A Shot of Bitterness Read online

  A Shot of Bitterness

  Candy Shop Mysteries #2

  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

  Margaret opened her eyes. The sun was streaming through her window. She stretched and looked at the clock. Nine a.m.? Margaret panicked. She was supposed to be at the store by now. How could I have overslept? She pulled on a short-sleeved shirt and capris, ran a comb through her hair, and rushed downstairs. Zach was already gone. Margaret had gotten her son his own car after the candy shop had taken off. She wanted him to be able to go out with his friends as well as help her at work. Margaret poured some coffee into a thermos and ran outside to her car, fishing her keys out of her purse.

  “Hello!” Margaret heard behind her.

  “Hello, Kyle,” said Margaret, waving. Kyle was her handsome neighbor across the street. He liked to keep to himself, but he was a very nice person. His dog, Stryker, was walking beside him. Kyle had trained Stryker so well that he didn’t need a leash when they went for a walk.

  Margaret and Kyle had become close friends after Margaret had helped prove that Kyle had not murdered their mutual neighbor. The woman who had been murdered was a neighborhood busybody. She had wanted things just so and stuck her nose where it didn’t belong—not that that meant she deserved to be killed, but Margaret had to admit that the neighborhood seemed calmer and friendlier since the woman had died.

  “It’s late for you to be going to work. Is everything okay?” asked Kyle while crossing the street to her car. Margaret appreciated that she didn’t have to yell a response to him.

  “Yes, everything is fine,” Margaret replied while opening her car door. “I just overslept.”

  “Oh, were you up late partying?” Kyle joked.

  “Oh yeah, I was up until ten sitting on my sofa watching television. I have to watch those late nights,” Margaret joked back. They laughed.

  “Well, I have to get to work. It was nice running into you,” Margaret said while patting Stryker on the head. She got into her car.

  “It was good to see you, too,” said Kyle, shutting the car door for Margaret. She rolled her window down.

  “Drive safe,” Kyle said.

  “Will do,” said Margaret. She put the car in reverse and backed down the driveway. On the way to the store, she used the car’s controls to listen to her voicemail through her speakers. There was one message from Patty.

  “Hi, Margaret, I won’t be in the store today. I have to go to the doctor’s office. I’ll call you later.”

  Margaret grew concerned. Patty was one of her employees. Well into her seventies, Patty was sweet and very helpful. Margaret hoped she was okay. Margaret told her Bluetooth to call Zach. There was no answer, so Margaret continued to drive to the store. When she got there, the store was open, and Zach was already helping a customer. Margaret breathed a sigh of relief and walked to the back room. She put on her apron and went to the front of the store. The customer said thank you to Zach, waved to Margaret, and left.

  “Good morning,” said Zach with a wink.

  “Good morning,” said Margaret, smiling. “I can’t believe I got up so late.”

  “Yeah, you’re usually the one waking me up,” Zach replied.

  “Why didn’t you wake me?” asked Margaret.

  “I let you sleep in because you’ve been working so hard. I knew I could get the store open and running this morning, and I figured you could use the extra rest,” Zach said.

  “I appreciate the thought,” said Margaret. “But next time could you text me or leave me a note? I almost had a heart attack running around this morning.”

  Zach laughed. “Sure, sorry about that,” he said. “Did you get Patty’s message?”

  “Yes, what is going on? I tried to call you, but you didn’t answer.”

  “I was helping a customer. Patty’s cat had to be taken to the vet.”

  Margaret laughed. Zach looked at her.

  “From her message I thought she was going to the hospital. I’m sorry her cat is ill, but at least Patty is fine.”

  “Yeah, she’s fine, but she is worried about her cat. She’s taking the day off and will be back tomorrow,” said Zach.

  “Okay. I’ll call her later and see how her cat is doing.”

  Margaret checked the candy display. All of the bins were full. They had gumdrops, gumballs, toffee, sour balls, and more. The shop was a myriad of color. Margaret had wanted the place to lift people’s spirits, and it had certainly accomplished that. Everyone who came in smiled at the bright displays.

  Zach closed the register and told Margaret he was going to run next door and get some drinks from the café.

  “Bring me some of Stacy’s sweet tea, please,” she asked Zach.

  “Will do,” said Zach as he left the shop.

  Stacy’s sweet tea reminded Margaret of her own tea growing up. Her mother made the best sweet tea. She still made it, but Margaret didn’t see her parents as often as she wanted to. Her mom and dad lived in an assisted care facility nearby and Margaret and Zach visited them as often as possible. With the candy shop opening, Margaret found that she was busy every day. She made a mental note to call her mother and set up a time they could come over for dinner. Family dinners were interesting. Her mother was an old hippie and her father was conservative. The conversations around the dinner table were more heated than the food some nights. Margaret smiled. At least it’s not an election year.

