Apple Dumpling Murder: Paranormal Cozy Mystery (Christmas Catastrophe Mysteries Book 2) by Trixie Silvertale

Author:Trixie Silvertale [Silvertale, Trixie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sittin' On A Goldmine Productions LLC
Published: 2024-10-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Keith makes a grand gesture of holding the door for me as we step inside the restaurant. His green eyes twinkle and he makes a slight bow. The natural wave in his swooped-back bangs keeps them neatly in place. The aroma of freshly baking bread swirls around us, and my tummy rumbles in hungry response. Finally! I have an appetite.

Zahara’s tight, onyx-black curls bounce as she hurries toward the hostess podium. “Welcome! You two are just in time for my fresh bread! I had a run on sandwiches today and had to make six extra loaves after the lunch rush.”

“Something definitely smells delicious.” I rub my hands together in anticipation.

Zahara flashes a toothy grin. “That’s high praise coming from you, Cindy. Are you guys ordering takeout, or can I get you a table?”

Keith leans forward and whispers conspiratorially, “Technically, we’re not together. We happened to choose the same restaurant for dinner and, in a strange twist of events, I’m stuck paying both bills. You may as well seat us together.”

She chuckles and arches a pierced eyebrow at me before taking us to a small table by the front windows. Pulling a lighter from the pocket of her lavender apron, she ignites the candle between us.

“Everything is on the menu tonight. I didn’t have a chance to drum up a separate special, since I had to make the extra bread. But, I can tell you the chicken-less potpie is especially delicious today. I used the last of the Queensland blue pumpkins from Harlequin Crest Farms.”

“Mm-mm. That sounds good to me.” Keith offers her a pleasant bob of his head and motions for me to order.

“Make that two.” I lick my lips in anticipation. “Oh, and if it’s not too much trouble, I’d love a slice of fresh bread with extra butter.”

Zahara tilts her head to Keith. “Same for you?”

“Absolutely.”

“My pleasure.” The skin around her eyes crinkles and her entire face exudes gratitude.

As she turns to leave, Keith reaches out and touches her arm. “Excuse me, Zahara. Would it be all right if I stepped in the back to have a quick chat with Bolton Oswald?”

“Bolton?” The mood changes faster than Santa can slide down a chimney. “Is he in some kind of trouble?”

Keith takes a deep breath and shrugs his shoulders. “Let’s hope not. At this point, it’s simply routine. I’ll only be a minute.”

She inhales sharply. “Follow me.”

Our hostess leads him back to the dish room while I gaze into the candle flame, wondering if the details of the date will be something to share with Jasmine. Maybe it will even be something worthy of a snow-globe call to Mama.

Before any warm fuzzy feelings can take root, a commotion at the back of the restaurant draws my attention. Keith is backing up rapidly, while Bolton advances on him with one thick finger poking mercilessly into Keith’s chest.

“So, that’s how it’s going to be, eh? I been outta the pen for almost six months. And I been keeping my nose clean .

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.