Free Brownies & Betrayal (Sweet Bites Mysteries, Book 1) by Heather Justesen Page A

Dahlia and saw her sad, sad eyes and pinched face. Sympathy swelled inside me.
    The fair-skinned woman with almond eyes and black hair like her sister’s looked at me, the little girl’s hand clasped in hers. “Yes, it’s Tess, right?”
    “Yes. How are you doing? Are you enjoying the nice weather?” I studied the woman’s face. She looked worn out. Not surprising, considering everything she had to deal with.
    She nodded. “Yes, it’s pretty here.” She seemed lethargic, and a bit wary.
    “How are things going?” I asked. “You said you live in California?”
    “Yes. My husband and I have a home in Long Beach. It’s a long drive. I didn’t get here until Saturday evening.”
    “And when do you think you’ll be able to go home?”
    She pressed her lips together for a moment, then shot a glance at the little girl by her side. “The police say I should be able to, um, arrange transport in the next day or so. We’ll have the funeral in Prescott on Saturday evening. I think Valerie would have liked a sunset service.”
    “It sounds nice.” You know, if a funeral for a thirty-ish woman can ever be considered a nice event. “Are you making all the arrangements?”
    “Yes. Our father passed years ago and Mom followed a few years back.” She dabbed at her left eye with the back of her hand and her voice hitched slightly as she spoke.
    “This must be a terrible time for you. I’m sorry.” I understood what she was going through, as I’d had to plan my grandma’s funeral alone. Thank goodness for Honey. I looked at Dahlia. “It must be hard for both of you.” I knew Valerie had been a single mom to this little girl, which now left Dahlia all alone. I stuck out my hand. “Hi, Dahlia, I’m Tess. I’m pleased to see you again. Do you remember meeting me last night?”
    She took my hand and gave it a shake, her pitiful eyes turned toward me. “My momma died.”
    “I know, honey. I’m sorry. That’s a hard thing.” I crouched down. “You know what? My momma died too. I was a lot older than you, but it was still hard.”
    That perked her interest. “How did your momma die?”
    “My mom and dad both died in an accident. They were on a train and it went off the tracks. Lots of people died that day.” So many families destroyed in an instant. 
    “I don’t have a daddy, just a momma.” The hand she had tucked in Lidia’s moved, and I realized she held on so tight that her knuckles were white. Poor baby.
    My heart broke for her. She was too young to be so alone. “I’m sorry, honey. But I bet it was special to have time alone with your momma.”
    “That’s enough, Dahlia,” Lidia said. “Mustn’t spread rumors.”
    I rose and looked at Lidia. “Don’t worry, I’m not a gossip.” I only collect it. I’m not much for spreading it. “So will you get custody?”
    “Yes. There’s no one else. Tad and Analesa have been wonderful, though, offering to do whatever they can. Tad even offered to help arrange care if I had trouble swinging it, but I can’t imagine having someone else babysit her during the days. She’s been left alone at daycare too much already.” She put a hand on Dahlia’s head and smoothed her hair back. It glistened in the sun with deep red highlights. The gesture was familiar, easy and loving. That reassured me. Lidia would love and take good care of this little girl. “My job is flexible, anyway. I run my massage business out of my house, so I can schedule appointments while she’s in school or arrange play dates here and there.”
    “Tad and Analesa’s offer was very generous.” Much more than I would have expected from Analesa, who had been more self-absorbed than most brides. “I’m sorry you have to stay here for so long.”
    She shrugged. “It can’t be helped, but I’m moving into Valerie’s apartment tomorrow until I get everything settled. Thanks for your kind words. If you don’t mind, I think we’re ready for some dinner. I promised Dahlia