Kittens Cupcakes & Conspiracy

By Amity Allen

When aspiring entrepreneur Kelsie takes her cupcakes to the Watermelon Festival, she finds herself right in the middle of a shocking murder.

Elizabeth Bryan, the town's biggest socialite, has been found dead between the pig races and the pie eating contest–and her new friend Nell is the prime suspect. With no time to lose, Kelsie hires the dead woman's assistant in order to clear her friend's name and get back to business.

Then one of their beloved kittens goes missing, and Kelsie suspects it must be connected to the investigation. Kelsie must set a trap to find the murderer and save her kitten before it's too late.

Will Kelsie be able to solve the crime and find her missing furbaby?

Find out in this delightfully gripping cozy mystery novel that will keep you guessing until the very end.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bad Baby Press
• Release date: Mar 23, 2023
• ISBN: 9781958649053

Amity Allen

Amity grew up reading every mystery she could get her hands on, burning through everything by Agatha Christie in record time and wanting to be Nancy Drew when she grew up. After writing books in other genres for the past few years, she's finally come home to her true love - cozy mysteries. Amity and her husband live in L.A. (lower Alabama) with a houseful of teenagers and a half dozen pets. Besides books, Amity's favorite things are football, needlepoint, fried shrimp, and sweet tea.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Istepped out of the car and held a hand over my forehead to block the sun, gazing across the dusty dirt parking lot toward the Cedar Grove Watermelon Festival.

I used the back of my hand to wipe moisture off my skin. It was hot as sin out here.

I glanced at the boxes of cupcakes in the back seat and put it into high gear. I had to get these babies somewhere cooler before the frosting I’d spent hours meticulously decorating them with melted all over the insides of the plastic containers.

First, I swung my big tote bag over a shoulder with a grunt. I’d be at the festival all day, and I didn’t want to rely entirely on carnival-type food for sustenance. Of course, I was going to get a funnel cake and some cotton candy. But it made me feel better to have packed fruit, sandwiches, and a couple big jugs of water.

Once the tote felt reasonably well-balanced, I leaned in for the cupcakes. I’d only stuck a few boxes in the car to get me started. Luke had offered to bring more in a little while.

Which was super nice of him, but he was a great guy. Ever since I’d moved home after Gram died, he’d been there for me. Helping me get the farm transformed into a lovely wedding venue. Aiding with my magic practice, since he was a witch too. Even helping me solve a couple mysteries that had been tossed into my path.

No time to think about that right now, though. I had to get my booth set up. I eyed the cupcakes nervously, wondering if I’d made too many. After all, I didn’t know how they’d sell. Maybe people would be more interested in the carnival food and watermelon than my offerings.

I hoped not. I’d spent a couple months working on new varieties and perfecting fun decorating techniques. Not that my wedding venue business wasn’t doing well. It was just that I’d wanted to get back to my cupcakey roots a bit alongside it.

The new varieties I’d tested out by putting them for sale in Trudy’s bakery and by offering them to brides who booked the farm seemed to be popular. But more than one local had told me that if I really wanted to make it in this town, I needed to do more to get the word out about my baked goods and let everyone know they were available both when folks booked the farm as a venue and at Trudy’s shop.

So, I made the craziest, most amazing varieties and decorations I could and signed up as a vendor at the festival. I had colorful brochures and business cards printed to hand out to everyone and their aunties, and I felt ready.

Using a hip to slam the car door behind me, I started toward the festival, craning my neck to peer over the stack of boxes. It was slow going—lots of people darted back and forth between the parking lot and the vendor gate, freaking me out that I might run into someone and send all my lovely cupcakes crashing to the ground.

Luckily, I made it to the bakery booth without incident and set my boxes on a six-foot table draped in a pale pink tablecloth and labeled with my name. I wiped a hand over my brow again and set the tote beside the boxes, reaching in to retrieve a bottle of water.

My fingers brushed something soft that my brain instantly recognized. Kitten fur.

My kitten, Blue, streaked out of the tote and disappeared under a blue-draped table across the wide space before I could get my wits about me and give chase. I groaned and opened the water, taking a deep draft and lamenting my suddenly much more complicated day.

When I returned the water bottle, I checked the tote thoroughly for any of Blue’s siblings, but there were none there. That was good—one magical kitten was a giant handful, but five were virtually impossible to wrangle in a situation like this.

Yeah, my litter of kittens was magical. It was my fault for waving a wand at them, but I hadn’t known it was a wand at the time. In fact, I hadn’t known magic truly existed at that point and certainly not that my grandmother was a witch, and I had the ability to do magic too.

