Popcorn Treats & Deceit Read online

  Popcorn Treats and Deceit

  Candy Shop Mysteries #4

  Wendy Meadows

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  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

  About the Author

  Read more by Wendy

  1

  It was a pleasant day in September. The seagulls were squawking, and the waves were crashing on the shore. A few people wandered up and down the beach, occasionally walking to the shops in town. One shop they passed was Nichols’ Candy Store. It was a cute candy shop with bright lights and an inviting atmosphere. Margaret Nichols was the owner and head candymaker.

  Margaret was closing up her shop for the day. She gathered the jars of candy and put their lids on. Then she wiped the counters and closed her register.

  Margaret had a skip in her step that evening. She was looking forward to meeting David for a picnic dinner on the beach. David Graham was a tall, handsome police detective whom Margaret had gotten to know. Margaret enjoyed her small, quiet town but occasionally things were not so quiet. A few people had been murdered, and Margaret had helped David solve the murders. She and David had grown close, and she was looking forward to seeing him that evening. She smiled every time she thought of David.

  While Margaret was mopping the floor, she heard a knock on her door. She turned and saw her son, Zach. Zach was twenty, and he worked at the candy store with Margaret. Margaret was surprised to see him. She thought he would be hanging out with his friends. Margaret walked over and unlocked the door.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked Zach.

  “I just came by to make sure you were ready to go for tonight,” Zach said.

  “Yes, I am. I just have to make this deposit, and then I’m walking to the beach,” said Margaret.

  “I can make the deposit for you,” said Zach.

  “That would be very helpful. Thank you,” said Margaret, handing Zach the bag.

  “Have fun tonight,” Zach called back to her while walking to his car.

  “I will,” said Margaret.

  Margaret turned back into the shop. She freshened up and walked out the front door. The weather was perfect for a picnic on the beach. Margaret had on a pair of culottes and a short-sleeved shirt. She locked the door and walked toward the beach, waving to a few of her friends who were closing their stores.

  When she got to the beach, she looked around. There was no sign of David. This time of year, the beach was practically deserted. Most of the tourists had gone home, and the locals didn’t go to the beach until after their shops closed. Margaret enjoyed wandering up and down the shoreline looking for different shells and shark teeth. She had a collection of the things she had found at the beach in a large jar in the candy shop. Margaret had made some shell and crab candies the past summer, and she put some real shells in the display with the chocolates. I have to think of another special candy for the fall, thought Margaret.

  Margaret took off her shoes and walked in the surf, looking down at the sand and hoping to find a unique shell or rock.

  “Boo!”

  Margaret jumped and turned around, and her sandals went flying into the sand. The man behind her smiled and stooped to get her shoes.

  “David, you scared me,” Margaret chastised the good-looking man behind her. She gave him a hug and a kiss.

  “I’m sorry I was a bit late for our date,” said David. “I had paperwork to finish before I could leave the office.”

  “I understand,” said Margaret. She smiled and felt a warm feeling in her stomach. Margaret was glad that she and David were together. She had not intended to fall in love again so soon, but David was the perfect gentleman. Margaret loved being with him.

  “Is this a good spot for the blanket?” asked David.

  “Perfect,” said Margaret. She was glad that the weather was cooperating for the picnic. The town was experiencing an Indian summer. That made the temperature just right for sitting and watching the sunset.

  Margaret helped David spread the blanket on the sand. They sat down together, and David pulled out an assortment of goodies from the picnic basket. Margaret sat in front of him and leaned on his chest. They feasted on turkey sandwiches and grapes while they talked about their day. Margaret told David about her customers, and David filled Margaret in on the gossip around the police station. David asked if she wanted some wine.

  “Sure,” said Margaret.

  “I don’t have any fancy wine glasses, but I do have some plastic cups. Will that do?” asked David. “Either that, or we can just drink from the bottle.” He grinned.

  Margaret laughed. “Plastic cups are fine.” David poured the wine, handed her a cup, and they toasted the warm weather.

  “I would also like to make a toast to us,” said David. Margaret looked into his piercing blue eyes.

  David continued, “I would like to say how lucky I am to have met you. You have brought happiness and love into my life. Thank you, Margaret.”

  Margaret smiled, and they clinked cups.

  “Thank you, David,” Margaret replied. “You have made me the happiest woman in town.”

  David leaned down and kissed Margaret. She felt warm all over. She snuggled up close to him and looked at the sun.

  “Oh, isn’t that beautiful,” Margaret exclaimed, looking at the orange and purple glow on the horizon.

  “It is, but it’s not as beautiful as you,” said David.

  “Flatterer.” Margaret smiled. After the sun set, it started to get chilly on the beach. The tide was coming in, so Margaret and David packed up the picnic basket and refolded the blanket. David had brought a light jacket, and he put it on Margaret’s shoulders.

  “This has been a wonderful night,” said Margaret.

  “I’m glad you had a good time,” said David. “Let me walk you to your car.”

