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“No more murders, whoo-hoo!” Lauren Crenshaw held up her hand to high-five her cousin.
“No more murders, boo-hoo,” Zoe returned glumly.
“Brrt?” Annie, Lauren’s Norwegian Forest Cat, trotted up to them.
“I thought we could celebrate the fact there haven’t been any murders for a while, Annie,” Lauren told the silver-gray tabby. She looked quizzically at her cousin.
“I know murder is wrong – and horrible.” Zoe shivered. “But it was fun sleuthing around with you and trying to discover who the guilty party was.”
“I understand,” Lauren replied. And she did. So far, in the small town of Gold Leaf Valley, there had been three murders that she and Zoe had helped solve. But it had also been nice not to worry about suspects, or wonder if every customer who came into the coffee shop was a killer.
Lauren and Annie ran the Norwegian Forest Cat Café in the northern Californian town. Lauren had inherited it from her grandmother, as a regular cafe. When Zoe had visited, she, too, fell in love with the place, and had eagerly accepted Lauren’s job offer.
Annie led the customers to the table she chose for them, Lauren baked the cupcakes, and Zoe acted as her right hand. A couple of months ago they’d recently attended an advanced latte art class, and now decorated their customers’ lattes and mochas with swans and peacocks, as well as the usual hearts, rosettas, and tulips.
The interior walls were pale yellow, and the furniture consisted of pine tables and chairs – today, the chairs stacked on the tables. A string-art picture of a cupcake with lots of pink frosting decorated one of the walls – evidence of Zoe’s latest hobby.
“Right now, we’re involved in catering for the twentieth anniversary of the local senior center,” Lauren reminded her cousin.
“Are all the cupcakes frosted?” Zoe’s expression brightened. “I could do some.”
“I only have a couple more,” Lauren replied quickly.
Zoe was a whiz as a waitress and made a pretty good latte, as well as having a zest for life that sometimes Lauren envied. But frosting a cupcake generously but neatly, without getting into a sticky mess, was not one of her skills. Sometimes Lauren had a difficult time avoiding splodges of frosting on her apron when she iced them, and Lauren was the resident cupcake baker.
“Okay.” Zoe nodded. “You are going to put some aside for us, aren’t you? I’m loving your new recipe – white chocolate cherry – mmm.”
“Thanks. One each for us, and one for Ed when he comes in tomorrow,” Lauren replied.
Ed was their baker – his pastry was featherlight and legendary in the small town. But he stayed in the kitchen where he didn’t have to interact with customers.
“Oh, good.” Zoe grinned.
“Brrt?” Annie asked, looking up at them. Her green eyes looked impossibly cute and imploring.
“I don’t think cupcakes are good for cats,” Lauren said gently. “What about an extra helping of chicken in gravy for dinner tonight instead?”
“Brrp,” Annie grumbled, then sighed. Although the café was closed on Mondays, she’d decided to accompany them while Lauren made the cupcakes, and Zoe made herself a latte.
“What time should we head over to the senior center?” Zoe asked. “I can’t believe this is our first catering job, can you?”
“So far everything’s gone well,” Lauren said, not wanting to jinx anything. Making two hundred cupcakes hadn’t been as time consuming as she’d thought. And it had been fun coming up with a new recipe – she’d wanted to create something to celebrate the fact that the local senior center had been operating in the town for the last two decades. A white chocolate cupcake with white chocolate frosting and a maraschino cherry on top seemed fitting.
“Maybe we should have a mocha,” Zoe suggested a minute later. She drummed her fingers on the counter. “So we get an extra caffeine fix before tonight.”
“I’m okay. But you have one.”
Zoe hopped off the wooden stool and started grinding the beans. The aroma of chocolate and heady spice tantalized.
Lauren almost regretted her reply, but reminded herself she’d already had two lattes that morning. She did not need another one. She just hoped tonight would go smoothly.
Maybe frosting the last couple of cupcakes would help calm her.
“I’ll be in the kitchen for a few minutes,” she told Zoe over the hiss of the milk wand.
“No worries.” Zoe focused on creating as much micro foam as possible and barely looked up.
Lauren walked into the clean kitchen.
On the large bench were two hundred cupcakes – only two remained to be iced.
Lauren grabbed the bowl of frosting from the large refrigerator and set to work, careful not to leave a sticky mess on her apron.
“There,” she murmured, surveying the result with pride. The sweet treats looked delicious. She hoped she’d made enough – although they’d been informed there would be around fifty guests tonight.
Taking off her apron, she washed the frosting bowl – not that there was much left in it. Now all they had to do was pack up the cakes and load them into the car.
“Have you finished?” Zoe poked her head through the swinging kitchen door, her brunette pixie bangs springing upward. “I’m caffeinated and ready!”
“Yes.” Lauren joined her cousin in the main area of the café.
“Brrt?” Annie stood up in her cat bed and stretched, her spine arching.
“We’re going home now,” Lauren told the feline.
“Brrt!” Annie hopped out of her bed and trotted to the door that guarded the private hallway. The passageway led to the attached cottage, which Lauren had also inherited from Gramms. Not only was Zoe her colleague, she was also her roommate.
Lauren unlocked the door, watching Annie scamper down the short hallway. She shimmied through the cat flap and disappeared into the cottage.
If Lauren was right, Annie would be sitting next to her food bowl.
