Murder Takes the Cake: A Tall Pines Cozy Mystery by Avery Kent

Author:Avery Kent [Kent, Avery]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2025-09-26T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

“The ranch! Oh, my God, that would be perfect!” Eleanor beamed as she looked across her large wooden desk at Gabby and Rosemary. “We could do so much more!”

“Well,” Gabby said. “We talked to at least a dozen businesses in town that would be willing to take a stall or donate to a raffle.”

“Or both,” Rosemary said. “Grandpa Joe even offered to add a free trail ride in for the raffle and pony rides too.”

Eleanor took a deep breath. “I have no idea how I could possibly repay you both.”

Gabby glanced at Rosemary, shifting slightly in a black upholstered chair. She glanced back at Eleanor, who sat in front of the huge bookshelf that dominated the whole wall. “Actually, some information would be helpful.”

Eleanor frowned. “Information?”

Rosemary nodded. “We’re trying to find out about the lease on the shop beside Tess’s Salon; we heard it was going to be rented out.”

Eleanor blinked. “Are you looking for space?”

Rosemary opened her mouth, but Gabby cut in quickly. “Maybe. I’m just doing a little research. You know Maria, my sister. She is thinking about starting something up. I just wondered how much she’d be looking at in rent. Someone mentioned the town owned it and were going to rent it out?”

Eleanor nodded. “Ah, yeah, along with three other places if she’s interested. That space is taken.”

“Oh, what’s it going to be?” Rosemary asked, glancing at Eleanor as she shuffled a few papers on the desk. “We could always use an ice cream parlor again.”

Eleanor smiled. “Couldn’t we, though? But unfortunately not. It was going to be a cake shop, I believe, but now…”

“Was?” Gabby asked, eyeing Rosemary.

“Uh huh.” Eleanor nodded. “That poor woman who was murdered. What was her name? Sabrina something… ”

“Chase.”

“That’s it—Sabrina Chase. She had signed the lease and was due to take over the shop next month. Only now… ” Eleanor shook her head a little.

“And she was going to have a cake shop?” Rosemary asked. “Like the café?”

“Oh, no.” Eleanor chuckled. “Could you imagine? She’d never turn any profit. The whole town loves the Casa Café. I don’t think anyone would show up, and I can’t imagine she’d make better food.” Eleanor snorted, and Gabby smiled. “No, she was going to sell fancy celebration cakes for weddings and so on.”

Rosemary glanced over at Gabby, who gripped her chair a little. “Really?”

“Um, yes.” Eleanor replied with a nod.

“What’s happening with it now?” Rosemary asked.

Eleanor looked over at her. “Oh, well, the lease is null and void since she’s passed away. I think the clerk is dealing with it. He mentioned something about Tess wanting it to expand the salon. Seems like a good idea,” Eleanor said. “I suppose we’ll redraw the paperwork, and she can start her expansion. What was it you said Maria was thinking of doing?”

“Cakes,” Gabby replied.

“Oh.” Eleanor remarked and frowned. “Well, isn’t that a coincidence.”

“It is, isn’t it?” Gabby said.

“Well, the town could do with someone who does this kind of thing. I had to get

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