Bake A Scene: A Culinary Cozy Mystery Series: Twin Berry Bakery, #11

By Wendy Meadows

A seemingly funny mishap hides a frightening reality...

 

The annual Pumpkin Festival is in full swing, and sisters Rita and Rhonda knight are convinced that nothing can sour their perfect Autumn morning. To put the cherry on the cake, Rita's parents met her lover Billy Northfield and they're smitten!

 

But when their idyllic festival is crashed by three crazy old ladies in a runaway blue van, Rita and Rhonda are plunged into a puzzling mystery that forces them to don their detective hats and wade into a story of murder, betrayal, and a deep-rooted bitterness that transforms innocent hearts into cold-blooded killers.

The three old ladies are giving up no secrets... and the sleuthing sisters are quickly faced with a head-scratching investigation that casts a dark cloud over the Pumpkin Festival.

 

Can Rita and Rhonda untangle the truth behind the old ladies? Or will this be the case that finally drives the sisters off the edge?

 

Beautifully written as a feel-good cozy mystery with a picturesque Autumnal backdrop, Rita & Rhonda's next adventure in the Twin Berry series is a delightful read that's perfect for anyone who wants to curl up in their favorite chair and join two charming female sleuths on their latest case.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Majestic Owl Publishing LLC
• Release date: May 26, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215658451

Wendy Meadows

USA Today bestselling author, Wendy Meadows, is a passionate Cozy Mystery Author whose meticulously crafted stories showcase witty women sleuths and engaging plots. Her primary influences include but are not limited to mystery genre greats Joanne Fluke, Ellery Adams, and James Patterson. To date, she has published dozens of books, which include her popular Sweetfern Harbor Series, Maple Hill Series, and Alaska Cozy Series, to name a few. In a previous life, Wendy worked as a Graphic Designer, earning her Graphic Design Certification at the prestigious New York based Sessions School of Design. With this valuable artistic background, she designs her own book covers. In fact, she began writing fiction soon after designing numerous book covers for other fiction authors. When she isn’t writing about female detectives and their tactful crime solving, you can find Wendy either tending to her hobby farm, playing video games, relaxing on her back porch, or coloring in her growing collection of adult coloring books. She also loves spending quality time with her husband, two sons, two cats, and one adorable Labradoodle. Together, they call “The Granite State” home sweet home. To find out more about Wendy Meadows both personally and creatively, feel free to visit her official website at www.wendymeadows.com

Book preview

chapter one

The Pumpkin Festival was in full swing in the little town of Clovedale Falls, Georgia. Countless tourists from all over the country crowded the fairgrounds, the town, and the local farms, especially Billy Northfield's farm. Not a single local resident was complaining, either. The Pumpkin Festival created substantial income for many business owners that carried them through a very long winter.

Rita and Rhonda Knight were part of that warm cake that happy tourists filled with green dough. Sure, traffic was a hassle, and finding the time to make it out to the fairgrounds to enjoy the Pumpkin Festival was nearly impossible, but so what? Business was good—life was good—and the autumn skies were clear, crisp, and beautiful, filled with falling leaves, scented with chimney smoke and pumpkin pies, and surrounded by gentle mountains and rolling hills kissed by an early winter wind.

My goodness, Rhonda gasped as she wiped sweat off her forehead, are we ever going to catch a break?

Rita smiled. Not in that sweater, she teased her twin sister as she pulled out a freshly baked pumpkin pie from the oven.

Rhonda glanced down at her green sweater with a bright, colorful leaf planted right in the middle. Hey, what's wrong with my sweater? she complained. Is it wrong to want to be festive?

No, there's nothing wrong with wanting to enjoy the autumn weather, Rita said as she carried the pumpkin pie to a wooden baking table. However, something is wrong when you're walking around resembling the Jolly Green Giant.

Rhonda rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out at Rita. I suppose that red sweater you're wearing is better, huh?

No, Rita smiled. She was in too happy of a mood to be serious. My sweater makes me look like a silly candy cane.

Rhonda stepped away from the baking table, folded her arms, and studied her sister. Who are you, and what have you done with Rita Knight?

Stop it, Rita laughed. We have customers out there, and Tori is being run ragged.

Rhonda shook her head. Not until you tell me what you did with my sister. Confess! She snatched a bottle of water off the kitchen counter and aimed it at Rita. Confess!

Rita just smiled. Let's just say that things went very well between our parents and a certain backwoods farmer.

Confusion gripped Rhonda's lovely face. Our parents have yet to arrive, sis...what in the world are you talking about?

