Bayou Turkey Shoot: Miss Fortune World: Bayou Cozy Romantic Thrills, #12

By Riley Blake

A sharp shooter with something to prove goes head to head with Ida Belle in a shooting competition, but after the contest is declared a tie, the shooter's unsettling ambitions are revealed. Soon, Fortune finds herself on the wrong end of a gun, but that's the least of her worries. As time ticks away, Fortune's friends attempt to negotiate with a killer, but this sharp shooter isn't the only perpetrator with something to prove.

 

 

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The Bayou Cozy Romantic Thrills series was written for those who have read (at minimum) the first two books in the original Miss Fortune series by Jana DeLeon. These holiday-themed short stories stick with the key characters introduced in the first two novels in hopes that anyone will be able to follow along. 

 

 

Reading Order for Bayou Cozy Romantic Thrills 

 

 

Bayou Valentine

Bayou Halloween

Bayou Christmas

Bayou Easter

Bayou Thanksgiving

Bayou Holiday

Bayou New Year

Bayou Masquerade

Bayou Summer

Bayou Autumn

Bayou Haunted House

Bayou Turkey Shoot

• Language: English
• Publisher: J&R Fan Fiction
• Release date: Nov 14, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215483404

Book preview

About Bayou Turkey Shoot

A sharp shooter with something to prove goes head to head with Ida Belle in a shooting competition, but after the contest is declared a tie, the shooter’s unsettling ambitions are revealed. Soon, Fortune finds herself on the wrong end of a gun, but that’s the least of her worries. As time ticks away, Fortune’s friends attempt to negotiate with a killer, but this sharp shooter isn’t the only perpetrator with something to prove.

The Bayou Cozy Romantic Thrills series was written for those who have read (at minimum) the first two books in the original Miss Fortune series by Jana DeLeon. These holiday-themed short stories stick with the key characters introduced in the first two novels in hopes that anyone will be able to follow along. 

Reading Order for Bayou Cozy Romantic Thrills 

Bayou Valentine

Bayou Halloween

Bayou Christmas

Bayou Easter

Bayou Thanksgiving

Bayou Holiday

Bayou New Year

Bayou Masquerade

Bayou Summer

Bayou Autumn

Bayou Haunted House

Bayou Turkey Shoot

Bayou Christmastime—Coming Soon

Chapter One

Gun! Everybody down!

I’d just entered Francine’s when the warning scream resounded. My heart raced as I dove behind a four-top table. I didn’t bother reaching for my nine because all weapons had been previously loaded in the back of Gertie’s Cadillac. Without any traditional equipment at my disposal, I peered around a large plastic plant and hurriedly scanned the area to assess the situation.

To my left, everyone scrambled, everyone except Mrs. Shaffer. She was using two laminated menus as if she believed they would protect her from any present dangers. To my right, Gertie and Ida Belle sipped their coffee, clearly unmoved.

False alarm. I sighed in relief. Gertie and Ida Belle were nothing if not prepared, but they didn’t seem the least bit worried.  

That’s when I saw the current threat.

Four-foot-nine-inches and eighty-five pounds. Dark brown eyes. Light brown hair. Tartan kilt with suspenders suggests she’s an international student, but her current residence is right next to mine. Given the fact that the kid has a BB gun casually slung over her shoulder, some might think she knows how to use it. Given the fact that she entered a public space with a toy gun that looks like a rifle, she has a lot to learn.

Annie, put the gun down. Mr. Shaffer slowly approached the preteen with his hands in front of him. Ida Belle, don’t just sit there. Do something.

By this time, I’d scrambled to my feet and made my way to our usual table. How about that. Even the men turn to Ida Belle for help. I claimed a seat next to Gertie and smiled. Who would’ve guessed?

Annie rolled her eyes, tossed a backpack on the floor, and sat next to Ida Belle. She then carefully placed the gun on the floor.

Shaffer grabbed the weapon and thoroughly examined it. Everyone return to their breakfast. It’s a BB gun.

Annie sighed dramatically. Do I look stupid? I wouldn’t have entered a public restaurant with a loaded firearm.

About that time, Shaffer pulled the trigger, as if to check. A popping noise exploded and everyone ducked next to their tables and chairs all over again.

Gertie leaned sideways to gauge the point of impact.

No sign of significant damage. Only a cardboard box, I said.

Francine popped out of the kitchen with a frantic look on her face. What on earth is going on here?

We have it under control, Ida Belle assured her.

Give me that. Gertie reached for the gun, but Mr. Shaffer cradled it closer to his body. Gertie lifted a brow. Ida Belle, handle this.

Shaffer, put that darn thing down and go back to your table before you put somebody’s eye out.

He glowered at Annie. "I didn’t bring the gun into a public restaurant."

On mornings like this, I’d love to know where one might find a private restaurant. I didn’t ask. Mr. Shaffer would take it the wrong way.

Shaffer was a decent guy with a terrible attitude, at least that’s what my cohorts had recently decided. I wasn’t ready to cast the deciding vote. Any personal knowledge about the Shaffer couple existed because of the banana pudding wars. When Mr. Shaffer volunteered to run for Francine’s pudding, we could always chalk the day up to a loss.

Ida Belle sipped her coffee. Anything else we can help you with today?

He narrowed his eyes. She should apologize to all these people.

Annie looked bored. I’m not the one who pulled the trigger.

You said it wasn’t loaded.

Annie looked as if she had him dead to rights. I can’t be responsible for your irresponsible actions.

She’s good, I muttered, lifting the menu in front of my face.

Mr. Shaffer turned on his heel. I’ll see you ladies in church on Sunday. See if Annie’s mother will let you bring her along. That girl needs some true religion and Southern manners.

I lowered the menu after he walked away. Feel better?

Much. Annie patted her hair down in the back and smiled at Gertie. You look cute.

Adorable, Ida Belle agreed sardonically.

Like the fatigues, I said. They look comfortable.

They fit, Gertie said. After all these years, I can still wear them.

You won’t be wearing anything for long if you don’t start exercising.

That was mean. Annie looked at Ida Belle. What if she said that to you?

"Listen, young lady, Gertie is my best friend and if