Maple Hills Mystery Box Set 3 Read online

  Hawk grinned and went into the kitchen to make a plate to share with Nikki. He carried it into the den with two forks and handed one to Nikki. Nikki thanked him and snuggled up with him on the sofa. Seth and Tori sat on the love seat, and they all watched the fire and enjoyed their meal. Nikki told Hawk he could sleep on the sofa, and Seth offered Tori his room. He said he would sleep in the den, since there was an extra air mattress in the closet.

  “It’s a sleepover party,” Nikki laughed. Everyone laughed with her. But her laughter turned quickly into a massive yawn, and Nikki stretched and announced she was going to bed. She helped Hawk make up the sofa while Seth changed his sheets for Tori. Seth brought down a blanket and sheets and set the air mattress up by the dwindling fire. Hawk took Nikki aside and hugged her.

  “Happy Valentine’s Day,” he said.

  Nikki smiled. “Happy Valentine’s Day to you, too.”

  13

  Nikki woke up early the next morning. She had intended to be the first one up so she could make breakfast for everyone. When she got up out of bed, though, she smelled coffee and bacon already wafting up the stairs. She smiled. Instead of jumping out of bed, she decided to relax in the shower and then go downstairs. After she was dressed, she went down to the kitchen. Hawk was standing at the stove making eggs, bacon, and grits. The freshly-brewed coffee was sitting on the table in a carafe. Seth and Tori were in their pajamas, sitting at the kitchen table. Nikki looked out the window. It had stopped snowing, but the sun shone brightly on the sparkling white landscape. A cardinal flew by, and a squirrel hopped across the lawn. It was a peaceful morning. Nikki walked over to Hawk and gave him a hug and kiss.

  “Good morning,” she said.

  “Good morning to you,” Hawk replied. “Do you want something for breakfast? Or everything?”

  “Load up a plate,” she said. Hawk smiled and dished out the food. Nikki took the plate to the table and joined Seth and Tori. Hawk made himself a plate, and they sat down together.

  “I think I might open the shop a bit late today,” Nikki mused. Hawk’s jaw dropped. Nikki always had the store open first thing in the morning. It had been a truly unusual Valentine’s Day. Just then, there was a knock on the door.

  “I’ll get it,” said Seth. He hopped up and went to the door. Nikki heard him say hello, and she turned around to see Lidia walking in.

  “Good morning. I wanted you to know that I have made an official decision.”

  “What is it?” asked Nikki.

  “I have closed the shop for the day.”

  “What? Why?” asked Nikki.

  “Because, Nikki, you have done enough for this town this past week. You have worked non-stop, and you need a break. I have already put a sign on the door. Everyone who stopped by agreed with me, including the mayor.”

  “Well, if the mayor said to take a day off, who am I to argue?” Nikki asked. Everyone laughed.

  “Have some coffee and breakfast, Lidia,” Hawk offered.

  “Thank you, I will,” she replied, taking a seat at the table. Nikki smiled. She did deserve a break. The chocolates could keep for another day.

  Everyone relaxed and enjoyed Hawk’s delicious cooking. After breakfast, Nikki ordered Hawk to relax for a change. Tori and Seth cleaned up the dishes, and Nikki put them away. Lidia said she had to get back home. Her husband would be delighted to have her home for the day.

  “That or he will dread the honey-do list I come up with for him.” Nikki and Hawk laughed. Lidia said goodbye. Tori and Seth said they were finally going to go to that long-postponed movie. They asked if Nikki and Hawk wanted to join them. Nikki looked at Hawk.

  “I thought we could take a hike,” Hawk suggested.

  “Yeah, I think we will do that instead. Thank you for the offer, though,” Nikki said to Seth. Seth said he understood.

  “We’re having lunch in town after the movie, so don’t wait up for us, Mom.” Seth and Tori put on their coats and left.

  It was quiet in the house. The beautiful outdoors was calling. Nikki went up to her room and put on her hiking boots. She grabbed her parka and went downstairs. She put on her coat and hat, and Hawk wound her scarf around her neck, carefully tucking it in so she would be warm in the chilly February winds. He took her hand and they went outside. Snow started falling, but it was light and airy. It blew around the trail in front of Nikki and Hawk. Nikki loved this kind of snow. She stuck out her tongue and caught some snowflakes. Their coldness nipped at her tongue. Hawk laughed. They walked in the woods around Nikki’s house. There were worn trails from previous hikes that even the snow could not hide.