Rita picked up an unbaked apple pie and carefully placed it into a warm oven attached to an old but happy stove that put all the new, deluxe models to shame. Our parents pulled a trick on us, Rhonda, she explained. They arrived in town early yesterday, sneaked out to Billy's farm, and pretended to be tourists.

Rhonda nearly fainted. No way! she gasped, ran to the baking table with wide eyes, and stared at Rita. Don't leave out a single detail.

Rita hurried to her sister and glanced around to make sure they were alone. Well, our parents wanted to see Billy for who he really was. You know how Dad is-

Catch the bear off guard, yeah, yeah, Rhonda said, nodding.

Rita glanced around the kitchen again and continued. Our parents sneaked out to Billy's farm to have a look at him. They wanted to see how Billy acted when I wasn't around.

And? Rhonda demanded.

A sweet giggle left Rita's mouth. They arrived just when Billy was hog-tying a fussy tourist from Boston.

No way!

Yes way, Rita giggled again. Zach told me the guy Billy tied up and threw in the back of his pickup truck tried to punch Billy. Something about the price of a gallon of apple cider being too high?

Rhonda winced. Billy is very sensitive about his apple cider.

I know. Rita smiled. So our parents saw Billy hog-tie this guy, throw him in the back of his pickup truck, and call Brad. She lowered her voice a little. Mr. and Mrs. Knight had an uncanny way of hearing their daughters’ whispers, even hundreds of miles away. Daddy decided to begin a conversation with Billy while Billy was waiting for Brad to arrive.

No way!

Yes way, Rita insisted. Daddy said he talked to Billy about numerous things. Mom just kinda stood off to the side, evaluating every word Billy said.

And Billy-

Had no idea he was talking to our parents. Rita giggled again. Zach said Billy stood as proud as a man could be under a cool autumn sun and just chewed the fat with Daddy…or passed the time...or watched the paint dry...whatever silly expression Billy would use.

And Daddy-

Daddy said he immediately took a liking to Billy, Rita said with a grin, excitedly grabbing Rhonda's hands. Mom said she could have taken Billy home and adopted him.

No way! Rhonda squeezed Rita's soft hands back. This means-

Our parents approve of me marrying Billy, Rita squealed, hugging Rhonda and squealing again. I've been on pins and needles for months, worrying if our parents were going to accept Billy. Daddy is so picky.

Daddy took to Zach pretty quick-

Of course he did, Rita laughed. Zach doesn't talk with a thick farmer’s slang and understands a lot of legal jargon. That's right up Daddy's aisle.

True, Rhonda agreed, squeezing Rita's hands again. Oh, Rita, I'm so happy for you. I...well, I've been a bit on pins and needles myself. Daddy can be a real stickler. She rolled her eyes. Just imagine Daddy, of all people, going undercover with dear old Mom? I would have never thought.

I know, Rita said, giving a sweet smile filled with relief, peace, and absolute joy. Tonight, our parents are driving to Billy's farm for dinner. That means you and Zach have to be there, okay?

Why, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else, Rhonda promised. She shook her head again. Just imagine and...hey, what a minute! She let go of Rita's hands and made a sour face. If our parents are in town, why haven't they stopped in to say hello to me? Of all the nerve.

Rita put a quick finger to her lips. I'm not supposed to know our parents are in town, either. Zach spilled the beans. It's all supposed to be a great surprise tonight. Not even Billy knows our parents were talking with him, but he will tonight.

Remind me to punch Zach in the gut, Rhonda said with a pout. And you're just now telling me? Why, I should tie your toes together! We're sisters! Twin sisters!

Sis, I'm still in shock, Rita confessed. When Zach called me last night and told me what scheme our parents pulled off right under our noses...you can imagine what it was like.

Ten thousand sandbags hitting you in the head, Rhonda said, deciding to let Rita off the hook. Yeah, I can imagine...especially with you. You take a year to figure out what kind of toilet paper to buy. I'm shocked you spilled the beans to me this soon.

I don't take a year to decide what kind of toilet paper I'm going to buy, Rhonda, Rita protested.

Rhonda grinned. Charmin or White Cloud...hmmm... she teased, picking up an unbaked peach pie. I better get this pie in the oven.

White Cloud when it's on special, Rita fussed. Well, White Cloud doesn't always have to be on special, and as for Charmin, I hate paying too much-

See? Rhonda laughed.

