Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant by Darci Hannah

Author:Darci Hannah
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington Books
Published: 2023-06-05T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 26

If I had thought opening the Beacon Bakeshop after a murder had taken place on the lighthouse lawn would mean a slow day at in the bakery, I’d have been wrong. This was Beacon Harbor. The residents were as friendly as they were nosy, and everyone loved a good bit of gossip, none more so than our own dear Betty Vanhoosen. Add to that a bit of gore nearly the entire town (and beyond) had witnessed on Halloween night, and you had an unholy trinity of curiosity, rumors, and wild speculation. After all, a beloved teacher had been murdered, and the mystery of her death was alive and buzzing around the café. And there was no better pairing to juicy gossip than a cup of hot coffee and a warm, gooey cinnamon roll. Pecan rolls were good too. Giant pumpkin muffins bursting with melted chocolate chips also hit the spot. Donuts? Why, they were the best kind of fuel for jaw-waggling. In fact, every item in our bakery cases seemed to cater to those who loved a good bit of gossip.

Elizabeth and I were working the bakery counter as Tom made the specialty coffee drinks. Alaina and Ryan had the later schedule today, lucky kids. It got so busy around nine o’clock that I had to sweet-talk Rory into assisting Tom for an hour, which he was happy to do. Although he hated to admit it, Rory knew his way around an espresso machine. I was sorry to think that watching him pull a perfect shot of espresso in his form-fitting, off-white waffle shirt and blue jeans sent a ripple of longing through me that drew heat to my face and made me blush. Thank goodness we were busy.

Every chair at every table was occupied. Even Rory’s fan club, lovingly known as the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, was holding court at my biggest table. The original five were always there in the morning: Mayor Rod Jeffers; Book Nook owner Jack Johnson; retiree Bill Morgan; medical examiner Doc Riggles, when he wasn’t working on a case; and my dad, James Bakewell. And their numbers were growing. Anders Jorgenson, who was working with Rory on the buildout of his business, had joined them. Anders had brought Clara with him this morning so she could play with Welly; both were in the boathouse getting into mischief, no doubt. Both would be heading over to the warehouse at the marina once the men were on the move. Rick Bingham, librarian Margaret’s husband, was there, as well, this morning. Then when Sergeant Murdock came in for her morning cinnamon roll fix, her longtime boyfriend, Brian Brigalow, abandoned her for a seat at the Gentlemen’s table. In all fairness, Murdock was on the job.

Since the tables were full, all newcomers took to gathering around the coffee bar, scanning the café for the next available table. The buzz, the noise, the wild theories that circulated the café typhoon-style were a bit much. Teddy, who was a crowd favorite, was one of the biggest pot-stirrers in the café, and he delighted in it.

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