whiting Page B

two-room wing attached to her main house. The areas around the structures were beautifully landscaped with different plants blooming throughout the seasons. Even in winter, the grounds looked striking with various greens and red berries adding color to the cold, quiet landscape. Angie followed the brick pathway to ring the office’s doorbell and she noticed forsythia and crocuses and tulips in bloom around the yard.
    Betty opened the door before Angie reached the steps.
    “Hello, Angie. You’re right on time.” Betty held the door open for Angie to enter. They sat at an old, round, oak table tucked in the corner of the room next to floor to ceiling windows that looked out over the gardens.
    “I love spring,” Angie said. “Your garden is coming to life.”
    “It’s a bit later this year,” Betty noted. “It was a harsh winter.”
    “You must enjoy seeing all the plants blooming.” Angie gazed out the window at the flowers.
    “Oh yes. I learned to garden from my grandmother. We’d spend hours together tending the plants. I have a small greenhouse in back. Otherwise, I’d go crazy during the winter without flowers and plants.” Betty opened a folder and pulled out some papers. “Here is the agreement. It covers the next sixty days. I’m confident I’ll be able to find you a location for your shop in that time. You just have to sign here.” Betty handed Angie a pen and pointed to the line where she was to sign her name.
    “I’ve decided not to renew our agreement.” Angie put the pen on the table.
    Betty’s lips puckered in a pout. “No? Why on earth not? You need to find a place for your business.”
    “I might move the shop to the Victorian. The necessary remodel wouldn’t be done until after the summer, but I think it’s the best option.”
    “I don’t know, Angie. Is that wise? You’re putting all your eggs in one basket.”
    “I think it will work out.”
    “Do you think it’s a good idea to keep that old place?” Betty leaned forward, a fake caring smile on her lips. “You’re young. Why be tied to such a money pit? It will suck you dry having to maintain that old thing.” She cocked her head. “Think of how wealthy you’d be if you sold it. You wouldn’t have to work again for a long time. Invest the profit well and you could live off the interest indefinitely.”
    Angie narrowed her eyes. “You’re the second person who’s said that to me recently.”
    Betty ignored the comment. “Think of it. You could travel. Live somewhere warm in the winter. You’re young. Enjoy yourself. Don’t lock yourself to that old, dark place.”
    Angie didn’t respond. She knew that Betty was only concerned with her own interests and what would benefit her pocketbook and selling the Victorian would provide a massive agent’s commission. Angie chuckled inwardly at the way Betty expressed such concern over Angie’s well-being. Artificial concern.
    “Oh, I know it’s all very new and exciting. But you’ll tire of that place and all of its problems very soon.” Betty put the agreement back in the folder and closed it. “When you’re ready, you know where to find me.” She smiled sweetly at Angie.
    Angie didn’t appreciate the unsolicited advice or Betty’s blatant phoniness when money was involved, but she forced a smile and said, “I’ll let you know if I ever decide to sell.”
    Betty clasped her hands together. “Very good. Remember, spring is an excellent time to put property on the market.”
    “I’ll remember.” Angie was about to leave but thought of something. “Did you recall what Professor Linden asked the lawyer to do for her? You mentioned it at the reception. It was regarding her father, you said.”
    Betty blinked several times and then she recalled the conversation she’d had with Angie. “I don’t think the professor ever elaborated. I don’t know.”
    “Did the professor ever show interest in selling the Victorian?”
    “Once she did, not too long ago, but it