Antiques & Holiday Treats: Strawberry Top Mysteries, #5

By CC Dragon

Diamonds might not be a girl's best friend…

But precious gems come in very handy when money is tight for a widow…

Valuable family jewelry is stolen from the widow's estate sale. The bedroom was supposed to be locked during the event but someone got in and took things not for sale.

Stacey didn't even want to attend. With so many holiday orders for cakes, pies, and treats—she's swamped! However, supporting a kind widow who is trying to downsize to a more affordable home is the least Stacey, along with her friends and family, can do.

That and find the stolen items when the theft is discovered. Stacey sets about pestering the suspects while trying to juggle her business, Grammy's antics, Brandy Jo's bad judgement, and Nicolle's engagement.

Who says small towns are dull? It might be time for this town to start locking their doors…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cheryl Dragon
• Release date: Nov 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393170686

CC Dragon

Author of Cozy Mysteries and Romantic Suspense. Loyal Chicago girl who loves deep dish pizza, the Cubs, and The Lake! Addicted to amateur sleuths :)

Book preview

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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Cobbler & A Cat Show (Strawberry Top Short Mystery 5)

Copyright © November 2019

By CC Dragon

Cover art by Coverkicks.com

Edited by Angela Campbell

All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

Blurb

Diamonds might not be a girl’s best friend...

But precious gems come in very handy when money is tight for a widow...

Valuable family jewelry is stolen from the widow’s estate sale. The bedroom was supposed to be locked during the event but someone got in and took things not for sale.

Stacey didn’t even want to attend. With so many holiday orders for cakes, pies, and treats—she’s swamped! However, supporting a kind widow who is trying to downsize to a more affordable home is the least Stacey, along with her friends and family, can do.

That and find the stolen items when the theft is discovered. Stacey sets about pestering the suspects while trying to juggle her business, Grammy’s antics, Brandy Jo’s bad judgement, and Nicolle’s engagement.

Who says small towns are dull? It might be time for this town to start locking their doors...

Chapter One

Another busy day at the Strawberry Top diner! People were coming in for a hot meal in between life and holiday shopping. I knew the economy wasn’t the best but it seemed like everyone was complaining about the price of gas to the cost of gifts.

Stacey, dear, how’s your house coming? asked Mrs. Lark.

The widow was sweet but she hadn’t been coming in much. Rumor had it her finances were strained. She had a large home on top of a hill and while her husband had invested well, some investments had gone sideways. But I hoped the rumors were false.

Lovely. I’m just waiting on the appliances now, I said.

What’s the hold up there? Grammy asked from behind the cash register.

I shrugged. The holidays most likely. I ordered special commercial kitchen grade so it’s not your standard.

You’ll use those. But you were smart not to go too big on the house. A nice cozy home is just right for a single girl with a business. Mrs. Lark smiled. Do you mind if I hang this flyer here?

Not at all, Grammy answered before I could.

Did you call in an order? I asked.

Yes, the potato soup and rolls. She smiled.

Mom came up. I’ve got it. Stacey, can you hang the flyer?

Sure. I found tape under Grammy’s hodge-podge of necessities by the register and hung the flyer for an estate sale.

Mom checked Mrs. Lark out.

An estate sale. De-cluttering? I asked.

The widow sighed. Hoping to downsize if I can find the right place and get rid of enough stuff. My husband was a collector and I have someone coming to value and who might buy to auction off some things. But a lot of it was just his whim.

Well, we’ll be there, for support. Stacey might find something for her new place, Mom said.

Thanks. The widow paid for her order and chatted with Grammy for a bit then left.

I wiped down the counter and refilled some of the cream and sugar containers.

I feel so bad for her, I said to Mom.

She nodded and stood tall like the strong southern woman she was. I know. We’re all having a rougher time. Our diner is full but the check totals are down. More people ordering the specials.

I can pick up more shifts, I offered.

I worked for free.

Mom laughed. No, you’ve got a list full of holiday orders coming in. Your business is doing okay. Don’t slowdown that progress.

It’s doing okay because you let me use your appliances and kitchen space for free. Not everyone has that advantage. I grabbed the coffee pots. I’ll make a round.

I will. Brandy Jo swooped in. Can you make more?

Sure. I smiled and pulled out the coffee.

Brandy Jo was gone in a flash. She was working hard and put a smile on for the customers.

Is she okay? Mom asked me.

I shrugged. You tell me. You see her more than I do. She’s been avoiding me.

Fragile is the word I’d use. She thought she found a guy and he turned out to be a bad one. She has a pattern. Mom shook her head.

Brandy Jo had run off with Nick, the bad boy brother of handy man John who had remodeled my new home. Their family was a bit troubled but John seemed solid. Solid enough to hire for handy man work around the diner and my mom’s house anyway. I hadn’t been looking for more than that.

John was crazy hot and so was his brother but looks weren’t everything.

Like a wish on a star, John walked in the diner and sat at the counter. He greeted Grammy and Mom.

What’ll you have? Mom asked.

The meat loaf special sounds great. Root beer too, please, John said.

Coming up. How’s your mom doing? Mom asked.

I