Then, from behind him, Greg came out of the elevator. His blue shirt and tie made him look friendly and approachable and totally hot. A smile creased my lips as I answered my aunt’s question. “There he is.”

  He looked at Dane as he passed him by and then pointed back at him when he met me and drew me into a kiss. “Is that the guy I need to go beat up?”

  “Why, because he found me totally irresistible?” I ran my hand down his chest. “You clean up good.”

  He smiled at me and twirled me so my dress flared out. “As do you.”

  “If you too are done canoodling, our ride has arrived.” Harrold smiled at us, the skin around his eyes wrinkling.

  “I guess I’m going to have to be the bigger man here, because I’ve got the girl.” Greg put his arm around me, and we followed Harrold and Aunt Jackie outside and into a Mercedes Benz E-Class sedan.

  “This is fancy.” I settled my dress around me and glanced around. “I feel like I should have dressed up more.”

  “I told you to wear something nice,” my aunt snapped. Then Harrold took her hand, and a look passed between them.

  “You look lovely, Jill.” He calmed the waters. Something he’d been doing a lot recently with my aunt. All I could think was thank God for Harrold.

  “She does, doesn’t she?” Greg put his arm around me. “I thought I was going to have to beat the other guys off with a stick this morning.”

  Trying to change the subject from foot fetish Dane, I looked out the window. “So, where are we going? I’m so excited about this lunch. Is it Wolfgang? Or Ramsay? Or one of the newer chefs?”

  Harrold chuckled. “I think you’ll be happy with the meal, but first, we have a stop to make.”

  I glanced at my watch. It was almost noon now. Good thing I’d eaten at the buffet after helping Greg apprehend the criminals. The whole morning had given me a huge appetite. “You’re in charge of our little adventure; we’re just along for the ride. I don’t know if you heard, Greg arrested Frank’s killer. Well, killers. I think she’s going to claim he used her for access, but she’s the mastermind, I know it.”

  “I think you’re right.” Greg explained the morning’s events. “I was about ninety-nine percent sure this Aaron guy had either ordered the killing or drove the truck himself, but California gave me the rest of the whys. I can’t believe they turned on each other so quickly. He was convinced she was going to kill him.”

  “She shot at him twice,” I added. “And hit him in the leg. That would convince me.”

  “The problem with guns is, even an idiot can get lucky. We were lucky that second bullet went high. They found it in one of the angels decorating the ceiling in the lobby.”

  “Well, isn’t that amazing. An angel saved people from harm. Isn’t that the way it’s supposed to work?” Harrold beamed. He always saw the positive side of things. Even when the angel was a statue and the bullet probably cost the casino thousands to get that section of lobby repaired.

  The sedan pulled into a driveway and I looked out. All I could see was the next building, which appeared to be a strip mall where you could get tattoos while you waited. I wondered how a drop-off and pick-up tattoo worked? Someone needed to think about their marketing message.

  I followed Harrold and Aunt Jackie out into the heat of midday and gasped. The official Elvis Wedding Chapel was on the other side of the strip mall.

  And that’s where we were headed.

  My aunt took my arm. “Don’t dawdle in the parking lot. You’ll melt. Besides, our appointment is in a few minutes.”

  Entering the lobby, Mary and Bill Sullivan stood up and greeted us. “We drove up first thing this morning and will stay the night at the same hotel,” Mary explained. “From the look on your face, Jackie hasn’t told you their surprise yet.”

  I turned to my aunt. “You’re getting married? Here? No huge wedding. No wedding planner book. No choosing linens?”

  Harrold laughed, and my aunt shot him a look. “Harrold and I decided we were ready to get on with our lives. Besides, I can’t be living with a man without being married to him. It would be scandalous.”

  Greg reached out and slapped Harrold on the back. “Congratulations. If you’d told me last night, I would have bought you a shot.”

  “I had enough liquor last night. Besides, that was Justin’s party. He needs the courage to get through all of Amy’s planning. He’s going to be one relieved man when they finally get to the honeymoon.” Harrold greeted Bill and Mary.

  Aunt Jackie pulled me aside. “Did you open that box I left for you at the shop?”

  I’d actually forgotten about it. She must have seen the answer on my face. She took my hand.

  “It’s just a few things I thought you might like. I didn’t want to carry the physical memories of my first marriage into my second. I loved your Uncle Ted. And I love your new Uncle Harrold. Love isn’t stingy that way. And there are a few things you might want for when you make it official with that guy.” She pointed to Greg. “I’ve never seen you so happy. Don’t waste this time.”

  I hugged her and promised I’d retrieve the box as soon as we got back to town. A man dressed as Elvis came out of the chapel. “I take it we’re all here? Who’s the lucky bride and groom?”

  Harrold took my aunt’s arm in his and stepped toward Elvis. “We are.”

  “Then let’s get this party rocking!” He froze in a position that appeared to be Elvis playing a guitar, then popped up. “Thank you, thank you very much for choosing our chapel.”

  Greg took my arm, and we followed Mary and Bill into the flower-covered chapel. Toby and Herman showed up just before the ceremony started.

