Easy Bake Coven: Book One of the Vivienne Finch Magical Mysteries by J.D. Shaw Page B

“I’m hoping
to be there if I can catch up on all the baking left to be done.”
    “Great.”
Mona’s tone was flat.
    Vivienne
poured the hot water into the mugs and returned to the table. “I think that
once the right plan is presented, you’ll find everyone happy to jump onboard
for bringing in those tour busses that zoom by along the wine trail.”
    Mona
sipped her tea and nodded thoughtfully. “It will have to be sooner rather than
later.”
    Vivienne
took a sip of her tea. “Why is that?”
    “Well,
for one thing those tour companies plan their bus tours about a year in
advance. In order to entice them to add us to their routes, we need to be able
to present them with our plan by late October.” Mona explained as she took
another sip of tea.
    “I
didn’t know that.” Vivienne took care to keep mental notes for Kathy who would
no doubt want all the details.
    “Not
many people do.” Mona sighed. “They think these bus tours just meander about
the roads and stop wherever it looks interesting. But the truth of the matter
is you really have to pitch your town to their corporate planning board. Even
after that, there’s a terrible amount of competition along the wine trail and
it’s just getting more crowded with each season.”
    “Is
this what you’re going to explain at the meeting tonight?”
    “Yes,
along with some other minor details.” Mona pushed her chair back and stood up
to retrieve her coat. “I hate to rush off, but I have a rather important issue
to take care of this afternoon.”
    “Thank
you so much for stopping by.”
    Mona
slipped her coat on and walked over the display of teas. “I may have to start a
standing order for some of these blends for the meetings. All that speaking can
be murder on the vocal chords.”
    “Just
say the word and I’ll write it up.” Vivienne stood up from the table and
extended her hand.
    Mona
gave her a firm handshake. “Let’s add a dozen cookies or so to that order.” She
turned to leave and then pivoted back around on her expensive-looking designer
heels. “What time is your grand opening tomorrow?”
    “Ten.”
Vivienne’s voice cracked as she thought about all the last minute details that
were going to have to get completed.
    “I’ll
see you tomorrow morning with the giant scissors.” Mona winked and sailed out
the door, trailing her perfume once again.

Chapter 6
    “You
must be crazy.” Kathy raised her voice from behind the counter of her store.
    “I’m
telling you, she’s not as bad as she seems.” Vivienne had four cakes baking in
her ovens. Thanks to her Mother offering to watch the store, she had been able
to slip away for a little break to catch her friend up with her morning
encounter.
    “Are
you sure she didn’t slip something into your mug of tea when you weren’t
looking?” Kathy folded her arms across her chest.
    “Nice
as could be.” Vivienne insisted. “She was nothing at all like the woman arguing
with Joshua the other morning.”
    Kathy
rapped her French-tipped nails on the countertop nervously. “Now I’m positive
she’s up to something.”
    Vivienne
had made steady progress with her baking schedule and she was quite certain she
would be able to make the meeting tonight after all. “Want me to save you a
seat at the meeting?”
    “I
thought your new friend didn’t think there was going to be a big turnout?”
Kathy raised an eyebrow.
    “She’s
just an acquaintance.” Vivienne corrected. “Despite what she thinks, I imagine
it will be quite full.
    “Oh,
it will be.” Kathy started typing on the keyboard of her computer.
    “What
are you doing?”
    “I’m
sending out a group message to all the local merchants I’m friends with on Social Butterfly .” Her fingers flew
across the keyboard. “I will need you to save me a seat because this meeting is
going to be packed.”
    Vivienne
wasn’t sure if her friend was doing it for the good of the Main Street
merchants or just out of spite for her dislike