  “Okay,” said Margaret, grateful to have more time with David. Sometimes his work kept him busy, even on the weekends. Fortunately, Margaret worked as a private investigator on the side, so she was sometimes able to help David with his cases.

  “Here we are,” said Margaret as they arrived at her car.

  “Yep, here we are,” said David. David put down the things he was carrying. He looked at Margaret and put his hand on her neck. He pulled her in for a kiss and a hug. Margaret stayed in his arms, feeling safe, hugging him back. After a couple of minutes, David released her.

  “Well, I suppose I should let you go,” he said.

  “Yes. Zach will be worried if I’m out too late,” said Margaret. David laughed. They said goodnight, and Margaret got into her car. She waved goodbye to David as she started for home.

  When Margaret arrived, the house was lit up, and Zach’s car was in the driveway. Margaret realized she was still wearing David’s jacket. Oh well, I can return it to him in the morning, she thought. She walked into the house and checked the mail.

  “Zach,” Margaret called from the foyer.

  “In here,” Zach replied from the living room. Margaret crossed over into the living room. She put David’s jacket on the sofa.

  “Whose is that?” asked Zach, glancing up from the television show he was watching.

  “David’s,” replied Margaret, smiling.

  “Wasn’t he cold?” Zach teased. Margaret smiled.

  “Well, I think you kids had best slow things down,” said Zach. “First it’s a coat and then he’ll be spending the night.”

  “Okay, enough,” said Margaret, sitting down next to Zach on the sofa. “I’m finally happy.”

  “I know, and I’m glad you’re happy,” said Zach. “You know I was just kidding.”

  Margaret gave him a light punch on the shoulder. She watched the sitcom on TV with Zach for a few minutes. During a commercial, Zach turned to Margaret. “I just want you to be careful,” he said.

  “What do you mean?” asked Margaret.

  “Well, you loved Dad, and look how that turned out,” Zach replied.

  “I have my own business and my son lives with me,” said Margaret. “What more could I ask for?”

  “You know what I mean,” said Zach, looking into Margaret’s eyes. Margaret saw the concern and gave Zach a hug.

  “I do know what you mean,” she reassured Zach. “I just want you to know that as awful as it was with your father, I’m fine now. We are happy and content. I will never let another man hurt me like that again.”

  “Okay,” said Zach.

  “Would you like some ice cream?” asked Margaret, trying to lighten the mood.

  “Sure,” said Zach, brightening up. “I’ll scoop it for us.”

  “Great, thanks,” said Margaret. She knew that Zach wanted to scoop it so he could get more ice cream, but Margaret didn’t mind. Zach came back in a few minutes later with two bowls.

  “Hey, did you know there’s a new strip mall coming to town?” asked Zach.

&
nbsp; “No! Where is it?” asked Margaret.

  “I’m not sure,” said Zach, “but there are signs all over town about how a new strip mall is going to be built soon.”

  “Interesting,” said Margaret. “I just hope it’s far enough out of town to not interfere with our local small businesses.”

  “I bet Stacy would know what is going on,” said Zach. Stacy’s café was the center for all the town gossip.

  “I’ll try to talk to her tomorrow,” said Margaret. “I have to figure out a new candy for this season. I need something between summer and Halloween.”

  “I’m sure you will think of something,” said Zach. They finished their ice cream, and Margaret took the bowls into the kitchen. After she washed the bowls and spoons and put them away, she looked in her pantry. She saw the popcorn and had an idea. She made a list of things she would need to make her new candy and walked back into the living room.

  “I’m going to bed,” she told Zach.

  “I’m going up soon,” Zach said. “Goodnight.”

  Margaret reminded him to turn out the lights as she walked up to her room. Margaret went to sleep and dreamed about David at the beach.

  2

  The next morning, Margaret started some coffee brewing, then cooked up some eggs and toast. She was getting better with her cooking, but she still relied on Zach and David to handle the main meals. Zach bounded down the stairs.

  “Hey, slow down, you’ll make a dent in the wall,” exclaimed Margaret. Zach laughed and sat down at the kitchen table.

  Margaret made a plate of eggs and toast for Zach and handed it to him. Then she poured two cups of coffee and sat down with him. They ate in silence for a few minutes, and then Zach spoke up.

  “Can I leave the store early today?” he asked Margaret.

  “Well, I was going to make a new candy, but Patty will be there in the afternoon,” Margaret replied.

  Patty was Margaret’s other employee. She was an older woman who had lived in the town all her life. She was a big help with the store and with introducing Margaret to other townspeople. Patty also helped with Margaret’s investigations on occasion.

  “I have to go to the grocery store to pick up supplies, but I should be back in town in time to open up the shop,” said Margaret. “Why do you want to leave early?”

  “My friends are going to the boardwalk today, and I was hoping to go with them,” said Zach. “We’re going to do some fishing and check out the rides. I should be home by dinner time.”

  “I suppose that would be fine,” said Margaret. “Just keep your cell phone with you in case I need you.”

