Murder with Cherry Tarts (A Daisy's Tea Garden Mystery Book 4) by Karen Rose Smith

Author:Karen Rose Smith [Smith, Karen Rose]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington Books
Published: 2019-11-26T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Jonas Groft and Daisy’s aunt Iris and Russ must have just arrived at Sarah Jane’s Diner because they were standing outside when Tessa dropped off Daisy. Daisy gave Tessa a wave and hurried over to the group standing under the huge hex sign of birds on the front wall. There was a hex sign with hearts on the other side of the door.

Jonas asked Daisy, “Did something happen to your car? Is that why Tessa dropped you off?”

“No, nothing’s wrong with my car. After we eat, maybe you can take me back to the tea garden so I can pick it up. I’ll tell you about our errand later.”

“You don’t want to talk about it in front of your aunt Iris and Russ?”

“It’s probably better if we don’t.” That definitely clued in Jonas on the fact that the errand had something to do with the murder investigation. He studied her for a moment as if he was going to say something, but her aunt beckoned to her from the door. “Come on. We don’t want Sarah Jane to close up before feeding us.”

Russ gave Daisy a tolerant smile and straightened his titanium black glasses. His hair was gray with a high receding hairline. He was a retired teacher and good company for her aunt. They had been dating casually since May and seemed to be becoming good friends.

Inside the restaurant, Daisy spotted Sarah Jane coming through the kitchen doorway to the sales counter. The owner of the restaurant as well as the usual hostess, she had strawberry-blond curls that fell over her forehead and around her ears to her jaw. She insisted she had to get them cut once a month to keep them from flying everywhere. Overweight, she claimed those extra pounds stayed on because she oversaw every dish on the menu and cooked some of them herself. She was high energy and Daisy knew she was the main force behind the idea of a thrift store in Willow Creek. Generous with coupons for her elderly customers, Sarah Jane knew many of them were on a fixed income budget.

Sarah Jane’s blue gingham apron with its pinafore ruffles was her usual protection against spills and mishaps. Today she wore fuchsia sneakers with rainbow laces. Just looking at her made Daisy smile.

Sarah Jane said, “My favorite foursome.”

“I bet you say that to all your foursomes,” Russ teased.

“Can’t fool you, can I? Come on. I’ll show you to a booth. I know you usually like one of the back ones.”

Customers preferred the booths because the diner was quieter back there and conversation could be carried on more easily.

Once they were seated and a waitress had brought them menus, Aunt Iris said with delight, “Pork chops stuffed with apple bread filling are on the menu. I’m so glad we came tonight.”

“Jazzi was going to warm up leftovers for her and Vi tonight. Maybe I’ll take them shoofly pie. I’m trying to keep Vi’s spirits up anyway I can.”

Iris set down her menu. “I’ll have to stop in and see Vi.

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