“I’m coming,” she said, unlocking the door and walking into the kitchen. “Chicken in gravy?” Lauren asked, opening the refrigerator.
“Brrt!” Annie weaved back and forth next to her new lilac food bowl, her long plumy tail waving.
“I did promise an extra helping.” Lauren smiled as she spooned out the food. “I’m sorry you can’t come with us tonight, but I think there’ll be too many people there. They’ll all want to pet you and talk to you, and it will be very overwhelming for you.”
“Brrp,” Annie replied in a muffled voice as she concentrated on eating her dinner.
Maybe that was why the cat had been a little grumpy that day – she was upset at missing out on the party tonight.
Although Annie seemed to love her role at the café, interacting with the customers and leading them to their tables, Lauren was careful that she didn’t get overtired. And tonight, with a lot of seniors vying for Annie’s attention ... Lauren shook her head. No. She had to do what was best for Annie.
“Now all we have to do is have an early dinner and head over to the center,” Zoe said.
“What are we going to eat?” Lauren stared at her. “I haven’t organized anything for our dinner. I’ve been so busy thinking about cup—”
“I hear you.” Zoe nodded. “Which is why I made us sandwiches. And we’ve got our white chocolate cherries for dessert.”
“Good thinking,” Lauren said gratefully. She’d also been daydreaming about her boyfriend, Mitch. They’d been dating for a couple of months now, and everything had been going well.
“So when do you think Mitch can set me up on another blind date?” Zoe asked as she slapped turkey and cranberry sandwiches onto white plates.
“Brrt?” Annie asked, having finished her meal.
“Zoe wants to go out on a date,” Lauren informed the cat.
“Ooh, maybe we can double!” Zoe’s brown eyes sparkled.
“Do you think that’s a good idea?” Lauren asked doubtfully.
“Yes! Because if the guy turns out to be a dud, then I’ve still got you to talk to.”
Zoe’s foray into internet dating several months ago had not gone well. Until recently, she’d channeled her energies into exploring new hobbies, such as knitting, crochet, and string-art. Mitch had introduced her to a couple of his friends on the police force, but Zoe hadn’t seemed to click with them.
“The two guys you met weren’t duds.” Lauren frowned. She’d appreciated Mitch trying to help.
“No,” Zoe admitted. “But I didn’t have anything in common with them. And they were so serious!”
“Serious can be good.”
“Yes, but not all the time,” Zoe replied. “I don’t think either of them knew how to smile!”
Lauren tried to hide her own smile. Zoe had a point. When Lauren had met them, she’d wondered if either of them were a good match for Zoe. Her cousin had declared both dates a total fail.
“I’ll ask Mitch,” Lauren said.
“It’s okay, I’ll ask him.”
“All right.” Lauren stacked the plates in the sink and checked her practical white plastic watch. “We’d better eat our dessert and get going so we’ve got enough time to set up.”
“We should have loads of time,” Zoe declared. “I bet some of the seniors will want to help us, anyway, so they can sneak a peek at the cupcakes.”
“You could be right.” Lauren bit into her dessert, the white chocolate in the frosting and crumb tantalizing her tastebuds with its sweet creaminess.
“Brrt?” Annie jumped on the kitchen chair next to her and placed a paw on Lauren’s plate. Can I have some?
“No.” Lauren shook her head. “We’ve already talked about this.”
“Didn’t you get an extra helping of chicken?” Zoe chimed in. She took a huge bite of her cupcake.
“Brrt,” Annie replied in a downcast manner. It sounded as if she’d rather have a cupcake for her dinner than chicken in gravy.
“I’m sorry.” Lauren gently stroked the silver-gray tabby. “We shouldn’t be home too late tonight. I’ll tell Mrs. Finch and Hans you said hello.”
“Brrt!” Annie sounded a little cheerier. The two seniors were among her favorite customers.
Lauren and Zoe quickly did the dishes, then locked up.
“We won’t be long,” Lauren told the feline.
“You could play with your toy hedgehog,” Zoe suggested.
Annie’s ears pricked up and she trotted toward the living room.
They walked to Lauren’s white compact car parked outside. Although October, the day had been warm. The evening sun made her glad she’d decided to wear her usual work outfit of pale blue capris and an apricot t-shirt.
After a short drive they arrived at the senior center, a one-story tan brick building with an attached carport and smooth green lawn, set on a large block of land. It wasn’t as busy here as the main street, where their cat café was.
Only two cars were parked in the lot – a gray sedan and a dusty blue compact. The carport sheltered a pewter-colored minivan.
“Where is everyone?” Zoe asked. “The party’s tonight, right?”
“I’m sure of it. I double-checked the date.” Lauren turned off the ignition. “Let’s start unloading the cupcakes.”
“Okay.” Zoe hopped out of the car and opened the trunk.
They took a box each and walked over to the entrance, an open stained-glass door featuring orange and gold autumn leaves.
“Hi, Lauren, and Zoe.” A short man wearing a blue and white polka dot bow tie smiled at them. He appeared to be in his sixties, and wore a navy suit and white shirt to go along with the neckwear. The jacket almost hid his slight paunch. “Come in, come in.”
“Thanks,” Lauren replied.
“I’ll show you where to set up.” He led the way down a brightly lit hallway to a large room decorated in ruby with cream accents.
“You can put the cupcakes over there.” He gestured toward a large wooden table covered with a cream tablecloth standing at one end of the room. Paper plates were stacked on top.
