Recipe for Trouble (A Maryvale Cozy Mystery, Book 3)

Recipe for Trouble

A Maryvale Cozy Mystery

Book Three

by

Jackie Griffey

NEWLY REVISED

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ISBN: 978-1-61417-690-9

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Chapter 1

Ready? Katie smiled affectionately at her older sister as she started the car.

Mattie nodded. She fastened her seatbelt as Katie backed out and started up the street, her mind already on what she wanted from the store. She settled back as the car began to pick up speed.

An instant later, the sound and vibration of an explosion made Katie swerve to the side of the street.

They sat in stunned silence a few seconds, Katie's foot still on the brake.

What on earth was that?

I don't know. It sounded so close!

Katie turned around in the next driveway. They were only a few blocks from home. In a matter of seconds they were back in sight of the house, their eyes widening in disbelief.

Our house! Look at that smoke! Katie, it's coming from the back of our house, Mattie pointed a shaking finger at a rising cloud of smoke.

Oh! What? What was that? Katie found her tongue but couldn't finish as she turned to Mattie, who placed a hand over her heart. Oh, dear, Mattie?

I'm all right, I'm all right, Mattie quickly assured her. Just breathing a little hard.

She squinted toward the house. There's not all that much smoke, just looks scary because it's our house. I wonder what happened?

Katie didn't answer. She got out, leaving the door open.

Mattie climbed out her side of the car and both of them stood looking apprehensively at the house, braced for another explosion or whatever might happen next, not yet able to cope with this. Katie wiped her eyes and squinted, the drifting smoke hurt them.

They could see a hole in the kitchen wall, the siding around it broken and blackened. Some debris lay in the yard beneath the hole where the smoke was still billowing out.

A voice broke through their shock. Their neighbor across the street was calling to them from her front porch.

Ms. Carrington? Katie? Are you all right? What happened, or do you know? The woman wiped her hands on the apron she was wearing and beckoned.

Mattie got a grip on her emotions and answered. We don't know, Mrs. Johnson. We heard it, but we don't know what it was. We've got to call the fire department.

I did that soon as I looked out and saw the smoke. They're coming, she added as she moved to the steps.

You two come on over here. Don't even think of going near the house.

Yes, we're coming. Katie took Mattie's arm.

We were four or five blocks away. Thank you for calling the fire department.

Mattie looked back when she and Katie reached Mrs. Johnson's porch. The smoke looked out of place in the settled old neighborhood with its well cared for old houses and the lawns bordered by large shrubs. We had started for the store when we heard it and came back.

I thought I saw you leave a little while ago.

Mattie nodded. As I said, we had just started out in the car and hadn't gone far when we heard it. The explosion or whatever it was, Mattie gestured at the car parked across the sidewalk. It looked out of place too.

Seeing her worried look, Ms. Carrington said, Maybe there won't be too much damage. Don't see but the one place where the smoke's coming out. But don't go near it anyway, you never can tell. You'd better just stay right here, Mrs. Johnson cautioned. Something else may blow up or the fire may be a lot worse than we can see from here.

She glanced at Katie's pale face. She looked back at the smoke thinking, She'd be so pretty with a little make-up. She's a sweet girl, and so good to Mattie.

She beckoned. Would you two like something to drink? Some coffee maybe?

No, Mattie decided for both of them as she usually did. But thank you. Here comes the fire department now.

The noise and excitement ended any attempt at further conversation.

Two trucks answered the call and people were appearing now, gathering on their porches and lawns. Some in sweats who were doing their daily walking, some in aprons from their kitchens. A tall, white haired man stood beside his hedge as if waiting to see if he might be needed, his hedge clippers in his hand.

As Mattie, Katie, and Mrs. Johnson watched the activity from the safety of Mrs. Johnson's porch, Mattie's sharp eyes quickly located the person in charge. She gave Katie's back a pat and walked across the street to talk to him.

Stopping beside the man Mattie took a few minutes looking at the areas he was looking at, then softly touched his arm.

I'm Mattie Carrington, she introduced herself when she got his attention. This is my house.

I'm Chief Owens. The man took off his helmet as he answered. It said CFD on it for Fort Craig Fire Department. He was a large man, heavyset but not fat and looked capable enough to reassure Mattie everything that could and should be done was in good hands. His serious brown eyes sought hers.

