Gingerbread Fudge and a Holiday Grudge by A. Gardner

Author:A. Gardner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: cozy mystery, holiday mystery, christmas mystery, women sleuths, amateur sleuths
Publisher: Gardner Books
Published: 2021-09-16T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

“Tomorrow is the big day.”

Winnie places the evening special in front of me. It’s Weinerschnitzel. I’ve tried this traditional German dish before, but it has been a while. I taste the mashed potatoes first. They’re smooth and creamy, especially paired with a bite of red cabbage.

“So it is,” I answer in between bites. I take a sip of water. No Delford special for me tonight. “I have to say, Winnie, I’m impressed.”

“Are you saying you’re surprised I can cook?” She laughs and places her hands on her petite hips. She’s wearing the same powder blue eye shadow and long-sleeved shirt with the restaurant’s logo on the front. Her short hair is sleek around the sides of her face but there is a mess of frizzy hair when she turns around.

“I’m saying well done.” I speak louder than I usually do to make sure she hears me over the chatter and the Christmas music. “It tastes great.” I glance down at Pudding as she patiently wags her tail. Her leash is tied to my chair. Winnie didn’t mind me bringing her inside since there’s an extra chill outside.

“That means a lot coming from the future winner of the Gingerbread Festival’s confections contest.”

“It’s not over until the gingerbread man breakdances, Winnie.” I knock on the wooden counter for good luck. “I hear there are lots of entries this year. Businesses from neighboring towns even.”

“Don’t you worry about any of them,” she reassures me. “A local is bound to win it.” She glances at the time and rolls her eyes. “I swear that girl of mine would lose her head if it wasn’t screwed on. She’s late again. Probably parading around the festival with her friends from school.”

“I had a waitressing job once when I was her age,” I comment, taking large bite of sauerkraut.

“You can make big tips if you know what you’re doing.” Winnie nods.

“Some people can, but I was absolutely terrible at it,” I reply.

Winnie laughs. “Well, my Rowena is cut out for it. She’s quite the charmer just like her father, unfortunately.”

“Maybe I can borrow some of that charm for tomorrow night,” I joke.

“I don’t know. You looked like you were doing just fine last time you were here.” She leans in a little closer, raising her eyebrows. I pause, curling my toes in my shoes. She’s about to ask about Brant. I’m sure our recent date is the prime topic of conversation this week.

“It’s possible that I was,” I reply. “Who really knows, though?”

“But you like him, don’t you?”

“I don’t plan on breaking his heart if that’s what you’re asking.” I play with my mashed potatoes. I never intended to dive right into the local scene. I also never intended to catch the eye of Buttercup Ridge’s most cherished eligible bachelor.

“That’s your business,” Winnie remarks. “I just want to see him have fun for a change. We’ll be sad to see you go next week.”

“Don’t be sad just yet.” I slice into my fried pork cutlet. “My time here has only really just begun.

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.