Read Online Frosted on the Ferris Wheel by Laura Pauling - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Laura Pauling
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it a part of her daily routine.
“Or maybe,” Millicent said. “Your sad mystery club is up against a wall with this current investigation and need my help.”
This was it. The perfect segue into the invitation. Holly smiled. She could be the better person. “We’ve all talked and would love for you to start coming to book club again.”
“I knew it was only a matter of time before they faltered without my wit and insight. Of course I’ll come.” Millicent blew a strand of hair from her eyes and leaned back, waiting, as if she knew there was more, as if she knew what Holly was going to say.
“We’d love for you to come to the secret society today at noon.” Holly spit out the words.
“I’m sorry. I couldn’t hear you. Would you repeat that?”
Holly smoothed her dress, stalling. “We’d love for you to attend the secret society meeting today at noon.”
“Ha!” Millicent slammed her hand against the desk, a triumphant, with snooty smile. “I knew it!”
Holly had to get out of there, burn off steam. Run and run until she forgot all about this morning. “Would you like to host it at The Tasty Bite ?”
“I’d love to. I knew those old bats wouldn’t go for very long without my dad’s chocolate chip cheesecake.” She tilted her head and softened her voice. “I’m sorry. I know how hard this must be now that the luster has faded. Now that your reputation is suffering and the club is turning back to me. And then there’s Trent too, but I’m guessing you don’t want to talk about that with me.”
“No. Not really. So I’ll tell Charlene you’re in?” Trent? So last night truly was a date. She guessed they were broken up after all.
Millicent pulled out her phone. “Not a problem. I’ve been texting with all of them for the past day or so. I’ll let them know myself.” Holly tapped the side of her head. “And I’ll share the new information I found on the case.”
“Can’t wait.” Holly smiled and forced enthusiasm into her voice. “See you then.”
Holly didn’t want to attend the meeting of the minds without bringing something to share. For the past month, they’d been using the secret meetings not only to plan investigations but as a time to bake at Just Cheesecake . Maybe she’d taken advantage of that?
She tightened her grip on the pitcher of homemade iced-tea and entered The Tasty Bite . If she didn’t feel so unwelcome it would be a great place to enjoy a cup of coffee and one of Pierre’s decadent desserts. The sunlight slanted in through the large windows. The scent of cinnamon wafted through the air. The low chatter of friends rumbled in the background.
The meeting was at noon. She glanced around the place, wondering if maybe Charlene had arrived early and they could chat. But what about? That Charlene had been absent from a lot lately? That Holly missed her ornery friendship? For the first time, the murder investigation wasn’t top priority.
Someone sat hunched over a laptop at one of the small corner tables. The blonde hair barely rose above it. If Holly listened carefully, she could hear the clatter of keys as someone typed ferociously. She studied Millicent, her focus and determination. Was she writing another article or working on her mystery?
Holly approached, hesitantly, but trying to have a right attitude. “Hi, there.”
Millicent didn’t respond, her eyes on the screen.
“Hey!” Holly said louder.
After a glance at her, Millicent said, “That time already?”
“I think so.”
Millicent typed faster, then with a satisfying nod, closed down her laptop. “I’ve been so inspired lately. I think this latest twist will make my story a killer.” She giggled at her own joke.
Holly smiled. “Glad it’s coming along.”
“About time.” She stood. “Want to know what I added?” She didn’t wait for Holly to answer. “I added romance. The amateur sleuth, a budding mystery writer on the brink of discovery, has the town cop
“Or maybe,” Millicent said. “Your sad mystery club is up against a wall with this current investigation and need my help.”
This was it. The perfect segue into the invitation. Holly smiled. She could be the better person. “We’ve all talked and would love for you to start coming to book club again.”
“I knew it was only a matter of time before they faltered without my wit and insight. Of course I’ll come.” Millicent blew a strand of hair from her eyes and leaned back, waiting, as if she knew there was more, as if she knew what Holly was going to say.
“We’d love for you to come to the secret society today at noon.” Holly spit out the words.
“I’m sorry. I couldn’t hear you. Would you repeat that?”
Holly smoothed her dress, stalling. “We’d love for you to attend the secret society meeting today at noon.”
“Ha!” Millicent slammed her hand against the desk, a triumphant, with snooty smile. “I knew it!”
Holly had to get out of there, burn off steam. Run and run until she forgot all about this morning. “Would you like to host it at The Tasty Bite ?”
“I’d love to. I knew those old bats wouldn’t go for very long without my dad’s chocolate chip cheesecake.” She tilted her head and softened her voice. “I’m sorry. I know how hard this must be now that the luster has faded. Now that your reputation is suffering and the club is turning back to me. And then there’s Trent too, but I’m guessing you don’t want to talk about that with me.”
“No. Not really. So I’ll tell Charlene you’re in?” Trent? So last night truly was a date. She guessed they were broken up after all.
Millicent pulled out her phone. “Not a problem. I’ve been texting with all of them for the past day or so. I’ll let them know myself.” Holly tapped the side of her head. “And I’ll share the new information I found on the case.”
“Can’t wait.” Holly smiled and forced enthusiasm into her voice. “See you then.”
Holly didn’t want to attend the meeting of the minds without bringing something to share. For the past month, they’d been using the secret meetings not only to plan investigations but as a time to bake at Just Cheesecake . Maybe she’d taken advantage of that?
She tightened her grip on the pitcher of homemade iced-tea and entered The Tasty Bite . If she didn’t feel so unwelcome it would be a great place to enjoy a cup of coffee and one of Pierre’s decadent desserts. The sunlight slanted in through the large windows. The scent of cinnamon wafted through the air. The low chatter of friends rumbled in the background.
The meeting was at noon. She glanced around the place, wondering if maybe Charlene had arrived early and they could chat. But what about? That Charlene had been absent from a lot lately? That Holly missed her ornery friendship? For the first time, the murder investigation wasn’t top priority.
Someone sat hunched over a laptop at one of the small corner tables. The blonde hair barely rose above it. If Holly listened carefully, she could hear the clatter of keys as someone typed ferociously. She studied Millicent, her focus and determination. Was she writing another article or working on her mystery?
Holly approached, hesitantly, but trying to have a right attitude. “Hi, there.”
Millicent didn’t respond, her eyes on the screen.
“Hey!” Holly said louder.
After a glance at her, Millicent said, “That time already?”
“I think so.”
Millicent typed faster, then with a satisfying nod, closed down her laptop. “I’ve been so inspired lately. I think this latest twist will make my story a killer.” She giggled at her own joke.
Holly smiled. “Glad it’s coming along.”
“About time.” She stood. “Want to know what I added?” She didn’t wait for Holly to answer. “I added romance. The amateur sleuth, a budding mystery writer on the brink of discovery, has the town cop
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