Chocolate Cheesecake & Murder by Miranda Brickett

Author:Miranda Brickett
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: cozy mystery, cosy mystery, amateur sleuth, amateur detective, female sleuth, female detective, chick lit, easy read, beach read, wholesome romance, sweet romance, cat cozy, cooking cozy, cozy mystery with romance, cozy mystery with love story, hallmark mystery, culinary cozy, clean romance, wholesome
Publisher: Miranda Brickett
Published: 2021-08-25T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

The water was still and the wind was little more than a whisper. Even the birds that nested near the edge of the lake appeared to be calmer than usual. The brisk late afternoon air was refreshing and there wasn’t a mosquito in sight.

It was the perfect day for fishing.

Scott selected a fishing spot he swore would be ideal. Claudia didn’t question it; after all, he was the expert. She set up their lawn chairs side by side as he unzipped the large black knapsack he always took on his fishing outings.

Claudia expected there would be fishing stuff inside - hooks and bait and the like.

Instead, Scott pulled out a bag of salt and vinegar potato chips and a couple bottled drinks.

“I would have put these in the fridge had I known we’d be coming fishing,” he remarked as he opened one of the drinks and handed it to Claudia. “These are going to be warm.”

She stared at him incredulously. “You have junk food in your bag?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Is that all you have in your bag?”

“And cat treats,” he confessed.

“Should I even ask?”

“That cat of yours always follows me down here and pesters me for food,” Scott complained with an irritated scowl. “Offering up cat treats keeps that little beggar from going after my snacks. Mostly, anyway.”

Claudia threw back her head and laughed. She couldn’t help it.

“You won’t be laughing when that cat is trying to steal your potato chips,” Scott muttered. He tossed the unopened bag to Claudia. Then he picked up his fishing pole and cast the line out into the water.

“I’m no expert, but don’t you need bait on the hook or something?” Claudia asked.

“Depends.”

She stared at him in anticipation, waiting for him to elaborate. He didn’t.

“Depends on what?” she pressed.

“Depends if you want to catch any fish,” came the matter-of-fact reply.

Claudia raised an eyebrow. “You’re not trying to catch fish?”

“When I want to eat fish, I buy some frozen fillets at the grocery store,” he informed her. “What am I going to do, toss the fish I catch back in the lake? That seems cruel. I’m not interested in traumatizing anything or anyone for my own entertainment.”

His answer surprised Claudia. Apparently Scott didn’t bait his hook because he didn’t want to harm any fish. It was actually a pretty heartwarming explanation, she noted. He was far more sensitive and kind hearted than he let on.

“If you’re not trying to catch any fish, then why do you bring the fishing pole with you at all?” she couldn’t help but ask.

“I’d look pretty stupid if I went fishing without it, wouldn’t I?”

“Yes, but...” She trailed off. Some things weren’t worth getting into, she decided. Instead, she tore open the bag of potato chips, popped one into her mouth and turned her face up toward the sun. It really was a beautiful day to go fishing - or to go through the motions, anyway.

“Finally, peace and quiet,” Scott teased.

“I’m eating,” she informed him through a mouthful of potato chips.

“I should keep a bag of potato chips within arm’s reach any time I’m with you,” he quipped.

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