  The chapel and the ceremony were beautiful, and we stood with the others as Aunt Jackie and Harrold took their vows. To love, to honor, and I noticed the Elvis preacher dude took out the word “obey.” Which was probably for the best. My aunt didn’t obey anyone. She did anything she wanted, and always out of love.

  During lunch, Bill pulled me aside. “I didn’t want to bring this up before the festivities, but I want you to know the Council is sending out a revision letter about the fee increases and apologizing if the last letter made it seem like we blamed you or your shop.”

  A wave of relief ran through me. I couldn’t believe how much this had been affecting me. “Alice Carroll is a menace. She tried to close me down.”

  “I believe she was acting under the impression that she’d get the commissions from the land sales if the water park went through. Your house was a kingpin piece for the whole development. Your property provided the access to the road. So, if you didn’t sell, the project wouldn’t go through.” He pointed at Greg. “And I have it on good authority that she might just be charged in some form for Frank’s death. Accessory after the fact, I think it’s called.”

  “She needs to go to jail. I wouldn’t have sold the house even if my business had gone down.” I glanced around at my friends and family. Amy and Justin had joined us for the celebration lunch, which was being held in a banquet room at the Venetian. Not the famous chef I’d been expecting, but the food was amazing. “That’s my home. You don’t walk away from home.”

  Bill must have heard my subtext, because he hugged me. “And that’s why people like Alice and this developer guy will never win. They don’t get that one statement.”

  Chapter 24

  The staff meeting was scheduled for Tuesday at seven in the morning. I’d already had most of my commuters, and I’d serve them as the rest came in. My aunt was directing Deek on how to set up the tables. And Toby was getting the treats set up. Today, we also had orange juice and a bottle of champagne to celebrate my aunt’s impromptu wedding. We had just all sat down and were chatting about the weekend when a woman came in the front door.

  “I’ll be right back.” I stood and started to go to the counter.

  My aunt touched my arm. “Sit down, Jill. That’s not a customer.”

  The woman walked over and took the empty seat. It was the woman who’d been hanging out at the shop the last few weeks. “Sorry I’m late. I brought a load of stuff to start moving into the apartment this afternoon, if that’s okay? My dad took the day off, so he’s back at the house packing up my stuff. I think he’s just happy to get rid of me and Homer.”

  “Not a problem. Everyone, this is our newest Coffee, Books, and More staff member. Evie Marshall. She’s also going to be renting the apartment upstairs.” She turned to me. “Evie, this is my niece, Jill.”

  “I’ve heard so much about you.” Evie reached over and shook my hand. “So excited to be part of the team.”

  “I haven’t heard anything about you. Are you Jay’s neighbor’s daughter?”

  Toby kicked my chair. “No, she’s not Jay’s neighbor’s daughter. I can’t believe you don’t see the resemblance. Nice to see you again, Evie.”

  I considered the woman as she said good morning to Deek and Toby. She was strikingly beautiful. Her dark skin highlighted her green eyes. And her braids were loose today. She used beads in her hair like Deek used color on his blond dreadlocks. She did look like someone, but who? Then it came to me. Olivia. She looked like a grown-up version of Olivia. “You’re related to Sasha?”

  The woman laughed. “She’s my cousin. She always ranted on and on about what a great place this was to live and work, so when my divorce was final, South Cove was the first place I thought of to regroup.”

  “And Homer is your son? How old is he?” I wondered what it would be like having a kid running around upstairs. I hoped he liked to read.

  “Fourteen, but he acts like he’s two.” She laughed and poured herself some coffee. “I’m looking forward to being so close to the beach. He loves the waves.”

  “She has a Pomeranian.” My aunt looked at me. “I told her it was okay to bring him along.”

  “Oh, Homer is a dog.” Okay, so I am more of a Captain Obvious than my aunt.

  “Now that the introductions are done, I wanted to talk about Evie’s training. She’ll be taking over the midday shift while Harrold and I are on our cruise next month. Deek, you’ll be closing. Will that interfere with your classes?”

  “Only one. I can’t close on Wednesdays.” He looked at me, but Toby spoke up.

  “I can close for you those days. Just put me on the schedule.”

  And that’s how the meeting went. Everyone was thoughtful and supportive. Even though I knew it wouldn’t last, I kind of liked this gentler version of our staff meetings. Aunt Jackie didn’t do her typical minitraining of things they already knew. But she did read the reversion letter of the increased dues out loud to the group. And Bill had put in an apology from the Council to our store and our employees.

  “I heard that Alice Carroll resigned her position,” Aunt Jackie said after folding the letter back into the envelope.

  “Yeah, but she said it was because she was moving her real estate business. I think having a DUI in the town where you need to sell houses puts a question mark on your character,” Deek added his bit of gossip.

  “And I was the one who caught her,” Toby crowed. “You’re all welcome. ‘Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead.’”

  “I’m just glad the shop’s not being attacked. I was expecting a swarm of locusts next.” I leaned back in my chair and sent up a silent thank you to Bill for his assistance.

