Murder & Marble Cake by Nancy McGovern

Author:Nancy McGovern [McGovern, Nancy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: cosy mystery women sleuth, cosy mystery, cosy mysteries, cozy mysteries, Cozy Mystery
Publisher: McGovern Books
Published: 2018-01-04T06:00:00+00:00

*****

Chapter 14

A Wall Of Photos

Bull’s Café was empty when they stepped in. The place was cozier than Rachel had expected. Wide windows let in ample sunlight, and bean bags were scattered around round tables. On one wall was the signature painting of the café, a large painting of a matador dodging a bull. The painting was blurry, giving a feel of motion as the bull charged toward the dodging matador. The opposing wall was covered from floor to ceiling with pictures of the café's patrons. Rachel observed the pictures and felt a little twinge as she saw Emily and Scott’s father grow older over the course of them. In the seventies, he had a ponytail and a cheeky grin. In the eighties, he wore a mullet and a crucifix earring. In the nineties, he was almost bald, but a skateboard was propped up behind him as he shook hands with Tony Hawk himself. A young Scott was in the background, looking up with wide eyes.

“Dad had more energy than a fully charged battery.” Scott grinned as he saw Rachel take in the photos. “He had more tales in him than the Arabian Nights do. I wish you could have met him—he’d have liked you.”

“I’m sorry. Did he pass away recently?”

“Seven years now. My mom passed away when we were really young.” Scott had a brief shadow of pain across his face. “Emily and I are all that’s left of the family.”

“I’m sorry,” Rachel repeated, feeling as though she should say more, but not knowing what.

Scott shrugged. “Your Aunt Rose really helped us, you know. She was dating my dad before he passed. Afterward, she took us under her wing. I mean, Emily and I were already grown up by then, but she must have sensed we needed her. She was always there for both of us—her, and her cakes.”

“Maybe she needed you as much as you needed her,” Rachel said. “We didn’t have much family left either, and I was . . . selfishly busy in my own pursuits. I’m glad you and Emily were there for Aunt Rose.”

Scott smiled down at her as though the thought that he’d been good for Aunt Rose had never occurred to him. “Well, she thought the world of you,” he said. “Rachel this, and Rachel that. It’s all she’d talk about. She always said you made her proud.”

It should have made Rachel happy to hear, but instead, she just felt sad. Her shoulders slumped. “I don’t think I lived up to her expectations,” she said.

Scott was about to say something when Emily, from behind the counter, called out, “You two going to order something or just stand and gab?”

Scott had a wide grin as he hopped onto a stool at the counter. “I was just telling Rachel to be careful, that mocha you make is as addictive as crack cocaine.”

“I add a bit of cocaine into it. That’s my secret ingredient.” Emily winked at him. “Want me to make you one?”

“Minus the cocaine, yes.

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