“What kind did you bring?” he asked, his blue eyes twinkling with curiosity.
“White chocolate cherry,” Zoe announced. “Wait until you taste them!”
“They sound wonderful.”
Lauren opened one of the boxes.
“They look wonderful too.” He beamed. “Thank you, girls. I’m sure our members will enjoy eating them.”
“What about the coffee?” Lauren asked.
“Oh yes, I’ll bring the urn out in a minute, as well as cream and sugar. If you two can serve the cupcakes and the beverages, that will be a big help. There are always last-minute things I need to do at functions like this.”
“Happy Anniversary.” Lauren smiled.
“It’s great that the center has been running for twenty years,” Zoe remarked.
“Thanks. Tonight we’re having a special guest – the new owner of the property. I’m hoping he’s going to give us another generous lease – Mr. Lapton, the previous owner, was very good to us.”
“What did he do?” Zoe asked curiously.
“He rented it to us for a low monthly fee, and didn’t mind what improvements we made to the building. When we first started the center, this building needed a lot of work – that’s why the rent was so low. But with our members all pulling together and volunteering, as well as their know how, we slowly improved the building. Now the landlord could rent it for many times more than we pay each month.”
“You’ve been here from the beginning?” Lauren asked.
“Yes, as well as a few others. I’ll let you in on a secret - I’m going to retire in a few months and will hire my replacement. I’ll still be a fixture here – but as one of the members instead of the director!” Barry chuckled.
Lauren and Zoe finished setting out the cupcakes.
“We’ve got more in the car,” Lauren told him.
“I’ll set up the beverage station for you.” He rubbed his hands together and walked out of the room.
“I didn’t know about the special guest, did you?” Zoe asked in a low tone as they headed toward the car.
“No. Which makes me extra glad I came up with a new cupcake flavor for tonight.”
“He’s sure to like it – they all will,” Zoe reassured her.
They made quick work of bringing in the rest of the cupcakes and arranging them on large silver platters.
“They look amazing,” Zoe declared when they were finished. The maraschino cherry on top of each cake glistened in the overhead lighting.
“They do,” Lauren admitted. She could be very critical of her own baking efforts, but Zoe was right.
A large stainless-steel coffee urn now sat at one end of the table, along with paper cups and stainless-steel teaspoons.
“I feel guilty about all this paper waste.” Barry bustled into the room. “But it’s just not practical using real cups for tonight. If someone gets a little wobbly and drops their cup, it means extra cleaning up as well as making sure nobody cuts themselves on one of the shards.”
“You’re right.” Lauren nodded.
“But we always use real crockery at our senior meals,” the director continued. “Did you know about our lunch special? It’s on every day for people over sixty.”
“No, I hadn’t heard about that,” Lauren replied.
“That’s because we’re not sixty yet.” Zoe nudged her. “We’re not even half that age.”
“Of course, of course.” Barry nodded. “But perhaps you know someone who does qualify? It’s a fun way for the seniors in our community to make new friends and enjoy a quality meal. It only costs three-dollars-and-fifty cents for two courses.”
“Goodness,” Lauren murmured. There was no way she could compete with those prices.
“I hope you won’t put us out of business,” Zoe joked.
“People love your cupcakes,” Barry told them earnestly. “Our members are always talking about your coffee, Ed’s pastries, and of course, Annie.” He peered around the room as if expecting to see the Norwegian Forest Cat. “You didn’t bring her with you?”
“She wanted to come,” Lauren told him, “But I thought it would be too much for her with so many people here.”
“I completely understand.” He looked at his silver watch. “Our members should be arriving soon.”
Lauren and Zoe turned on the urn and Barry departed, saying he wanted to be ready to greet the first guests.
“Hello.” A woman in her fifties poked her head around the door. “How’s everything going?”
“Fine,” Zoe said cheerfully.
“That’s good to hear.” The woman entered the room. She wore a tailored sleeveless white top and smart fawn slacks. “I’m Denise, Barry’s assistant.”
“Oh, I didn’t realize.” Lauren exchanged a glance with Zoe. Barry hadn’t mentioned an assistant.
“I’m only part-time.” Denise laughed. “Barry likes to think he can run this place himself, and for the most part he can. But sometimes I think he forgets that I exist.” She shook her head. “That’s men for you.”
“Oh, yeah,” Zoe replied. “They can be really weird, can’t they?”
“Definitely.” Denise nodded. She scanned the room. “It looks like you’ve got everything under control. Did Barry tell you about our special guest?”
“Yes,” Lauren replied. “He’s the new landlord, isn’t he?”
“That’s right. And we’re all hoping that everything goes smoothly tonight, so we can impress him. If he’s in a good mood, it might influence him to write a new lease with the same favorable terms.”
After a couple more minutes of chit-chat, Denise left to pick up some of the members in the minivan.
“Not much pressure then,” Zoe joked.
“I wonder why they didn’t tell us about their VIP guest,” Lauren mused.
“Thank goodness we – you – outdid yourself with the cupcakes,” Zoe said. “Not that you wouldn’t, anyway.”
“Thanks.” Lauren smiled at her cousin. Zoe was her biggest cheerleader. She just hoped she was Zoe’s.
“I don’t know what else we can do until the guests arrive.” Zoe looked around the room. “There are plenty of chairs over there so people can sit down.”
“And a trash can at the end of this table.”
“So there shouldn’t be any waste for us to dispose of later,” Zoe said. “Hopefully.”
