Meringue and Murder Read online

  Meringue and Murder

  Candy Shop Mysteries #5

  Wendy Meadows

  Copyright © 2018 by Wendy Meadows

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, without prior written permission.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.

  Printed in the United States of America

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Thanks for reading

  Be the First to Know

  About the Author

  Also by Wendy Meadows

  Chapter 1

  It was a nice brisk fall afternoon. The leaves were shades of red and gold, and the breeze was blowing through town carrying the ones that had fallen. Margaret and her son, Zach, were eating lunch and planning their afternoon after a lazy morning doing a whole lot of nothing.

  “I thought we should take advantage of the candy store being closed and take a little trip together,” Margaret suggested.

  “Sure,” said Zach. “Where would you like to go?”

  “It’s a surprise,” said Margaret. “Help me with the dishes. We can take my car.”

  After Zach helped his mom with the lunch dishes, he told her he needed to get a quick shower. Margaret took a cup of coffee out to her backyard and sat at the table. She thought about her upcoming Thanksgiving candy promotion. When she first opened Nichols’ Candy Shop, she had bought all of her candy from a distributor. Now Margaret had a couple of large displays of homemade candies. She had created a seashore motif with crab and shell candies for the tourists that summer and they had been a hit with both the tourists and the local townspeople.

  Margaret was glad her business had taken off. After the summer tourists left, she had been concerned that she would need to close her shop for the winter. If that happened, Margaret wasn’t sure what she would do. Her shop was still new, and she hadn’t made enough money to tide them through till spring. Fortunately, word of mouth and good reviews had kept her customers coming in. She was happy to be in a town that took care of one another. Everyone watched out for everyone else.

  Margaret saw movement in the kitchen. Zach appeared at the back door with a mug of coffee. He walked across the lawn, sat down next to Margaret, and asked about their mystery trip.

  “Give me a chance to guess where we are going,” Zach said.

  “Nope,” said Margaret. “You will see when you get there.”

  Zach shook his head, and Margaret laughed.

  “Is David coming with us?” asked Zach.

  David was Margaret’s boyfriend. Recently, though, things had been a bit precarious. David had discovered he had a young daughter, and Margaret wanted David to take all the time he needed to get to know little Ariel. This meant less time together for David and Margaret, but Margaret was insistent that David have a strong bond with his daughter. Margaret and David were still seeing each other but they had dialed it back a bit. Margaret was getting to know Ariel better also. David had thought it best if his daughter assumed that he and Margaret were just close friends. Margaret’s heart broke a little, but she realized David’s daughter was the most important thing in his world at the moment and she understood.

  “No, he and Ariel are going to the zoo,” said Margaret. “I told him I wanted to spend some time with you. This way, David and Ariel can have some time alone and get to know each other better.”

  “Okay,” said Zach, finishing up his coffee. “Are you done with your coffee? I can take your mug inside.”

  “Thank you,” said Margaret. She stayed seated for a few more moments, breathing in the cool air, and then followed Zach into the kitchen.

  “Ready?” she asked.

  “Yes,” he said. “I can’t wait to find out where we’re going.”

  Margaret and Zach got into her car and headed away from town. They paralleled the ocean for a bit and Margaret heard the gulls flying over the car. Margaret turned, and they drove out in the country for a few minutes. All the fields were brown, and the farmers were pulling up the last of the corn. Margaret drove for a while longer and then pulled off the road. She drove up a long driveway. Zach had been on his phone so he didn’t see the sign beside the driveway. He looked up when Margaret stopped the car. The sound of dogs barking filled the car even with the windows closed.

  “Where are we?” asked Zach.

  “We are at the local animal shelter,” said Margaret.

  “Oh, cool. But what are we doing here?”

  “I thought we could take a look around,” said Margaret. “Now don’t get too excited. I am not coming home with a dog today. We have to get the house ready and buy some food and toys. And,” she reminded him, “we need to be sure to choose one I’m not allergic to.”

  “Okay!” said Zach. He dashed around the car and went toward the door of the shelter. Just then the door opened, and a tall blonde woman appeared.

  “Hello, Margaret,” she said.

  “Hello, Sylvia,” Margaret said. Margaret introduced Sylvia to David. Sylvia ran the animal shelter. She was also one of Margaret’s customers at the candy store. The barking got louder as they approached the door. Sylvia held it open for Margaret and Zach.

  “Come in,” said Sylvia. “You’re just in time. The dogs have finished eating and it is time to exercise them. If you would like to choose one I can get you set up in the play yard we built for the dogs to run about.”

  “Thank you,” said Margaret. “Well, Zach, which one do you want to see first?”

  Zach was beaming. He walked along the pens until he spotted a medium-sized terrier mix.

  “Can we play with her?” Zach asked Sylvia.

  “Of course,” said Sylvia. “Let me get her out on a leash.” Sylvia walked to the far wall and pulled a leash down. She made the dog sit and then opened the pen. She clasped on the leash and led the dog back outside. Zach and Margaret followed her.

