Strawberry Vanilla Peril: A Cozy Murder Mystery (Dolphin Bay Cozy Mystery Series Book 7) by Leena Clover

Author:Leena Clover [Clover, Leena]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-07-28T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Anna shelled peas at her kitchen counter, trying to stay calm as she listened to Cassie. Meg was taking a nap in her room. They talked softly to avoid disturbing her.

Anna’s frown deepened when she heard how the town people had almost made her granddaughter cry.

“We thought the spring festival would distract her.”

“I think it was a really good idea,” Cassie agreed. “You know how Meg likes to take ownership of anything assigned to her. She was really excited about this band. They were going to come up with a special set just for the spring festival.”

“Mary will take her side, of course.”

“So will Sally Davis.” Cassie knew the school teacher had staunchly supported Anna when the mayor tried to blackball her. “But are those two enough?”

“But Meg’s just a child!”

“To us, maybe.” Cassie smiled bitterly. “She’s over twenty, an adult as far as the rest of the world is concerned.”

Anna felt helpless. She bit her lip as she put all the peas in a colander and rinsed them under running water.

“So what should we do, Cass?”

Cassie suggested making small talk in her presence.

“Don’t mention the murder or the spring festival. We can ask her about school or her boyfriend. That should be distracting enough.”

Anna wondered if Drake Benson knew what Meg was going through. Would he stick with her when he learned of her trouble with the police?

“She’ll catch on, Cassie. But so be it.”

Cassie pulled out a bottle of water from the refrigerator and poured it in a tumbler containing thin slices of lemon and cucumber. It was the only way she could get in the ten glasses Bobby had advised her to drink every day.

“When was the last time you went on a date, Mom?”

Anna banged the colander on the counter and turned around to glare at her daughter.

“In case you haven’t noticed, I have more important things going on.”

“Your relationship needs looking after. Gino thinks you’re sweet on Uncle Charlie.”

Anna rolled her eyes.

“Why would he think that? Charlie’s an old friend. Just a friend.”

Cassie laughed shrilly.

“He may be a friend to you, Mom, but you can’t deny he likes you. He’s had a crush on you for years.”

Anna didn’t deign to answer.

“Anyhoo, it’s not me you have to worry about. Gino sounded really hurt today so I invited him and Leo for dinner.”

Anna’s head snapped up.

“What?” she was almost hysterical. “Gino’s coming to dinner! And you’re telling me now?”

Anna pulled open the refrigerator and stared at the shelves, not sure what she was looking for. She had planned to make linguine with peas and pancetta for their dinner but that wasn’t going to be enough.

“We had fish the last time he was here,” she muttered to herself. “Can’t serve fish again.”

Cassie sipped her water and watched her with a twinkle in her eye.

“Stop grinning, girl. I need some help here.”

“I brought plenty of crab dip from the market,” Cassie responded coolly. “We can set that out with crackers. And I got some chicken thighs. You can cook them with Italian sausage and that olive sauce Nana makes.

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