You said on the phone there weren't any people or pets in the house?

It was my neighbor, Mrs. Johnson, who called. Mattie explained. She told us she had seen us leave, and she called you. That's right though, there are no pets. We had only gone a few blocks when we heard what sounded like an explosion. She glanced toward the house. Is that what it was? Can you tell yet what happened?

Not yet. I'm glad no one was hurt. Looks like there might be quite a bit of damage though, to have made that hole. Have you notified your insurance carrier?

I'll do that right now. Mattie hesitated, Do you want to talk to them?

No, ma'am. Soon as we have things under control we'll make an official report and have it ready for them to get a copy of it.

Oh, I see. Well then, I'll call them and tell them what's happened. Or what I can. She turned and watched as a man in a slicker and helmet came out of the house and two more went in.

I don't see smoke coming from anywhere else. Do you think the damage is very bad? Mattie squinted at the hole she could see from there and the two men who had come out the back door. We, my sister and I, we were afraid to go any closer.

Damage may be mostly to the back, don't know yet, looks like the kitchen area?

Yes, that's the window over the sink just beyond where the smoke is coming out.

He nodded toward the house. We haven't checked everything yet but just looking from here, I've seen a lot worse.

I'll bet you have, Mattie thought. She put her hands in her sweater pockets to keep them from shaking, feeling helpless as she watched the activity. The thought of an explosion in her house was hard to grasp.

She turned to go, trying to get a grip on her emotions before rejoining Katie. She glanced back only once as she left, unable to stop the scary thought, I would have been in there, if I hadn't decided to go to the store with Katie. She shivered at the thought, more frightened now than when they had heard the noise of the explosion.

* * *

Connie replaced the phone looking puzzled. She had called Miss Mayme and Miss Minnie Anderson to say she was coming over if the flower shop was not too busy and been told there's no such thing as too busy, to come right on. They also told her they had something to tell her but would wait until she got there to share it with her.

Miss Mayme sounded excited and Connie suffered with the uncomfortable kind of curiosity which demanded to be satisfied ASAP.

She left right away instead of waiting till after lunch to run the errands she had to do. Tantalized with the promise of news, she headed first to the flower shop, watching traffic as she neared it since it was on the busy town square.

She circled with the other would-be parkers on the square slowly and impatiently, wondering why all those silly women in front of her were trying to wait for a parking place in front of exactly the right shop. The fact she was doing the same was no consolation at all.

At last, she saw two vacancies in front of the Anderson's shop and slipped into one of them, fuming that the driver who had just left that place had come from somewhere down the street, not the flower shop.

Wonder what they have to tell me. It must be something good. I can always tell whether it's good or bad from their voices, and Miss Mayme sounded excited. Pleased as punch about something.

Connie smiled to herself as she pictured the two elderly schoolteachers so dear to all the hearts in town. Miss Minnie had taught math and Miss Mayme had taught art and English before they retired and opened their flower shop.

I was going to come by here anyway, it didn't make much difference in my plans to move them up a little, Connie made excuses for her curiosity.

She glanced self-consciously at the one remaining parking space, then felt better when two more spaces cleared. She justified the convenience of parking in the limited area by calling herself a customer this trip.

The flower shop was a definite asset to the square and the community in general. She admired the wide and beautifully arranged display window of the shop as she approached it, resolving conscientiously not to stay too long.

Whatever the news is, it rates face to face reporting. Yeah. Must be something good!

Miss Mayme Anderson heard the bell when Connie started in and met her at the door, opening her arms for a hug.

If you hadn't called or showed up by this afternoon I was going to call and check on you. Where have you been all last week and part of this one?

Been making money like you Anderson sisters, that's where. Remember those statements I told you Lisa Randolph wanted me to do for her husband's law office? I've got them done.

Your freelance typing business is going really well then, is it? Miss Mayme stopped abruptly, her brows drawing together. Wait a minute, I seem to remember your saying statements are unpopular or there's something bad or negative about them?

I did. There is. No one wants to do them because they're sometimes inaudible or they're long and boring. But the ones I've done for Dick Randolph have been easy to hear and not too long. They're mostly from insurance company files, I think. Also, since they're a dependable source of work for me, I'm glad no one else wants to do them.

