Free The Diva Frosts a Cupcake by Krista Davis Page A

never been so glad to turn anything over to someone else. I’m beat.”
    She told them the heartbreaking news about Buddy. “Watch out for Maurice Lester. He’s tall and gangly with white hair that hangs down to his chin. Don’t be fooled—he doesn’t like dogs. Do not allow him to adopt any animals and keep an eye on him. I can’t imagine that he would steal another dog, but you never know. Also, I’ve been told not to adopt to Nick Rigas, but I’m not sure about the validity of that one, so if he comes along wanting to adopt, have him fill out the adoption form and tell him you’ll get back to him.”
    She smoothed the fur on Daisy’s head. “I know you’re exhausted . . . and you’ve been through a terrible trauma today, but could you please help me put up missing flyers about Buddy?” Nina cocked her head at us with the saddest expression I’d ever seen.
    “Don’t be silly. I’m behind you all the way.” I couldn’t bear the thought of what might be happening to Buddy.
    Nina handed me her phone. Would you round up some volunteers? I’m going to set up a flyer and make copies across the street. I’ll meet you back here.”
    “I’m going to stretch my legs and buy some treats for Duke. I’ll be back in a few minutes,” said Francie. The set of her mouth told me she was determined to find the missing dog.
    I headed to the Sugar Baby booth to recruit Humphrey, but on the way I spied a cute cat hammock for my Ocicat, Mochie. A throwback to one of his American shorthair ancestors, Mochie’s fur didn’t have spots. He had the classic M on his forehead and spots on his tummy, though. The hammock had the Ocelot-type spots Mochie lacked, and I thought he would enjoy the comfort of the hanging bed.
    I paid for it and hurried on to Sugar Baby. Humphrey had put up the closed sign.
    “Are you wrapping up here?” I asked. “Nina’s putting together a posse to post flyers about Buddy.”
    “I heard about that. Maurice is a menace! The nerve of him to steal a dog! Sure, I’ll help. There’s not much I can do here. Nina hired someone to keep an eye on the booths overnight, so I’m not breaking it down yet. I can’t imagine that Renee will have cupcakes to sell tomorrow, but I also don’t know where to take all this stuff. Do you think the cops would let her bring it into the bakery?”
    I doubted it. “Probably not while it’s a crime scene. You haven’t heard from Renee?”
    “Not yet. I went over there a little while ago to see what was going on, but I couldn’t get in.” He leaned toward me and spoke in a low tone. “Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?”

CHAPTER NINE
    Dear Sophie,
    Everyone in my family raves about my cupcakes. I’m baking four hundred for my niece’s wedding, but I’m a little nervous because I’m not used to making so many at once. I hate to be up all night before the wedding to bake them. Is there an easy way to bake a lot of cupcakes at once?
    —Overwhelmed in Bride’s Hill, Alabama
    Dear Overwhelmed,
    Some bakers freeze cupcakes when they have to bake a large quantity. Many cupcakes thaw very well and will taste freshly baked. However, it’s best not to frost them until the day they’ll be served.
    —Sophie
    “What is it that women see in a guy like Nick Rigas?” asked Humphrey.
    Across the plaza, Nick was eyeing cupcakes at Sugar Mama’s booth. Joy Bickford opened a box of cupcakes and showed him the contents. I couldn’t hear their conversation, but Nick selected one.
    Joy ran her fingers around her neck and laughed.
    Nick said a few more words and moved on without paying, wolfing the cupcake in four bites.
    “Is it his hair?” asked Humphrey.
    Nick had been blessed with an abundance of dark hair. Medium height and not particularly athletic-looking, he lacked some of the typical attributes thought to be particularly handsome. Women coveted his long, lush eyelashes. His warm chocolate eyes coupled with an easy grin that made everyone feel