Death by Scones Read Online Free PDF

different genre films, but he became known for noir mysteries. Very dashing."
    The way she could no longer meet my gaze made me wonder if she had a crush on him.
    "Were you close ?" I hadn't meant to emphasize my last word quite so much.
    She stood and picked up the broom again. "We became friendly due to our time at the theater. I never saw him socially, if that's what you mean."
    I hoped I hadn't offended her. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to insinuate anything."
    Mrs. Hendrickson was a very traditional woman, and I believed her husband was still alive then. I doubted she would have had an affair.
    She moved to the next table, and I jumped up to finish wiping it down so she could sweep the area. "It's fine, dear. Actually, Nathan was the reason the community stopped putting on the plays. He'd quit as director. Others stepped forward to fill the role, but there were clashes and arguments between the cast members and production. It became easier to let it go."
    "That's a shame," I said. "Why did he quit?"
    She shrugged. "I don't know, but it was about that time he started staying inside. So tell me about you and my grandson. Will your grandmother and I be planning an engagement party soon?"
    I hadn't expected the abrupt subject change and caught my scoff before it passed my lips. "Will and I haven't been together long enough for a ring."
    Now I fully understood the fear Tara felt this morning. Getting engaged one day to someone would be awesome, but I wasn't yet sure if that someone would be Will. We'd been friends all of our lives, but I hadn't thought of him in a romantic way until recently. We hadn't slept together yet, and I kinda liked to do that and make sure we were compatible before picking out china.
    "Well, I'm sure he'll be asking eventually. He's very smitten with you."
    I really hoped he wasn't confiding his feelings for me with his grandmother. A friend, someone his age, would've been fine, but not Grams' friend. That felt like all kinds of icky.
    Mrs. Hendrickson wiped her brow with the back of her hand.
    Guilt at having her help me when she would normally be home resting, or whatever she did, gnawed at me. She worked Monday through Saturday from three until closing. She didn't need to be here now too.
    "You know, I can handle the rest of this on my own. Why don't you get going, and I'll see you later," I said, but I wouldn't. I would leave the bakery shortly after Amber arrived at three.
    She leaned the broom against one of the chairs. "I think I will. Have a great day, Riley."
    "You too." I watched her go to the door, pick up her canvas grocery bag, and then walk out.
     
    An hour and a half trickled by before we had a customer. Elizabeth Ashby entered. She was a charming older woman with warm, gentle eyes and a demeanor that matched. Despite her being one of the friendliest people in town, I knew very little about her, except that she lived not far from Grams and me. A mysterious air surrounded her. She always had a book of fiction and a notebook with her and alternated between reading and taking notes. Was she writing down thoughts about her book or something else? It never seemed appropriate to ask, but I was curious.
    She smiled at me. Her light-gray eyes twinkled. "Good morning, dear. I came in for one of your delicious cinnamon muffins. No other quite compares to yours."
    A genuine customer. I smiled wide. This may have been only one sale, but she made my day.
    "I'm so glad you enjoy them." I reached for the pair of plastic tongs and pulled out the muffin with the second most crumb topping. I carefully set it in one of our bags, then laid it on the counter.
    As she reached into her tote bag to find her wallet, I caught a glimpse of a hardcover book. I smiled to myself. There was something comforting about her predictability.
    After paying, she waved good-bye and walked out.
    I glanced up at the clock. Amber would be returning soon. The extra-large coffee I'd just consumed, as well as the two during the