Shoes And Baby: A Cozy Mystery: Fashion Disaster, #1

By S. Y. Robins

 

 

Clara Morgan had it all, or so she thought. Her own home, a car, and her own business were all Clara had ever dreamed of. Then one day she finds a baby on her shop step and her entire world changes. Who is the child's mother and why did she choose Clara? As Clara takes the baby in and works with the police she starts to uncover clues to the baby's origins but with every new clue the threat of danger increases. Clara finally discovers who baby Selena's mother is but the girl refuses to cooperate with her. Clara knows the girl is hiding something and Clara is determined to get it out of her. The first clue is a bracelet found on Selena when Clara takes her in. But how did a girl from one of the poorest parts of the city get such an expensive bracelet and what is the danger that makes the girl so afraid for her and Selena's life? As Clara delves deeper into the girl's story she uncovers the hard realities of the girl's life and has to make some choices of her own, including what to do with baby Selena who she's grown to cherish. Clara knew that caring for the foundling would prove joyous but hard, but she had no idea just how hard that decision would be.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lovy Books Ltd
• Release date: Aug 9, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223733805

Book preview

1

Clara Morgan stepped into her bright green hybrid car, pulled out of her driveway, and smiled as she backed away from her home. Life was good and she was happy. At 28, Clara now owned her own home, an end terrace, ran her own private business, and wasn’t doing too badly at all. Not bad for a poor girl from the country, she thought as she drove to her shop in the city.

The drive wasn’t a long one and she soon arrived, smile still in place despite the chilled gloom of the day. A new shipment of boots was coming in this morning and if she could keep Poncho, her rescued King Charles spaniel mix, from chewing up her stock; life would be perfect. Looking over at Poncho she gave him a scratch behind his black floppy ear then turned into the car park for her building.

The availability of parking behind her shop, Clara’s Shoebox, was one of the main attractions for her selection of the building. The other was the location, nestled between a café and a restaurant that served American food all day, Clara’s shop drew customers waiting for orders and those that decided to have a little nosy while waiting to be seated. Clara couldn’t quite afford one of the bigger shops yet but she’d been contemplating a move to another part of the city next year.

As she opened the door and the cold air poured in she thought of another reason to stay put. The café also served the best coffee in the city and Clara was a frequent customer. This morning steam was pouring out of the back of the café and Clara hoped it didn’t ruin the dress from her friend Christine’s shop.

Looking down at herself she saw a pleasantly plump woman in a blue silk dress with green and white flowers on it. Christine had designed the dress specifically for Clara. For a week Clara had danced in anticipation hopeful about what kind of beautiful dress her friend was designing for her. Christine was turning out to be very popular and owning a one-of-a-kind dress from her friend was a gift beyond measure.

Clara had tried to hide her disappointment when she saw the dress, her immediate reaction one of total dislike. The pattern was matronly and the cut didn’t offer much help. It looked like something Clara’s gran would love to own. Giving Christine a strained smile she’d gone into the dressing room and pulled the dress on without much enthusiasm. It had taken a bit of adjustment but once Clara had the dress on and turned to the mirror her jaw dropped.

The dress highlighted and revealed her ample cleavage while the tight fit around her waist allowed the dress to flare out, accentuating curves that Clara normally tried to hide. As Clara gazed at her reflection the old adage ‘you can’t judge a book by its cover’ played through her mind. She looked amazing in the dress and the colours in the pattern accentuated her long chestnut coloured hair and brown eyes. The whole effect was stunning and Clara had run out to hug her friend and thank her.

I knew you would have to try it on to see how beautiful it really was. I’m so glad you like it! Christine had choked out while Clara strangled her.

"Oh you have to make