  The snow was lighter in the woods, sheltered by the branches of the trees. Nikki occasionally heard a snap and a large pile of snow would come down from the trees above. The wind picked up, and the snow whirled out of the trees and started to get behind Nikki’s scarf and freeze her neck. She felt the melting snow run down her back. After the third time this happened, Nikki looked at Hawk.

  “I think it is time to head back to the house,” she said. Her head felt clearer and lighter. She enjoyed being out in nature, and was glad Hawk was there to enjoy it with her.

  “Okay. Have you gotten enough snow for the day?”

  Nikki laughed. “Yes. My neck is starting to freeze.” Hawk laughed. He took Nikki’s hand. As they were walking back, he stopped her. He froze. Nikki looked at him and he put his finger to his lips. He pointed past one of the trees. Nikki looked and gasped. There was a deer about ten feet away. It was a buck, and he was majestic. He had been eating, but he stopped and looked at them, his antlers magnificent against the stark winter landscape. They held still. He started to pick his way slowly through the snow away from them. Nikki and Hawk watched him go. Nikki realized she had been holding her breath. She let it out and smiled. It was a magical moment.

  “That was incredible,” she said to Hawk.

  “It sure was,” he agreed. They walked back to Nikki’s house. When they got in, they took off their outer layers in her foyer. They carried their boots and jackets into the den and put them by the roaring fire. Hawk asked if Nikki wanted some more coffee.

  “How about I make some hot chocolate?” she suggested.

  “I will never say no to that,” Hawk replied. Nikki made the hot chocolate while Hawk relaxed in the den. She also put a bag of marshmallows, a box of graham crackers, and some of her chocolates on a plate. She put the plate and mugs on a tray and added two skewers. She took the tray into the den.

  Hawk was sitting on the floor by the fire. He saw the tray and his eyes lit up.

  “S’mores,” he exclaimed. “I love s’mores.” Nikki smiled. She put the tray on the floor and joined Hawk. They both put marshmallows on a skewer and roasted them on the fire. When they were perfectly browned on the outside and melting on the inside, they slid the marshmallows onto the graham crackers with a piece of chocolate. They smashed another graham cracker on top and ate them. A little while later, Nikki was licking marshmallow off her fingers and sipping hot chocolate. Hawk was leaning back, watching her. He smiled.

  “This is so relaxing. I am glad Lidia made me take the day off,” Nikki said.

  “So am I,” said Hawk. There was a silence as they both contemplated the long, stressful week that had led up to this beautiful, peaceful day.

  “Do you think he is doing the right thing?” Nikki looked at Hawk.

  “Who?” asked Hawk, confused.

  “Seth. I know he wants to get into law enforcement, but after yesterday, I worry something will happen to him.” Hawk moved over and put his arm around her.

  “I understand you are worried. I am worried, too. But Seth is an intelligent young man. He will not put himself into any danger he cannot handle. I am sure of that. Remember yesterday when we told him to wait with the chief?” Nikki nodded. Hawk continued, “He did. If he had not waited and insisted on going into the building with us, I would be concerned.”

  “You are right,” Nikki agreed. “He did listen.
I still just think of him as my baby boy sometimes. It is hard to watch him grow up so fast. Pretty soon he will move out and have a family of his own.”

  “Yeah, and then you will be a grandma.” Hawk ducked as Nikki threw a punch at him. They laughed.

  “You know I will make sure he has the best training possible,” Hawk reassured Nikki.

  “I know, and thank you. That means a lot to me.”

  Hawk sat up and took Nikki’s hand. “I have something for you,” he said. He pulled a narrow rectangular box out of his pocket, wrapped in red paper. He handed it to Nikki. Nikki smiled.

  “Thank you,” she said and pulled off the wrapping. She opened the box and her breath left her. It was a gorgeous gold necklace with a heart locket. It had flowers carved in tiny filigree, and a tiny diamond star sparkling in the center. She gasped. “Is this…”

  “Yes. It’s the locket you saw at the antique store. I knew it had to be yours. Just like the one your mother had.”