  “So she knows how to sit?” asked Margaret.

  “Yes,” said Sylvia. “We train all of our dogs to know basic commands like sit, stay, and heel.”

  “That is impressive,” said Margaret.

  “They have a better chance of being adopted if they know those commands,” said Sylvia. “As you probably know, we are a no-kill shelter. I rescue and re-home many dogs each year. I’ve been doing this for about ten years now and I’ve got some tricks up my sleeve.”

  They came up to an enclosed play area. There were seats and numerous toys. Sylvia gave the leash to Zach and opened the gate. The dog trotted in, followed by Zach and Margaret.

  “I’ll be back in a few minutes. Let me know if you want to see any others,” said Sylvia.

  Zach had found a Frisbee and was throwing it to the dog. She caught the Frisbee and brought it back to Zach. Margaret smiled. The dog seemed well behaved and anxious to play. Every time Zach tossed the Frisbee, the dog would run after it. Sometimes the dog managed to catch the Frisbee midair. Zach laughed and patted the dog when she came back.

  “So, do you like her?” Margaret asked Zach.

  “Yeah, she is fanta
stic. I think she would be a great dog to take to the beach. I bet she likes the water,” said Zach.

  “She sure does,” said Sylvia. She was carrying another dog. This one was a small puppy that looked like a Chihuahua.

  “Oh my goodness, she is adorable,” said Margaret.

  “Here, hold her,” said Sylvia, handing Margaret the puppy. The black and white dog looked at Margaret with shining, happy eyes. Margaret caught her breath.

  “What kind of dog is she?” asked Margaret.

  “She is part Chihuahua and part dachshund,” said Sylvia. “I see my other baby and Zach are getting along.”

  “Yep. Zach loves dogs. I don’t think we can take one home today, but I wanted to see what dogs you had here,” said Margaret.

  “These two are good friends,” said Sylvia, taking the puppy from Margaret and putting her on the grass. The terrier mix raised her head and darted over. She knocked down the puppy and then helped it back up using her snout. Margaret and Zach laughed. The older dog got a small toy and took it over to the puppy. The puppy grabbed the toy in its teeth and started shaking its head. The older dog took the other end and played a gentle game of tug-of-war with the puppy. Everyone laughed. Zach knelt down and the terrier ran over to him. The puppy followed, occasionally stumbling while trying to keep up with the older dog.

  “We got the puppy as a part of an abandoned litter. We matched the puppies with the older female dogs in order for them to have some one-on-one attention. The puppies bonded nicely with the female dogs. These two love to be together. Their cages are side by side,” Sylvia said.

  “That is wonderful,” said Margaret.

  “Also, if someone wants the older female but they won’t be home all day to keep her company, the puppy provides entertainment for the older dog,” said Sylvia.

  Margaret grinned. “Is that a hint?”

  “Absolutely,” said Sylvia, laughing.

  “I’m a little concerned about getting a puppy. I don’t want to be up all night training a puppy to go outside,” said Margaret.

  “This one is crate trained already,” said Sylvia.

  Margaret shook her head. “You drive a hard bargain.”

  “What are you two talking about?” asked Zach. He was lying down on the grass and letting the dogs climb on him. The dogs were having a blast. The puppy was tugging on a piece of Zach’s hair and the older dog was trying to turn the puppy loose. Both dogs were wagging their tails and having a great time.

  “Sylvia said this is a two-dog deal,” said Margaret.

  “Wow, sounds good to me!” said Zach.

  “Now hold on,” said Margaret. “I still have to buy dog provisions and think about this.”

  “Actually, I encourage possible owners to come and visit the dogs daily for a week or two. It is amazing how many people can’t make time to visit a prospective dog. I have to explain that if they can’t make it then they probably should not adopt the dog.”

  “I can be here every day,” Zach promised.

  “Well, let me think about it,” said Margaret.

  “Even if you don’t want to adopt right away I know these dogs would love the attention from Zach,” said Sylvia.

  “Okay, you can come and visit them while I think about it,” Margaret said to Zach. “Right now, we have to get back to the house. Dinner is not going to make itself.”

  “You aren’t going to make it either,” Zach teased. Margaret was not the best cook. She made great candies, but regular meals didn’t always turn out so well.

  “You’re right,” said Margaret. “We still have to get home so you can make dinner.”

  “Haha, okay, I will,” said Zach. He petted both dogs some more and then helped Sylvia put them back in their pens.

  “Thank you for taking the time to talk to us and show us some dogs,” Margaret said to Sylvia.

  “You’re welcome. I have been trying to find a home for Sentry, the larger dog, for some time now. This is not to pressure you, but I will give you both dogs for the price of one,” said Sylvia.

  “Really?” asked Margaret.

  “Yes. Sentry needs a home. She really took to Zach today. Please let me know if you are interested in them.”

  “I will,” said Margaret. She turned and walked back to her car. Zach was waiting for her.

  “So, you liked the dogs?” Margaret asked him, already knowing the answer.