Any kitten loose in a bakery tent would wreak havoc. A magical kitten would be downright disaster-inducing.

I had to find Blue.

At that moment, a tower of cupcake boxes floated into the tent above a pair of jeans. Jeans that wrapped an awful nice set of legs.

Hurrying forward, I darted around the tower until I could see Luke. He seemed startled to see me appear beside him for an instant, then his face relaxed into a smile. Hey. Where should I put these?

Right over here. Wow, you got here faster than I expected. With a hand on his arm, I guided Luke to the table. As we went, I caught a glimpse of Blue climbing the inside of the tent on the other side of the space.

Luke carefully lowered the boxes to the table next to the ones I’d already set there, then wiped a sleeve across his forehead. Hot one today.

Sure is. I was thankful for the super-duty fans in the tent, aimed upward, so the cool air could drop over us without sending napkins and things flying through the air.

Shooting a glance toward Blue again, I found that she’d disappeared, and I let out a slight groan.

What’s wrong? Luke lifted some of the boxes off the tops of our piles to make shorter stacks.

Blue stowed away in my bag. I’m going to have to figure out how to catch her before she causes a scene, but first, I need to get set up. Folks will start coming in soon, and I want to have all the options displayed and ready for them.

Oh, that reminds me. I have the display cases in the truck. I’ll run and get them. Before turning away, Luke leaned in close, placing a hand on the small of my back. "Hey, I was wondering. Did you add any special ingredient to these babies? You know, to encourage people who buy them to want more?"

Did Luke really think I’d make special baked goods? I mean, if pushed, I might have to admit to making some special brownies back in college, but definitely not since then. Of course not! I whispered. "I’d never do that. Kids will be eating these."

Luke chuckled and jabbed me playfully in the arm. Then he leaned in and whispered in my ear, I meant magic, not weed.

Ah. I mirrored his action, giving him a swift push in the shoulder. I didn’t add that either. Why would I?

He captured me in his arms and pulled me in for a hug. I don’t know. Maybe it would help business.

Or hurt it if I did something wrong. And that turn of events was highly likely. I hadn’t exactly mastered my craft yet. I was getting better at spells, though, with the help of Luke, my cousin Stephanie, and some of my Grams’ old friends. The kittens tried to help too, but they had magic of their own that sometimes went slightly haywire.

Luke pulled back enough to brush a kiss on my mouth. I kissed him back, then reluctantly pulled away with a sigh. I’d better get set up. I don’t want customers to start coming in and not be able to see the goods.

I’ll get out of your way. I need to set up my project over in the craft barn. Luke was a whiz with wood carving, even when he didn’t use magic to help. He’d created a gorgeous, ornately carved hope chest to enter into the carving contest. He said, I’ll come back in a few hours or so. I could bring you some lunch and give you a break so you can stretch your legs.

Aw. That was sweet. So sweet I didn’t mention the sandwich I’d brought for myself. I’d rather spend the time with Luke. Thanks. And thanks again for bringing this stuff over for me. I watched him leave the tent because I’d never miss the chance to watch Luke walk away if I could help it. Then I busied myself setting up my display.

At the table next to me, a woman dressed in jean shorts and a tank top worked swiftly on setting up her display of baked goods. She had some cupcakes too, along with beautiful pies and some homemade donuts. She smiled when I caught her eye, then hurried over with her hand out. I’m Opal Morgan.

Kelsie Walsh. Nice to meet you.

Same here. She glanced at my cupcakes, then took a second, longer look. Wow. Those look amazing!

Thanks. Your stuff looks great too.

Is this your first vendor experience at the Watermelon Festival? Opal asked, tightening her high, dyed-burgundy ponytail.

Yes! Actually, I lived in Chattanooga for years, so this is my first summer back. I’m impressed with how big and well-run this festival has gotten.

Opal said, Oh, I agree. This is my third year here, and I love it. Wouldn’t miss it.

Over her shoulder, I watched Blue climb the tablecloth onto Opal’s table. She sniffed around, then tried to open a plastic clamshell box with a piece of lemon meringue pie inside. I stiffened but couldn’t figure out how to grab the kitten without alerting Opal to the fact that she was there.

Sorry I’m late! My friend and business partner, Trudy, breezed into the tent, waving, her two young boys trailing after her with faces painted like tigers, each carrying a balloon animal.

Opal turned toward Trudy, and I took the opportunity to swipe back with an arm toward Blue. The kitten evaded my grasp, leaped to the floor, and scampered away.

