Free Murder So Sweet: A Frosted Love Cozy Mystery (Frosted Love Mysteries Book 3) by Carol Durand, Summer Prescott

Parish was a terrible place to live after all of the things that had happened? What if he left and she never saw him again? Her voice was tremulous. “A new start? What do you mean?” she asked quietly, halfway dreading his answer.
    “When we met, I told you that I had everything that I needed in my life. A simple house, transportation, my job, and a killer wardrobe.” They both smiled at that. “But I was wrong. I didn’t know it at the time, but there had been something missing in my life, and I only realized it recently.” He rubbed the palm of her hand with his thumb as he spoke, his eyes never leaving hers.
    “What was missing?” Missy asked, holding her breath for a moment in anticipation of his answer.
    “When I figured out that Chanel Thibedeaux was the murderer, I had a gut feeling that the reason you weren’t answering your cell phone was because you had gone out to confront her. I didn’t act until I had evidence, but you have this stubborn way of following your instincts that I absolutely admire. I just hate the fact that it puts you in harm’s way at times,” he admitted. “The thought of you sitting in the lair of a murderer scared the hell out of me. When I drove out to the Crawshack, I had no idea whether you were alive or dead, and I realized that I cared more about making sure that you were okay than I did about putting Chanel behind bars. For the first time in my adult life, a human being and my feelings for her were more important than my job. When I charged into Thibedeaux’ office that day, it had nothing to do with justice, and everything to do with the fact that I finally realized that I have feelings for you. Feelings like none I’ve ever experienced before.” Chas Beckett, self-proclaimed perpetual bachelor and hard-bitten detective, brought her hand to his lips, keeping his eyes locked on hers while kissing it.
    Happy tears sprung to Missy’s eyes. “Oh Chas, thank goodness. I was so scared that you were going to say you were moving away or something, and I didn’t even want to think about what my life would be like if you weren’t around,” she exclaimed, being more vulnerable and open with him than she had ever been with any man in her life. “But, I thought that you didn’t want to even think about having a relationship with anyone…”
    “If you recall,” he reminded her, “you weren’t too keen on relationships either.” She nodded, butterflies fluttering in her midsection. “So why don’t we both agree that we’ve changed our minds, and let this happen,” he suggested softly.
    “I’d like that,” she nodded, spellbound. The couple slowly rose from their seats, leaning across the table from one another and shared the softest and sweetest of kisses. Whatever would be, would be, and they were both looking forward to it.
    The summer sped by quickly, with Missy and Chas’ relationship growing stronger and sweeter every day. Ben and Cheryl were happily dating, and enjoying each other’s company daily behind the cupcake counter. Clara Clements sold her ice cream store, and Missy was eager to meet the new owner, a woman about her age that had recently moved to town from California.
    Cora Nesbitt stepped into the Dellville shop early one morning, with a basket full of ripe peaches, seeming a bit sad when she greeted Missy.
    “Good morning Mrs. Nesbitt! How are you?” Missy asked, delighted to see the elderly woman.
    “Well, things have been better honey,” she admitted.
    “Oh no, what’s wrong,” genuine concern colored Missy’s tone.
    “Come sit a spell, and I’ll tell you about it,” Mrs. Nesbitt said, looking around to make certain that no one was listening. She and Missy talked for quite some time over coffee and coconut-lime cupcakes. At the end of the elderly woman’s tale, Missy sat back, digesting what she had just heard.
    “You know, Mrs. Nesbitt, I believe I can help,” she said, taking out her cell phone and dialing Chas Beckett’s