Page 8 of Toxic Apple Turnovers

Ivy squints my way, and if I didn’t know better, I’d say she were giving me the stink eye. “Fine. Did you realize she had a fistful of those mini tarts you were serving? Her mouth was full as well.”

Oh heck.

I give a long, weary blink.

For whatever reason, every murder in this town has a direct correlation to my bakery. And as horrible as it is, I’ve already started calculating how to increase my order of ingredients to meet the inevitable demand from those Last Thing They Ate Tours.

I gasp as a terrible thought comes to me.

“This is horrible.” I look to Everett. “People are going to think I’m planting my desserts around the deceased just to drum up business!”

Noah winces. “In full disclosure, it’s often brought up on our tipline.”

“Great.” I collapse my hands to my sides. “So what do you think was the cause of death? Was she stabbed? Shot? Strangled?”

“None of the above.” Noah’s brows dip. “We’ll have to wait for the coroner’s report to come in. For all we know, it might have been natural causes.”

Owlbert floats by, assuring me it wasn’t.

I glance past him just as an entire herd of bodies pour out of the B&B.

Noah rocks back on his heels. “I’d better take care of this.” He takes off, along with Ivy. “I want this exit sealed,” he shouts to the deputies milling around the body. But it’s too late to stop those already racing down the stairs.

A petite redhead with an all too familiar face crumbles when she spots the body, and a wailing scream emits from her.

A couple of men in suits pull her away from the scene as they try their best to comfort her.

“That’s her sister, Hazel.” Tears come to my eyes. “I can’t bear to watch her pain, Everett. I can’t imagine what it must be like to see someone you love that way.”

“I can’t either.” He pulls me close. “The men look familiar, too. Amanda’s fiancé, Mark, and his buddy.”

“Mark looks more concerned for Hazel at the moment.”

The three of them look our way at the very same time, and my heart thumps hard against Everett’s chest.

I shake my head apologetically over at Hazel as I start to head over, but a swarm of deputies have descended upon them.

Mom and Pastor Gaines head our way. My poor mother’s eyes are red and swollen, and she’s gasping for air as if she ran the length of Honey Lake.

“Lottie! Oh, thank heavens.” She wraps her arms around me tightly. “When I heard there was an accident—and then I couldn’t find you—oh, I thought the very worst.” She pulls back and rattles me by the shoulders. “You found another body, didn’t you? Who is it? How did this happen?”

Pastor Gaines pulls his gaze from the murder scene. “It appears it was Ms. Wellington.”

“What?” Mom squawks in disbelief before turning my way. “Who’s Ms. Wellington?”

“Amanda.” My voice breaks as I say her name. “She was the party planner for tonight’s fiasco, and it sure ended that way for her.”

Mom gasps, “How on earth did she die? Oh, God! Did she fall and break her neck? I’m going to get sued, aren’t I?” She looks to Pastor Gaines in fright. “That’s a terribly callous thought to have while someone lies dead on my property. You’ll have to forgive me. This is only my third body on the grounds.”

Pastor Gaines’ eyes bulge at the thought. “Mandy would understand. She was a kind soul.”

“You knew her?” I don’t mind donning my amateur sleuth hat and making sure it fits nice and snug for the indelicate occasion. I consider Amanda a friend—or at least I did—and I plan on getting to the bottom of this.

“Yes.” Pastor Gaines sheds that perennial smile my way. Wow, it never leaves his lips, does it? “Mandy orchestrated many weddings at the church. We grew to be good friends in the short while I’ve been in town.”

Everett nods. “Makes sense.”

Lainey and Meg come upon us. Poor Lainey is red-faced, probably from crying, and I feel terrible for her. First, her wedding planner in July and now her realtor? I’m sure she’s starting to feel cursed.