  After they’d left, I pulled out the box that had been under the counter. Aunt Jackie’s first wedding memory book, a dried flower, a picture of me from my first wedding. And, as I opened the jewelry box, a set of worn wedding rings in gold. Uncle Ted’s was a plain wide band. My aunt’s rings were a matched set, with a small diamond and three even smaller stones on the wedding ring.

  “We were going to replace the stone for our twentieth anniversary,” my aunt said from behind me. She leaned on my shoulder and reached around to touch the rings. “But he didn’t make it. I know some people let the rings go with them, but your Uncle Ted wasn’t in that casket.”

  I looked at her sharply. “He wasn’t?”

  She shook her head. “Once his spirit was gone, I barely recognized the body at the funeral. Don’t look at me that way. I know it was your uncle’s body. But his spirit, it had moved on.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want these?” I held up the ring box.

  She stepped away and looked down at the ring with the much larger stone she’d taken on Sunday. “No. That part of my life is over. Now, it’s a new chapter. One with Harrold. By the way, I need to tell you something.”

  Now what? I kept my face neutral and put away the rings and the box in the office. I’d take them home with me today and put them away in my office safe. “Oh?”

  “Harrold wanted you to know that you and I are not in line to inherit the shop. Well, not unless his son and children pass before you. And I informed him that my share of Coffee, Books, and More wouldn’t go to him, it would revert back to you.” She touched the ring. “He’s set up a fund for me in case something happens. I’ll be well taken care of. As long as some charlatan doesn’t get his hands on my money again.”

  “I don’t think you’d let that happen again. You learned your lesson.” I filled a cup of coffee and handed it to my aunt.

  “I definitely hope so. You know it wasn’t long ago that I thought Ted might be alive. If you hadn’t stepped in…”

  “You would have figured it out. You’re a smart woman. I’m just here to catch you when you need help.” I poured my own coffee. “Evie seems nice.”

  “Sasha called a few weeks ago and asked if we would have room for her. I couldn’t turn the girl down. She’s been through a lot.”

  “You’re a softy.” I smiled at my aunt. “A big, fat softy.”

  She shuddered. “Don’t let that get around. I need to go and walk through the apartment one last time. I think Evie should be moved in by the end of the day.”

  I watched my aunt as she took her coffee with her upstairs. It would be different, having a new person living in the apartment. But change happens in life. Good changes and bad changes. Nothing ever stays the same.

  As a customer walked into the store, I smiled and called out a welcome. Yes, changes happen. And I wouldn’t want it any other way.

  A Note From Lynn

  Dear Reader,

  I know Jill and the rest of my characters talk about food. A lot. However, for me, food is an important part of living. My husband? Not so much. Don’t get me wrong, he likes a good meal. But as long as he’s not hungry, he’s satisfied. Me, on the other hand, I like food. And eating something just to eat makes me sad. I was delighted when I tried this low-carb, high-protein, easy breakfast treat.

  There are several different versions, and I’m always substituting different veggies based on what’s in my refrigerator at the moment. Here’s the basic recipe. Go crazy and try some new ingredients if you want. And be sure to let me know at my Facebook author page what worked and what didn’t.

  Lynn

  Recipe

  Easy, Low-Carb Egg Muffins

  Beat together:

  6 large eggs

  3 tbsp. milk

  Salt

  Pepper

  ½ tsp. garlic powder

  Spray a metal cupcake tin (12 slots) with cooking spray, then layer in the cups

  8 slices Canadian bacon, chopped

  ½ bunch green onions, chopped

  5–6 large white mushrooms, sliced

  1 cup chopped green peppers (or a mix of red and green)

  ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

  Pour the egg mixture over the cups, making sure to spread it out evenly.

  Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes.

  Cool. Package in an air-tight container and refrigerate.

  Then, tomorrow morning, pop two out onto a plate and microwave 30 seconds to 1 minute.

  Enjoy with a cup of fresh fruit for a quick breakfast.

  Tourist Trap Mysteries

  There’s plenty more to come in South Cove

  in the next Tourist Trap Mystery

  Coming Soon!

  And don’t miss more mysteries from

  Lynn Cahoon

  in the Farm-to-Fork series

  and the Cat Latimer series

  Available now!

  New York Times bestselling author Lynn Cahoon introduces a new heroine with her own special brand of culinary magic in this novella to introduce her Kitchen Witch series.

  When Mia Malone’s grandmother asks her to take a week away from her restaurant job and come to Magic Springs, Idaho, she’s happy to oblige. Like Mia, Grans has witchcraft running through her veins, and life with her is never boring. Plus, the cause is a good one—helping Grans get the local food bank up and running again. But there’s an unappetizing surprise in store. While Mia is knee-deep in boxes of donated produce, she encounters the body of Dorian Alexander.

  Dorian was a warlock, leader of the local coven. He was also her Grans’ new beau. There’s no potion that’ll make this trouble disappear. But if Mia wants to keep her Grans—now a prime suspect—from serving a spell in prison, she’ll have to unearth the real killer fast. . . .

  Click here to get your copy!

  Contents

  Also by Lynn Cahoon

  Contents

  Murder in Waiting

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10