  Zach came back into the store holding two drinks.

  “Stacy says hello and asked how you were doing. She noticed you were late this morning.”

  “Did you tell her you let me sleep in?” asked Margaret.

  “Yep. When I told her how you were panicking she also said I should have written you a note. She was still laughing when I left.”

  “Well, it wasn’t very funny at the time!” Margaret said.

  The door opened and a woman walked in.

  “Hello, may I help you?” asked Margaret.

  “Yes, please. I’m getting some gift bags together to give to the elementary students. I was wondering how long it would take to make five hundred small gift bags, and how much it would cost.”

  Margaret beamed. This would be great for her business. “Why don’t you come into the back and we can sit down and discuss the order,” she said. “Zach, would you please keep an eye out here?”

  “Sure, Mom,” Zach replied.

  The woman smiled and followed Margaret into the back room. Twenty minutes later, they walked back out smiling.

  “We will be happy to get those together for you,” Margaret told the woman. “Thank y
ou for thinking of our store.”

  “You’re welcome. Mr. Stewart recommended you when I was having my dog groomed.”

  “I’ll have to thank Mr. Stewart next time I see him,” said Margaret. Mr. Stewart owned the dog grooming business across the street from Margaret’s store. He had helped Margaret obtain a key piece of evidence to help prove that Kyle had not killed Margaret’s next door neighbor.

  “I’ll be back next week to pick up the bags,” said the woman as she walked out the door.

  “That will be plenty of time,” said Margaret. “We will see you then.”

  “What are we doing?” asked Zach.

  “We will be making five hundred goody bags for the local elementary school. She and I figured out a good price. I have to go and place the order,” Margaret said, going into the back room. She giggled to herself. This would really help get her name out to more people. She knew the order wouldn’t be difficult to fill and she had Zach and Patty to help. She called her distributor and placed the order. She was able to get some cute bags also. Her distributor mentioned they had some overstock of certain candies and offered to sell them to Margaret at a steep discount. After thinking about it, Margaret agreed. She could sell those candies at a sale price and entice customers into the shop.

  Margaret went to the front of the store, and Zach told her he would be happy to help her with the big order. Margaret thanked him and mentioned the discounted candy.

  “We might have to stay later a few days to get this order done,” said Margaret. “Also, I thought we could call the discounted candies a Sweet Sale. I bet our customers would like that.”

  “I agree, although I think we can bag the candies for the elementary school during regular business hours,” said Zach. “We have been steady, but one of us could be working in the back on the bags while the other two man the front of the shop.”

  “That makes sense,” said Margaret. “No point in staying late if we don’t have to!”

  “When will the supplies be here?” asked Zach.

  “Oh, my distributor said she would put a rush on the order. They should be here tomorrow morning,” said Margaret.

  “Great. Patty will be back tomorrow. We can get to stuffing by midmorning,” said Zach.

  With the mention of Patty, Margaret told Zach she was going to go in the back and give her a call. Margaret dialed Patty’s number.

  “Hello, Patty,” said Margaret when she answered. “How is your cat?”

  “Thank you for calling, Margaret. I’m sorry I had to miss work, but Mr. Whiskers was having tummy problems.”

  “Oh no,” said Margaret. “Is he feeling better now?”

  “Yes, the veterinarian gave him some medicine and Mr. Whiskers is sleeping soundly. I could probably come in soon if you need me.”

  “That’s okay, Patty,” said Margaret. “Stay home and keep Mr. Whiskers company. We’re fine here.”

  “Thank you, Margaret. I’m sure Mr. Whiskers will be happy to see me when he wakes up. I’ll be in tomorrow for sure.”

  “Great. We have a big order to put together. I’ll give you details when you get here. Take care and I will see you tomorrow,” said Margaret. She hung up the phone and shook her head. Patty was a wonderful human being who saw the best in everyone and everything. Margaret wasn’t surprised that she had taken her cat to the vet for stomach problems. Patty loved her cat tremendously. Margaret knew if Patty came to work she would just be distracted. It is better she stay home today, thought Margaret. Margaret walked back to the front of the store, where Zach was cleaning one of the counters.

  Just then Mr. Stewart walked in. He didn’t look happy at all.

  Chapter 2

  Mr. Stewart stomped over to the counter. Margaret asked what was wrong.

  “Have you seen those delivery trucks outside?” Mr. Stewart asked, waving his arms toward the front of the store.

  “No, I hadn’t noticed them,” said Margaret.

  “I noticed them,” said Zach.

  “Why are they there?” asked Margaret.

  Mr. Stewart motioned her over to the window. “See that?” he asked.

  Margaret saw two delivery trucks in front of Mr. Stewart’s shop. One of them was blocking Mr. Stewart’s driveway.

