“And then let out the tires. He’s a piece of work, that one.” Drew took off his hat and leaned down to pick up Killer. “Hey, boy, how are you?”

  “He’s being horrible, but I love him anyway. What brings you this way?” She walked back to the counter and pulled out a tray of cookies for the book club that night. “Want a snack?”

  “Of course.” Drew set Killer down, then grabbed a cookie. “I just wanted to warn you that you may be called into depositions next month. Kim’s attorney wants to get your testimony thrown out since Kim was under the influence that night.”

  “He’s saying she was drunk? I don’t think so. I would have smelled the alcohol.”

  “Nope. She likes ‘Mama’s Little Helpers,’ as my dad used to call them. Anyway, he’s going to subpoena you. I didn’t want it to be a shock.” He paused. “And I also wanted to let you know something. Shirley’s husband, George. He’s not at home. I think she’s been telling you all that he is.”

  “Wait, he left her?” Who would leave Shirley? She was an angel, Rarity thought.

  Drew shook his head. “Not voluntarily. Rarity, he’s in the nursing home. The one that deals with dementia. She goes to see him every week and brings him one of those World War II books she buys. The nurses put it on his bookshelf, but he hasn’t been able to read for years now.”

  “Oh no, that’s horrible. Maybe I should tell her to stop buying the books.” She felt the tears building up.

  “No, don’t do that. It’s something she can do. He doesn’t know, and they have plenty of money. He was an inventor and made a killing off a few processes he developed for mining silver. She needs to think he might come back someday.” He shifted on his feet. “Most everyone here in Sedona knows, but I just didn’t want you to find out and blow up her fantasy. She’s not hurting anyone with what she’s doing.”

  She took a cookie and broke it in half, then ate one side. She pointed the rest of the cookie at him. “You’re a good man, Drew. I’m glad you’re dating my friend.”

  He took another cookie, then put on his hat. “Honestly, I’m glad I met Sam. She challenges me. And the best news? Next month, Mom and Dad are moving to Tucson. I’ll miss them, but I can travel to see them anytime I want to. And I get my house back.”

  “Life is coming up roses around here,” Rarity called after him.

  He turned and nodded. “That’s what Archer says, too.”

  Recipe

  I had a Shirley in my life. Not when I was going through cancer, but when I was a young mother in my first professional job and in a horrible marriage. Shirley helped me navigate my feelings and expectations. I hope everyone has a friend in their life who’s a little older and a lot wiser. It makes learning how to be an adult so much easier. Anyway, Shirley was an amazing cook, and we held a lot of potlucks at Region IV. Her desserts were always a hit. Sometimes she’d bring in something just because she’d wanted to bake the night before.

  Fair warning, this cake has a lot of butter.

  Shirley’s Texas Sheet Cake

  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 18x13’’ pan.

  In a heavy saucepan, over medium heat, mix the following:

  1 cup water

  1 cup butter (2 sticks)

  3 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (I love the Hershey’s brand.)

  In a separate bowl, mix

  2 cups flour

  2 cups granulated sugar

  1 tsp baking soda

  1/2 tsp salt

  In a small bowl, beat together

  1/2 cup sour cream

  2 large eggs

  1 tsp vanilla extract

  Mix the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients. After the chocolate mixture boils, remove the pan from the heat and pour it into the batter with the other ingredients. Mix. Pour into greased pan and bake for 15-20 minutes.

  While that’s baking, make the frosting. In a saucepan, add the following and bring to a boil.

  6 Tbsps milk

  3 Tbsps unsweetened cocoa powder

  1/2 cup butter (1 stick)

  After it boils, remove pan from heat and mix in

  3 3/4 cups powdered sugar

  Pour the hot icing over the hot cake and spread evenly with a spatula. Allow cake to set for 10 minutes.

  Turn the page for a sneak peek at A Vacation to Die For by Lynn Cahoon!

  A VACATION TO DIE FOR

  A Tourist Trap Mystery

  New York Times Bestselling Author

  Lynn Cahoon

  In the California coastal town of South Cove, Jill Gardner, owner of Coffee, Books, and More, discovers that wedding planning can be murder …

  Hustling her fiancé off to a neighboring tourist town might be the only way Jill Gardner can plan her nuptials to South Cove’s in-demand police detective. But when a mystery man turns up dead at South Cove’s PD, Greg is hightailing it back home to investigate, leaving Jill to finish the vacation solo.

  Jill can barely get in a spa day before her own respite is spoiled by a greedy hotel guest and unexpected revelations about Max Winter, the developer conniving to buy her home out from under her. Then there’s the staffing issues at the store, the strange men seen lurking about town, and an aggressive and obnoxious family member harassing Jill’s beloved employee. It’s enough to make the bride-to-be full of jitters … especially when she finds herself in the crosshairs of a killer …

  SECRETS IN THE STACKS

  A Survivors’ Book Club Mystery

  New York Times Bestselling Author

  Lynn Cahoon

  After an ominous Tarot reading, Sedona bookstore owner Rarity Cole must find a killer to keep her friend safe from harm—even if the cards are stacked against her …

  Following her recovery from breast cancer, Rarity has embraced a life of healing and service in her Sedona, Arizona, community. She welcomes the opportunity to participate in the annual summer healing fair with her fittingly named new-age bookstore, The Next Chapter. The members of the Tuesday Night Survivors’ Book Club are also volunteering, maintaining a cooling station for overheated festivalgoers, and hosting a Tarot card reader for entertainment.

  But one member, Darby, is anything but entertained when the Tarot reader pulls a Death card. With a mammogram coming up, she’s freaked out and goes home—only to walk into a crime scene where someone near and dear to her has been murdered. Despite the objections of Detective Drew Anderson, Rarity is determined to help her friend and protect her from being the killer’s next victim …

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Angela Brewer Armstrong at Todd Studios

  New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lynn Cahoon is an Idaho expat. She grew up living the small-town life she now loves to write about. Currently, she’s living with her husband and two fur babies in a small historic town on the banks of the Mississippi River where her imagination tends to wander. Visit her at www.lynncahoon.com.

 

 

  Lynn Cahoon, The Tuesday Night Survivors' Club

 

 

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