Pies & Peril Read Online Free PDF

about him seemed slick in a wily used-car-salesman way. He whispered something to one of the women working the counter with him. She slid into place behind the register, despite the lack of customers, as Elliot came around the end of the counter to stand next to Amy. He gestured to the door. "Why don't we go to that new coffee shop that opened practically next door? I haven't been there yet, and I like to keep tabs on my competitors."
    " Sounds like a good idea. I could use some more coffee this morning." The only way she was going to make it through the day was by reapplying liberal doses of coffee every few hours. She still hadn't slept well. The half day nap, after the sugar high from the quadruple chocolate muffins wore off; combined with being alone in the house, had caused her to stay awake watching cooking shows until 3 a.m. As Amy turned to follow Elliot out the front door she caught a glimpse of his wife emerging from the back room. Kristi was the head cake decorator at the bakery and its biggest asset. Her wedding cakes were as spectacular as her copper-colored hair, which she always coiled on top of her head in a big, messy bun. There had been a rumor circulating around town for several years that Elliot had married her because she was pregnant with his baby, but there had been a miscarriage soon after the ceremony. Was the story true? They didn't have any children, but that was about as much proof as saying a woman was anorexic because she didn't want to eat dessert. Who knew what happened behind closed doors. Earthy, plain Kristi was at least 20 years younger than the King of Pompadour Hair. Definitely opposites in many ways. What had attracted her to him?
    As they passed by the bakery 's front window, Elliot glanced sideways and stopped. Amy managed to side-step to the right and only grazed his arm with her shoulder. He recoiled from the light contact and said, "Excuse me. I need to return to the bakery for a moment. I believe Kristi would like to know where we are going."
    " Okay, I'll just wait here," Amy said as Elliot spun on his heels. She peeked through the dusty window of the empty storefront next to the bakery as she waited for him to return. Wire racks, shelves and small tables were scattered inside the space that had been a gift shop. Now it was a buffer zone between the old-school bakery and trendy coffee shop. Elliot emerged again and charged past her. She hadn't heard any yelling, but it didn't look like the conversation with his wife had been pleasant. Even though it was only mid-morning, the heat had turned Main Street into a sauna. Nothing was said as they plowed through the thick air to reach Riverbend Coffee. The rich scent of espresso accompanied the cool air when Elliot opened the door for her. Amy noticed a sweet note mixing with the dark, roasted aroma of the coffee beans. She didn't have the heart to tell him she had already been to the coffee shop several times since it opened a month earlier. Everything was homemade, from the delicate French macarons to the flavored syrups used in lattes and Italian sodas. She maneuvered through the maze of tables to the order counter.
    After Amy requested a large, non-fat, brown sugar and nutmeg latte the clerk asked, "Would you like a maple scone with that? We just pulled them out of the oven."
    She glanced at Elliot. He had wanted to check out this competitor to his bakery. She could spare a scone corner for him to sample. "I'd love one."
    Amy studied the elegantly decorated cakes and cookies in the display case as Elliot placed his order. The barista instructed them to find a table and a waitress would deliver the drinks and pastries. Amy took the lead again and chose a two-person table in the back corner, far away from the windows that faced the busy sidewalk. Since Elliot seemed to be on a spying mission, he probably didn't want to be spotted by any of his loyal customers. Although, a man wearing a pastel green polo shirt wasn't exactly cruising