Easy Bake Coven: Book One of the Vivienne Finch Magical Mysteries Read Free Page A

not on Main Street.”
    “But
I am only one street away.” Clara added as she refilled Kathy’s mug. “Something
tells me Queen Mona isn’t going to stop with just one street.”
    “We’re
assuming that all this is legal.” Vivienne handed her mug to Clara to refill.
“It could take years for anything to get implemented.”
    Clara
pointed out the window to the twenty foot tall metal sign that was shaped like
a coffee mug. Framed by a red outline of neon tubing, it had been a beacon for
the late night bar crowd for years. “Jake, God rest his soul, was so proud of
that design. It would break my heart to get rid of it.” Her eyes clouded up for
a few seconds as she thought about her late husband who had passed more than a
decade ago, leaving her as sole owner of the business he had loved so much.
    “Jake’s
sign is a part of our history here.” Vivienne agreed. “I’d even go so far to
say that it should be protected with historical status.”
    “It’s
not like I’m one of those blasted chains out on the interstate.” Clara topped
off Vivienne’s coffee. “I’m making just enough to keep afloat and pay my bills.
Heaven knows how much a lawyer would cost.”
    “Which
I’m sure is what Mona and the others on the commission are probably counting
on. Hoping we all tuck tails between our legs and skulk off.” Kathy savored
another bite of pie, enjoying every second of the decadent treat she rarely
allowed herself.
    “That
woman has got some nerve.” Clara added with a scowl. “Do you know that she
actually bought one of my pecan pies here a few weeks ago and was going to
enter it in a baking contest at the State Fair?”
    “How
did you find out?” Kathy was intrigued.
    “I
was there myself to enter the very same pie.” Clara smiled. “So when I ran into
her at the check in line, she was mortified. Next thing I knew she was saying
how she had a terrible migraine and she slipped away with that pie stashed
under her arm before she could enter it.”
    “Are
you sure it was one of yours?” Vivienne asked.
    “She
didn’t even have enough sense to take the little heart made out of pecans from
the middle of the pie.” Clara shook her head. It was her own little trademark
that everyone in town knew identified her famous pecan from others. “I never
did like her much. After that incident, she’s never set foot in here again.”
    Vivienne
stomach turned a few knots. She wasn’t sure if it was the sugar rush or the
topic of conversation. “All these local politics just makes my head spin.”
    “Just
don’t sell her any of your baked goods during fair season.” Clara smiled.
    The
tinkle of the door bell startled the three women as a tall man in a deputy’s
uniform ducked inside the doorway. “Good afternoon, ladies.” His voice was low
and smooth, with an accent you couldn’t quite place. “I hear this diner has the
best coffee around.”
    Clara
winked at them both and straightened the lace collar on her uniform. “You’ve
heard right, Mister…”
    “I’m
Joshua Arkins , the sheriff’s new deputy.”
    Vivienne
swallowed hard and began to choke on a piece of pecan pie. Her face turned
bright red as she tried to contain the loud hacking.
    Kathy
handed her the coffee mug. “Drink some of this.”
    Vivienne
took it from her and downed the hot liquid. It did the trick and sent the
stubborn pecans down her throat where they belonged. “Thank you.” She squeaked
out.
    Joshua
and Clara stared at Vivienne making sure she could breathe.
    “Everything’s
fine.” Kathy defused their concern. “Thank you.”
    Joshua
removed his brown deputy hat and allowed his thick black hair to gleam in the
afternoon sunlight that was streaming through the window blinds of the diner.
“Glad to hear it.”
    Clara
waved Stephanie over to the front. “Here at Clara’s we always have a
complimentary cup of coffee for the sheriff and his deputies.”
    Stephanie
quickly filled a ceramic mug with some