Free Devil's Food Murder: A Frosted Love Cozy Mystery - Book 10 (Frosted Love Cozy Mysteries) by Carol Durand, Summer Prescott

her hair up, artfully covering the formerly stitched part of her scalp that was now springing up with about an inch of curly growth, and Chas ran his fingers along the graceful line of her neck, down her collarbone, making her shiver.
    “And vice-versa,” she replied, a touch breathlessly.
    “Shall we dance?” he invited, hearing the beginning notes of a favorite love song. Missy nodded, spellbound by the evening and the look in Chas’s deep blue eyes.
    They took the floor, entirely oblivious to everyone around them, moving slowly together to the music. Chas pulled her Missy so close that she could feel his heartbeat, which stirred a powerful reaction within her.
    “I think it’s a good thing that you’re getting all of this practice in wedding planning,” he said softly in her ear.
    Missy giggled softly. “Why is that?”
    “Because it might come in handy someday,” he said mysteriously. Missy thought her heart would pound right out of her chest. She tilted her head back, and gazed up at the handsome detective, every emotion she was feeling shining brightly in her eyes and mirrored in his. Slowly lowering his head, Chas Beckett kissed her soundly, right there on the dance floor, in front of all of LaChance’s society set.

Chapter 23
    “Echo, this is Alex, Alex, Echo,” Missy introduced her new friend to her best friend at a cozy little Cajun restaurant.
    “Echo, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Alex said, shaking her hand.
    “Likewise,” she smiled, taking a seat next to Missy. She and Missy sat on one side of the table with Chas and Alex across from them.
    Missy had invited Echo to come along, telling her that “some friend of Chas’s” would be there as well, and hoping that the two would hit it off immediately. They ordered dinner, and Alex seemed puzzled at Echo’s order.
    “Aren’t you hungry?” he asked, once the server had gone.
    “Starving,” Echo confessed with a grin. “Why do you ask?”
    “Well, you only ordered a salad and some side dishes. This place has some of the best crawfish and barbeque in the parish. I can catch the server’s attention if you’d like to get something more substantial,” he offered.
    “Oh no, that’s okay. I’m vegan, there isn’t a whole lot on the menu that works for me, but I’ll be satisfied with what I ordered,” she explained.
    “Vegan?” he asked, surprised. “What’s that all about?”
    “Well, I don’t eat animal products of any kind,” she began.
    “Yes, I’m aware of what it means, I’m just not understanding the benefits of choosing that particular lifestyle,” he interrupted.
    Missy and Chas exchanged an uneasy look as Echo paused a moment before answering.
    “There are plenty of benefits,” she said, frowning slightly.
    “But what about your health?” he persisted, interrupting again. “Don’t you find that you feel weak. Maybe that’s why you’re so pale and thin,” he observed, seeming genuinely concerned.
    Echo took a deep breath and smiled sweetly. Missy and Chas saw the kiss of death in her eyes. “In case your powers of observation aren’t keen enough, I’ll point out that I have flaming red hair. The lineage that produced that wavy mass was also kind enough to bless me with other traits like fair skin and green eyes.”
    Missy noticed at the moment that the green eyes being referenced were currently shooting daggers of flame across the table.
    “As for being thin – thank you for noticing, I work very hard to stay fit, not an easy task for a woman my age, and I do so by eating properly and exercising. I don’t feel weak or faint. I’m as healthy as a horse, I regularly lift heavy bags of sugar and dry goods and go for a run every morning. If I can do all of that while not having to consume something that once had a face, I have every right to make that choice. I’m not judging you for your choices, and I’d rather you didn’t judge me for mine, Alex,” she finished calmly, gesturing for the server