A Death Before the Wedding by Harper Lin

Author:Harper Lin [Lin, Harper]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harper Lin Books

Chapter Nine

The next day, after telling Lila and Beatrice the exciting news, Amelia finally calmed down enough to update them on the truck.

“The paint job will be done next week. Then, Beatrice, I’d like it if you’d give it a test-drive and see how all the gizmos inside work. How are things coming with Lionel Hascolm?”

Beatrice stopped what she was doing, looked off into space, and lifted her chin.

“He’s been contacted. I’ll expect a reply shortly.”

“Well, did he sound interested?” Lila asked.

“I don’t know. We’ve only communicated through text since graduation,” Beatrice answered then went back to her baking. The green tea cupcakes with ginger frosting were flying out of the truck faster than Beatrice could bake them. A problem they hoped to solve with another truck and baker.

“Why do you only communicate through text?” Lila asked. “These kids today. They don’t know how to sit down and have a conversation.”

“That isn’t it, Lila,” Beatrice said calmly. “In order to woo the raven, one must tread softly. You aren’t just hiring some kid to work a fast-food counter. You are not looking to hire just a baker who can throw ingredients together and come up with a halfway decent product. The Pink Cupcake has come too far for that. You need a true artist, and as much as I hate to admit it, I’m more than slightly intimidated by being in this unique position.”

“What is that, Bea?” Amelia asked.

“I’d be his supervisor,” she replied.

“You would be, Beatrice. Because you are the greatest baker I’ve ever seen. You’ve not only stayed true to my plan for The Pink Cupcake, but you’ve contributed in making it better,” Amelia said. “I hope this Lionel fellow is as good as you say. But even if he’s a thousand times better, he isn’t you. You are part of the original family. And you always will be.”

Before Amelia could say anything else, Beatrice had shuffled across the length of the truck from her baking station to Amelia, wrapped her arms tightly around her waist, and squeezed.

“Thank you, Amelia.” Then, Lila got the same treatment. “I’m sorry. I don’t like to get emotional, but that’s the kindest thing anyone has ever said to me.” She rubbed her cheeks, transferring more flour to them before going back to work.

“Hello up there? Am I interrupting you gals?”

Amelia and Lila both looked out the service counter window at the same time. Amelia instantly recognized the man. Detective Hobbs.

“Hi, Detective. What a nice surprise,” Amelia said. “What can I get for you?”

“I was hoping you might have some of those chocolate cupcakes my Lucy loves so much,” he said, casually rocking back and forth on his heels.

“If you can just give me a couple minutes, I can whip a few up for you,” Amelia said.

“I don’t want to cause too much trouble. It’s just I’m in the doghouse. I forgot her birthday and…” Detective Hobbs peeked up from beneath a wrinkled brow, looking just like an English bulldog.

“You forgot her birthday?” Lila asked.

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