  Nikki opened the locket. There was a picture of Seth. Nikki felt the tears forming. She looked at Hawk. He smiled. She kissed him and thanked him again.

  “I want you to always have Seth right by your heart,” he said.

  Nikki wiped a tear away. “He is not the only one who should be in here,” she said. Hawk looked at her quizzically. “I need your picture here, too. I always want you close to my heart.” Hawk swept her in his arms and kissed her. She hugged him close, happy to be with the man that she loved.

  Bear Truffle Murder

  Book Eleven

  1

  The air was warming up as the sun rose over Maple Hills. Nikki was in her shop enjoying the arrival of spring. No more bulky coats, she thought as she took off her light jacket. June in Maple Hills brought a promise of warmth to come. Nikki was happy to have seen the last of the snow. She walked to the front of her chocolate shop and opened the door. There were no customers waiting, but Nikki was not worried. She knew the store would be busy later. Nikki had brewed some coffee, and she took advantage of the quiet to sit and enjoy a cup. A few minutes later, Tori and Lidia walked into the shop. Lidia was an older woman who worked harder than anyone Nikki knew. Tori was younger and sweet. They worked for Nikki and were reporting for duty.

  “Hi, Nikki,” they said together. Nikki invited them to sit and have some coffee. They both grabbed cups and sat down.

  “I’ve been thinking,” started Nikki, “It is getting too warm to run a hot chocolate shop.” She and Lidia had come up with that idea in the fall. Customers had been talking about how cold it was, and the two friends came up with a solution. Now that it was warming up, Nikki thought it would be better to offer something cooler.

  “How about milkshakes?” she asked the other ladies. Tori and Lidia agreed that milkshakes would be a perfect transition into the summer and warmer weather.

  “We could also sell floats,” Lidia suggested. Nikki and Tori agreed.

  “We could make our own ice cream,” Tori suggested.

  “That sounds like a lot of trouble,” said Nikki.

  “Actually, they have some industrial ice cream makers for sale at the kitchen warehouse in the next town over,” Tori said. “I noticed them last time I was there.”

  “I can look into an ice cream freezer,” offered Lidia. Lidia had lived in Maple Hills all her life. She had connections in the town. If you need it, ask Lidia, thought Nikki.

  “Okay,” Nikki agreed. “Let’s look into it.”

  Tori said she would call the kitchen warehouse, and Lidia said she would call some friends. While they were making their calls, a customer walked in. Nikki recognized him and asked if he needed some chocolates. He said yes, and she went to the counter to help him. He was a local teacher. He liked to have Nikki’s chocolates available as special treats for his students. He was so popular that the man’s students visited him at home in the summer. After Tori and Lidia finished their phone calls, they helped Nikki with the other customers who had appeared. Nikki went into the kitchen and started making some chocolates to order for a customer who was picking them up that day. The customer had wanted strawberry flavored caramels. Nikki got out the brown sugar, butter, and cream and started mixing the caramels. She added some strawberry flavoring and shaped them on the tray. After she popped them into the refrigerator, she went to the front of the store. It was busy, but Tori and Lidia had it under control. Just then the door opened, and Seth appeared.

  “How was the station today?” Nikki asked him. Seth was her college age son who was studying criminal justice. He was home for the summer and holding down two separate part-time jobs. He worked for Nikki in the afternoon and the police department during the morning. He was on desk duty, so he was able to observe the action without getting too involved. Nikki was happy that he’d found his calling, but she still worried about him choosing to follow in her shoes. Nikki’s father had been in the FBI. Nikki had wanted to go to the academy, but she had gotten married instead. Her husband turned out to be a cheating liar and had left her and Seth high and dry in Atlanta. Nikki had decided to move to Maple Hills to get away from the big city.

  “It was a good day,” said Seth, grabbing a cup of coffee.

  “Did your mom tell you her new idea?” Tori asked him while giving him a kiss. Tori and Seth had been dating for a few months now. Nikki approved. Tori helped keep Seth grounded, and they made a cute couple.

  “What new idea?” Seth asked Nikki.

  “I am thinking of serving milkshakes over the summer,” she said.

