Read Online Town in a Blueberrry Jam by B. B. Haywood - Free Book Online Page B

influence the judges?”
    “Wouldn’t put it past her. She’s been following that poet character around all morning.” Maggie’s gaze narrowed. “Just look at her. You’d think she was a teenager instead of a thirty-seven-year-old woman.”
    “I thought she was thirty-two.”
    “Thirty-seven if she’s a day. I guarantee it.”
    “Well, anyone can run for Blueberry Queen. She sure proved that.”
    “Yes, but just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should do it. Everyone knows that traditionally only high school girls . . .”
    But she broke off as Sapphire Vine walked up to Candy’s booth and happily slapped the display counter to announce her arrival.
    “Good afternoon, ladies!” she chirped with barely contained glee, then reached into a large basket she carried on one arm. “You ladies are looking so pretty today. You deserve something special!” She pulled out two pale blue silk roses on long wire stems
    “Beautiful, aren’t they?” she asked, handing one to each of them. “I found them on eBay. Got them for a song. That color is called ice blue. And if I do say so, Candy, it brings out the color of your eyes. Though we have to do something about your hair. There’s a wonderful color rinse you should try. Honey Sunrise. Isn’t that a lovely name? It’ll add a little shine to your hair and hide some of that gray.”
    Candy took the proffered rose, uncertain how to respond. “Um, well, er, okay, I might give that a try. Thank you . . . I think.” She held up the rose. “That’s . . . that’s very nice of you.”
    “Just my way of spreading a little joy in our wonderful little town!” Sapphire Vine bubbled as she cast a wary glance at Maggie. When she saw nothing but a scowl, she turned her attention back to Candy. “And would you tell Amanda I wish her the best of luck. I saw her here at the booth earlier, but I didn’t get a chance to stop by and chat with her. I’m sure she’ll do wonderfully. She’s such a sturdy girl, and I hear she’s been working so hard on her talent—once she found one, of course.”
    Candy almost had to hold Maggie back, but Sapphire had already turned away, her gaze searching. “You haven’t seen that nice poet fellow, have you?” she asked, glancing back.
    Candy pointed down the street with the rose. “He went that-a-way.”
    Sapphire beamed at them. “Then I must be off. I’ll call next week to see how things are going on the farm.” Her eyes shifted quickly to Maggie. “I’d ask how the diet’s going, but I guess you’re off it already,” she said without a hint of meanness. “Toodles!”
    As she scurried away, Maggie clenched a fist and muttered with amazement, “Did she just call me fat?”
    “Did she just say toodles ?”
    “That woman knows no shame.”
    “She’s out of control.”
    “She’s more than that. She’s a menace to society.” Maggie’s glare nearly burned a hole in the disappearing back of Sapphire Vine. “I swear,” she said quietly, “if she wins that pageant tonight, I’ll kill her. I mean I’ll kill her.” She shot a dark glance at Candy. “You’re with me on this one, right?”
    Candy fingered a few strands of her hair, pulling them in front of her face so she could check them for gray. There was none that she could see, but that didn’t mean they weren’t there. Her brow lowered. “I can’t let you do it alone and have all the fun, can I? Tell you what—if she wins, you hold the gun and I’ll pull the trigger.”

SEVEN

    Cape Willington’s most famous landmark, aside from the twin lighthouses at Pruitt Point and Kimball Point, was the Pruitt Opera House, which occupied a prime spot on Ocean Avenue, just a half block from the rocky shoreline. Completed in 1881, it was one of the first such facilities in Downeast Maine, and its patrons agreed it was one of the most impressive built in the state before or since. Horace Roberts Pruitt, the building’s namesake and primary benefactor, had