Mother's Day Mayhem Read online

  Mother’s Day Mayhem

  Also by Lynn Cahoon

  The Tourist Trap Mysteries

  Corned Beef and Casualties

  Santa Puppy

  A Deadly Brew

  Rockets’ Dead Glare

  Killer Party

  Hospitality and Homicide

  Tea Cups and Carnage

  Murder on Wheels

  Killer Run

  Dressed to Kill

  If the Shoe Kills

  Mission to Murder

  Guidebook to Murder

  The Farm-to-Fork Mysteries

  One Potato, Two Potato, Dead

  Killer Green Tomatoes

  Who Moved My Goat Cheese?

  The Cat Latimer Mysteries

  Slay in Character

  Of Murder and Men

  Fatality by Firelight

  A Story to Kill

  Table of Contents

  Also by Lynn Cahoon

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  Note from the Author

  Recipe – Tiny’s Provolone Stuffed Meatloaf

  Love Lynn Cahoon?

  About the Author

  Mother’s Day Mayhem

  A Tourist Trap Holiday Novella

  Lynn Cahoon

  LYRICAL PRESS

  Kensington Publishing Corp.

  www.kensingtonbooks.com

  To the extent that the image or images on the cover of this book depict a person or persons, such person or persons are merely models, and are not intended to portray any character or characters featured in the book.

  LYRICAL PRESS BOOKS are published by

  Kensington Publishing Corp.

  119 West 40th Street

  New York, NY 10018

  Copyright © 2019 by Lynn Cahoon

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

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  Special book excerpts or customized printings can also be created to fit specific needs. For details, write or phone the office of the Kensington Sales Manager: Kensington Publishing Corp., 119 West 40th Street, New York, NY 10018. Attn. Sales Department. Phone: 1-800-221-2647.

  Lyrical Press and Lyrical Press logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.

  First Electronic Edition: April 2019

  ISBN-13: 978-1-5161-0937-1 (ebook)

  ISBN-10: 1-5161-0937-6 (ebook)

  Printed in the United States of America

  CHAPTER 1

  Coffee, Books, and More, my coffee shop and bookstore combo in the tourist town of South Cove, California, was doing its regular business on a Wednesday morning. Which meant I hadn’t had a customer since the last of the commuters had left around seven thirty. You might think I would be upset at the lack of customers, but you’d be wrong. Mostly because I’d been reading the new Linda Castillo book this week and I had to know the ending. So when the bell over the door went off when I only had ten pages left, I groaned. Aloud.

  When I looked up, I saw the situation was worse than I’d expected. Instead of an actual customer, Josh Thomas, the antique dealer who owned the building next door, stood in his black suit in the middle of my dining room. I’d told him before that he needed to branch out with a little color in his clothing choices, but I guess I hadn’t made an impact. He looked like a funeral director at the local mortuary. And since I knew Doc Ames—who was actually a funeral director and looked less dour—Josh actually looked like a caricature of a funeral director. From a bad horror flick.

  He turned his head and located me, sitting on the couch. Sighing, I put away the book that I’d have to wait until after lunch time to finish and crossed the room to greet him. “Hey, Josh. How can I help you today? Too late in your day for some coffee?”

  He glared at me, like I’d dragged him into the shop to interrupt my reading. “No, Miss Gardner, I’m not here for a coffee.”

  Josh had always called me Miss Gardner. Not Jill. At first, I thought it was due to our new acquaintance. But since I’d known him for over three years and he used to date my aunt, now I assumed he like referencing my single status. Like I was worried about it or something. Josh was staring at me now, and I realized he was waiting for a response to a question I hadn’t heard. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”

  Josh sighed, loudly, looked around at the door to make sure we were still alone, and then asked me the question again. “Have you noticed anything different about Kyle?”

  “Kyle?” I tried to think about the last time I’d seen Josh’s employee. Had it been last week? He lived in an apartment over the antique shop next to Josh. Had it been over a week?

  “Kyle Nabors, the man who works for me? At the antique store?” Josh reminded me of Kyle’s identity as he glared. “Are you sure you’re all right?”

  This is why I didn’t like talking to Josh. He tried to make me feel like an idiot. On a regular basis. “I know who Kyle is, I was just trying to remember the last time I saw him. I guess it was last week when I left the store after my shift. He was coming down from the apartment and I was going out to the parking lot for my car. I’d driven in that morning because I had to go into Bakerstown to get dog food. I can’t believe how much food Emma goes through in a month.”

  “I’m not here to talk about the care and feeding of your dog.” He pulled a small notebook out of his jacket pocket. He paused as if taking notes. “When exactly did you see him and what did you talk about?”

  I wasn’t sure how I felt about being interrogated, but I’d play along, especially since I might need to repay the favor one day when I was investigating—not investigating—one of our local mysteries. “Like I said, it was last Tuesday—”

  Josh interrupted me and glared. “You said, last week.”

  “Fine, so I said last week instead of Tuesday. But it was Tuesday. Can I go on?” I waited for Josh to nod, then continued my story. “Anyway, I saw him coming down the back stairs. I waved, he waved, but that was it. He looked happy.”

