Off-Season Bake-Off: Cape Hope Mysteries, #12

By Winnie Reed

It should have been the perfect idea, right? A bake-off to take the pressure off Sylvia Harmon whose ex is getting remarried, thereby eliminating the pressure Emma and Darcy are under.

 

Brilliant, or so Darcy thought. Until it became time to talk Ethan Crosby into it.

 

Until the mayor ended up dead.

 

Until Aunt Trixie's accused—by the whole town!—of killing the mayor.

 

Now Cape Hope has a mystery on its hands and Darcy simply can't help herself.

 

Again.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WinReed
• Release date: Nov 15, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201112998

Book preview

Chapter One

The day Aunt Trixie got into a public screaming match with the mayor, my sister and I were busy in our mother’s café.

Well, I was busy, hustling around under Mom’s watchful, fretful eye. My pregnant sister, meanwhile, sat with her feet up on a chair, bemoaning the fact that she wasn’t able to indulge in the sweet treats I tucked into the bakery case.

It’s not fair. Emma looked down at her stomach, which, frankly, was starting to bring to mind a sci-fi movie. From the back, nobody would ever know she was pregnant. Only when she turned around and revealed the beach ball under her clothes did the truth come out. My one joy in life. Sugar.

I cocked a brow. I’m sure your husband never brought you any joy. When Mom clicked her tongue, I rolled my eyes in her general direction. That’s not how I meant it. When did you develop such a dirty mind?

Mom all but clutched her pearls, which had been part of her daily uniform for as long as I could remember. I wasn’t reacting to you! Boy, you’ve gotten sassy lately.

It’s almost like there’s a new influence in your life or something. Emma was lucky she said that while Mom was busy scurrying into the kitchen. She was also lucky to be carrying my future godchild.

I pointed to her, narrowing my eyes. Watch it.

What? Her eyes went perfectly round in that oh-so-Emma way. Little Miss Innocent. I was only suggesting a reason why you’re suddenly so sassy, sis.

You’re not going to distract me with alliteration. Though I always was a sucker for it, which of course, she knew. You’ve been dying to spill the beans about Ethan for weeks.

But I haven’t, have I? I’ve been a perfect angel. A perfect, sugarless, beached whale of an angel. She eyed the glass case, biting her lip.

Soon. I stood in front of the case in hopes of removing the temptation for her sake. Let’s get back on topic. I appreciate you keeping the Ethan thing a secret, but you can’t keep dropping little hints.

I could tell she wanted to argue and would’ve sworn up and down she intended no such thing, but something about the way I glared at her brought her up short. I’m like a volcano trying to hold back an explosion, Darce.

Could you be a little more dramatic?

It’s true! From time to time, I need to vent a little steam or else I’ll burst.

I shot a pointed look at her belly. No comment.

I’m still capable of violence even in this condition, you know. As if to prove her point, she plopped her feet on the floor and tried to get up—but failed. Just wait right there. I’m on my way. And when I get out of this chair, you’ll be sorry.

I blew out a sigh and pretended to study my nails. At this rate, I’ll be collecting social security by then.

She fell back in the chair with a sigh. The doctor swears there’s only one of them in here, but I’m sure he’s wrong.

Unless one is hiding behind the other. The thought of my sister caring for not one but two babies at a time was enough to make me shiver. Who would I feel sorrier for—her or the babies? Maybe Joe, her husband. There was never a time I didn’t pity him ever so slightly. I loved the girl and always would, but she could be a handful. Anyway, he’d know best. But we keep getting off-topic.

Don’t worry. She waved a dismissive hand. I won’t give you away. Though you might want to figure out a way to break it to Mom that you two are dating.

I held a finger to my lips, eyeing the kitchen door. While Mom didn’t possess superpowers, she was still a mother, and they had a habit of hearing things they had no business being able to hear. We’re not even dating. We’ve been out a couple of times. That’s all.

That really was all, and I wasn’t entirely thrilled about it. We both knew what we were signing up for when we decided to see each other again after our first date, which had gone shockingly well until we were interrupted. Ethan had his business. I had mine. We both maintained crazy schedules that left little time—or energy—for anything else.

