Read Online Dead Men Don't Eat Cookies by Virginia Lowell - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Virginia Lowell
Ads: Link
“By the way, Maddie is thrilled with this case,” she said as she slid her arms into the warm sleeves of her thick sweater. “All the intrigue of a murder investigation without the squeamishness. At least that’s what Maddie thinks. I’m not so sure.”
Del slipped on his uniform jacket and buttoned it up. “Your instincts are more accurate,” he said. “Cold cases have a way of igniting. They can dredge up all sorts of nasty secrets.”
Chapter Five
Much as she cherished her sleep, Olivia awakened at six o’clock on Tuesday morning feeling revved up for work. She was well aware that not everyone looked forward to the work week, but not everyone was lucky enough to run a store like The Gingerbread House. Spunky, whose furry little head emerged from a fold in the blanket, looked less enthusiastic. The covers were warm, the bedroom was not.
“Come on, Spunks, it’s Tuesday. You can nap all day downstairs in the store. You love your chair by the front window, remember? The adoration, the ear rubs, the extra treats . . .”
When he heard the word “treats,” Spunky wriggled out of the bedclothes and hopped to his little paws.
“Good boy.” Olivia pulled a long sweatshirt over her pajamas and took her pup downstairs for a quick, chilly visit to the side yard. Spunky finished his business with unusual efficiency and declined a run around the property.
Olivia had intended to return upstairs to her apartment for a shower and change of clothes before unlocking the store,but when she entered the foyer, the aroma of freshly baked lemon sugar cookies floated under the door of The Gingerbread House. “What do you think, Spunks? Should we stop to visit Maddie? Lucky thing I keep a supply of kibbles in the store kitchen.” Spunky would want to eat in the kitchen with his two favorite humans, but the health department disapproved. Feeding him breakfast in the sales area would keep him content for a while.
As soon as Olivia opened the door of the store, Spunky slid inside. He headed directly for the cookbook nook, where he usually began his morning inspection. While her little guard Yorkie was happily distracted, Olivia opened the kitchen door to a rush of warm, sweet air. Maddie was in constant motion, as always. She sang snatches of whatever song her earbuds piped into her ears and swayed in time with the music. Somehow, her hands remained steady enough to swirl dusty rose royal icing into a perfect scalloped pattern around the outer edge of a round cutout cookie. However, Maddie’s perfect aim was limited to icing—flour dusted her bouncy red hair, and a glob of excess cookie dough rested on her shoulder.
Olivia admitted to herself that her mother was right. Maddie would be the perfect choice to teach the cookie decorating classes at Ellie’s future arts and crafts school. Olivia was good, but not that good. Besides, who could resist Maddie’s exuberance?
“Hey, girlfriend.” Maddie capped her pastry bag and removed her earbuds. “You’re up uncommonly early. Although I notice you’re still in your jammies, such as they are, and you have yet to brush your hair.”
“Or my teeth,” Olivia said. “Spunky and I made a brief visit to the side yard. I thought I’d feed him breakfast out on the sales floor, while I go back upstairs and make myself reasonably presentable.”
“Not until you’ve told me about your dinner with Del lastnight.” Maddie refilled her coffee cup and fixed a cup for Olivia. “Want a cookie for breakfast?”
“No, thanks.” Olivia sipped her coffee and felt the warmth flow through her. “I think I’ll hold off on sugar for, oh, maybe an hour.”
“Such willpower.” Maddie hiked herself up onto the counter, from where she could swing her legs. “So, back to your dinner with Del . . . What did he say about the bones?”
“Wait two seconds.” Olivia opened a canister and scooped out some kibbles, which she poured into a small bowl. She slipped out to the sales
Del slipped on his uniform jacket and buttoned it up. “Your instincts are more accurate,” he said. “Cold cases have a way of igniting. They can dredge up all sorts of nasty secrets.”
Chapter Five
Much as she cherished her sleep, Olivia awakened at six o’clock on Tuesday morning feeling revved up for work. She was well aware that not everyone looked forward to the work week, but not everyone was lucky enough to run a store like The Gingerbread House. Spunky, whose furry little head emerged from a fold in the blanket, looked less enthusiastic. The covers were warm, the bedroom was not.
“Come on, Spunks, it’s Tuesday. You can nap all day downstairs in the store. You love your chair by the front window, remember? The adoration, the ear rubs, the extra treats . . .”
When he heard the word “treats,” Spunky wriggled out of the bedclothes and hopped to his little paws.
“Good boy.” Olivia pulled a long sweatshirt over her pajamas and took her pup downstairs for a quick, chilly visit to the side yard. Spunky finished his business with unusual efficiency and declined a run around the property.
Olivia had intended to return upstairs to her apartment for a shower and change of clothes before unlocking the store,but when she entered the foyer, the aroma of freshly baked lemon sugar cookies floated under the door of The Gingerbread House. “What do you think, Spunks? Should we stop to visit Maddie? Lucky thing I keep a supply of kibbles in the store kitchen.” Spunky would want to eat in the kitchen with his two favorite humans, but the health department disapproved. Feeding him breakfast in the sales area would keep him content for a while.
As soon as Olivia opened the door of the store, Spunky slid inside. He headed directly for the cookbook nook, where he usually began his morning inspection. While her little guard Yorkie was happily distracted, Olivia opened the kitchen door to a rush of warm, sweet air. Maddie was in constant motion, as always. She sang snatches of whatever song her earbuds piped into her ears and swayed in time with the music. Somehow, her hands remained steady enough to swirl dusty rose royal icing into a perfect scalloped pattern around the outer edge of a round cutout cookie. However, Maddie’s perfect aim was limited to icing—flour dusted her bouncy red hair, and a glob of excess cookie dough rested on her shoulder.
Olivia admitted to herself that her mother was right. Maddie would be the perfect choice to teach the cookie decorating classes at Ellie’s future arts and crafts school. Olivia was good, but not that good. Besides, who could resist Maddie’s exuberance?
“Hey, girlfriend.” Maddie capped her pastry bag and removed her earbuds. “You’re up uncommonly early. Although I notice you’re still in your jammies, such as they are, and you have yet to brush your hair.”
“Or my teeth,” Olivia said. “Spunky and I made a brief visit to the side yard. I thought I’d feed him breakfast out on the sales floor, while I go back upstairs and make myself reasonably presentable.”
“Not until you’ve told me about your dinner with Del lastnight.” Maddie refilled her coffee cup and fixed a cup for Olivia. “Want a cookie for breakfast?”
“No, thanks.” Olivia sipped her coffee and felt the warmth flow through her. “I think I’ll hold off on sugar for, oh, maybe an hour.”
“Such willpower.” Maddie hiked herself up onto the counter, from where she could swing her legs. “So, back to your dinner with Del . . . What did he say about the bones?”
“Wait two seconds.” Olivia opened a canister and scooped out some kibbles, which she poured into a small bowl. She slipped out to the sales
Similar Books
