Pecan Pies and Homicides by Ellery Adams Page B

good in months. There hadn’t been an empty seat in the dining room for either the breakfast or lunch services. All day long, the murmur of conversation and merry laughter had drifted around The Charmed Pie Shoppe, mingling with the aroma of buttery dough, melted cheese, warm chocolate, and baking fruit. By the time Ella Mae’s aunts arrived, Reba’s apron pocket was stuffed with cash.
    â€œBest tips I’ve had in ages!” she declared, carrying the last of the dirty dishes into the kitchen.
    Verena was close on her heels. “What did you put in those pies, Ella Mae?”
    â€œMemories. The snowflake mittens Reba knit for me, a handful of plump marshmallows bobbing in a cup of hot chocolate, the feeling of sinking into a steaming tub of water at the end of a long day, winding a soft scarf around my neck, holding my hands in front of a roaring fire. Warm, happy thoughts.”
    Reba waved a licorice twist at Ella Mae. “Well, your memories sure did the trick. We filled a dozen takeout orders too. Another few weeks like this and you’ll need another waitress and a delivery driver. And then there’s the winter carnival.”
    Sissy performed a graceful twirl as she entered the kitchen. “It is such a
delight
to see your gifts in action, my talented niece. People are walking down the street, arm in arm, smiling as if they can’t even feel the cold.”
    Dee hooked her thumbs under the straps of her overalls. “Since we’re all here, I wanted to tell you that we’ve decided to open our homes to those in need of shelter, but most will end up at Partridge Hill.” She studied Ella Mae. “How will you organize living arrangements and job placement for these people while running your pie shop?”
    â€œYou need a manager!” Verena announced. “Someone from their grove who’s well liked and can act as a liaison between our two communities.”
    Ella Mae nodded. “I’ll ask Eira. She has a friend who works at the local coffee shop. This woman, Jenny Upton, probably knows everyone.”
    â€œEira’s the dancer, right? I cannot
wait
to meet her.” Sissy folded her hands over her heart. “Suzy told me all about her before she left clutching some book to her chest for dear life.”
    After placing a beef and ale pie and three pear and hazelnut turnovers in a picnic basket, Ella Mae checked her watch. “It’s time. Dee, can we all pile in your car?”
    â€œSure. I’m assuming you’d like to get Charleston Chew from Canine to Five first?”
    Reba answered for Ella Mae. “Do you know how many squirrels that dog can chase up there on the mountain? Of course we’re takin’ him.”
    â€œBetter bring your man a treat too!” Verena advised.
    â€œI’m way ahead of you.” Ella Mae pointed to the white bakery box on the counter. “I made that one especially for Hugh.”
    Verena threw her hands into the air. “I do not want to know what memories went into that pie. To me, you’ll always be a little girl with pigtails. Let’s move it, ladies!”
    â€¢Â â€¢Â â€¢
    When Ella Mae entered Canine to Five, she was met by the usual cacophony of barks, yips, bays, and a growl or two. The woman behind the front desk smiled, gave Ella Mae a detailed report of Chewy’s activities for the day, and went off to collect him.
    Ella Mae headed for Hugh’s office and found her boyfriend standing in the threshold with his back to the hall, talking on the phone. As owner of Canine to Five and one of Havenwood’s volunteer firefighters, Hugh was as busy as she was. Ella Mae tried to bring him homemade food whenever she could. Placing the pie on the floor, she studied her handsome man for a moment and then stepped up behind him and slid her arms around his waist.
    He faltered midsentence and then covered her left hand with his. “Hey, Dan, something’s come up.