“There you are, dears.” An elderly lady with a walking stick tapped her way into the room. Two spots of orange rouge decorated her cheeks and her dusty pink lipstick matched her cardigan, which was teamed with a beige skirt. She peered at them through her wire-rimmed spectacles. “Where’s Annie?”
“Hi, Mrs. Finch,” Zoe greeted her cheerily.
“Annie’s staying home tonight,” Lauren said apologetically. She knew how much Mrs. Finch doted on the cat. The senior was one of their favorite customers, and she was one of the four members of Zoe’s knitting/crochet/string-art club. The others were Lauren, Zoe, and Annie.
“We thought tonight might be too much for her,” Zoe added.
“I understand.” Mrs. Finch nodded. “Please tell her I’ll be at the café tomorrow.”
“I know she’ll be pleased to see you.” Lauren smiled.
“Would you like a cup of coffee?” Zoe asked.
“There’s also soda.” Lauren gestured to a couple of brightly colored bottles. “Or water.”
“Coffee would be lovely, dears,” Mrs. Finch said. She looked at the cupcakes. “Is that a new variety, Lauren?”
“Yes. Would you like one?”
“It’s white chocolate cherry,” Zoe chimed in.
“One would be perfect,” Mrs. Finch replied. “But I think I need to sit down.”
“Of course.” Lauren hovered by her side as the elderly lady sat on a nearby chair.
“Where’s everyone else?” Zoe asked as she presented Mrs. Finch with a cup of coffee. “I put some cream in it for you.”
“Thank you, dear.” Mrs. Finch’s hand wobbled as she took the cardboard cup. After taking a sip, she said, “I must be early.”
“How did you get here?” Lauren asked curiously. Mrs. Finch usually walked to the café, but she only lived one block away. The senior center was farther than that.
“I took a taxi,” Mrs. Finch admitted.
“We can give you a ride home,” Lauren said.
“We have to clean up afterwards, though.” Zoe wrinkled her nose. “That’s the part of catering I don’t like. It will be fun to drive you home though, as long as you don’t mind waiting for us to finish up here.”
“That’s very kind of you.” Mrs. Finch beamed. “But I don’t want to put you to any trouble. Barry said he could drive some of the guests home in the minivan, so I might take him up on his offer.”
“That’s nice of Barry,” Lauren commented.
“He’s so helpful.” Mrs. Finch took a sip of coffee. “And the lunches here at the center are very tasty.” She looked distressed as she realized what she’d said. “Not that I don’t enjoy your cupcakes and pastries, Lauren.”
“It’s okay,” Zoe said cheerfully. “We can’t compete with a three-fifty lunch.”
“The center gets funding,” Mrs. Finch told them. “That’s why the price is so low.”
Lauren presented the elderly lady with a cupcake.
“Thank you, dear.”
“Hello, Lauren, and Zoe.” A dapper German man in his sixties entered the room.
“Hi, Hans.” Lauren smiled at him.
“I see I am not the first.” He greeted Mrs. Finch with old-fashioned good manners.
Zoe and Lauren gave Hans a cup of coffee and a cupcake as well.
“Everyone should be coming in now,” Hans informed them. He looked around the room. “No Annie? Ja, it would be too much for her, I think.”
“Yes,” Lauren replied, glad that he understood.
Suddenly their group of four became eight, then ten, then fifteen. The members of the senior center continued to stream in until Lauren was sure there were fifty guests, just as Barry had promised them.
“I hope we’ve got enough cupcakes,” Zoe whispered to her.
“There should be at least three each,” Lauren replied, “even if more guests arrive.”
“Phew.” Zoe scrutinized the gray-haired guests. “Do you think they could all eat so many?”
“I think we’re going to find out.” Lauren watched as an elderly man with a pot belly snatched up his second cake.
The buzz of conversation grew louder as a few more seniors arrived. Lauren and Zoe manned the refreshment table, doling out the coffee and sweet treats.
“Coming through. Watch out!” A lady with curly gray hair pushing a rolling walker approached the table at a fast clip.
Zoe stepped in front of the table to greet her. “What can we get – ow!” She hopped on one leg and rubbed her shin, glaring at the senior. “You got me!”
“Sorry.” The older woman didn’t look very apologetic. “I told you to watch out. Once I get going with this bad gal—” she patted the black metallic frame “—I have problems stopping in time. Maybe she needs better brakes.”
“What would you like?” Lauren asked. She glanced at Zoe. “Do you want to sit down for a bit? I can handle things.”
“Yeah.” Zoe limped to a spare chair nearby.
“I’ll have one of those cupcakes,” the speed demon said. “And a coffee. With a lot of cream. And two sugars. I like it sweet.” She winked at Lauren.
“I’m Lauren. Zoe and I run the Norwegian Forest—”
“—Cat Café. Yeah, I know. Everyone talks about your cat,” the senior said. “Pretty good idea, doing the catering for us, and drumming up business for your coffee shop.” She narrowed her eyes. “Where is this cat that everyone talks about?”
Lauren explained again why Annie had been left at home. She was also glad she’d decided not to bring the feline. Right now, the hum of conversation was a lot louder than at the café. The seniors were laughing and talking with each other, some sitting down, and others standing in little groups.
“I’m Martha,” the curly-haired woman said as Lauren handed her the coffee. “I come here nearly every day.”
