Free Snuffed Out (Book 2 in the Candlemaking Mysteries) by Tim Myers Page A

muffins, the bread shining like a wedding dress and
the fat, crimson berries barely contained, bursting to get out.
They were warm to the touch, and I took one and bit into it. It was
absolutely the best muffin I’d ever had in my life. “What’s in it?”
I asked.
    “ Oh, cranberries of course,
some flour and sugar, a little butter, things like
that.”
    “ In other words, don’t ask.”
I took another bite and was startled to find that I’d polished it
off.
    “ So what do you
think?”
    I stroked my chin and said, “Well, it’s
really hard to say based on such a small sample. I’d better try
another one.”
    She held the basket out of my reach. “You’ve
already used that on me, you rascal. Honestly, do you like
them?”
    “ They are spectacular,” I
admitted. “Does that buy me another one?”
    “ I don’t want to spoil your
appetite,” she said, laughing softly.
    “ Have a heart. You heard
Eve, she might not be back till tonight.”
    “ Oh pooh, of course they’re
all for you. Thanks, Harrison, I trust your palate.”
    “ You shouldn’t,” I
said.
    “ And why not?”
    “ I love everything you
make.” I took another muffin out, had a bite of it, and said, “If I
could get upstairs to my apartment, I’d grab some cold milk and be
set. I don’t suppose you could...”
    She laughed and said, “This isn’t a catering
service, you know. Now I’ve got to get back to The Crocked Pot. I
locked up so I could bring these by.”
    “ Thanks again, Millie,
you’ve got another winner here.”
    Before she could leave, I added, “Did you
see the sign on Heather’s shop? She’s having a moving sale.”
    “ Oh dear, I never thought it
would come to that. I’d better talk to her.”
    “ Let me know what you find
out, would you?”
    “ If I have any luck at all,
I will. If you don’t hear from me, it’s not good news.”
    Five minutes later the chime rang over the
door and Sanora Gaston walked in with a tall glass of milk. 
This is from Millie. She said you’d understand.”
    I took it from her and had a healthy
swallow. “Thanks, that was great.  Sorry you had to deliver it
to me.”
    “ I didn’t mind. Harrison, I
came by to see if you’d like to have lunch with me
today.”
    “ I’d like to, but Eve just
left, and there’s nobody to watch the shop till she gets back. How
about a raincheck?”
    “ You’ve got it. I guess I’ll
take Tick up on her invitation. She wants to welcome me
back.”
    “ That’s sweet of her,” I
said. “Sorry I didn’t think of it first.”
    “ There will be plenty of
time. We’ll do it later.”
    The rest of the day dragged through starts
and sputters, never anything steady but accumulating to a healthy
total as I started to run the day’s report off the register. Eve
had been cryptic about her lunch after she’d returned, but I could
tell something pleasant had happened while she’d been gone. She
scooted out the door two minutes after I locked it, another sign
that something was up. Eve was usually a stickler for our closing
routine, but today she obviously had something else on her
mind.
    I was just walking out with the deposit when
Erin walked up. “You’re closed? I got here as fast I as I
could.”
    ‘ Tell you what, let me open
back up and I’ll give you the nickel tour.”
    “ I hate when people come
right when I’m closing. Harrison, I wouldn’t do that to
you.”
    “ But I’m offering,” I said
as I opened the door and held it for her. “Come in and take the
grand tour.”
    She stepped inside and I locked the door
behind her. “I hope you don’t mind, but I don’t want anybody else
wandering in. Not that I’m trying to get you alone. No, that didn’t
sound right either. Would you feel more comfortable if I left it
unlocked?”
    Erin smiled at my stammering. “I think I’ll
be safe enough with you. Besides, I’ve got some Mace in my pocket
if you get out of line.”
    “ No, ma’am, you don’t have
to worry about me.”