Oh, you, Rita grumbled and then laughed at herself for being so silly. I guess I am a bit-

Practical, Rhonda answered as she slid the pumpkin pie into the oven next to the apple pie. But listen, all teasing aside, what our parents did was really sneaky. We have to think of a way to get them back.

Rita froze. Rhonda…

A devious grin slipped across Rhonda's face. We can't let our parents get away with believing they tricked us, sis.

Oh no…no…, Rita began pleading. Sis, everything is absolutely perfect. Let's just leave it that way.

But-

Don't make me shoot you! Rita warned, pointing at Rhonda. I'm a sharpshooter!

Rhonda frowned. But-

I'll shoot you and bury your body in the mountains, Rita promised.

Rhonda crossed her arms. Spoilsport.

Before Rita could answer, Tori Potter stepped into the kitchen, wearing a look of sheer exasperation. Okay, we're in the clear for now, Tori said. The bakery is empty. I just sold our last pumpkin pie and our last case of pumpkin cookies...and muffins...cupcakes...everything.

Rita and Rhonda looked at Tori. The pretty blond girl they had saved from a cruel circus stood in the kitchen doorway, glowing with a sweet innocence and beauty that warmed their hearts.

Doesn't she look so pretty in that sweater and dress? Rita asked.

She sure does, Rhonda said with a nod. And the ponytail is a real nice touch.

Tori blushed. She wasn't used to being around people who loved her. Well, thank you, she replied. Oh, Edna called. She'll-

She'll be staying over with her friend and missing the festival. Yes, we know, Rita sighed. Edna called me last night. It seems like her friend has introduced her to a handsome widow-

Handsome? Rhonda asked, rolling her eyes. You mean a wrinkled old prune.

Be it as it may, Rita said, shooting her sister a look that said behave. Edna seems to have met a new friend she seems to like. I think it's very sweet.

Me too, Tori smiled. It's very romantic.

Two old farts sharing prune juice isn't very romantic, Rhonda complained. Of course, when it comes time to hit the bathroom, I don't think it'll matter to either of them if they wipe their wrinkly rear ends with White Cloud or Charmin.

Very funny, Rita shot back.

Rhonda winked at Tori. Coffee, sweetie? she asked.

Oh no. Tori patted her belly. I already drank four cups this morning. I may not sleep for a week.

Only four? Rita asked. We usually drink four cups before leaving home.

We're on our tenth cup now, right, sis? Rhonda asked.

Eleventh, Rita corrected.

That's right, eleven. Rhonda winked at Tori again. It's a cop thing.

It must be a cop thing, Tori agreed in a bewildered voice. She had no idea how a person could drink eleven cups of coffee in just five hours. It wasn't even lunchtime yet.

And speaking of lunchtime, Tori was hungry. I was wondering what we were going to order for lunch?

Rhonda frowned. Well, we can't go to the diner, that's for sure. Every tourist in town will be there.

I was going to make a Chick-Fil-A run, Rita said.

A happy smile touched Tori's lips. I love Chick-Fil-A. I'll get my purse and-

Your money is no good with us, sweetie, Rhonda interrupted. You just worry about buying those college books.

Tori winced. Well…that's what I was hoping to talk to you two about.

Uh oh. Rita frowned and slowly folded her arms. Rhonda joined her. No college?

Tori winced again. I'm sorry, but college just doesn't interest me. I mean, who wants to go hear some loudmouth, arrogant balloon spew a bunch of hot air? Let's face it: colleges have become breeding grounds for germs and viruses that have no clue what education truly is.

Rita and Rhonda glanced at each other. She sounds like us when we were her age.

Tori sighed. I did consider nursing school, but then I would have to abide by a bunch of stupid rules set by a bunch of stuffy, cold, rude people who will order me to act like robots around sick people.

Yep, she sounds like us, alright, Rhonda agreed.

Tori sighed again. I don't want to commit myself to some college or career that dictates how I live my life...and my faith. This is America, and good men and women died for me to be a free person. I won't be controlled by people who have dead minds and hearts.

Definitely like us, Rita said.

So what do you want to do, sweetie? Rhonda asked Tori.

Well, Tori began as a hopeful smile touched her eyes, I was hoping to start my own business.

Oh? Rita asked. What kind of business could a young, pretty girl like Tori want to start? A bookstore? A pie store? A candy store? A candle store?

I want to start my own private investigation business. I want to solve murders like you do! Tori exclaimed. I want to be the next Nancy Drew.

Rita's jaw almost hit the floor. Tori-

I don't think you- Rhonda tried to help her sister.

Tori held up two calm but