  “He’s been looking that way for weeks. I know he’s still dating that woman from Bakerstown, but typically, he’s not that chipper about her.” Josh mused over his notes. When he finished writing, he looked up. “And?”

  “And nothing. I went to Bakerstown to get dog food. I don’t think I’ve seen him since.” A bad feeling came over me. “Wait, are you telling me he’s disappeared? Have you called Greg?”

  Josh followed me to the counter where I grabbed my phone. “Calm down, Miss Gardner. Kyle is currently working the front counter at my store. Which means I need to get back to make sure everything is all right.”

  “So you’re concerned that Kyle’s too happy and you’re going to fix that?” I watched as Josh took two of the sample brownies from the plate on the counter and put them on a napkin.

  He didn’t answer me as he headed to the door.

  “Josh?”

  He turned back to look at me. “Yes?”

  “You’re a strange guy.”

  After he stomped out, I returned to the couch and my book. I had thirty minutes until Toby arrived to start his shift and if I hurried, I could not only finish this book, bu
t sort through the advance reader copies in the back room for my next read.

  * * * *

  Walking down to Diamond Lille’s to meet Greg for lunch, I paused in front of Antiques by Thomas. Kyle was working on a window display. He saw me watching and waved at me with a big grin on his face. The tattoos that peeked out from his rolled-up sleeves reminded me of his background, before joining the South Cove community. The kid looked way too happy as he scrubbed dirt off the window sill. Josh was right; something was definitely up with our bad boy turned good.

  As I entered the diner, Greg saw me and waved from our favorite booth. He’s my boyfriend and also South Cove’s police detective. I keep telling him he needs to get Mayor Baylor to change his title to Chief King, but Greg isn’t the power type. Besides, the mayor was already concerned that Greg wanted his job. The good thing about that was it kept the guy on his toes. Everyone loves Greg. Not so much the mayor.

  I paused at the booth, taking in his sandy hair and tanned face. If not for the South Cove Police dress shirt and the handgun at his side, you could mistake him for a surfer fueling up for the next wave. I brushed his hair out of his eyes and then kissed him lightly. “Hey, stranger. I’m glad you set up lunch. I don’t think I’ve seen you for weeks.”

  “It hasn’t been that long.” He pushed a glass of iced tea toward me. “I told Carrie you’d order when you got here, but I’ve got the stuffed meatloaf special already going.”

  I glanced at the menu. It was Wednesday, and I was having my favorite meal, fish and chips. Carrie was busy with another customer so I set the menu aside and sipped my tea. “Emma found a doll on the beach this morning during our run. I told her she could keep it since it looked like it washed up on shore.”

  “I haven’t had any reports of missing dolls, but you might want to check the condition of the face, I’d hate to have her choke on a loose eye or something.” He leaned back as Carrie set his plate in front of him. “Thanks, that smells amazing.”

  “I don’t even want to know what you’re talking about.” Carrie grinned at Greg, then turned to me. “Fish and chips?”

  “Of course, it’s Wednesday.” I glanced at the iced tea. “I guess that’s all.”

  “No vanilla milkshake?” Carrie pressed since that was my usual drink on Wednesday. I figure it’s a good cheat day since I’m running daily, except for Sundays.

  “No, I’m good.” I felt my cheeks heat as both Greg and Carrie stared at me.

  “Okay then, carry on with your eye swallowing conversation.” Carrie headed back to the kitchen.

  “I guess we should have clarified whose eye.” Greg nodded to the glass. “Didn’t you want tea? You could have ordered a milkshake.”

  “The tea is fine.” I took another sip as if to prove it to him. I didn’t want to be considered a diva. His first wife held that title. My goal was to be the sweet and kind alternative. Girlfriend, I mean, not wife. “The doll is a rag doll and I threw it in the washer when I got home. If it survives that, she can have it. No buttons or plastic eyes to come off.”

  Carrie arrived back at the table with my lunch. “Here you go.”

  “Whoa, that was fast.” I glanced toward the kitchen. “What, do you have magical elves doing the cooking now?”

  “Nope. Tiny saw you come in and started your order. You really need to expand your food choices. You’re way too predictable.”

  I watched as Carrie walked away to pick up plates from another table. “I might consider being offended at that, but I have my food faster than normal. So why should I?”

  “Hey, let’s go away next weekend. I’d say this weekend, but I’m covering Toby on Saturday night, so we’ll have to wait a week.” He snatched a French fry. “What do you think? Maybe a drive up the coast to Oregon? We haven’t been that far yet.”

  “Sounds great. I couldn’t go this weekend anyway, as I’m covering Toby’s Saturday shift at the shop. I know he wants more hours, but when he’s off, he messes up both our schedules. That being said, I’m glad that he’s getting a short vacation, even if it’s really putting a crimp in my reading time.” I shook malt vinegar over the top and took a bite. Heaven.

  “Perfect. Then on the 14th, we’ll go into Bakerstown and have lunch at that seafood place you like.” Greg kept his head down, apparently focusing on the food.