Still, I would’ve liked a little more time with him. When he stopped being a snarky, arrogant grump, he was a lot of fun to be around. And he got me in a way other men didn’t. He knew what it meant to work hard on a dream.

I’ll keep your secret, but don’t count on it being a secret much longer. You know how people talk. She’s bound to find out.

Right on cue, the kitchen door swung open. Who’s bound to find out what?

Rather than answer her question, I gestured to the tray of brownies Mom carried. I just stocked the brownies. Remember?

She stared at the case, then at me. Right. I don’t know where my brain is lately.

I knew. So did Emma. It was the reason we’d decided to stop in and help Mom open up that morning, even though business wasn’t exactly booming in the first days of November when tourism was at a low.

She’d reacted well to the news of her ex-husband getting engaged to his long-time girlfriend—much better than any of us had expected. She was affectionate toward the baby Dad and Holly shared, too, which pretty much blew everybody’s mind. But then Georgie was a sweetheart capable of melting even the iciest heart. Or maybe that was sisterly pride clouding my judgment.

Now, the wedding was coming up in a handful of weeks, scheduled for the Saturday before Thanksgiving. According to Holly, it was the only time her family could make it in from California.

And Mom was starting to show signs of unraveling. Forgetfulness was a huge red flag. She’d gone to open the café in her pajamas more than once not long after Dad moved out, claiming she’d simply forgotten to get dressed. That was the least dangerous of her memory lapses. Let’s just say it was a good thing the café’s ovens came with very loud buzzers that could be heard next door at my shop.

That, plus her sudden frantic fluttering around, told us she was suffering. It was one thing to know her ex-husband was getting married to another woman, but something else to have the date rushing toward her like a speeding train. The fact that Emma and I were slated to stand next to Holly during the small ceremony couldn’t have helped.

I was about to ask Mom very seriously if there was anything she wanted to talk about when a familiar, leopard-clad figure waved from outside. Trixie to the rescue. I unlocked the door for her, thrilled to know she’d pick up Mom’s spirits. They’d been best friends for years and knew how to cheer each other up.

She unzipped her faux fur jacket and removed her sunglasses, smiling wide. I had the most wonderful idea last night, Sylvia. I could hardly wait for this morning to tell you all about it.

Hi to you, too. Emma waved at her from the corner table in back.

Oh, of course. Hi, sweetie. Trixie was too distracted to notice the sarcasm. Either that or she didn’t care, knowing Emma too well.

What is it? Mom wore a knowing smile, the look of a woman who’s been friends with somebody for too long not to suspect something fishy was up.

You should do a bake-off with that Ethan Crosby.

Emma hooted out a single laugh before covering her mouth with her hand. I shot her a warning look.

Mom, meanwhile, only chuckled. Now, why would I do that?

Weren’t we just chatting yesterday about bringing more traffic your way? Trixie took a seat across from Emma. I mean, don’t get me wrong, the café’s never done poorly even at this time of year. But still. If you want to compete with that tall drink of water across town, you need to be proactive.

I almost choked on my own spit at Trixie’s description. Granted, she’d never been one to hold her tongue when it came to a man she thought was cute, but I’d kissed that tall drink of water. It was weird to hear her say it.

My sister, meanwhile, bit her lip to the point where I worried it might start bleeding.

Trixie noticed. What’s the matter?

She’s just jonesing for sugar, as always. I stared daggers at Emma. Right?

Mm-hmm. Her head bobbed up and down, blue eyes way too wide. Yup.

Why do you come here and torture yourself? Trixie turned back to Mom without waiting for an answer. What do you think? We could publicize it in the paper and turn it into a whole event. The two best bakers in Cape Hope, going head-to-head.

Emma stared at me so hard, it was amazing my hair didn’t burst into flames from the intensity. I knew what she was thinking, too. Ethan would hate the idea, and I’d end up being in the middle if this turned into anything more than an idea Trixie had in the middle of the night.

Their rivalry has cooled off, though. I had to try to pump the brakes, and that was the first idea that came to mind. They both have their own niches in town.

Trixie laughed this off. I’m not talking about a high-stakes competition. Nobody’s going to hand over the keys to their store or anything so dramatic. It might be fun, is all. And we could inspire people to drive in from the surrounding area and spend a little money here in town. There’s no downside.