  “They are in my way and the noise is upsetting my clients. One dog was so nervous he wouldn’t hold still. I almost cut his ear. Three of my customers called and cancelled their appointments until the trucks are gone,” said Mr. Stewart. He was very upset.

  “I understand how unsettling that must be,” said Margaret. “Why don’t you come over to the counter and pick out some candies. Candy always makes things better.”

  Grumbling, Mr. Stewart followed her to the counter and picked out some sour balls and gumdrops. Margaret bagged them and Mr. Stewart gave her some cash. He popped a gumdrop in his mouth and grimaced.

  “Not doing the trick?” asked Margaret.

  “It is not you or your candy. No amount of candy will make me feel better today.”

  “I understand, Mr. Stewart. Oh, I had something nice happen today, thanks to you. I was talking to a woman today about goody bags for the elementary school. Thanks for recommending me.”

  “I figured all kids love candy and you could use the business.”

  “I appreciate that,” said Margaret. Just then they heard the beeping of a truck backing up. Mr. Stewart scowled.

  “I need to go and check on my dogs. I’m sure they will all be howling. How are my customers supposed to get their dogs in my shop with that truck blocking my driveway?”

  Margaret shook her head, sympathetic. She waved as Mr. Stewart stomped to the door. As he was leaving, a tall sandy-haired man walked in. He smiled at Margaret and Zach while he held the door for Mr. Stewart. Margaret heard Mr. Stewart grumble something as he left.

  “Hello, David,” said Margaret. David Graham was a local detective. He had believed that Kyle had killed Margaret’s neighbor until Margaret had proven otherwise. David and Margaret had grown closer during the case. While David now respected Margaret’s opinions, he still didn’t want her too close to his work. Hunting down murderers was a dangerous business, and he didn’t want Margaret getting hurt.

  “Hello, Margaret,” said David, walking over to the counter.

  She grinned at him. “Would you like to buy some candy?”

  “Maybe later,” he said. “I stopped by to see if you had time to go and have coffee at Stacy’s with me.”

  “Sure,” said Margaret. She looked at Zach. “Do you think you can hold down the fort?” she asked.

  “Sure, if you bring me back a patty melt,” said Zach.

  Margaret laughed and agreed. David held the door for her as they left the store. Margaret heard a loud whooshing sound and some beeping. She looked across the street. There was a delivery truck leaving the vacant store next to Mr. Stewart’s pet grooming business. The other truck that had blocked his driveway was gone. Thank goodness, thought Margaret.

  “I wonder what is opening there,” said Margaret, pointing to the vacant store.

  “Let’s go over there and find out,” suggested David. They walked across the street and looked into the windows of the vacant store. Boxes lined the wall and it looked like someone had been clearing off the old counters.

  “Hello,” said a voice behind Margaret and David. Margaret jumped a bit and turned around. A tall man was standing behind them. He was wearing a suit and holding two cups and had apparently just come outside.

  “Would you like a sample?” he asked.

  “What is it?” asked David.

  “It is a sample of my coffee. My name is Scott Freeman. I’m going to be opening a coffee shop.”

  “Wow, that sounds great,” said Margaret. “I’m Margaret Nichols. I own the candy store across the street.”

  “I noticed your store when I was looking at this property. That is a great name for a candy store,” said Scott. “Makes it sound like everything’s a nickel.”

  M
argaret rolled her eyes and David chuckled. It never failed. She had named the store Nichols’ Candies, and everyone joked about it.

  Scott smiled, and David held his hand out.

  “I’m David Graham,” he said, shaking Scott’s hand.

  “Do you own a business downtown too?” asked Scott.

  “No. I’m a police detective.”

  “It is nice to meet you,” said Scott. “Don’t take offense, but I hope I never have to call you. I would prefer to know you as a customer only. How do you like the coffee?”

  “It tastes wonderful,” said Margaret. “When do you think you will open?”

  “Hopefully soon,” Scott said. “I have some people coming in to install some more counters. After that, I just have to get everything set up.”

  “Good luck,” said Margaret. “I hope everything goes smoothly.”

  “Well, it was nice meeting you,” said David. “Thank you for the samples. Margaret and I were just on the way to the café.”

  Margaret and David waved as they turned to walk back across the street to the café.

  “He seems nice,” said Margaret.

  “Yes, he does. Good coffee, too,” said David.

  “It really was. It will be nice having a coffee shop in town. Let’s just hope Mr. Stewart can put up with the trucks for a couple more days.”

  “Oh, I thought he looked mad when I saw him at your shop.”

  “Yeah, he was complaining about the noise the trucks were making. He said it was scaring the dogs. He almost cut a dog’s ear,” replied Margaret.

  “That would not have been good for business,” said David. “I can understand why he’s upset.”

  “Well, maybe he’ll like the business once the big trucks leave,” said Margaret.