Ellery Adams - Charmed Pie Shoppe 04 - Lemon Pies and Little White Lies by Ellery Adams

Author:Ellery Adams [Adams, Ellery]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery: Cozy - Magic - Georgia
ISBN: 0425276023
Publisher: Berkley
Published: 2015-04-07T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Ella Mae didn’t receive any more texts from Hugh.

She wrote several of her own asking when he’d be coming home, but he didn’t reply. His one-line text had her head spinning. Was he really returning to Havenwood? And why now? Against all odds, had he found what he’d been looking for?

“I can’t obsess over this,” she chided herself after checking her phone for texts the tenth time that morning. “I have too much work to do.”

In fact, her list was longer than usual. Due to the History in the Baking events, The Charmed Pie Shoppe would only be open for tea the following week, but Ella Mae still had to prepare enough dough for teatime pies and tarts. She also had to shop for ingredients for the fillings. That meant a trip to the farmer’s market followed by an afternoon in the kitchen making balls of dough until her hands ached.

“At least it’s Sunday, so you can come along,” she told Chewie. “I’ll put you on security detail.”

When Ella Mae pulled into the lot behind the pie shop, she was surprised to see a row of familiar cars. Inside, her family and friends were gathered in the kitchen. Her mother and two aunts were wearing the shop’s official peach aprons embroidered with the phrase “That’s How I Roll,” while Reba and Jenny had to make do with aprons from home.

“What’s going on?” Ella Mae asked, hanging her purse on a hook near the door.

Before anyone could reply, Suzy and Aiden came into the kitchen through the dining room. Aiden carried a coffee carafe in each hand and Suzy held a pitcher of sweet tea.

“We’re here to work.” Suzy placed the pitcher on the counter and smiled at Ella Mae. “We might not have your magic touch, but all of us are capable of operating small appliances, chopping fruit, or washing dishes.”

“I volunteer Aiden for dishwashing duty,” Jenny said with a snigger.

He nudged her in the side. “Make my sister slice the onions. I like it when she cries like a baby.”

“We don’t need onions, you big, lumbering oaf. We’re making desserts for the tea menu.” Jenny swatted her brother with a potholder. “Or did you think Ella Mae would serve her customers an onion meringue pie?”

Reba held up a warning finger. “Don’t make me put you two over my knee. Aiden, the front porch and patio need to be swept. I’d recommend you do the job with your shirt off, but seein’ as your girlfriend is standin’ right next to me, I’ll keep my randy thoughts to myself.”

“That would be a first,” Verena said and winked at Ella Mae. “As for Sissy and me, we caught a few hours of sleep and would rather be here than moping around our houses.”

Ella Mae smiled. It was a balm to see the circle of familiar, beloved faces, but she felt that someone else was far more deserving of company and comfort. “What about Dee? Shouldn’t someone be with her?”

“Sissy, Adelaide, and I have already worked out a schedule,” Verena said.

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