Church Ladies Tea (Strawberry Top Short Mystery 3): Strawberry Top Mysteries, #3

By CC Dragon

A lovely church fundraiser causes major drama when the cash turns up missing. Another mystery to solve is the last thing Stacey Fields needs as she hunts for a new house and kicks off her own small business. Unfortunately, there are those in town who think Stacey might just be the thief. Rumors do run wild in a small town full of gossip. Toss in multiple man dramas and cats on a leash and things only get more out of hand for the amateur sleuth. Stacey can’t take no for an answer and presses for improvements in the church’s food pantry while tracking down the real cash thief—and if she happens to do a little matchmaking along the way, at least she helped a couple of people.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cheryl Dragon
• Release date: Jan 23, 2016
• ISBN: 9781519950741

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

Dedication

For all those who aren’t fake. Being genuine takes courage.

Chapter One

Small town jobs generally didn’t pay well but teachers were universally underpaid. I’d texted my friend Noelle to check out her condo and found myself on the full tour.

The mailboxes are clustered in every building. All the outside maintenance is included in your monthly maintenance fee. If you want flower boxes on your terrace, that’s fine. Max for pets is two under twenty pounds each so you’ll see lots of little dogs. But your cats are good. Noelle was in hard sell mode.

My other best friend, Brandy Jo, had needed so much help lately that I’d missed out on Noelle’s strong style. Even if she needed help, she’d never admit it. But if I needed help finding a new place, she sounded like a real estate agent.

Is the unit across from you open? I asked.

No. I wish. I’m sorry I’m pushing. I just know you. Mama and Grammy are awesome but you’re not a teenager, and you’re not a virgin trying to be all good until marriage. You’re a divorcee and you need your privacy. I knew it was only a matter of time, she said.

But these small kitchens— I frowned.

Yeah, not really made for your industrial culinary ambitions. She tapped her heel.

I appreciate the tour but if I’m working in the kitchen like I want to, I need a better set up.

Back to my place for cocktails, Noelle offered.

I followed and flopped on her couch. I guess I need to find a real estate agent and check out small houses or something. I watched her closely.

She hit the blender and poured margaritas. You have one if you want. Discount commission. She handed me a glass and sat down.

I smiled. You did that whole pitch too well. I wish these places could work. A house will be more.

The real estate thing is only part time. Weekend job. She flipped around TV stations.

Don’t be embarrassed. Good paying jobs around here aren’t easy to find. I’m just glad Brandy Jo took Mama’s offer. I sipped my drink.

I’m not embarrassed. It’s mostly for the condo building so it’s not obvious. I’m putting the most I can in my retirement account and this helps. How are you going to get a loan without a job? she asked.

You always were smart. Perfect gig for you but being a teacher has benefits. Why am I so random and wandering? I asked.

A fancy pastry chef belongs in a big city. Are you going to be happy in a small town? she asked.

I sighed. I did fine in a big city but I had college or a boyfriend, then a husband and his family. I don’t like the idea of going where I don’t know anyone. Most of my friends I knew or met through the evil ex. I’d feel guilty about Mama and Grammy, miss my niece and nephew growing up, and how do you know whom to trust? I didn’t do so great on my first husband.

Do I need to take your drink away? she asked.

I shook my head but took a big drink. I’m being honest. I need to be here. I’d miss it. But I do need my own space. If I’d had kids, I might understand my mother better but I just feel like a kid still under her roof.

So your own place is a start. I’m not snooping about your finances, honestly. But the job thing… she said.

I know. I’ve got cash in the bank but…maybe I should just rent? I asked.

Same problem. Proving income. She frowned.

Well, you’re the real estate expert. See what the price range is for a small house with a good kitchen. I don’t need a ton of space. Single floor if possible, I added.

That might help. A lot of small ranch homes with walk out basements on the south side of town. They’re old. The upkeep, she warned.

Old means a better price. I’ll hire that John guy for upkeep and repairs, I said.

Truth time. I get it that you have a big chunk of change. But a house will drain your bank. Rumor is you’re going to do some charity thing too. You can’t have it all. If I were you, I’d stay put until you get an income stream. Then you’ll have more options, she replied.

The charity thing might be a brainstorm and not a huge investment. The church has a lot in place but the minister’s wife and I have some issues. I sighed.

Newsflash, your grandmother signed you up for massive treats at the Church Ladies Tea. Noelle rolled her eyes.

I really need to get her to stop doing that. I downed the rest of my drink. The Church Ladies Tea was a fundraising event. Long ago it been a formal tea with high-end treats that made everyone feel like Scarlett O’Hara. Now it was a public bake sale on church grounds with tea, coffee, lemonade and some games for the kids.

You make the best cakes and pies in town.

I know. I don’t mind helping but Grammy forgets to actually tell me what she’s done until it’s close to the date. That level of baking requires planning, I quipped.

You’re not the only one. Check with the church ladies so you don’t overbake. She smiled.

I nodded. Thanks for the heads up. I need deal with that and set a few things up.

Fine, be mysterious. I’ll check out the houses for sale. We need another round. She grabbed my glass and went back to the kitchen.

We do. Thanks. I had to make a few small steps. Post office, bank, and the accountant were a start. I had a day of errands ahead of me tomorrow.

Part of me wished I could do this all online. Setting up a basic website had been easier than I thought. Ordering business cards was simple too, once I picked a name and a design. But my business couldn’t be conducted online. Before I did anything else, I was going to see the local CPA. He handled Mama’s books and many of the small businesses here.

The only problem was the accountant used to have a crush on me in high school. Then I had Matt so the nerd would never make a move. I felt very single as I walked into the office. I hadn’t gone overboard trying to look nice, but that wouldn’t mean much.

The secretary glanced up at me from her computer. Can I help you?

Hi, yes. I’m Stacey Fields. I’d like to see Bert Slate, please. I was glad he had a good business. Bert hadn’t been popular or athletic but he was