Cherry Shakes in the Park

By Wendy Kendall

Selling ice cream on a bike cart, Bryson Tanner pedals his way into a double mystery.

Bryson is training for track and field, Olympic trials when his coach's brother disappears. The police find no cause for opening a case, but Bryson and Coach disagree. What they uncover leaves Bryson cornered, his life at risk. Bryson is also plagued by mysteries of the heart. His ex, Marta, is back and stars in the acting troupe's weekend show in the park. She'd stomped on his heart once. Could he trust her with it again?
Marta's co-star, Senona, charms Bryson over cherry shakes in the park. He's torn between rekindling his past, or starting a new flame. He joins Senona on the actors' mystery hunt, where the winner received a career-boosting prize.
Who knew the actors' clue hunt would merge with the kidnapping? Danger escalates during a midsummer night's dalliance at desolate Loon point.

• Language: Unknown
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
• Release date: Aug 24, 2022
• ISBN: 9781509244645

Wendy Kendall

The result of Wendy Kendall's passion for purses, mystery and romance is the intriguing In Purse-Suit Mysteries. Kat Out of the Bag introduces Katherine Watson purse designer/sleuth. As Kat moves from designer bags to body bags, she's uncovering clues to a murder. The prequel, Purse-Stachio Makes A Splash delves into a chilling cold case. The romantic suspense, Snow Kiss Cookies To Die For creates a tangle of mystery and love and raises suspicions about Desiree's romantic new sweetheart, Leo. A summer read that will keep you on the edge of your beach towel, Cherry Shakes In The Park blends danger, divas, and frothy delights. Wendy enjoys investigating the Pacific Northwest life, and she leaves a trail of her own clues as a blogger, YouTube podcaster, speaker, project manager, and syndicated columnist.

Book preview

Bryson, Vince might have been kidnapped. Coach’s voice tremored.

What? That’s crazy.

Coach leaned against his car. Bryson faced him. The cops will find him. They’re on the case now.

Coach put his hand up to his forehead. What is this about? There’s been no ransom call. They think they found blood. What did Vince get himself into?

They stood speechless, as the cops worked. Jason and Hobbs left the scene, and the dog jumped back into the car.

Jason came over. They’re done with me for now. It’s going to be a long night, and there’s nothing either of you can do at this point. They’ll call you as soon as they know more. I suggest you wait at home.

Coach slowly shook his head. No, I’ll wait here.

Jason looked at Bryson, then back at Coach. Okay. Stay back here while they’re collecting evidence. Good night.

As they watched his patrol car leave, Bryson got an idea. Coach, he’s right, there’s nothing you can do for Vince here—

I’m not leaving. You go ahead.

Listen, you wanted to check out Vince’s laptop. This would be a good time to go to his house. By morning the cops will think of searching there, and they’ll probably put crime scene tape up and not let you in. We can go now.

Coach slowly straightened up as Bryson’s words sank in. Good idea.

Bryson got in his jeep. I’ll follow you.

Praise for Wendy Kendall

Wendy Kendall’s books are the kind you won’t want to put down.

Once you read one of Wendy Kendall’s books, you’ll want to read them all.

Wendy Kendall paints a picture of small town diabolical dynamics.

Cherry Shakes in the Park

by

Wendy Kendall

One Scoop or Two Series

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

Cherry Shakes in the Park

COPYRIGHT © 2022 by Wendy Kendall

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Contact Information: [e-mail]

Cover Art by Debbie Taylor

The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

PO Box 708

Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

Publishing History

First Edition, 2022

Digital ISBN 978-1-5092-4464-5

One Scoop or Two Series

Published in the United States of America

Dedication

If kisses be the food of love…

Dedicated to The Man,

Paul

Chapter One

Standing at the bottom of the wooden stairs to Ginardo’s ice cream shop, Bryson wished he could shake off his broken heart as easily as he shook the beach sand from his feet. He’d missed Marta from the moment she got on that bus and left him. A rogue wave of sadness hit hard, splashing visions of their walks along the bay in his face.

There on the beach, Marta’s friends waved to him. Naomi stood in the sunshine, up to her knees in water. Next to her, Tara took pictures on her cell phone. The space between them where Marta should be standing reflected the hole in his heart. Bryson waved back. Nice girls, but neither were Marta.

He clenched his fists. Here he was, mid-twenties with plans for this decade of his life. Settling down with his girl, Olympic tryouts and qualifying, sprinting to a medal, product endorsements, and a happy new career. It all crashed and burned a month ago. His broken spirit affected everything, even track times. What do you do when your dreams hit a dead end?

