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Tonight, at least, I have

so

Aunt Bea’s shop is located a block off the main foot-traffic route in don Baltiet custoifts, but a feell-timed samples and surprise office freebies combined with her talent in the kitchen and my ability to spread the word paid off

Her shop is full of custo in front of the store, I think of how different cole feels compared to hohen I lived alone in the Reynolds mansion

A dark thought tightens my stomach, the empty Reynolds mansion Sloan is dead Derek killed him, and somewhere, someone knows about it Whoever that person is could be anywhere Glancing over my shoulder, an involuntary shiver moves down my spine

Derek’s nightly check in said they’d had a breakthrough in the case It was unexpected, and he wasn’t sure he believed it Apparently, the harasser sent a letter to Star at the condo He’d said it was too long to text, but he’d know ht

Asto hear what’s happening, and hoping it doesn’t hts are distracted as I enter the store, and Icustomers to a side table

“I’ve got your special cupcake! ” Aunt Bea nods to a little pastry on a small plate It’s a tradition she started before I ton, she would still send me special deliveries at the holidays “Drunken buttered rum”

Distractions vanish, my eyes widen as I check out the dark cake topped hite frosting and shaves of coconut flakes and pecans “It looks a”

A male customer curiously inspects my treat as I peel back the wrapper

“It’s so a pink and white polka-dotted cardboard box “Cooking channel”

I grin and take a small bite Rich buttery ru, and I have to work to suppress a groan

“How do I get some of that?” The man in the navy pin-stripe suit nods toward me with a wink

His question is a bit vague, but Bea is on it “Be enius and favorite customer” She winks back at him “Her fiancé is a very lucky man”