Except there was, thanks to the fact of my being involved with the other competitor. I would have to hear about this if it became an actual thing.

It would give me something to do. Mom glanced around, looking a little fretful. I’ve been looking for a new diversion.

Sorry. Emma rubbed her belly. I’m cooking up a diversion as fast as I can. She had a point. Mom would be busy as a bee once the baby came, whether or not anybody wanted her to be. She had a way of inserting herself even when a grandchild wasn’t involved.

What do you say? I’m sure somebody could convince Ethan to join in. Trixie turned to me.

So did my sister.

So did Mom. You two are sort of friendly, aren’t you? She wrinkled her nose when she said it.

You are, right? Emma had finally found something she enjoyed more than sugar. Tormenting me.

What’s the difference even if we are? I crossed my arms, knowing it wasn’t the best body language if I wanted to avoid suspicion but unable to help myself. What, you think he’d listen to me? Think again.

I’m sure you could… Trixie’s voice faded until it was inaudible, and when I looked at her to find out why, the direction of her gaze led me out the window. The man pacing the sidewalk across the street was instantly recognizable.

Jacob Hayworth had been mayor of Cape Hope for six years, getting elected after spending decades in various civic positions. His was one of the most familiar faces in town.

What’s wrong, Trix? Mom exchanged a worried look with me as Trixie stood, then marched straight for the door, fists swinging at her sides. There was no doubt in my mind who she had it in for.

Flinging the door open, she thrust a finger in Jacob’s direction. You can’t duck me forever, Hayworth! We both know you’ve got a story to tell, and I’m running my story with or without you!

Mom dashed out from behind the counter. Trixie! What are you doing?

Meanwhile, the mayor lowered his phone—he’d been in the middle of a conversation before my aunt’s interruption—and pointed right back at her. You’re a two-bit, so-called journalist. I don’t have to give you the time of day if all you’re interested in is a hit piece!

Maybe that’s what you deserve, Hayworth! I had never heard nor seen Trixie like this in all my life. She wasn’t merely shouting. The woman was screaming, her face flushed, teeth bared like a rabid animal. You’ve been lining your pockets for years without anybody noticing!

That’s slander!

It’s the truth! And if it wasn’t, why deny me the interview, huh? Wouldn’t you want to get your side of the story out? She barked out a bitter laugh. Because your lies have finally come home to roost. It’s only a matter of time before you get what’s coming to you!

By now, there were more than a few people hanging around the perimeter of this fight, hanging out of upstairs windows and sticking their heads out from inside businesses on the verge of opening for the morning. Next door, Becca put aside setting up the bookstore in favor of standing on the sidewalk, shivering for lack of a jacket. Our eyes met through the front window, and I shrugged.

Trixie, please. Mom took her by the arm and dragged her back into the café before planting herself in front of the door, blocking her friend.

Jacob shouted something unintelligible with a smug look on his face before getting back to his call, continuing down the street like a soldier on the march.

What was that all about? I could hardly wrap my head around it.

Trixie was breathing heavy, with bright spots of color on her cheeks. It’s complicated. She stormed past Mom and me, grabbing her jacket and punching her arms through the sleeves when she put it back on. I’ve got work to do. I’ll see you girls later. She was out the door before any of us could think of anything to say.

Mom looked as perplexed as I felt. I’ve never seen her like that before. What in the world?

Emma had finally managed to stand. She joined us at the window, looking up and down the street. Well, the rumor mill has plenty of material to keep it grinding this morning.

Yes, and I hated to think of our aunt was the reason for that, especially since I had no idea why she had suddenly flipped out.

Chapter Two

I don’t see why you’re asking. Again. Ethan brushed past me on his way to the oven, where a timer had just sounded.

Because it’s such a small thing to do, and there’s no reason to be so stubborn.

A small thing to do? He either slammed or dropped a tray of muffins on the prep table. I chose to believe it was a drop. That’s easy for you to say. Some of us run busy shops.

So, is that your idea of a lunch rush out there? I had walked past on my way to the alley alongside the building, intent on slipping in through the kitchen door like I