  “With homemade ice cream,” chimed in Tori. Nikki smiled.

  “That sounds wonderful,” said Seth. “I remember you making ice cream when I was little. You used to get fresh peaches and make peach ice cream with them.”

  “Oh, that sounds delicious,” said Tori.

  “It was,” insisted Seth. “It would be so hot outside, but the peach ice cream cooled us down.”

  Nikki smiled. She remembered making the ice cream. She made a mental note to see if she could find some fresh peaches or have them shipped up from Atlanta.

  “Did you see the chief today?” Nikki asked Seth.

  “Yes. He assigned me my own desk today,” said Seth proudly. The chief was Chief Daily, head of the police department and a dear friend of Nikki’s.

  “I’m filling out forms and running errands,” Seth said. “Don’t worry, Mom. I am nowhere near the criminals,” he reassured Nikki.

  “I’m glad you’re enjoying your job,” said Nikki.

  “I am enjoying it,” Seth said while rinsing out his cup and moving behind the counter. “I also enjoy working here with you. I’m glad to be able to take some of the burden of running the store off your shoulders.”

  The door opened, and a good-looking, tall man walked in. He had on jeans and a t-shirt. He walked over to Nikki and gave her a kiss.

  “Hi, Hawk,” said Nikki, smiling. “How’s your day going?”

  “You know, lots of desk work,” he said, frowning. Hawk was Nikki’s boyfriend. He was also a detective and the son of Chief Daily. He had helped Seth get his part-time job on the force.

  “Oh, poor baby,” Nikki teased. She knew Hawk would rather be out and about than tied to a desk.

  “Mom and I were just talking about milkshakes,” Seth chimed in.

  “Milkshakes?” Hawk asked.

  “Yes,” said Nikki. “I was thinking about putting in a milkshake machine and ice cream freezer. It’s finally getting warm, and milkshakes help keep people cool.”

  Hawk agreed with Nikki. “What flavors were you thinking of making?” he asked.

  “Well, there has already been a demand for peach, and I suppose I should do vanilla and chocolate,” Nikki said.

  “How about blueberry?” Tori asked.

  “That’s a great idea,” said Nikki. “We should have some fresh ones coming into season soon.”

  “Those sound delicious,” Lidia added. “We could do a special flavor each week.”

  “Wha
t a great idea,” said Nikki. “We could have apple and pineapple.”

  “Or mocha,” said Lidia.

  “Or pumpkin,” said Seth. They all looked at him. “What?” he asked.

  “Summer flavors,” Nikki reminded him. Everyone laughed.

  “Okay, then how about blackberry? There is a pick-all-you-can farm about twenty minutes from here, and they advertised blackberries,” said Seth.

  “That sounds yummy,” said Tori. “And don’t forget strawberry,” she added.

  “We could make a fourth of July cone with vanilla, strawberry, and blueberry,” suggested Nikki.

  “Very patriotic,” Hawk teased.

  “Well, what is your idea? I haven’t heard from you yet.”

  “I think you should make egg creams,” he replied.

  “Egg creams? What are those?” asked Nikki. She had been living in the north for a while, but no one had ever mentioned egg creams before.

  “You have never had an egg cream?” asked Lidia.

  “No. Do they have raw egg in them? They sound kind of gross,” said Nikki.

  “Oh my goodness,” said Tori. “We will have to make some. It is better to taste them than to explain them.”

  “Okay,” said Nikki.

  “I’ll be back in a few minutes. Lidia could you put some glasses in the freezer?” asked Tori. Lidia agreed, and Tori walked out of the store. Nikki laughed. A few minutes later, she returned. She was carrying a bag. She put the bag on the counter and pulled out some milk, chocolate syrup, and seltzer.

  Nikki looked at the ingredients questioningly. “Trust me,” said Tori noticing the troubled look. Nikki shrugged, and Tori went to work. By the time she was done she had five tall glasses filled with egg cream. Nikki and Seth each took a glass and tried a sip. They both smiled.

  “This is incredible,” said Nikki. “I’ll have to feature Tori’s egg creams when we open the milkshake stand.”

  Seth agreed. They enjoyed their cool beverages and the lull in customers. Then the door opened, and a few people walked in.