Beautiful Marta, they’d been together since sophomore year of high school. His girl— at least she was for almost a decade. Incredible. Her sexy body with the most tantalizing curves had enticed him at first sight. With her love for the dramatic, and an imagination with no limits, she held the center of attention in every crowd. He longed for their romantic times together. Those lingering kisses, her thick brunette curls he’d wind through his fingers. Bryson missed all of her.

With her last words she’d delivered a brutal hit. ‘I don’t love you anymore. Maybe I never did.‘

A devastating blow before she boarded the bus to travel, meet new people, and change her life. He didn’t get a chance to convince her not to end it. She was touring all over the state, and he was in Bayside, and it was time for work. Time to put on a happy face. He checked his phone and the wallpaper photo of Marta mocked him. He vowed again not to change it. Maybe Marta wouldn’t find happiness out there. Maybe she’d come back to him.

Pasting a smile on his face, he sprinted up the steps and through the door. Arturo, his friend and boss, stood at the counter scooping ice cream from one of the gelato machines into plastic containers. No doubt these were last minute additions for Bryson to load on the delivery cart. He closed the door and dropped his hiking backpack on the floor. "Ciao, Arturo. Your summer help reporting, ready to serve."

Arturo paused in his efforts. You’ve had enough heat on the beach, so you come cool off in my kitchen. He laughed with a deep rumble that made his belly bounce.

Bryson agreed, Great weather today.

His genial Italian friend with the twitching black mustache wore a pristine white apron, as always, over a Ginardo’s logo shirt and khaki pants. I have something new for you. I’ll fill you in after you get changed.

On my way. Bryson picked up his backpack and headed for the bathroom. He washed up and traded his tank top, ragged shorts, and gritty sandals for a Ginardo’s t-shirt, blue jeans, and sneakers. With the beach clothes loaded in his backpack, he combed his sun-bleached hair. His phone vibrated in his pocket, a text from Ross.

—Hey Roomie. Hot time tonight. Sunset beach bonfire.—

The last one had been fun, with Marta. Could he enjoy one without her? He pocketed the phone and headed for the kitchen. He’d decide about the bonfire later.

Bryson opened the drawer and pulled out insulated gloves, goggles, and tongs. The keys to the dry ice container and the ice cream bike cart are missing.

Oh, yes. Arturo reached in his pocket and threw them over.

They jingled as Bryson caught them. Okay, I’m ready for your new orders.

Arturo finished cleaning the counter and tossed the cloth in the hamper. I want to add Bayside Beach Park to your route. This weekend, there are some performances there. They set up today, so maybe they want ice cream. The other days you can sell to their audiences.

Bryson said, Concerts through Sunday? Cool.

Arturo walked to the sink full of soaking utensils and leaned against the edge. I filled extra cartons for you to take.

Bryson opened the freezer closest to the door and checked his usual shelves for the ice cream to load in his cart. Any new flavors you want me to try out?

Arturo pointed to the top shelf. That tray is my new creation. It holds a dozen cherry shakes. You try one too. Let me know what you think.

The super thick, creamy shake swirled in circles accenting the dark red of the cherry chunks. The surface sparkled. Bryson sniffed the faint bouquet of cherries fresh off the trees. The scent suggested a hint of that sweet smell of success when he won the intercollegiate track competition. Happy, but weird it could conjure such a vibrant memory. Thanks. I’ll save it for the park. Great treat after the long ride.

Arturo said, Magic and happiness in every sip.

Bryson’s smile faded fast as he put the shake back on the tray. Happiness comes and goes.

Arturo put his hand on Bryson’s shoulder. You’re missing Marta. I understand, but don’t limit your own happiness. He gestured to the freezer. Like all my ice cream flavors, each has its own qualities to savor. You think you’ve tasted the best there is, and then you savor something new. Love the old but be open to the next.

Bryson shook his head. Sometimes happiness is out of reach. Like when your store is closed. Then I’m left drooling against the window. He held up the tray, But thanks for the cherry shake, and we’ll see how they sell.

Arturo took one off the tray and held it up as if in a toast. "Cin-cin."

Bryson went outside to ready his ice cream bike cart.

Handling the dry ice in the outside container was the trickiest part of the set up. Using the mitts and tongs was safer. He opened the thermo-safe chest. The tendrils of mist reached up immediately with a loud pop, followed by a series of crackles. He loaded some into the bike freezer, added ice cream containers from the kitchen, along with the tray of shakes. He unlocked the bike and pedaled away in search of customers, and whatever waited for him at the park.

****

Bryson took his time along the bike lane to Main Street. The warm afternoon enticed kids and adults for ice cream stops. Local friends were regular customers. Kids waited for him at usual meeting points.

The slow downtown activity reflected the lazy summer day. Many empty parking spaces lined the street. People wandered the sidewalks in bright colored shorts, summer shirts, and dresses. There was a spring in people’s sandaled steps, playful kids