Tragic Toppings Read Online Free PDF

how charming he was. He could talk a woman dying of thirst out of her last sip of water if he put his mind to it. I couldn’t blame Emily for falling for his lines.
    It was just amazing to me sometimes that any woman could resist him.
    “Do you think they’re together somewhere right now?” Grace asked as I drove to Max’s place.
    “It wouldn’t surprise me one bit,” I said, my gaze glued to the road.
    Grace said carefully, “They’re both single, consenting adults. You know that, right?”
    “Of course I do,” I said. “Believe me, I don’t have a problem if they’re together. I just want to make sure that Emily’s okay.”
    We got to his place, and I turned to Grace. “Let’s go see if we can get any answers out of him.”
    I rang the doorbell twice, and then knocked on the door, but there was no answer.
    “He’s not here,” Grace said.
    “Let’s give him another second,” I said as I leaned on the doorbell, hearing it ring constantly inside.
    Max finally came to the door, looking more than a little frustrated. “Suzanne. Grace. What are you two doing here?”
    “We need to talk to you,” I said.
    He glanced back inside, and then said, “Sorry, but I’m a little busy.”
    “With Emily Hargraves, by any chance?” I asked.
    “How did you know about that?” he asked.
    “Max, you’re a grown man. I’m not asking just to be nosy, but do you know where Emily could possibly be?”
    He was about to answer when I saw Emily herself pop out from behind him.
    “Suzanne, what’s wrong? Why are you both looking for me?”
    “Everyone in town thinks you’ve disappeared,” I admitted. “You missed a meeting with the mayor, and you left your newsstand unlocked this morning.”
    She looked ashen. “Are the guys okay?”
    “They’re fine,” I said, finding it touching that that was where her mind had gone first. “Your mom has them at home. She’s going out of her mind with worry.”
    Emily shook her head, and then smacked Max’s shoulder. “I told you I couldn’t leave work like that without telling anyone. You convinced me that it would be impulsive and fun and daring, but all you’ve been for me since we met is trouble.”
    As she raced past us out of the apartment, Max looked sourly at me and said, “Thanks a lot.”
    I gave him my best smile as I said, “You’re most welcome. Have a good day.”
    *   *   *
    Back at the Jeep, Grace asked, “Should we track George down and bring him up to speed on what we’ve found out?”
    I looked at my watch and saw that it was nearly five. Momma was going to be getting ready for her big date soon, and I’d promised to be there to hold her hand. If I didn’t, I had a feeling that she’d find another way to back out yet again. “Why don’t I drop you off at your place, and you can call everyone and tell them they can stop worrying about Emily, including the chief of police. I need to get home.”
    “Okay by me.”
    I had no problem letting Grace make those happy calls on her own.
    I had something to do that was even more important, supporting my mother as she took the first small steps to a new life after my father.
    She was counting on me, and I wasn’t about to let her down.

 
    BUTTERMILK DONUT VARIATION
    These are really good, especially with the combination of the buttermilk and the pumpkin spice mix. With spices like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice, what’s not to like!
    INGREDIENTS
    • 1 egg, beaten
    • ½ cup sugar
    • ½ cup buttermilk
    • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
    • 2 cups all purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie mix
    DIRECTIONS
    After beating the egg, add the sugar, buttermilk, and melted butter, mixing thoroughly. In a separate bowl, sift the flour, baking soda, and pumpkin pie mix, then add to the egg mixture. Roll the dough out to ¼ inch, then cut out rounds and holes. Put in hot canola oil (375 degrees) for 4 minutes, flipping halfway through. Drain on paper towels or