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“AND THEN I DID THE How to Move an Object spell,” Maddie told Trixie.
The two of them sat on the sofa together, Trixie nestled in Maddie’s lap. Suzanne sat next to them, on Maddie’s right.
“Mrrow.” Trixie sounded pleased.
“Thank you.” Maddie pressed her face in the Persian’s fur.
“Mrrow.” Trixie lifted her head and looked directly at Maddie in complete understanding. No further words were necessary.
After telling Detective Rawson and Detective Edgewater what had happened, watching Brad being marched out of the hotel in handcuffs, and making a formal statement, Luke had driven them back to his house, so Maddie could pick up her car. After kissing her on the forehead and telling her he’d call her tomorrow, he’d waved goodbye to them as they left for Maddie’s mom’s house.
They picked up Trixie, filled in Mrs. Goodwell quickly about the murder, then Maddie drove the three of them back to her house so they could flop on the sofa and fill in Trixie on everything that had happened – if she didn’t know already.
“And the police caught the killer and slapped handcuffs on him,” Suzanne added, stroking Trixie.
“Hopefully there won’t be any more murders,” Maddie said, her tone sincere.
Trixie just looked up at her and blinked. Maddie didn’t want to know what that meant.
“It’s great that you came second,” Suzanne said. “Did you see the certificate she won, Trix?”
“Mrrow.” Trixie patted Maddie’s knee with her paw.
“Yes, I’ve shown it to her.” Maddie smiled.
“Do you want to enter any more barista competitions?” Suzanne asked. “You know I’ll be there for you if you do.”
“I know. But after today ...” Maddie shook her head. “I’m perfectly happy just making coffee for our customers.”
“I still think we should frame your certificate and hang it in the truck where all our customers can see it,” Suzanne declared.
“Mrrow!”
“It looks like it’s two against one.” Maddie laughed. “Okay.” She didn’t think a piece of paper stating she’d come second would entice any new customers to try her coffee – but who knew?
“It’s definitely one thing Claudine doesn’t have in her coffee shop!” Suzanne’s ponytail bounced as she giggled. “Now all we have to do is wait until the full moon next month and find out which new spell will be revealed to you.”
***
THE FOLLOWING TUESDAY, just after the early morning rush had abated, two new customers stood at the serving window. Ellie and Connor.
“Hi,” Ellie said shyly.
“Cool truck.” Connor grinned.
“Hey, you two.” Suzanne stuck her head out of the window. “It’s great to see you. What are you doing here?”
“Mrrow?” Trixie looked up from washing her paw, tilting her head as she looked at the newcomers.
“Hi.” Maddie hopped off her stool and came to the window.
“Ohhh, your cat is gorgeous,” Ellie murmured.
“Mrrow.” Trixie sat up straight and gazed at Ellie in fascination.
“This is Trixie.” Maddie introduced them.
Connor smiled at the Persian.
“Congratulations again for Saturday,” Maddie told Ellie.
“Thanks.” Ellie touched her earring, which Maddie noted was a bluebird with accents of silver.
“We’ve got some exciting news.” Connor wrapped his arm around Ellie. “Diana Swift offered us both jobs!”
“You didn’t get a job offer from Fred Beldon?” Suzanne asked curiously.
“No, why would I?” Ellie crinkled her brow. “I couldn’t work in a factory making that awful mocha beverage.” She shuddered.
“Yep, it was pretty terrible.” Suzanne laughed.
“Our new jobs are thanks to you, Suzanne,” Connor continued. “Because of what you said on Saturday about how cool it would be if Diana offered both of us jobs. So after the competition, Diana told Ellie she needed an answer in the next few days, and Ellie—” he looked at her proudly “—asked if the position could be split in two. And Diana agreed.”
“I’ll be creating the speciality drinks and be in charge of the roasting and sourcing,” Ellie spoke up. “And Connor will head up training and development.”
“Although the salary each will be less than she quoted Ellie in the beginning because now there are two of us doing what was supposed to be one job, the pay and benefits are a bit better than what we’re getting now.”
“And I’ll get to do everything I love about being a barista.” Ellie’s eyes sparkled.
“I enjoy training the new baristas where I’m currently working,” Connor said. “So it’s a win for both of us.”
Maddie and Suzanne congratulated them again, Trixie adding a happy “Mrrow.”
“I’d love to try your mocha, Maddie,” Ellie said in a soft voice.
“Me too,” Connor added. “I was only one point behind you after the final round.”
“Sure.” Maddie smiled at them, hoping they wouldn’t be disappointed. She was thrilled Diana’s job offer had worked out for both of them. Maybe it was time for her and Suzanne to start working on a business plan if they were serious about expanding one day.
The espresso machine hissed and burred as Maddie set to work. After she poured the regular mochas, she placed them on the serving hatch.
“On the house,” she said as Connor dug into his jeans pocket for his wallet.
“Are you sure?” Ellie asked.
“Definitely.” Suzanne’s ponytail bounced.
Maddie, Suzanne, and Trixie watched as Ellie and Connor took their first sips.
A smile stole across Ellie’s face and she turned to Connor.
A matching smile creased his expression.
“You have a gift, Maddie,” Ellie said softly.
“Thank you,” Maddie replied.
“Yeah.” Connor took another sip. “This totally rocks.”
“Thanks,” Maddie said again, pleased that these two skilled baristas enjoyed her coffee.
“Maybe one day you’ll have a whole fleet of coffee trucks.” Ellie smiled.
“Maybe,” Maddie echoed, wondering if she would ever be ready for that.
“Perhaps we can send our baristas to you for training, Connor.” Suzanne giggled.
“Just let me know.” Connor grinned.
The four of them laughed, Trixie adding a happy “Mrrow,”.
Maddie couldn’t help thinking that right now, life was just about perfect.
***
I HOPE YOU ENJOYED reading this mystery. Sign up to my newsletter at www.JintyJames.com and be among the first to discover when the next book in this series is published!
Have you read:
Spells and Spiced Latte - A Coffee Witch Cozy Mystery - Maddie Goodwell 1
Visions and Vanilla Cappuccino - A Coffee Witch Cozy Mystery - Maddie Goodwell 2
Enchantments and Espresso - A Coffee Witch Cozy Mystery – Maddie Goodwell 4
Familiars and French Roast - A Coffee Witch Cozy Mystery – Maddie Goodwell 5
Cacao Orange Health Ball recipe on the next page in US and Metric measurements!
