Berried in the Past by Peg Cochran

Author:Peg Cochran
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: small town, baking, cooking, greed, cat mystery, culinary mystery, lake michigan, family rivalry
Publisher: Beyond the Page Publishing

• • •

Monica overslept on Monday. It wasn’t something she normally did, but she’d been so tired lately for some reason. She supposed it was the stress of everything that had happened. It wasn’t every day that someone showed up on your doorstep claiming that somebody was trying to kill them.

She had to hurry. She glanced at the clock over the stove. She’d promised to deliver the cranberry compote to the Pepper Pot first thing in the morning.

“Need a hand with that?” Kit said, appearing from the storage room when Monica arrived at the farm kitchen. He yawned and swept a hand through his hair.

“You still haven’t made up with Sean?” Monica said in disbelief.

“Not yet.” Kit stiffened his shoulders. “I’m still quite mad at him. I’m waiting until I cool off a bit, otherwise, my dear, I have no idea what might come out of this mouth of mine.”

Monica laughed. “I still hate to think of you sleeping in the storage room.”

“Don’t worry about me.” Kit flapped a hand. “I’m fine.”

Kit grabbed several jars of compote off the shelf and transferred them to the box Monica had open on the counter.

“But today is your day off,” Monica said. “It’s Monday.”

Kit shrugged. “I don’t have anything pressing to do. I’m happy to lend a hand.”

Monica took a deep breath. She hated being rushed but there was nothing she could do about it.

The drive into town didn’t take long. She drove down the narrow alley that led to the back of the Pepper Pot and the delivery entrance. She parked and wrestled the first carton out of the car.

The back door was propped open and the aroma of garlic and onions sautéing made her mouth water.

Mickey Welch, the affable new owner of the restaurant, met Monica halfway. He was wearing a plaid flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up, showing his powerful forearms. He had a youthful face but his age was apparent in his thatch of silver gray hair.

“Here, let me take that,” he said when he saw Monica struggling with the box.

He easily hefted the carton under his arm and led Monica into the storeroom, where he placed it on a shelf.

“Are there more?”

“Yes, but there’s no need—”

He gave a big smile, showing a gap between his front teeth. “My mama taught me better than to let a lady—and a pretty one at that—carry something when I’m empty-handed.”

He was flirting with her! Monica was taken aback. It had been a long time since that had happened. She hoped she wasn’t turning red.

Welch finished unloading the boxes and putting them on the shelf. He tapped one of them.

“Our new dessert with your cranberry compote has been a big hit. You’ll have to come in and sample it sometime.”

“I will,” Monica said, suddenly anxious to leave. The way he was looking at her was making her feel as awkward as a teenager.

“Do you mind if I leave my car here while I run to the hardware store?” Monica said.

“Not at all. I’ll keep an eye on it for you.

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