  “Boy, you are just full of plans today. Sounds great, but maybe we should go to the beach instead and eat out of one of those food trucks.” I grabbed my phone and opened my calendar. “Nevermind, that’s a Sunday, not a Saturday.”

  “It’s Mother’s Day.”

  I glanced up from keying the new plans into my calendar. “So…”

  “I thought you might want to invite your aunt.” He still wasn’t looking at me.

  I was beginning to smell a rat here. “You’re telling me you want a family dinner? Will Jim be there?”

  “More than likely.” Finally, Greg looked up and set his fork on his plate. “As well as my mom. She’s coming into town for the weekend and I want you to meet her.”

  I started choking on the fish I’d just taken a bite of. When I got myself under control, I stared at him. “You want me to meet your mom at a Mother’s Day dinner with Aunt Jackie in tow? That’s what you’re asking.”

  Greg went back to his meal. “That about sums it up. Do you have a problem with meeting my mother?”

  “Of course not.” Well, that’s what I said. What I was screaming inside was Oh, my lord, help me out of this mess.

  “Good, then it’s settled. I’ll call Jim tonight and you let your aunt know. Harrold is invited too, of course.” Greg finished his meatloaf. When I didn’t respond, he put his fork down and took a sip of his tea. “Okay, tell me what I did wrong?”

  “Seriously? You have to ask?” I waved a French fry at him. “You ambushed me with this whole situation.”

  “Are you saying you don’t want to meet my mother?” Greg’s voice held a touch of anger.

  “That’s not what I’m saying.” I didn’t want to fight, not about this, and definitely not here. “I don’t know what I’m saying. I’m just shocked. I didn’t realize your mother was planning on coming to South Cove soon.”

  Greg leaned back in the booth. “Honestly, neither did I. I guess she and Jim pulled this visit together. She thinks she needs to meet you before I get too involved.”

  “She realizes we’ve been dating more than a year, right?” I dipped the fry I’d been using as a weapon into the fry sauce and ate it before continuing. “What has Jim been telling her? I’m a wanton woman who is keeping you away from reconciling with Sherry?”

  “Even if you weren’t a wanton woman”—Greg paused as he expertly caught the fry I threw at him, then continued—“I wouldn’t go back to Sherry if she was the last woman alive. I know my judgment was flawed once, it doesn’t mean I’m stupid.”

  “I don’t know why this is freaking me out so much. I mean, you know my relatives.” I hadn’t talked to Greg about the other people in my family tree. And I was keeping it that way. Aunt Jackie was enough for the guy to have to deal with.

  Greg watched me, like he could see the lie of omission as it fell out of my lips. One of the reasons I loved him was his ability to bide his time with questions. “I know it’s a lot for you to deal with but let me ask a little more gently. Would you like to have dinner with my mother, my brother, and me on Mother’s Day?”

  “As long as I can bring my aunt, I think I’ll be safe.” I reached over and grabbed his hand. “Thanks for understanding.”

  “I have to admit, it’s got me a little edgy too. Don’t get me wrong, I was planning on introducing you to my mother. Just not in less than three weeks.” He squeezed my hand. “Aren’t we a pair? I love you, Jill Gardner.”

  His words took my breath away but I didn’t know exactly how to respond. The correct answer seemed to escape me,
time and time again. The moment passed and Greg dropped my hand.

  “I’ve got to get back to the station. I’m looking forward to our weekend. We need to spend some time together. Can you get a babysitter for Emma?” He checked the bill Carrie had left on the table and threw down several bills to cover the cost of lunch.

  “I’ll talk to Toby and see if he can watch her.” I started making a list in my head of all the things I needed to do before we left. Like a pedicure. And maybe a manicure. And I’d have to grab at least a couple more books just in case I had time to read.

  While I was lost in my thoughts, Greg had stood from the booth. He turned my head gently toward him and kissed me. After the kiss broke, he tapped me on my nose with his index finger. “I don’t know what you’re thinking about, but somehow I believe it’s about a book.”

  I didn’t want to admit that he’d hit the nail on the head, so I smiled. “I’m packing in my head. Thanks for lunch.”

  Since I hadn’t finished eating, I stayed at the table, thinking. Carrie stopped by and took Greg’s now empty plate. “Do you want that milkshake now?”

  “Yes. Yes, please.” I glanced around the almost empty dining room. “You don’t mind if I hang around for a while, do you?”

  “It’s not like we’re turning people away. Lille will be back for dinner service at five. Just in case you wanted to know.”

  “Thanks, Carrie.” And with that assurance that the owner and dragon queen of Diamond Lille’s wouldn’t be around to mess with me for taking up space, I pulled out a book and settled in to read.

  Life was good. Or it would have been if Greg hadn’t thrown a stone in the pond. Now, I had to deal with the ripples his request had caused.

  CHAPTER 2

  Thursday morning the too-chipper Kyle walked into my store. I was up refilling my coffee cup after having a restless night. Meeting Greg’s mother was a big step. His brother Jim already didn’t like me. If his mother felt the same way, I’d be two for two. I’d been trying to put the upcoming meeting out of my head but even reading the newest release from my favorite mystery author hadn’t kept the thoughts from invading my morning.