A Frothy Fiasco: A Cozy Mystery (Sweet Home Mystery Series Book 3) by Constance Barker Page B
Authors: Constance Barker
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too.”
“Exactly. And maybe Cindy Lou is his girlfriend. You know, you and I make a good team, and together, we’re going to be the ones to break this case wide open.”
Chapter Eight
The week flew by, and it was finally Friday. The early morning rush was over, and it was time to put my feet up and treat myself to a latte and a banana nut muffin. Hildie’s banana bread had always been my favorite, and it was even better as a muffin. But I’ll have to settle for a regular cup of coffee today since the espresso machine is on the fritz again. As usual.
“Essie and I are going to get our hair done, dear. Can you handle it alone till after lunch?” Hildie knew that I could. The shop was empty except for Harvey, and Toe wasn’t due for another hour or so.
“Take your time, ladies. I think I can manage.”
Harvey had fallen asleep in his table in the corner, and I settled into my makeshift recliner made of two café chairs.
“Good morning, neighbor!”
Jules made a rare entrance through the back door, filled a mug with hot water, and grabbed a couple of vanilla chamomile tea bags. Then she pulled up two chairs—one to sit on and one for her feet—and joined me for a break.
“Neighbor?” I asked, a little curious. I hadn’t heard that greeting from her before. “You mean ‘stranger.’ I haven’t seen you since our dinner at Hog Heaven. You must have been working overtime at the clinic.”
“Yup. And one day in Orlando to complete the house sale. But ‘neighbor’ is the right word. I just signed a lease on 1,800 square feet of commercial space next door. Our back doors are only three steps apart!”
I just looked at my friend. She was filled with excitement, and her smile was almost too big for her face. I waited for the rest of the story, waving my hand to get her to resume.
“So,” she continued, “the printing press will be delivered and set up in a few hours. The back of the place is move-in ready for the print shop. Then, once I get settled, I’m thinking about renovating the front and opening up a little stationery shop with school and office supplies, and maybe I’ll offer some private printing services too. I’ve got a nice little office there for writing and designing, and, before long, the first issue of the Sweet Home Gazette will roll off the press. And every Wednesday will be the issue with all ads and coupons.”
“Wow. Things are moving quickly. You didn’t waste any time. What about the clinic?”
“Well, I gave them my two-week notice, but Sandy said they have someone who’s looking for the extra hours, so I can just be on stand-by for two weeks. So…how are things going here at the Cabana?” She knew that business had been brisk lately, but she still had a look of concern in her eyes.
“Fan- tastic! The flood of visitors has really kept us hopping, the espresso machine—when it’s working—has brought in the younger adults, and your blenders have been a big hit. Cold drinks are almost half of our business lately.”
“That is really great, Lily. I’m…”
“But wait. I haven’t told you the best part yet. You know Moira and Carmen’s Campfire booth that I was hoping we would break even on?”
Jules nodded. “Yeah. What about it?”
“Well, Tuesday was the first day—the morning after our date with Schooner.”
Jules rolled her eyes.
“They sold 200 cups in two hours! That’s $200 for the Campfire Girls, and $400 for the Coffee Cabana, mostly profit.”
“Wow, Lily. That’s amazing! Are they able to keep up that pace, or was it just the first-day novelty?”
“Keep it up?! The next day we were ready for the rush with six full air pots, and they sold over 300 cups. That’s like three cups every minute. And we’re getting a lot of new people in here after work, because our name and address is on the sign over there and on all of our cups. Hank nearly dropped his teeth when I ordered 14
“Exactly. And maybe Cindy Lou is his girlfriend. You know, you and I make a good team, and together, we’re going to be the ones to break this case wide open.”
Chapter Eight
The week flew by, and it was finally Friday. The early morning rush was over, and it was time to put my feet up and treat myself to a latte and a banana nut muffin. Hildie’s banana bread had always been my favorite, and it was even better as a muffin. But I’ll have to settle for a regular cup of coffee today since the espresso machine is on the fritz again. As usual.
“Essie and I are going to get our hair done, dear. Can you handle it alone till after lunch?” Hildie knew that I could. The shop was empty except for Harvey, and Toe wasn’t due for another hour or so.
“Take your time, ladies. I think I can manage.”
Harvey had fallen asleep in his table in the corner, and I settled into my makeshift recliner made of two café chairs.
“Good morning, neighbor!”
Jules made a rare entrance through the back door, filled a mug with hot water, and grabbed a couple of vanilla chamomile tea bags. Then she pulled up two chairs—one to sit on and one for her feet—and joined me for a break.
“Neighbor?” I asked, a little curious. I hadn’t heard that greeting from her before. “You mean ‘stranger.’ I haven’t seen you since our dinner at Hog Heaven. You must have been working overtime at the clinic.”
“Yup. And one day in Orlando to complete the house sale. But ‘neighbor’ is the right word. I just signed a lease on 1,800 square feet of commercial space next door. Our back doors are only three steps apart!”
I just looked at my friend. She was filled with excitement, and her smile was almost too big for her face. I waited for the rest of the story, waving my hand to get her to resume.
“So,” she continued, “the printing press will be delivered and set up in a few hours. The back of the place is move-in ready for the print shop. Then, once I get settled, I’m thinking about renovating the front and opening up a little stationery shop with school and office supplies, and maybe I’ll offer some private printing services too. I’ve got a nice little office there for writing and designing, and, before long, the first issue of the Sweet Home Gazette will roll off the press. And every Wednesday will be the issue with all ads and coupons.”
“Wow. Things are moving quickly. You didn’t waste any time. What about the clinic?”
“Well, I gave them my two-week notice, but Sandy said they have someone who’s looking for the extra hours, so I can just be on stand-by for two weeks. So…how are things going here at the Cabana?” She knew that business had been brisk lately, but she still had a look of concern in her eyes.
“Fan- tastic! The flood of visitors has really kept us hopping, the espresso machine—when it’s working—has brought in the younger adults, and your blenders have been a big hit. Cold drinks are almost half of our business lately.”
“That is really great, Lily. I’m…”
“But wait. I haven’t told you the best part yet. You know Moira and Carmen’s Campfire booth that I was hoping we would break even on?”
Jules nodded. “Yeah. What about it?”
“Well, Tuesday was the first day—the morning after our date with Schooner.”
Jules rolled her eyes.
“They sold 200 cups in two hours! That’s $200 for the Campfire Girls, and $400 for the Coffee Cabana, mostly profit.”
“Wow, Lily. That’s amazing! Are they able to keep up that pace, or was it just the first-day novelty?”
“Keep it up?! The next day we were ready for the rush with six full air pots, and they sold over 300 cups. That’s like three cups every minute. And we’re getting a lot of new people in here after work, because our name and address is on the sign over there and on all of our cups. Hank nearly dropped his teeth when I ordered 14
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