Books & Bribes E-Book

Race Lucinda

• Herausgeber: MC Two Press
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2023

Beschreibung

Enjoy this clean, paranormal cozy mystery by award winning and bestselling author, Lucinda Race. 

Welcome to Pembroke Cove, where witches and murders are multiplying...

In a small town like Pembroke Cove, Maine, everyone has something to hide. But when bookstore owner Lily Michaels takes a tumble and hits her head, and her cat Milo starts talking to her, she discovers she has something to hide, too. She’s a witch, and Milo is her familiar. And she’s not the only one in town. Lily has been hiding something else, too. Even though she’s always kept Gage Erikson in the friend zone, her feelings for the man Milo calls Detective Cutie go a lot deeper than she’s willing to admit.

Gage has a secret too. He’s always had a crush on Lily. But if he gives into his feelings, it might mess up the wonderful friendship they have. With his cowboy boots and cherry red pickup truck and knack for just letting folks talk, people might underestimate just how good a detective Gage actually is. But is he good enough to discover all of Lily’s secrets?

Somebody in Pembroke knows a lot about the secrets people are keeping, and isn’t above a little blackmail. While Lily struggles with learning how to be a witch, she works with Gage to uncover the truth, and a new kind of magic develops between them. Will they continue to be just friends, or will they finally admit to the secret love they’ve been hiding?

Books and Bribes is the first novel in A Book Store Cozy Mystery Series, although each book can be read as standalone. A sweet and clean cozy mystery with a guarantee the culprit is caught. Happy reading!

Leseprobe

Books & Bribes

A Cozy Witch Mystery

Book Store Cozy Mystery Series

Book 1

Lucinda Race

MC Two Press

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

Copyright © 2023 Lucinda Race

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in any form or by any means. For information regarding subsidiary rights, please contact the Author Lucinda Race.

Editor: Trish Long at Blossoming Pages Author Services

Cover design by Mariah Sinclair

Manufactured in the United States of America

First Edition March 2023

Print Edition 978-1-954520-44-8

E-book ISBN 978-1-954520-43-1

Contents

1. Lily

2. Lily

3. Gage

4. Lily

5. Lily

6. Gage

7. Lily

8. Lily

9. Gage

10. Lily

11. Lily

12. Gage

13. Lily

14. Lily

15. Lily

16. Lily

17. Gage

18. Lily

19. Lily

20. Lily

Chapter 1 - Lily

A Free Story for You

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Chapter1

Lily

Achoo. A thick cloud of dust flew up from the pages of the hefty book that had fallen off the shelf. It barely missed my head as it hit the floor with a thump. I stumbled backward and let out a scream as I tried desperately to catch myself on anything before falling. 

A sandpaper-like sensation scraped over my cheek from the wooden floor, and I slowly opened my eyes. There was Milo, my gray tabby cat, hovering over me. I scratched his long, soft coat. “Hey, little man. I’m okay. Just took a tumble.” I eased myself to a sitting position and gently rubbed the back of my head where it had connected with the floor. Not a great way to end a Monday.

A deep gravelly voice said, “You’ve been lying there for several minutes out cold. I didn’t think you’d ever wake up.”

I looked around. “Who’s there?” My heart rate increased as I scrambled to my feet and grabbed the heavy book. As I hurried down the aisle of the bookshop, scanning right and left, I wondered who was in my store. I was certain I’d locked the front door at four on the dot after my last customer left.

I checked the empty sitting area in front of the oversized north-facing windows. It was comprised of two wingback chairs, a small table between them, and a round table in front of them. It had great natural light for reading. But I was alone.

Shaking my head gingerly, I surmised it must be the residual effect from hitting my head. Glancing at the fat black book in my hand, Practical Beginnings, I decided I’d find a place for it tomorrow. Walking back to the wide wooden counter, I dropped it on top and stroked Milo’s soft fur. “Ready to go home?” My besties were meeting me at the library for classic movie night. Tonight was Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie, and I didn’t want to be late. 

I had locked the cash register when I heard a scratchy, but kind voice say, “Ready when you are.” 

With the stapler in my hand, I twirled around, shaking it in the air. “I demand you show yourself!”

“Lily, it’s me. Your old buddy Milo.” 

“Stop it. Right now!” Who was in my shop?

“Look at your cat,” the voice urged. 

My heart thudded in my chest. Was something wrong with my sweet baby? “Milo?” I scooped him into my arms and held him tight. 

“Need. To. Breathe.” He squirmed in my arms and escaped to the counter. 

I stumbled back against a long table stacked with bestsellers. Some dropped to the floor as my weight sagged against it. “Did you just speak?” The words came out as a croak. 

