Candy Corruption by C. A. Phipps

Author:C. A. Phipps [Phipps, C. A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cheryl Phipps

Chapter Sixteen

Harvey dropped in the new set of keys that afternoon, and Betty handed him a small container of fudge. He went away looking very pleased with himself.

After they shut the shop, Scarlett drove Betty home. Her house wasn’t far, but Betty looked tired and had grown more nervous as time went by. This reinforced the idea that she wanted people with her when she went inside for the first time, and Scarlett didn’t blame her.

Without asking if they should, Violet and Scarlett walked through the house, checking and rechecking doors and windows. Betty sat at the small table, her back away from the door, and Scarlett put a hand on her shoulder. “Everything looks fine.”

Betty waved her hand around the room. “Someone tidied up.”

“Yes, Olivia organized that with Harvey.”

Betty smiled. “He’s far nicer than I thought he was.”

“Is it me, or are the men in this town changing for the better?” Violet mused.

“That’s a good point,” Betty chuckled. “You girls have Arthur in the palm of your hands these days, and I do recall when it wasn’t always so.”

Scarlett was pleased that Betty was comfortable enough to make a joke. “I don’t know about that, but he’s a pleasure to deal with these days.”

“And he did give you a van.”

Scarlett didn’t know that this was common knowledge, and she wanted to set things straight. “We’re only loaning it for now. We plan on buying our own with some of the money from the book.”

Betty raised an eyebrow. “Hopefully, since he’s turned over a new leaf, he’ll sell it to you for a good price.”

Not wishing to discuss what they might pay for the van with anyone but Arthur or her sisters, Scarlett changed the subject. “Did you know that a while back, Arthur asked me onto the committee?”

Betty smiled conspiratorially. “I know. He asked me too, and I’ve been seriously thinking about it.”

This was good news for Scarlett. If Betty took up one of the open positions, she wouldn’t have to continue making excuses to Arthur. “I hope you do. We need more caring people involved in the running of Cozy Hollow.”

“That’s what I thought, and I wondered about the secretary’s position. When Mabel Norris died, it left a gap that I could easily fill. No disrespect to Mabel, who did a fine job.”

Scarlett couldn’t comment on poor Mabel’s talents, while Violet wasn’t as sympathetic.

“I’m sure you would be more popular. Plus, Olivia could do with another like-minded person,” Violet encouraged her.

“You know I could also do the café’s accounts if you don’t have time?” Betty winked. “At friends rates, naturally.”

“I’m happy to do the accounts,” Scarlett explained. “Thanks anyway.”

Betty’s mouth turned down. “I’m sure you do them wonderfully too. I was merely thinking of a way to pay you back for giving me a job and being so lovely to me over the last week or so.”

“It’s nothing. I’m sure you’d do the same, and you don’t owe us anything.”

Betty thought on this, then grinned. “Not even more candy?”

“Well .

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