  “Yes. I really did,” said Zach.

  “Okay. We can talk more about them, and who will take care of them, tonight,” said Margaret.

  They got into Margaret’s car and drove back toward the house. Margaret had the radio playing and Zach was singing along to a popular country tune. Margaret joined him on the chorus, and they drove on singing their lungs out.

  Chapter 2

  While they were still driving out in the country, Margaret looked at the leaves turning on the trees. She knew Thanksgiving was around the corner and she had to make plans for Thanksgiving dinner.

  “Remind me to call David and see what he wants to do for Thanksgiving,” Margaret said to Zach. As she was saying this, a van passed them and honked. Margaret waved.

  “Was that Mr. Stewart?” asked Zach. “I didn’t see who was driving.”

  “Yep,” said Margaret. Mr. Stewart owned the dog grooming business across the street from the candy shop. He was a bit of a curmudgeon, but he had a soft spot for Margaret. He had helped her solve her first crime. Margaret always thought of him as a jawbreaker. He had many different layers to his personality.

  “What is Mr. Stewart doing out here?” asked Zach.

  “He grooms the dogs at the shelter for free,” said Margaret. “Sylvia said he is a lifesaver. His free grooming has helped a lot of dogs get adopted.”

  “Does he groom them for free once they’re adopted?” asked Zach.

  “No, but he will give rescue dog owners a discount,” said Margaret.

  “That’s cool,” said Zach.

  “Yes, it is,” agreed Margaret.

  “Is David coming for dinner tonight?” asked Zach.

  “I don’t think so, but you can call him and ask,” said Margaret. She turned down the radio and Zach called David. He spoke to him for a few minutes and then hung up.

  “He said he’s taking Ariel out to dinner. She really enjoyed the zoo,” said Zach.

  “Oh, that’s good,” said Margaret. “I thought she might.”

  “How are you and David doing?” asked Zach. “You don’t seem to be going out as much as you did before Ariel got here.”

  “We’re fine. We decided to slow things down a bit and play it cool around Ariel. She is just getting to know her dad, and he wants her to know me as a friend before we tell her we are together,” Margaret explained.

  “And you’re okay with this?” asked Zach.

  “Yes. I think one of the most important relationships is the one between a parent and their child. You are my priority, not David,” said Margaret.

  “I know, but I’m twenty,” said Zach.

  “You will always be my baby,” said Margaret, smiling at Zach. Zach rolled his eyes.

  “Really, though, I’m fine,” said Margaret. “Since I haven’t been hanging out with David as much, I was able to do the whole Halloween candy sale, and now I can design some homemade Thanksgiving candy. I thought I might put together a cornucopia of candy. I could sell tickets and the winner gets the whole cornucopia.”

  “That sounds like a great idea,” said Zach. “I bet David buys all the tickets.”

  Margaret laughed. “That wouldn’t be fair to everyone else,” she said. “I think I’ll give the proceeds to Sylvia and the animal shelter.”

  “That is a really good idea,” said Zach.

  “Now all I have to do is think of what candy to make for the cornucopia,” said Margaret.

  “You could throw in a bunch of premade candies,” said Zach.

  “I will,” said Margaret. “I do want more homemade candies in there, though. And I w
ant to sell the tickets for ten dollars each.”

  “Is that all?” asked Zach. “You could sell them for twenty bucks easily.”

  “I’ll think about that,” said Margaret.

  Zach got a text message.

  “Hey, Mom, can you take care of your dinner tonight?” Zach asked.

  “I suppose so,” said Margaret. “Why?”

  “Um, I am going to meet up with some friends at the beach,” said Zach.

  “Okay,” said Margaret. They arrived home and Margaret pulled into her driveway.

  “I won’t be late,” said Zach.

  “That’s fine,” said Margaret. “I think I’ll go into town and have some dinner at the café.”

  “Okay,” said Zach. “Say hello to Stacy for me.” Stacy was the owner of the café next door to the candy shop. She, Zach, and Margaret had hit it off the first day Margaret arrived. Stacy made the best sweet tea in the northeast.

  “I will,” said Margaret. After Zach got out, she backed her car out of the driveway and drove into town. She wanted to check on her store as well. Margaret made a habit of at least driving by on her days off. She coasted by the store and parked. Margaret went to the store and looked in the window.

  “It’s closed,” a voice said right behind Margaret. “The owner is lazy and won’t open on Sundays. How am I supposed to get my sugar fix?” Margaret turned around and laughed. Stacy was right behind her.

  “I came in for some supper,” said Margaret. “Would you like me to bring you some candy?”

  “No thank you, I was teasing.” Stacy smiled. “So Zach is not cooking tonight?”

  “Knock it off,” said Margaret, “or there will be no sweets for you.”

  Stacy laughed and opened the door to her café. Margaret walked in and Stacy followed close behind. Stacy told Margaret to sit at a corner table. Stacy brought Margaret some coffee and asked what she wanted to eat.