Fudgy Fatality: A Pumpkin Hollow Mystery, book 10 by Kathleen Suzette (good books for high schoolers .txt) 📗

of the display case and set the tray of cupcakes inside. We usually only made candy at the Pumpkin Hollow Candy Store, but last year during the Halloween season, we had started making cupcakes when the owner of the local bakery had refused to get into the Halloween spirit. Stella Moretti had been a spoilsport. I liked making the cupcakes, so we had decided to add them to the fall lineup again.

“I am as excited as I can be,” she said flatly and came to stand beside me to place the bonbons in the display case.

I turned to her. “That doesn’t sound like excitement. What’s up?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. This time last year I was still happily married and hadn’t a care in the world. I guess I’m dwelling on things I shouldn’t be.”

“I’m sorry,” I said, taking the tray of candy from her. “Maybe try to focus on all the events of the season. It might help take your mind off the divorce.”

She forced herself to smile again. “You’re right. I’m not going to dwell on the divorce. I mean, why should I? John decided to move on, so I can, too. Besides, I’ve got lots of good memories of the Halloween season from previous years, so why think about the ones that aren’t so great?”

I nodded. “And let’s not forget about Devon Brown. He seems awful happy when he’s around you.” I looked at her, one eyebrow raised. Devon was an old classmate of my sister’s and they had renewed their acquaintance recently, but they had yet to go out on a date.

She gave me a genuine smile now. “I like seeing him, too.” She whispered this last part and then turned and headed back toward the kitchen. “Thanks for the coffee.”

I chuckled and looked up at Lisa Anderson. She was straightening a shelf. “I’m headed to the coffee shop. Would anyone like anything?”

Carrie looked up from where she was setting foil-wrapped chocolate pumpkins onto a shelf. “No thanks, I’ve had too much caffeine today. I’m a jittery mess.”

Lisa turned toward me. “A vampire’s kiss, please? Iced?”

“You got it.” I headed to the front door. It was Friday evening, the day before Labor Day weekend. Tomorrow was the first day of the Halloween season and we had been in a mad rush to get everything ready. There was going to be a Halloween parade in the morning at ten. We’d hoped to have a float in the parade, but in the end, we decided to just walk the parade route in costumes and toss candy to the waiting children. We had been making taffy and small hard candy Halloween characters to toss. My mother also ordered an assortment of other candy that we’d give out during the parade; small packages of candy corn, jellybeans, and Tootsie Rolls.

It wasn’t quite fall yet, but the day had been cool, and I was excited. Fall would be here soon, and I could hardly wait. Here’s to pumpkin spice lattes and pumpkin scones in the soon-to-be cold mornings, I thought. It was a short walk to the coffee shop, and I took my time about getting there. It felt good to be outside after being inside the candy store all day.

My best friend, Amanda and her husband Brian, owned the Little Coffee Shop of Horrors, and when I stepped inside, I inhaled the scent of freshly brewed coffee and spices in the air. It was one of my favorite places.

“Hi Mia,” Amanda called as she finished waiting on her customer. The woman left, and I stepped up to the counter and gave her my orders. “How are you this afternoon?”

“I’m great. Some of us needed a pick-me-up to get us through the afternoon. Are you ready for the Halloween season?” I asked, placing my hands on the countertop and looking into the display case. There were pumpkin spice scones, an assortment of cookies, and blueberry muffins. They looked delectable, but I was going to go to dinner with my boyfriend, Officer Ethan Banks, when I got off work, so I decided not to indulge. Ethan was as handsome as could be and I could hardly wait to see him.

“I am as ready as I’ll ever be.” She stepped in front of the espresso machine and got started on the drinks. “I placed a big order for coffee beans, spices, flour, and sugar, among other things. I think we’ll be set for a while. How about you and the candy crew?”

“We did the same. Things are going to get crazy around here. I just hope we can keep up.”

She glanced at me as the beans were ground inside the machine. “You all are candy making whizzes. You’ll handle it all just fine. I’ve got to stop in and get some fudge, I’ve had a craving for it the past few days.”

I chuckled. “Thanks for the vote of confidence. We’ve been going over and over what we’re planning to make, and my mom hired some more help. I’m sure you’re right though. It will take a week or so to really get in the groove of making so much candy every day, but we’ll adjust.”

When she saw me look into the display case again, she grinned. “Would you like anything besides the coffees?”

I shook my head. “I better not. Ethan and I are going out to dinner. Those pumpkin scones look really good, but I’ll regret it if I eat one now. I’ll spoil my appetite.”

“Sounds like fun. Is dinner going to be someplace fancy?” She set one of the cups of coffee on the counter and placed a lid on it.

“No, we’re just going to Shandi’s.” Shandi’s offered a variety of American food and the burgers were top-notch, not to mention the daily entrée. It didn’t matter what the entrée was, it was always great.

She nodded. “Well, the