“That’s nice,” Lauren said, not sure what else to say. In her peripheral vision, she saw Zoe still rubbing her leg and glaring at Martha.
“You bet it is.” Martha grinned. “I get a good hot meal for cheap, and there’s lots of things to do. Bridge, gin rummy, poker, movie afternoons, dancing. We even tried line-dancing last week. And there’s plenty of gossip to catch up on as well.”
“Really?” Lauren asked.
“Uh-huh.” Martha gulped her coffee. “We even talk about you younger folk. Everyone knows you’re dating Officer Hottie.”
“Don’t you mean Detective Hottie?” Zoe interrupted, coming up to stand next to her.
“Ha.” Martha looked at Zoe, as if taking her measure. “I stand corrected.” She rummaged in the basket of her walker. “Let me write that down.” Martha pulled out a small notebook and pen.
Lauren blushed as Martha scribbled in the book.
“What about you?” Martha demanded of Zoe, putting the notebook back in the basket. “Where’s your hottie, a zippy gal like you?”
“Nonexistent.” Zoe suddenly looked glum.
“It’ll happen, hon.” Martha patted Zoe’s shoulder. “Don’t you worry. Just give me the word and I’m sure us old people can rustle up a nephew or a grandson for you – one that will definitely give Detective Hottie a run for his money.”
“Thanks.” Zoe brightened a tad.
Martha munched on her cupcake, then spotted someone she apparently knew. She waved to another gray-haired senior and spun the walker around.
“Gotta go, girls. There’s gossip to be had over there!” She sped off in the direction of the other woman.
“I wonder what Mitch would think about her.” Zoe gestured to Martha, now halfway across the room. “Would he like being known as Detective Hottie?” She grinned.
“Don’t go there.” Lauren shook her head. Knowing people were talking about her love life wasn’t that amusing.
“They can talk about your boyfriend all they like, as long as they’re not feeling sorry for me and my dateless existence.”
“Martha’s right,” Lauren told her. “I’m sure it will happen for you.”
“Let’s hope so. Or else I might take up Martha on her offer!”
A couple of minutes later, Barry clapped his hands, asking for quiet.
“Welcome, everyone. I’ve just had a text from our special guest, and he’ll be arriving in a couple of minutes. I’m sure you’re all thrilled as I am to welcome him to our center.”
A grumble of murmurs greeted his announcement.
“Some of them don’t look too happy,” Zoe whispered to Lauren.
Denise, Barry’s assistant, joined him in the center of the room.
“Barry’s right,” she told the crowd. “We must make a good impression on Mr. Ralph Lapton, so he’ll write us a new lease with the same favorable terms.”
“How are you two doing?” Father Mike, the priest of the local Episcopal church, approached Lauren and Zoe.
“Good.” Zoe grinned at him.
“Would you like a cupcake?” Lauren gestured to the remaining cakes. “There are some left.”
“I’d love one.” Father Mike smiled. “Thank you.”
“Have you just gotten here?” Zoe asked. “We haven’t seen you until now.”
“That’s right.” The priest took a small bite of cake. “I gave Ms. Tobin a ride.”
“She’s here?” Lauren exchanged glances with Zoe. Until a few months ago, Ms. Tobin had been their prickliest customer. That had changed recently, when Lauren and Zoe had warned her that she was being scammed online. The older woman’s personality had softened, and now they were no longer on their guard when Ms. Tobin entered the café. But at times, her prickliness could still surface briefly.
“She’s over there.” Father Mike motioned to the other side of the room. Since Barry’s announcement, the seniors had resumed their conversation with each other, but now Lauren could pick out words such as “lease” and “new landlord”.
Ms. Tobin stood with another woman, who looked a little older. Ms. Tobin was tall and slim in an amber skirt and short sleeved cream blouse. Her friend had graying blonde hair cut in a soft bob and wore a white and cornflower blue striped dress.
Lauren waved, and Ms. Tobin smiled and waved back.
“I didn’t think Ms. Tobin was old enough to be a senior,” Zoe said. “She’s not sixty yet, is she?”
“I don’t think so,” Father Mike replied. “But I do know her friend is a little older than her and attends the activities here.”
A commotion at the door drew Lauren’s attention. A man and woman entered the room.
He seemed to be in his late forties, with the hint of a belly straining his expensive looking indigo shirt. His thinning dark hair was plastered back from his forehead and his chin looked a little jowly.
His companion appeared to be in her early thirties. Her strawberry-blonde hair was styled in a flattering layer cut that framed her heart-shaped face, while her shapely figure was sheathed in a figure-hugging emerald gown.
“Welcome, welcome!” Barry rushed to greet the couple. After a few seconds of conversation with them, he turned to address the crowd.
“Everyone, this is Mr. Ralph Lapton, and his wife Crystal - our special guests!” Barry looked expectantly at the seniors, as if waiting for them to applaud.
Denise started clapping. Most of the others joined in.
“Would you like to say a few words?” Barry asked Mr. Lapton.
“Thanks for inviting us.” Ralph Lapton’s voice was hearty. He glanced at the refreshment table, his gaze zeroing in on the cupcakes. “Save some for me, hon.”
Crystal nodded and walked over to the table, reaching for a paper plate.
“I can get them for you,” Lauren murmured.
“Thanks.” Crystal smiled briefly.
Lauren picked up the tongs and selected four cupcakes – two each for Crystal and her husband. She offered the glamorous woman the plate.
