A Shot of Bitterness Read online

  A couple of weeks later Margaret took a tray of pralines out of the shop. She put them on one of the long tables set up in the road. Stacy and Mr. Stewart had organized a block party. The whole street was blocked off and the stores had set up tables outside their shops. Mr. Stewart had doggie shampoo, conditioner, and brushes. Margaret noticed he also had his bows on the table. Stacy had brought out a large container of hot chocolate. She also had pecan pie. The deli owner had some sandwiches and Simone laid out some antiques on her table.

  Margaret looked down the street. Allie had some pastries on her table. There were not that many people buying them but Margaret was glad to see Allie out and about. Allen was in jail. He was denied bail mostly because Allie stood up to him and told the judge he had held her at knifepoint. Margaret admired that. She wished Allie hadn’t slept with Scott, but she understood the need to feel safe—although it was ironic that Allie had felt safe with a man like Scott. That was all behind them now and Margaret hoped Allie’s business would pick up. She was making beautiful cakes and pies with a punk twist.

  Margaret reached her table and put down the tray of pralines. She also had a tray of buckeyes and some individually wrapped candy she had bagged for the party. Leah Freeman’s check had arrived in the mail. Margaret was glad she had been sitting down when she opened it. Not only did the check cover two months’ rent, but there was enough left over to buy plenty of supplies for more homemade candy. And even though she wasn’t licensed, Margaret felt like a real private investigator now that she’d been paid for her work.

  “Hot stuff behind you,” said Zach.

  Margaret moved as Zach brought out a large coffee urn. Margaret had brewed the coffee in the store and they used extension cords to serve it with her candies. Margaret had talked to Stacy about serving coffee. Stacy didn’t mind. She was serving sweet tea with her pecan pie.

  “Are you going to stick around?” Margaret asked Zach.

  “Do you mind if I hang out with my friends for a bit?” Zach replied.

  “Sure,” said Margaret. “Just be sure to get back when we are done. I will need some help putting these trays and the coffee urn away.” Zach agreed and Margaret watched him leave. He met with his friends and they walked toward the beach.

  Margaret remembered the boot print with the sand in it. At his trial, Allen had admitted to pacing on the beach before poisoning Scott. He’d also sent Margaret the threatening note. Margaret had wondered about that, and David had called her and let her know. Margaret had to be at the store on the day of the trial to get the supplies for her chocolate. The boxes had taken over the kitchen and it had taken her most of the day to organize them. She’d spent the rest of the day at the beach listening to the waves and relaxing. Sitting on the beach helped Margaret to cleanse her mind of all the bad things that had happened.

  Margaret heard someone cough. She turned around and saw a line of customers. She sold some of her bags of candy to a couple of kids. Some adults came by and bought some pralines and coffee. She sold a bag of buckeyes and some coffee to a passerby. Margaret was enjoying herself. The block was united. The storefront across the street was still vacant but there had been whispers about someone opening something there in the next few months. Margaret hoped they would have better luck.

  She looked around and watched the other store owners mingling with the customers. The ocean breeze blew in and kept the humidity at bay. Near the end of the night, when Margaret was about to call Zach, someone stopped by her table. Her back was turned but she heard someone ask about the coffee.

  “Sure, I would be happy to get you a cup,” Margaret said, turning around. It was David. Margaret smiled.

  “Are you enjoying the night out?” David asked Margaret.

  “Yes, I am,” she replied. “I made some new friends and had some new customers. This was a great idea that Stacy and Mr. Stewart had.”

  “It was,” said David. “So—I have been meaning to ask you something.”

  “What is that?” asked Margaret.

  “Would you be free for dinner sometime next week?” David asked.

  “Why, are you asking me on a date?” Margaret asked.

  “Yes I am,” said David. “If you recall, you agreed to go out with me once the case was over.”

  “I do recall that,” said Margaret. She gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “And since the case is over—yes, I would love to go out to dinner with you.”

  Dear Reader,

  Hi there. Thank you for reading.

  I hope you’ll leave a review and/or rating at the retail website where you purchased it, I appreciate you and your feedback.

  Thanks again,

  Wendy Meadows

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  About the Author

  Wendy Meadows is an emerging author of cozy mysteries. She lives in “The Granite State” with her husband, two sons, two cats and lovable Labradoodle.

  When she isn’t working on her stories she likes to tend to her flowers, relax with her pets and play video games with her family.

  Get in Touch with Wendy

  www.wendymeadows.com

  Also by Wendy Meadows

  Maple Hills Cozy Mystery Series

  Nether Edge Mystery Series

  Chocolate Cozy Mystery Series

  Alaska Cozy Mystery Series

  Sweet Peach Bakery Cozy Series

  Sweetfern Harbor Mystery Series

  Candy Shop Mysteries