“I’ve been waiting for you to open that book for ages. Remember Aunt Mimi asked you to read it on your last birthday?” 

I nodded, dumbfounded. This couldn’t be happening. I could hear him, but his tiny mouth wasn’t moving. I lifted my hand and grazed the slight bump on the back of my head. My cat was talking to me. Wait, I must have hit my head harder than I thought or worse, had something possessed me? I rubbed the back of my head again. Ouch. “No, I must be concussed.”

I walked around the room, checking to make sure the windows were secured and double-checked the front door was locked. “Yup, all tight as a drum.” 

“We already knew that.” Once again, it was the same voice. My legs jiggled like rubber. I dropped to the chair and put my head between my legs just in case I felt faint. After a few seconds, I sat up. This was stupid. I was having a conversation with a prankster. 

“Milo, if you’re really talking, come over here and sit in this other chair.” 

I watched as he walked to the edge of the counter and dropped to the floor, only to hop up in the chair opposite me. This couldn’t be happening. No way he understood. 

Licking his front paw and rubbing it above his eye, he said, “Now what do you need me to do for my next parlor trick so that you’ll believe me?” 

“Tell me what I’m thinking?” I leaned closer, giving him full access to my face. The close proximity would help me see if his mouth was moving. 

“I’m not telepathic. I’m your familiar, and yes, that means you’re a witch. Finally, the truth is out.” He stretched over the cushion and rolled on his back as if I was supposed to scratch his tummy. “Feel free.”

Like when Milo always rolled over, I obliged by scratching his belly and his eyes would close in contentment, but this time he was giving me directions where I should be scratching. 

“If you’re going to be bossy, I’m done.” I went to stand up and dropped back in the chair. “Wait, what did you say about being a witch? I own a bookshop. There is nothing special about me.” 

My cat opened his eyes, and he rolled to his side, never bothering to blink. “You can believe that’s nothing special, but a few witches live in Pembroke Cove, and you are one of them.”

Once again, I felt as if I had fallen from the stool and conked my head, but I was sitting on a comfy chair, talking with my cat who just announced I was a witch. “Wait.” My thoughts were spinning. “Does that mean Aunt Mimi is one, too?” 

“Stop repeating yourself, and now you’re catching on.” Milo jumped to the floor and looked up. “I thought you said we were going home. I’m hungry.” 

My breath came rapidly, and my head swam. This couldn’t be happening. I must be dreaming. As I bent over to put my head between my knees, which seemed to be the thing to do again, a tapping on the glass in the door drew my attention. Who on earth would stop by now? I looked at my watch. It was almost five. Again came the insistent knocking. 

I got to my feet, albeit unsteadily, and waited until I felt I could plaster a smile on my face before going to the door. When I peeked out, relief washed over me, and my breathing slowed. Why I was being such a nervous Nellie was beyond me. Must be all this talk of familiars and witches. With a glance over my shoulder, I jabbed a finger in Milo’s direction. “Shush.”

“No one else can hear me. When I talk, they hear a cute little meow coming from my tiny mouth.” 

I frowned. “Tiny is debatable at this point.” I pulled open the door. The minute I saw his handsome face and the dreamy hazel eyes, my knees went weak. It was one of my oldest and dearest friends and also the guy I’d been in love with my entire life. Gage Erikson.

“Hi there. I was expecting to see you later at the library.” 

Gage walked in and looked around. “I thought I heard you talking. Are you alone?” 

Heat flushed my cheeks. This wasn’t something I was about to share with anyone, having a conversation with a cat and the cat talking back. I forced a grin and added an extra dose of cheeriness to my voice. “Just talking to Milo. There’s no one else here.” 

Gage bent over and scratched between the kitty’s ears. Instead of a purr, I heard, “Hmm, that feels good. Thanks, Detective Cutie.” 

There was no reaction from the man, so at least there was that. Milo opened one eye, and I would swear the cat winked at me.

“Gage, what brings you around? Did you want to drive to the movie together?” I clamped my mouth shut. That sounded way too much like a date. I didn’t want to do anything to make our friendship awkward, so I rushed ahead with, “Nikki and Steve are meeting us there and maybe even Aunt Mimi and Nate O’Brien.”

“Sounds like it’s going to be a packed house.” He looked at me while he scooped up Milo to continue giving the kitty attention. 

“I guess.” Seeing Gage holding Milo was like kryptonite to me, causing my heart to do all kinds of crazy flips. Anyone who loved someone else’s cat had to be a keeper, right? I sighed, and his brow quirked. 

“You okay?” 