Miss Minnie had heard her voice and came to wave to her from the office door. Connie smiled and waved back, staying where she was to talk to Miss Mayme about an arrangement.

Miss Mayme, seeing you working in these pretty things always reminds me of the business at hand. She couldn't resist reaching over to touch the long strands of blue ribbon around her friend's neck.

Business at hand? Miss Mayme's ears perked up.

I came for you to fix me something pretty in pink or some pastel, and of course, some greenery to go with it. An arrangement for the table, for Jill Tracey's bridal shower. Is this a good time? I know you're busy. That's why I called before I came.

A twinge from her conscience about the parking space made her glance out the window. There weren't any aggravated drivers craning their necks at the small but still vacant slot beside her car at the moment.

It's a fine time, Miss Mayme beamed. And I'm glad to hear you say pink! We got some pink carnations in this morning that look good enough to eat! I'll do it for you right now.

Right now? You can't get any better service than that, Connie giggled. She looked at some of the ribbons Miss Mayme had been working with, Will it make you nervous if I watch you work?

Not a bit, Miss Mayme shrugged. You can even make suggestions, she offered grandly. Then she took it back with, I probably won't take them. She wrinkled her nose. But feel free to make them.

Miss Mayme grinned happily, in her element working with her flowers and doing arrangements. I've been wanting to do something with these carnations ever since they came in.

There followed a fun rummage through some blue and pink ribbon Miss Mayme had measured and decided not to use at the last minute.

And of course, we will have to decide what to put them in. She opened sliding doors under the counter to reveal a supply of containers in myriad colors and shapes.

Here, take your pick of these. Aren't they about the size you have in mind?

Um-hum, just right. Connie looked them over and chose one of them. She held it up, How about this one?

Connie admired the rosy pink bowl, waiting for Miss Mayme's expert approval. The bowl had a delicate, flared ruffle top. It looked like crystal but was suspiciously light.

She looked it over, I like this one even without anything in it!

We can't make any money that way!

Grabbing the bowl, Miss Mayme quickly cut a piece of foam to put in the bottom of it and began looking around for greenery to go with the carnations.

From the office, Miss Minnie smiled to herself as she listened to their laughter and conversation while they noisily went about choosing greenery and ribbon for the vase. She marked her place in the ledger before closing it and investigated the remains of the last pot of coffee.

This looks vile enough to bite back, she said aloud whether anyone heard her or not. She started a fresh pot of coffee while her sister showed off the carnations and other wonders of nature to put in Connie's arrangement.

These pink carnations are as gorgeous as you said they were, Connie breathed in their unique fragrance.

Now that I've seen them, I can't imagine using anything else. Connie pictured them at home, mentally arranging the rest of the table.

Working quickly and efficiently, Miss Mayme put the finishing touches on the arrangement, snipped a little wisp of ribbon, then turning triumphantly, held up her work to be admired from all angles.

It's beautiful, as usual. I don't know what we'd have done if you and Miss Minnie hadn't opened this shop.

Thanks for the kind words, we're glad it's turned out well too. We not only needed money when we retired from teaching, we needed something to do with our hands and feet to keep from getting on each other's nerves.

Coffee's ready, if you're finished, Miss Minnie called to them.

Quick, Connie reached down for her purse. Let me pay you and we'll set these pretty things on the desk to admire while we drink our coffee. That way, I won't walk out and forget them.

You mean your mind works that way, too? Miss Mayme feigned surprise.

It's a condition that comes and goes, seems to depend on what I'm doing, and how much I want to do it, Connie admitted gleefully as she picked up the arrangement.

Miss Minnie turned to admire the carnations as she poured their coffee.Did you say this is for Jill's bridal shower?

Connie nodded, carefully sipping the hot coffee, wondering again about the hint of news to come.

Jill's going to keep working, isn't she?

Oh, yes, she quickly assured them. Dick and Lisa Randolph wouldn't be taking this so calmly if she planned on leaving them. And her young man is so nice. Everybody likes him.

Met him at church, didn't she?