“Is that enough?”
Crystal glanced at her husband and then back to the plate. “He’s supposed to watch his cholesterol, so yeah, that should do it.”
“Would you like some coffee?” Zoe stage-whispered.
“No. But some water would be good.”
“No problem.” Zoe poured two cups of water.
“I have a big announcement to make.” Crystal’s husband’s voice boomed out. “I’ve got plans for this place. My grandfather was an idiot, leasing this land to you for peanuts. Next month, when the old lease expires, I won’t be renewing it. Instead, I’m going to knock down this place and build a resort!”
Cries of “No!” and “How dare you!” echoed through the room.
“What?” Barry paled as he stared at Ralph. “You can’t do that.”
“Yes, I can.” Ralph grinned, clearly pleased with himself. “There’s nowhere decent to stay in this town. I’m going to change that.”
“There’s the motel,” someone called out. “It’s been here for years.”
Ralph snorted. “That dump? You couldn’t pay me to stay there.”
“There’s been talk for years about a large motel being built on the outskirts of town,” a woman spoke. “This town isn’t big enough for one new motel – let alone two!”
“You must be speaking about me.” Ralph chuckled. “I’ve decided to forget about that plan and focus on developing this site. You’re right, this town isn’t big enough to sustain two of my developments. One will suit me just fine.”
Lauren glanced at Crystal. The other woman looked embarrassed as she nibbled on a cupcake.
“You can’t take our center away from us,” Denise told him, a militant glint in her eye.
“That’s right.” Barry glared at him. “We’ve built this place practically from scratch. Our members have pitched in over the years, donating their own time, labor, and know how. This was a ramshackle building when your grandfather leased the land to us, which is why the rent was so low. We’ve been here twenty years!”
“You tell him!” a couple of people called out.
Angry murmurs filled the room.
“The town is going to benefit from this,” Ralph told them. “All the store owners will increase their customer base. You might get more visitors to your senior center from the people vacationing at my resort.”
“But we won’t have a senior center,” Denise fumed. “You’re taking it away from us!”
“You can find another building,” Ralph said dismissively.
“Or,” Zoe spoke up, “you guys could crowdfund and buy this place from him!”
“Yeah, we could do that!”
“What’s crowdfunding?” a frail looking lady asked.
“That’s certainly an idea.” Barry looked gratefully at Zoe. He turned to Ralph. “As director of this center, I’m formally asking you to give us some time to raise the funds to buy this property from you.”
Ralph shook his head. “Sorry.” He didn’t sound sorry. “It’s a done deal. I’ve already got business partners lined up to make this happen. As soon as the lease expires, we’ll be breaking ground.”
“Don’t you need permission from the planning commission?” Denise asked.
“Yeah, that’s right,” a stout man called out. “You can’t just do whatever you want these days.”
“I’ve been told that won’t be a problem,” Ralph replied smoothly.
“He probably bribed them,” Lauren heard someone mutter.
“We’re going to object!” Denise called out.
“Yeah!” a few elderly men shouted.
“It won’t do you any good.” Ralph shrugged. “I still won’t be renewing your lease.”
“Let’s try and turn this into a constructive discussion, everyone.” Father Mike strode up to Barry and Ralph. “Gold Leaf Valley is a small town. Do you really think people will visit your resort?” His voice was earnest.
“Hell, yeah.” Ralph grinned. “I’ve got friends in the tourist industry and some of them run bus tours for old folks—” he looked at the crowd, “—just like you. My resort is going to pack them in every day of the week!”
The seniors drew in an audible deep breath, as if they were one.
“This happened to the town where my friend lives.” Martha smacked the handle of her walker. “The town was never the same. Too many tourists made some of the locals pack up and move elsewhere.”
“Save Gold Leaf Valley!” someone cried out.
A lot of the seniors took up the chant.
“Save Gold Leaf Valley! Save our senior center!”
“I told him not to do this.” Crystal still stood near Lauren and Zoe. She looked at her plate, seemingly surprised that she’d eaten two of the cupcakes. “He thinks he can do whatever he wants.”
“I hope things don’t turn ugly,” Lauren murmured to Zoe.
“Maybe we should pack up the remaining cupcakes before a food fight starts.” Zoe replied.
“Good idea.”
“Everyone!” Barry clapped his hands for silence, but the chanting was too loud for him to be heard. He grabbed a chair and stood on it. “Everyone!”
The seniors gradually quietened when they noticed their director’s antics.
Barry drew in a deep breath.
“I don’t think arguing with Mr. Lapton is going to achieve anything tonight. Why don’t we all go home and see if we can come up with some solutions?”
Father Mike made his way to the middle of the room.
“Barry’s right. Why don’t we pray for a solution tonight, and tomorrow we can have a meeting about this in the church hall?”
“Good idea,” Denise, Barry’s assistant, called out.
“What about six p.m. tomorrow?” Father Mike suggested.
“Sounds good to me.” Barry nodded. “Before you leave tonight, please write your name down if you’d like a ride to the meeting tomorrow. The more members who attend, the better.”
“It won’t do you any good.” Ralph snorted. “It’s my land. I can do whatever I want with it.”
“We’ll see about that!” Martha waved a fist in the air.
“Yeah!” A lot of the seniors cheered.
“You’re going to be sorry, young man!” a frail woman with sparse platinum gray hair warbled. She grabbed her companion’s arm, as if calling out had been a big effort.
