A Crusty Murder Read Online Free PDF Page A

saw the story on the news tonight. They’re such snakes.”
    “I didn’t see the news, but a couple of newsmen hung about. My regular customers didn’t pay them any mind. One of the older ladies told them to buzz off. Seanmhair and I thought it was quite sweet of her to stand up for us.”
    “Don’t let anyone railroad you, Mel. We know you and BettyJo could never have hurt anyone,” Leslie Sounder added. We’d first met when she’d had her cards read by BettyJo. BettyJo had recommended my shop for breads and classes. Leslie had become a regular, as well.
    “Thanks, I’ll remember that.” I slid from the stool and asked the students to clean up the tables and package their rolls before they left. They responded with alacrity, and soon they’d donned their jackets to leave. All, except Aidan. My heart fluttered against my ribcage, my pulse quickened. I waited for the last person to head out.
    “Did you enjoy the class?” I asked Aidan with a smile.
    “Indeed, I did.” He settled on a stool and said, “How can I help you with this unfortunate circumstance you’re in, lass?”
    His unexpected offer left me more flustered. Why? I didn’t know. I perched on a stool across from him and said, “There’s nothing to be done as of yet. BettyJo and I know we may very well have to delve into who took Mrs. Peterson’s life, just so we aren’t blamed for it. Thanks for your offer.”
    “Sure, though I don’t think a braw lass such as yourself should get mixed up in an investigation. You might find it unhealthy. Be canny, lass, please.”
    In an effort to figure out what braw and canny meant, I sat quietly for a few seconds until he laughed.
    “Do you not understand me, then?” Aidan asked.
    “Canny and braw? Those words aren’t in my mental dictionary, sorry.” I chuckled when he explained braw as fine and canny as careful. I made a mental note to search the Internet and download a Scottish dictionary.
    “Rest assured, we shall be canny. I wouldn’t want either of us to end up the same way Mrs. Peterson did,” I told him.
    He shrugged into his jacket and paid for the class. Aidan tucked his packet of Monkey Bread under his arm and said, “I won’t see you next time. I have business to transact on Friday, and then I’m off to Glasgow for a wee bit.”
    My heart plummeted at the thought of his leaving, but I pasted a smile on my face and agreed to see him on his return.
    I wandered through the shop closing up, straightening what didn’t need to be, shutting lights down, and feeling lonely after Aidan had left. Somehow, he managed to fill a room all by himself. I shook my head and muttered that I must be losing my mind if I let a man I’d known for less than a week take over my every thought.
     

Chapter 5
    Sunshine, warm breezes, and smiling customers filled my day as Seanmhair and I sold the last loaf of French bread before closing. Aidan had rarely entered my mind throughout the hours I’d worked. It wasn’t until Seanmhair mentioned a cup of tea and a brioche that his sparkling eyes and perfect smile entered my head.
    I sighed, nodded to Seanmhair about the offer of tea, and hung the closed sign on the window hook.
    Three brioches remained from the dozens I’d baked in the early morning hours. Four loaves of Irish soda bread, and a dozen or so muffins were left. I readied them for delivery to the homeless shelter and joined Seanmhair in the kitchen.
    “Are you playing cards today?” I asked her.
    “Not today. Mary’s been hospitalized. I’ll visit her and then have an early night. Some of the residents on my floor at the complex want to play poker later.” Seanmhair chortled at the prospect. “I might get lucky.”
    Grinning in response to her remark, I said, “No cheating, and please, don’t clean everyone out of their meager funds.”
    “Nah, no worries,” she responded. She pointed to the packaged goods. “I’ll take those to the shelter on my way to the hospital if you’d