Buttercream Murder: A Frosted Love Cozy Mystery - Book 7 (Frosted Love Cozy Mysteries) Read Free Page A

at this address figure that you have your hands full of female attention across town,” she responded tartly.
    “What?” Beckett was befuddled. “I’m sorry, I don’t understand,” his eyes narrowed, trying to puzzle out what she was talking about.
    Missy was exhausted from her strange hours and trying to hide her emotions at every moment, and made a split-second decision to just be brutally honest. “Chloe Beauregard came by the shop last week,” she said, exasperated when Chas didn’t react.
    “And?” he asked, not understanding.
    Missy put her hands on her hips, astonished that someone so intelligent was being so obtuse. “ And she told me how incredibly helpful you were being in her time of need,” she tapped her foot, staring at him accusingly.
    “That’s good,” he replied, blinking. “So why is it exactly that you’ve been avoiding me?” he asked, still not getting it.
    She was frustrated beyond belief that he was actually going to make her say it. “Because she also told me that she thought that you had taken quite a shine to her,” she spat, tears beginning to well.
    Chas’s eyes widened in astonishment. “What?? That’s utterly ridiculous. I’ve treated her with nothing but professionalism…Wait, do you mean to tell me that you believed her?”
    Missy’s glare dimmed a bit. “Well, she seemed pretty darn sure of herself,” she pouted, crossing her arms and dropping her eyes.
    Chas stepped forward and took Missy gently in his arms. “Wasn’t it you who told me just how manipulative she is? Don’t you think I’d recognize that? Besides…I don’t even notice other women. You’re the only woman I’m thinking of.” He tilted her chin up so that she was looking at him. “Trust me, someone like Chloe Beauregard can’t hold a candle to you, sweet Melissa.” He kissed her forehead, her nose, and each cheek, before finally, tenderly capturing her lips with his. “You have nothing to worry about from Chloe or anyone else…understand?” he whispered.
    Tears flowing freely now, Missy nodded. “I should have known better. It’s just, I’ve been so busy, and I’ve missed you, and I’m working all these weird hours, which makes me so tired…” she babbled until he put a silencing finger to her lips.
    “Shhh….I’m here, and you’re going to be okay. Let me take you to dinner?” he asked with a gentle smile. Missy nodded, and together they led Toffee into the house, locked the front door and headed for Chas’s car.
    Now that things with her dashing detective were back on an even keel, Missy made sure to maintain a healthy balance of work and personal time, scaling her hours at the shops back a bit. Sweet Crème Sandwiches were such a hit that people from neighboring towns were coming in to try them, and the lines on Fridays often wound around the block. Missy had just recovered from dealing with one such rush when a well-dressed man approached her, carrying a briefcase.
    “Melissa Gladstone?” he inquired politely.
    “Yes, that’s me,” Missy answered with a sweet southern smile. “What can I do for you?”
    “My name is Jonathan Michener, and I’d like to speak with you for a moment if I may,” he replied.
    “Not a problem,” she indicated a seat at a nearby table. “Can I get you something? Coffee? A cupcake?”
    “How about one of your famous Sweet Crème Sandwiches?” he grinned.
    “Sure thing – I’ll be right back.”
    Returning with two of the treats, because it just wasn’t polite to let a guest eat alone, Missy presented Mr. Michener with the Friday special Sweet Crème Sandwich – one of her Strawberry Dream Cupcakes, filled with Echo’s Lemon Chiffon Cream, topped with whipped vanilla icing and a fresh, plump strawberry.
    “This looks delicious,” he exclaimed, taking a large bite. “Mmmm…mmhmm…” he nodded with pleasure, his mouth too full to speak. “Thank you so much,” he said, upon recovering from the bite. He held up the Sweet