“Maybe we should leave.” Crystal walked over to her husband. “You can eat these in the car.” She shoved the plate of cupcakes toward his stomach.
“These folks might have more to say to me.” Ralph grinned, seeming to relish the distress he’d caused.
“I think your wife is right,” Barry informed him. “I don’t believe anything can be achieved tonight.”
“You’re welcome at our meeting at the church hall tomorrow,” Father Mike said. “Perhaps we can all come up with a compromise.”
“Nice try, Father,” Ralph scoffed. “But I don’t believe in compromise. I already told you people – it’s a done deal.”
“I’m going.” Crystal gave her husband a sideways glance. “Are you coming or not?”
“Not yet.” He looked at his watch, which had an unusual purple glass face that complemented the yellow gold casing.
Crystal tightened her lips, then stalked out of the room.
“What do I have to do to get a cup of coffee around here?” Ralph demanded.
“The refreshment table is over there.” Father Mike gestured toward Lauren and Zoe.
Ralph headed over to the table.
“What have you girls got for me?” He eyed Lauren and Zoe speculatively.
Lauren bit back the impulse to be rude to him. Zoe wasn’t so restrained.
“I don’t think you’d like what we’ve got,” she told him. “It’s percolator coffee. And all the cream’s gone.” She made a show of lifting the lid on a white china bowl and peeking inside. “All the sugar’s gone, too. You’d have to have it black.”
“Hit me.” He grinned, as if relishing the little power play.
“Okay.” Zoe shrugged and poured him a cup of black coffee. “Here you go.” She placed the cardboard cup on the table.
He eyed the last few cupcakes while snatching up the cup. “How about some more of those?”
“Sorry,” Lauren replied. “There’s a two-person maximum. And you’re already holding yours.” She couldn’t believe she’d just said that.
“Yeah,” Zoe added. “Only two per person.” Her tone made it sound like a tragedy.
“What happens to the left overs?” Ralph asked as he bit into his cupcake. “I bet you two take them home and eat them.” He grinned, white chocolate frosting staining his lips and teeth.
“If you must know,” Zoe said loftily, “we give them to the church, to help feed the poor people in the area.”
Lauren looked at her cousin in admiration. Why couldn’t she fib like that? They usually didn’t have many left overs, as she and Ed baked fresh cupcakes and pastries daily.
But Zoe’s lie was actually a good idea. She’d discuss it with her after tonight.
The developer garbled something as he sank his teeth into the half-eaten cake.
“Lauren, Zoe, we’re going to call it a night.” Barry approached them. He ignored Ralph. “If you two could pack up, I’ll start giving my members a ride home. Denise will be here if you need any help. Oh, and feel free to keep any cupcakes that are left over.”
“No worries,” Zoe said cheerfully.
Relief rolled through Lauren. After what had happened tonight, she couldn’t wait to get home.
“Come on.” Zoe nudged Lauren. “Help me with the urn.” The two of them carried the coffee maker to the kitchen. Judging by its light weight, the developer must have drunk the last cup of coffee.
“I hope the new landlord’s gone when we go back into the party room.” Zoe shuddered. “I don’t like him.”
“That was a clever excuse for not giving him any more cupcakes,” Lauren told her. “And we should think about doing that – offering Father Mike any leftovers for people in need.”
“That man doesn’t deserve to taste your cupcakes,” Zoe said fiercely. “I can’t believe he wants to kick out the seniors and build a monstrosity.”
“I know.” Lauren nodded. She’d never expected tonight’s events to turn out like they had.
“We’ll have to help them find a new home,” Zoe continued.
“Perhaps Father Mike can come up with a solution,” Lauren suggested. “Like using the church hall.”
“That might be the perfect solution,” Zoe enthused. “Except when there’s another event on – doesn’t a needlepoint group meet there every week?” She shuddered. Zoe was not known for her sewing skills.
“Perhaps the seniors could join in.” Lauren hid a smile at Zoe’s reaction. Her cousin enjoyed trying out new crafts – apart from anything that involved sewing.
“We’d better go and pack up the rest of the stuff.” Zoe patted the urn. “Now we’ve taken care of this thing.”
When they entered the room, Lauren felt the energy had changed. Now there was a small, subdued crowd, talking in murmurs.
Lauren scanned the room.
“I can’t see Ralph,” she whispered to Zoe.
“Good!”
They stacked the remaining unused paper plates.
“He’s gone, girls.” Father Mike came up to them. “I don’t think he was prepared for so many members to argue with him, persuading him to change his mind.”
“Coward.” Zoe snorted.
Lauren exchanged a glance with her cousin, who nodded. “Would you like to take home the left-over cupcakes, Father? Maybe you know someone who could use them.”
“That’s very kind of you.” The priest smiled. “Thank you. I’m calling on a couple of elderly people tomorrow – I’m sure they’d enjoy them.”
“We’ll pack them up for you.” Lauren grabbed a cupcake box and placed the six remaining cupcakes inside, before handing it to him.
“Are you two coming to the meeting tomorrow?” he asked.
“Wouldn’t miss it,” Zoe told him cheerily. “We’ll be finished at the café by then.”
“I just hope we can come up with an acceptable solution – for everyone,” Father Mike said. He thanked them again for the cakes, then left with a couple of seniors.
Lauren and Zoe continued to pack up.
“Just about finished, girls?” Denise came over to them.
