Buttercream Murder: A Frosted Love Cozy Mystery - Book 7 (Frosted Love Cozy Mysteries) Read Free Page B
Book: Buttercream Murder: A Frosted Love Cozy Mystery - Book 7 (Frosted Love Cozy Mysteries) Read Free
Author: Carol Durand
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Crème Sandwich and looked at it reverently. “This,” he said, turning the treat from side to side, viewing it from multiple angles, “is why I am here.”
Missy was amused and puzzled. “Well, that’s why most of my customers drop by,” she joked, nibbling at the dessert.
Michener polished off the rest of his cupcake sandwich in three huge bites and finally explained his purpose for seeking Missy out. “I represent the Creamy Delight frozen treat company, and I was sent here specifically because one of my managers happened to be passing through Dellville and tried what she described as the best ice cream dessert that she had ever tasted.”
“Awww…well that was certainly sweet of her to say,” Missy smiled. “You wanted to try one so badly that you came out here from…where, exactly?”
“Our corporate offices in New York City. And while my curiosity was certainly piqued, I was sent for a specific purpose, Miss Gladstone,” he leaned forward.
“Which is?”
“Creamy Delight wants to replicate your Sweet Crème Sandwiches on a grand scale,” he announced proudly. “We would purchase your recipes and those of Ms. Willis across the street and mass produce them for nationwide distribution. Miss Gladstone, my company is fully prepared to make this deal more than worth your while. We would buy the rights to the name and use the story of how you started running your shops at a young age to promote the product. You may be headed for an early retirement if you wish,” he grinned broadly.
Missy was shocked. Creamy Delight was a household name, and she was amazed, not only that her little shop had come to their attention, but that somehow they seemed to know quite a bit about her. “Wow, that’s very flattering, Mr. Michener.”
“I’m glad you feel that way Miss Gladstone,” he rubbed his hands together happily and unsnapped his briefcase. “I just have a few documents for you to review and then we can proceed with the arrangements.”
“Umm…I think you misunderstand me. I’m flattered that your company took such an interest in my creations, but there’s no way in the world that I would agree to have them mass produced. Part of what makes them so good is the fact that each one is freshly hand-crafted and homemade. It’s just how we do things down here in the South,” she explained.
Michener placed his palms together, tenting his fingers under his chin and staring at Missy totally nonplussed. “I don’t think you understand just how much money we’re talking about here, Miss Gladstone,” he reiterated in a low voice.
“Actually, it doesn’t matter, Mr. Michener, money isn’t what drives me,” she shrugged in response.
“Oh don’t be naïve,” he snapped, losing patience. “You Southerners haven’t cornered the market on quality. I’ve spent my entire career working with Creamy Delight, and I can tell you, we know what the public wants and we give it to them by the gallon, to the tune of billions of dollars a year,” he huffed. “Everyone has a price, and if you’ll just give me the courtesy of reviewing these documents, I’m sure you’ll agree that we’ve more than met yours.”
“Everyone has a price? Well, if that’s the case, Mr. Michener, let me put this in language that you’ll understand…you can’t afford mine. Now perhaps you’ll show me the courtesy of seeing yourself out,” she stood, picked up their dessert plates and walked to the kitchen, leaving a frustrated Jonathan Michener in her wake.
Chapter 5
Chas invited Missy to dinner that night and soon took her mind off of corporate takeovers with his charm and wit. The misunderstanding of his encounters with Chloe Beauregard was well behind them, and they’d moved past feeling awkward about it. The busy detective’s phone rang just before their coffee and dessert arrived and he sent the caller to voicemail, but when it rang again, he apologized, stepping outside to take the call. Missy had to
Missy was amused and puzzled. “Well, that’s why most of my customers drop by,” she joked, nibbling at the dessert.
Michener polished off the rest of his cupcake sandwich in three huge bites and finally explained his purpose for seeking Missy out. “I represent the Creamy Delight frozen treat company, and I was sent here specifically because one of my managers happened to be passing through Dellville and tried what she described as the best ice cream dessert that she had ever tasted.”
“Awww…well that was certainly sweet of her to say,” Missy smiled. “You wanted to try one so badly that you came out here from…where, exactly?”
“Our corporate offices in New York City. And while my curiosity was certainly piqued, I was sent for a specific purpose, Miss Gladstone,” he leaned forward.
“Which is?”
“Creamy Delight wants to replicate your Sweet Crème Sandwiches on a grand scale,” he announced proudly. “We would purchase your recipes and those of Ms. Willis across the street and mass produce them for nationwide distribution. Miss Gladstone, my company is fully prepared to make this deal more than worth your while. We would buy the rights to the name and use the story of how you started running your shops at a young age to promote the product. You may be headed for an early retirement if you wish,” he grinned broadly.
Missy was shocked. Creamy Delight was a household name, and she was amazed, not only that her little shop had come to their attention, but that somehow they seemed to know quite a bit about her. “Wow, that’s very flattering, Mr. Michener.”
“I’m glad you feel that way Miss Gladstone,” he rubbed his hands together happily and unsnapped his briefcase. “I just have a few documents for you to review and then we can proceed with the arrangements.”
“Umm…I think you misunderstand me. I’m flattered that your company took such an interest in my creations, but there’s no way in the world that I would agree to have them mass produced. Part of what makes them so good is the fact that each one is freshly hand-crafted and homemade. It’s just how we do things down here in the South,” she explained.
Michener placed his palms together, tenting his fingers under his chin and staring at Missy totally nonplussed. “I don’t think you understand just how much money we’re talking about here, Miss Gladstone,” he reiterated in a low voice.
“Actually, it doesn’t matter, Mr. Michener, money isn’t what drives me,” she shrugged in response.
“Oh don’t be naïve,” he snapped, losing patience. “You Southerners haven’t cornered the market on quality. I’ve spent my entire career working with Creamy Delight, and I can tell you, we know what the public wants and we give it to them by the gallon, to the tune of billions of dollars a year,” he huffed. “Everyone has a price, and if you’ll just give me the courtesy of reviewing these documents, I’m sure you’ll agree that we’ve more than met yours.”
“Everyone has a price? Well, if that’s the case, Mr. Michener, let me put this in language that you’ll understand…you can’t afford mine. Now perhaps you’ll show me the courtesy of seeing yourself out,” she stood, picked up their dessert plates and walked to the kitchen, leaving a frustrated Jonathan Michener in her wake.
Chapter 5
Chas invited Missy to dinner that night and soon took her mind off of corporate takeovers with his charm and wit. The misunderstanding of his encounters with Chloe Beauregard was well behind them, and they’d moved past feeling awkward about it. The busy detective’s phone rang just before their coffee and dessert arrived and he sent the caller to voicemail, but when it rang again, he apologized, stepping outside to take the call. Missy had to