Um-hum, Connie confirmed thoughtfully, her mind wandering. I wish I could think of a way to introduce Tim Carpenter to someone. Hannah McLaughlin will be at the shower, and I don't think she's seeing anyone. At least no one I know of.

Are you still trying to get everybody married? That won't be so good for business. Courtship generates more call for flowers than married people.

Now, I don't know about that, Connie's protest was immediate. What about anniversaries and birthdays, and just because, which is the best one of them all?

I guess you're right, there are occasions, Miss Mayme admitted. They also cheer people up when they're under the weather or in the hospital for some reason.

What a session we're having on selling, Miss Minnie chuckled. While we're at it, don't forget business reasons. She raised her eyebrows at her sister, Mattie getting her cookbook published, for an instance, and that's a good one closer to home.

She paused, turning to Connie with a glance at her sister. That's the news we've got to tell you, it's about Mattie.

Miss Mayme interrupted, her eyes dancing. We haven't had a chance to tell you, since she only recently made up her mind, but Mattie Carrington's going to do another book!

That's right, our one and only famous relative, Miss Minnie nodded. She's going to take a cabin out by the lake here in Pine County to work on another cookbook. Says she wants to have room to spread everything out and be able to work whenever she wants to, day or night or dinnertime. It makes sense to me.

So that's the news you were going to tell me. I knew it was good news. I could tell by your voice it was something not only good but exciting.

Miss Minnie nodded, It's a good thing for Mattie in more ways than one. Mayme and I had just been talking about that. She and Katie probably need some time away from each other. Miss Minnie gazed down as if she could see pictures of Mattie and Katie in her coffee cup.

Katie is fifteen years younger than Mattie and she does fuss over her.

She looked up at Connie. She means well, nobody could doubt that. But fussing is fussing.

Humpf. Miss Mayme scoffed, Mattie's not all that easy to get along with. She's lucky to have Katie there with her if you ask me.

I didn't. But since that one unfortunate marriage and divorce of Katie's, living together has worked out well for both of them.

I knew if we talked long enough, we'd agree on something, Miss Mayme chortled.

Miss Minnie put her cup to her lips to stifle an undignified giggle, but her eyes gave her away.

In spite of their constant bickering, the sisters had always been close. And as Mayme had pointed out more than once, they didn't have all that many kinfolks left to argue with and enjoy. A dearth of sparring partners, she termed it.

That first cookbook of hers was the one everyone wanted, Connie thought back. It has all the information you'd ever need in it. All the basics in that one big volume. There are even illustrations of different cuts of meat in it to refer to. It's a jewel, all right. I wouldn't take anything for mine.

You know, she wrinkled her forehead. I don't remember hearing very much about the second one she did.

It was on entertaining or something. I don't remember much about it either, but it did pretty well. A lot of copies were sold.

I knew it must have been something we didn't want as much as the first one. It's been a couple of years, hasn't it?

About that I guess. That must be why she's doing another one. Wonder what this one will be about?

Don't know, we haven't had a clue yet. Just that she needs a place to do it and work where she can concentrate without any interruptions.

Connie's curiosity was working on her again. And when is she coming to the cabin, or has she told you?

No, we don't know when. It may be she hasn't decided yet.

Should be pretty soon the way they both talk, but probably not till the weather is a little warmer. Even Katie is no spring chicken, and Mattie being fifteen years older, she doesn't heal and mend as quickly as a younger person would.

Connie frowned. What do you mean, doesn't heal? You mean she got hurt some way? Connie paused. Or has she been sick or something?

No, her health is good. Miss Minnie explained. She had a rather bad fall not long ago is what happened. But she's about over that. Scared Katie to death, poor little thing. I felt sorry for her. After all, her sister Mattie is the only close family she's got now.

What happened? How did she happen to fall?

She tripped and fell down the stairs at home. It's a wonder she wasn't hurt worse. She was shaken up and had a few bruises but there were no broken bones. Of course, she scoffed at the idea of going to the emergency room. She's all right now, and looking forward to going to the cabin to work on her new book.

How did she happen to decide on a cabin here? Connie thought of the drive from Fort Craig to their lake area.

"I don't know the details, but she went through a real estate agent there in Fort Craig. There's an office not far from the book store where Katie works. They had several places for her to consider and the