  “I will,” said Zach. “I’ll also take care of dinner tonight.” He got up from the table and collected the plates. “I’ll wash these for you so you can get ready.”

  “Thanks, Zach,” said Margaret. She smiled. She was glad her son had found a nice group of friends. She went upstairs and got dressed. Zach yelled goodbye to Margaret from the bottom of the stairs. A few minutes later, Margaret went to the kitchen and turned off the coffeepot. She grabbed her list from the kitchen table and drove to the store.

  When Margaret got there, she looked around for her ingredients. She bought unpopped popcorn; brown sugar; corn syrup; some orange, yellow, and brown chocolates; and some butter. She paid for her groceries and walked to her car. Oh crap, she thought. Margaret had forgotten David’s jacket at home. I suppose I can give it to him tonight or tomorrow. Margaret smiled, thinking about the picnic the night before. She got in her car and drove to town. Along the way she saw a sign mentioning the new strip mall Zach had mentioned. There was no location listed. Margaret decided to stop by the café at lunch and find out if Stacy knew what was going on.

  When Margaret got to her shop, Zach was there getting ready to open. Margaret put her groceries in the back kitchen. Zach had wiped down the counter and counted the money in the register. Margaret opened the jars of candy and got the specialty candy she made out of the refrigerators in the back. Zach opened the candy cases for Margaret, then walked over and flipped the sign to Open. He looked up and down the street.

  “Is there anyone there?” asked Margaret.

  “No,” said Zach.

  “Well, I’m going to make my candy then,” said Margaret.

  “Wait,” said Zach. “Before you do that can I show you a couple of tweaks I made to the website?”

  Zach had created a website for Margaret’s private investigation business. Margaret didn’t know she had a business until Zach set up the site. A day after he set it up, Margaret had her first client, a friend of Zach’s whose father had been murdered. Margaret still didn’t do much advertising as her candy business was her primary concern.

  Margaret agreed to see what changes he had made. Zach grabbed his laptop and put it on the counter.

  “If any customers come in, the laptop has to go in the back,” said Margaret.

  “Sure,” Zach said. He opened his laptop and pulled up the website. He pointed to the changes and instructed Margaret on how to maneuver around the updated page. Margaret watched him and took some notes.

  While they were working on the page, the door opened. Margaret looked up, and Zach closed his laptop. A man in a business suit came into the store. Margaret had never seen him before. He didn’t look like a tourist, and she wondered what he wanted.

  “Can I help you?” asked Margaret.

  The man glanced around the store and approached the counter smiling. He was carrying a briefcase and some papers.

  “My name is Mark Sheridan, and I think I can help you,” the man said to Margaret, holding out his hand. Margaret shook his hand.

  “Oh? How can you help me?” asked Margaret.

  “Why, I would like to buy your store,” he said.

  Margaret was shocked.

  “Excuse me?” she asked.

  “You heard me correctly,” said Mark, setting his briefcase on top of Margaret’s display case. “I want to buy your store, and I’m willing to make you a wonderful offer.”

  “Well, the store is not for sale,” said Margaret, smiling at him.

  “Everything is for sale for the right price,” said Mark, opening up his briefcase. He shuffled through the papers and pulled out a sheet. “Here, I have already drawn up the contract. Look at the offer I’m willing to make,” Mark said, handing Margaret the sheet of paper.

  Margaret looked at the paper. It was a contract for the sale of the candy store. Margaret was still in a bit of shock. She looked over the contract and handed it back to Mark.

  “Thank you for your generous offer, but I’m really not interested. I’m very happy with my candy store,” said Margaret.

  “Well, I want to stop by tomorrow and try to change your mind,” said Mark.

  “I’ll tell you what,” said Margaret. “You are welcome to stop by. I will give you a sample of my candies, including a new one I’m making, and I will show you why I want to stay in business.”

  “That’s a deal,” said Mark. He snapped his briefcase shut and walked to the door. He stopped and turned around. “Let me leave this with you. I will pick it up tomorrow—after you’ve signed it.” Mark grinned and put the contract on a table by the door.

  Before Margaret could object, Mark Sheridan left. Margaret went over to the table and picked up the paper. She sighed and took it back to the kitchen. She put it in a drawer in the desk and went back out front.

  “Would you sell this place?” asked Zach, who had overheard.

  “Not for all the money in the world,” said Margaret. “This is what I want to do, and I love that we are in a small community.”

  “Yeah, I like knowing all the people around us,” said Zach.

  “I do too,” Margaret agreed. “Successful people know that success stems from the community.”

  Just then the door opened, and a customer walked in. Zach asked Margaret if he could leave for the day to hang with his friends. She agreed, and Margaret turned to help the customer. After she was done with the sale, Margaret stepped back into the kitchen. She could hear if anyone walked in, and she wanted to do a little administrative work. An hour went by, and Margaret helped a few customers. Around noon, Patty arrived for work and asked if Margaret wanted to go to lunch.