The display looks great, Trudy said.

Thanks! Trudy, this is Opal.

The two women shook hands. I think I’ve met you before, Trudy said, appearing thoughtful. Aren’t you part of the Women’s Auxiliary?

Not exactly. I’m Elizabeth Brantley’s assistant. In her business, which is business consulting. But, of course, my assistance spreads to everything she does, including the charity work. To me, Opal added, Elizabeth is the Auxiliary president.

What’s the Auxiliary? Trying to look interested, even though I didn’t know what the group even was, I nodded but swept my gaze around the tent, hunting for Blue as my hands arranged boxes of cupcakes on the table. I spotted the kitten on the ground eating a cupcake she’d knocked off another table.

Ugh.

At least it would keep her out of mischief for the few minutes it took her to eat the treat.

The Women’s Auxiliary, Opal repeated. You don’t know what it is?

I was in Chattanooga for years, I explained again. I only recently returned.

Opal waved a hand. That’s right; you said that. Plus, I’d heard it through the grapevine. Well, the Auxiliary is a women’s service organization. Like I said, Elizabeth’s the president. She runs a tight ship. Everyone who’s anyone is in it, and those who aren’t want to be.

I definitely want to be. But I can’t seem to get in. Turning to see who was speaking, I realized someone new had set up on the other side of me. Her hair was cut tight to her head, and she wore bright red, round glasses. Hey. I’m Nell.

Nice to meet you, Nell. I’m Kelsie.

You’ll get in eventually, Opal told Nell. There are some people who are really on your side, like Kristen.

Nell heaved a sigh. Yeah. I don’t think Kristen has much pull, though.

She’s the vice president. She has some. Opal’s tone was soothing, and I got the feeling this wasn’t the first time these two had engaged in this exact conversation.

I suppose. Nell straightened and began adjusting rows of plastic containers on her display area, each filled with a piece of delectable looking cake.

Next to me, Opal stiffened. Speak of the devil. Here comes Elizabeth.

That’s our cue to leave, Trudy said, rounding up her boys. I’ll see you later.

I waved goodbye to Trudy, then watched a woman with a stern expression approach. Elizabeth wore khaki linen pants, an embroidered linen shirt that looked tailored especially for her, and her hair chin-length hair looked smooth and perfect—like she’d come directly from having an expensive blowout at the salon. How did she get it to look like that in this humidity?

Another woman, smaller and dressed more casually in capris and a tank top, walked a couple steps behind. She gave a bright smile and wave to Opal, but when Elizabeth shot a look backward, she straightened her expression fast.

Interesting.

There you are. Elizabeth pinned Opal with a slight glare.

Here I am! It sounded like forced cheer. Opal waved at her baked goods. All set up with my stuff, like we talked about. To the second woman, she said, Hey, Kristen.

So, that was the vice president who backed Nell’s entry into the Auxiliary.

Elizabeth sniffed. Yes, you were quite adamant that you couldn’t make phone calls for me this weekend because of this… she waved a hand at Opal’s goodies, hobby.

Wow. This didn’t seem like a nice lady.

Yes. Opal looked downtrodden. She stared at her feet. I’ve had this on my calendar for six months. It’s something I enjoy and get some extra cash from.

Since I’m here, I’ll try something, Elizabeth said, her tone dull, almost bored. She pointed at Opal’s table. That cookie. Then she directed her finger toward my table. And that cupcake.

What? I opened my mouth to tell her I didn’t really offer samples, but then Opal was scooting around her table as fast as possible to retrieve the cookie Elizabeth had directed her to provide. My poor new friend seemed so frazzled.

I huffed a sigh and grabbed the cupcake, shoving it into Elizabeth’s hands without ceremony.

You can try a piece of my cake too, Nell said with hope clear in her tone, reaching for one.

Elizabeth shook her head. Not today.

Nell was crestfallen.

Behind the president, Kristen rolled her eyes and made a twirling motion next to her temple, then pointed at Elizabeth.

Ah, so she only gave the appearance of someone fawning over everything Elizabeth said. Really, she had a much lower opinion of the woman.

Elizabeth took a delicate bite of cupcake, swallowed, then handed me back the rest, much to my disgust. It’s not bad. Could use a touch more cardamom, but in general, the spices are nice and the cake is airy and moist.

I wanted to shove the rest of the cupcake at her and demand to know how she dared to waste it. A lot of hard work and expensive ingredients went into it. But I swallowed the words and rounded the end of my table to find a bag to use as a trash receptacle.

Elizabeth tried Opal’s cookie then and wrinkled her