“That’s right,” Lauren replied with a smile.
“Barry asked me to give you a check for tonight.” She handed Lauren a little white envelope.
“Thanks. I hope you were happy with everything.”
“Are you kidding? Your cupcakes were divine, and having you two serve the guests meant Barry and I could circulate and chat to everyone, as well as attending to last minute things. It was worth the money.”
“We’re happy to handle another event for you,” Zoe spoke up. “Just let us know.”
“We definitely will. But I’m not sure if there will be another one, if Ralph Lapton gets his way. Where will the seniors go if we lose this place?”
“The church hall?” Zoe suggested.
“That’s definitely an option,” Denise replied, “but we wouldn’t have all day and evening access to it, the way we do with this building. And I don’t know how we’d manage the catering for our senior lunch special. We have that every day of the week.”
“Isn’t there a small kitchen in the church hall?” Lauren asked.
“Yes, but I don’t know if it will be big enough for our needs,” Denise told her. “One of our members used to be a chef and advised us on what we would need in order to cook for a large number of people.”
“That’s impressive,” Zoe murmured.
“Our members come from all walks of life,” Denise replied. “We have hundreds of years of experience among our members. And it’s certainly come in handy more than once.”
“Like electricians, and doctors, and—”
“Lawyers!” Zoe snapped her fingers, interrupting Lauren. “Do you have any lawyers? They could advise you on what to do about—”
“Sadly, no.” Denise shook her head. “Archie used to be an attorney, but he passed away last year. I don’t think any of our other members have worked in the legal profession, which is a bit of a disappointment right now. We could certainly use their expertise.”
“What a shame,” Lauren sympathized.
“Perhaps Father Mike will come up with a solution at the meeting tomorrow,” Zoe said.
“I certainly hope someone does,” Denise replied. “I don’t know what our members will do if we’re kicked out of here.”
Lauren and Zoe finished up. They waved goodbye to Denise, who was speaking to Martha and a few other seniors.
“Phew!” Zoe blew out a breath as they walked to their car. A few overhead lights shone on the small parking lot. The blackness of night surrounded them. “I can’t believe that all happened!”
“I know,” Lauren replied with feeling.
“Maybe we can come up with some ideas before tomorrow night.”
“I hope so.” Lauren unlocked her car.
“Hey! We could have special senior rates, like half price specials when it’s our slow part of the day,” Zoe enthused. “Especially on Tuesdays.”
“That’s an idea,” Lauren replied. “But shouldn’t we have the same special for everyone, no matter how old they are?”
“Good thinking.” Zoe nodded. “Let’s do it next week! I’ll make a poster and put it in the window.”
“You’re on.” Lauren smiled at her cousin.
They got in the car and Lauren started the engine.
“I think I’ll just go straight to bed when we get home.”
“Me too,” Lauren replied. All she wanted to do was curl up with Annie and tell her about tonight, glossing over the unpleasant bits.
Lauren drove out of the gates and down the road. Even with her headlights on, the darkness forced her to drive slowly. Only an occasional streetlight lit the way. She didn’t want to hit a rabbit or other wildlife darting across the road.
Zoe chatted about the next knitting/crochet/string-art club meeting, to be held at Mrs. Finch’s house on Friday evening. She’d been very enthusiastic about string-art for the last two months, while Lauren had struggled to finish her knitted scarf. Zoe had already tried knitting and crochet, and had grown bored with both crafts after a short while. Lauren wondered if her cousin would stick with string-art, or would try something else soon.
“What’s that?” Zoe pointed at a large, dark object looming in front of them, at the start of a deserted side road.
“Is it a car?” Lauren slowed down even more. Had someone broken down?
There weren’t any houses nearby, just grass and bushy trees.
She turned into the side road and pulled up alongside the object.
“It is a car. A fancy sedan,” Zoe said. “Look, the driver’s door is open!”
Lauren braked. The other car’s headlights glowed in the darkness.
“We should check it out.” Zoe unbuckled her seatbelt.
Lauren reached into her purse for her phone and turned it on, just in case they were the ones who would need help.
“Maybe we should think things through first,” Lauren told her cousin. “There’s no one around. What if it’s some kind of trick?”
Zoe paused. “You’re right. But what if someone’s hurt and their phone isn’t working, or they don’t have one with them?”
“We should call the police.” Lauren held out her phone.
“Is this an excuse just to hear Mitch’s voice?” Zoe teased, then sobered. “You’re right. Call 911 and then we can investigate.”
Lauren raised an eyebrow at the order, but pressed the buttons on her phone. She didn’t think Mitch had any plans for the night, but she decided to call the local police station, instead of her boyfriend.
The officer who answered said they would send someone out right away, and to stay on the line. Lauren relayed the message to Zoe.
“Cool. We can check it out for them and we’ll be safe because we’ve got law enforcement on the other end of the phone.”
“Okay.” Lauren took a deep breath and got out of the car the same time as Zoe, her hand glued to the phone. Sometimes she thought she was overly cautious, but at other times, like right now, she thought she was just the right amount of wary.
But Zoe was correct – what if someone was injured?
“Hello?” Zoe called out as she shut the car door. “Is anyone there?”
“Ma’am, what are you doing?” the officer on the phone asked. “I’m advising you to wait in your car until the police arrive.”
“I understand, but what if—”
“Lauren!” Zoe’s voice sounded panicky. “I think he’s dead!”