Bake, Batter, and Roll by Catherine Bruns

Author:Catherine Bruns
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: murder mystery, cozy mystery, baking, cooking mystery
Publisher: Gemma Halliday Publishing

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It was almost eleven o'clock when I pulled into my driveway. The house was shadowed in darkness, illuminated by one lone lamp in the living room. Spike greeted me at the front door, wagging his tail in excitement. I gave him a hug, then went into the kitchen with him trailing after me.

I switched on the light and helped myself to a glass of iced tea from the fridge. My throat was still sore from all the secondhand smoke I'd inhaled, and the cold drink helped to soothe it. As I leaned against the counter, I took a minute to enjoy the stillness of the night and glanced around me with pleasure at the gleaming new kitchen. It was everything I'd dreamed of and more. Mike had built me a huge island in the center of the room, with a black and white marble countertop. Cookie's highchair was pulled up next to it, along with three other stools. There were so many glass cabinets hanging from the ceiling that I didn't know how I'd ever fill them all.

As much as I loved the kitchen, the family room was my favorite. The cathedral ceiling and crystal chandelier gave the room an air of sophistication, but it had a comfy feel at the same time. I could envision my family enjoying cozy evenings watching television or playing board games in front of the gas fireplace.

A winding oak staircase led to four spacious bedrooms upstairs. Two were still vacant, but I had high hopes they would be filled with children's furniture in the next few years. I needed to be patient. As Grandma Rosa said, "Good things come to those who wait."

I walked into the laundry room that adjoined the kitchen. Spike had already settled into his comfortable new bed on the floor. His food bowl and toys were in here as well. I noticed that his water bowl was empty as I stooped down to stroke his soft, furry head. "How do you like your new digs, fella?"

"What are you doing, Sal?"

Startled, I almost jumped ten feet in the air. I turned around to see Mike leaning against the wall, wearing nothing but a pair of blue plaid boxers. His black curly hair was a tousled mess. Midnight-blue eyes gazed inquisitively into mine, making my heart beat faster.

"Did I wake you?" I went over and kissed him.

He placed an arm around my shoulders, and we walked back into the kitchen together. "I don't sleep well when you're not here. It didn't help that I was worried, too."

"But I said that I'd be late. Josie and I went to Let it Ride Casino."

He made a face. "You smell like you smoked a pack of cigarettes."

I reached into the fridge for some more iced tea. "Don't worry, I'll take a shower before I come to bed."

Mike leaned against the island and ran a hand through his disheveled curly hair. "What the heck were you doing there? You don't gamble."

"No, but Smiley does—or did," I added.

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