Read Online Pies & Peril by Janel Gradowski - Free Book Online Page B

of the dense, moist bread off the serving plate and spread it with butter. It wasn 't like the generic, barely edible, banana bread she often got from the hospital cafeteria because that was the only sweet treat being offered in the middle of the night. There was something special about Amy's version that made it irresistible, even though she knew she would have to do an extra half hour on the treadmill to burn off the calories consumed during the morning.
    Amy returned to the kitchen as the magnetic timer stuck to the refrigerator started beeping. She pulled open the oven door and bent to peer inside. "Let's see if you're done," she mumbled as she retrieved a strand of uncooked spaghetti from a glass container sitting on the counter. She poked it into the bread, shook her head, and shut the door. "Not quite. It'll be a few more minutes."
    She perched on the end of the breakfast nook bench, rested her elbows on the table , and leaned toward Carla. "The call was from Detective Shepler. Apparently there are so many people that have a grudge against Mandy Jo, he's having a hard time narrowing down the suspect list. Thank goodness you were with me the whole evening or I'd be on it!"
    " Poor Bruce. He's probably going to have to interview half of Kellerton."
    " I'm sure you can think of some ways to make his life a little easier."
    " What are you talking about?"
    Amy grinned as she stood up to check on the banana bread again. "Come on, when are you going to tell me what's going on between you and the hunk-tastic detective? The electricity between you two is about as subtle as a flashing neon sign."
    Was it that obvious? They had both tried to be professional and nonchalant during the initial murder investigation interviews after Mandy Jo 's body was found. What the hell had they done to tip off Amy?
    Amy donned oven mitts, removed the pan from the oven , and then set it on a cooling rack. A fresh wave of sweet banana scent drifted across the room. A diversion could throw her off track. "That smells so good. What's the difference between that loaf and the one we've been eating?"
    " This one has bourbon. The one we've already tried has rum." She tugged off the mitts and tossed them on the white marble topped kitchen island. "I found a dessert recipe contest where all recipes must have some kind of booze in them."
    Carla broke off a corner of her latest slice and held it up. "I bet you'll win. I love this one, but I'll be happy to try the bourbon version."
    " It needs to cool a bit, so while we wait let's talk about Shepler."
    Damn. The conversational left turn didn 't work. "What about him?"
    Amy refilled both of their mugs with fresh coffee. "Come on. There was so much chemistry between you two at the town hall I felt like I should be wearing safety glasses and a lab coat. Spill it. What's going on?"
    " You mean, what went on. He used to date one of the other ER nurses. When I was dating Tom we all went out on a couple double dates, visited that brew pub in Ann Arbor, went to a comedy club. That's about it."
    " No, it isn't." Amy slid the plate with the remaining banana bread toward herself. "I was going to wrap up the extra bread from both loaves and send it home with you. Tell me the rest of the story, or you won't get a treat."
    " Blackmailer."
    " Absolutely. I want you to be happy, and I have a hunch Shepler might do that for you. When he walked into the town hall the other night you looked at him like you had the night from hell at work and he was the double chocolate fudge brownie that would make it all better. "
    How did Amy pick up on that? She had just found a body , but still noticed her friend drooling over a police officer. The woman's attention to detail was astounding. Not to mention, she was tenacious. No wonder every charity in town wanted her to be on their fundraising committees.
    " Like I said, we were both dating other people."
    Amy folded her arms over her chest. "What does that mean? I know you and Tom were