“Oh. Yes. I fell off the stool earlier and hit my head.” 

Concern filled his golden-hazel eyes. He deposited Milo in the chair and took a step in my direction. “Where did you hit it?” 

My hand went to the tender spot on the back. “I’m fine.” 

“Turn around so I can take a look.” 

I did as he asked, enjoying being fussed over a little, but not wanting to appear like some weak girl who needed his attention like those girls at the coffee shop. They were always giggling whenever he walked in, especially when he used to wear his police officer’s uniform. He pushed ever so slightly on the spot that had connected with the floor, and tears sprang to my eyes as I cried out, “Ouch. That hurts!” 

His laugh was comforting. “Guess I found the spot. You should put ice on it and take it easy for tonight.” 

I turned back to face him. “I can’t miss the movie. It’s one of my favorites.” 

“Mine too, but that’s why I stopped by. I can’t make it tonight. I have to cover a shift for Mac Sullivan. His wife’s gone into labor, and we’re short a man.”

 “That’s exciting. About the new baby I mean, not about you working.” I had to hold my disappointment in check again so as not to appear as anything more than a friend. “We’ll miss having you there to chow down on popcorn and red licorice.” 

Gently, he tucked a stray lock of my hair back behind my ear, a motion he had done thousands of times. But it made my heart race. I kept my eyes glued to the old oriental carpet in the middle of the room. No way was I going to let him see my eyes. He was way too perceptive and would see how I felt about him which I’ve spent years hiding.

“Maybe I’ll swing by tomorrow around ten with coffee?” 

When I looked into his eyes, I wondered if I saw a flicker of hope that I would say yes. Which I would, about anything. Dang it, in my head I sounded like a freshman in high school with a crush on the football star. “That’d be great. But if you’re bringing coffee, any chance you can get one of those pecan buns, you know, with extra icing?” 

“Is that your way of asking if I’ll stop at the Sweet Spot?”

“Well, you offered coffee, and William makes the best pastries in three towns.” I playfully batted my eyelashes just because I could and knew it always made him laugh. 

Right on cue, he grinned. “That can be arranged.” His cell rang, and he glanced at the screen. “I gotta take off. Duty calls.” 

He dropped an almost kiss on my cheek on his way out the door and called over his shoulder, “See you in the morning.” And then he was gone.

After a long sigh escaped my body, Milo said, “Really? Do you think he does not know that you’re into him?” 

Turning my back on him, I said, “I will not start talking to my cat about my love life.” 

Milo trotted in the direction to where I stored his cat carrier. “You mean your nonexistent love life, don’t you?”

“Milo?” I meant for it to come out as a warning to hush up, but it sounded more like a question to my ears. “Do you think Gage knows I have a crush on him?”

“Yeah. And if you opened your eyes, you might see the feeling is mutual.” 

When I finally got to the library a little after six, the usual group had gathered in the community room to watch the film. My best friend, Nikki, was there with her boyfriend Steve, and my aunt was there with Nate. Marshall Stone was running the projector, and Teddy Roberts and Jill Dilly were there too. The group was rounded out with a few teenagers from the high school and a couple of new faces. Typically, there’d be a few more stragglers before the film actually got started. This was shaping up to be a fun evening.

I waved to Meredith across the room, one of the librarians who worked there. She was a quiet woman, with a long blonde braid down her back and round wire-rimmed glasses giving her a studious look. With a shy smile, she returned my wave and looked at her boss, the head librarian, Flora Gray. She was bustling about, making snide comments about how tomorrow, she’d be vacuuming up popcorn, candy wrappers, and heaven only knew what else from the floor. She was not a fan of movie night.

“Flora?” I stopped her as I helped set up the chairs. “Why don’t you join us tonight? It’s a classic Agatha Christie.”

Her eyes narrowed, and she glared at me. “I’m a librarian. That fact should be enough to explain. I prefer books over any other form of entertainment. Especially when it’s in black and white.” She lifted her chin as disdain dripped from her words. 

She didn’t need to be so snarky. “I was trying to include you so you’d see what a wonderful group of people attend.” 

Meredith passed by, her arms loaded with books. “Flora, you know the movie buffs always leave the room immaculate. I don’t think there is any need to be so harsh on Lily.” 

Flora gave Meredith a withering look, and she hurried to the other side of the library. Flora wiggled a large keyring in front of me. “I’ll give this to your aunt, and she can lock up. But I’ll be back later tonight to check on things. Everything had best be in place. And for once, clean up after yourselves.” She pointed to the dish of hard candies on the side table. “Get rid of those. They draw ants.”

I did not understand where she was coming from. Our group never left a mess. In fact, we cleaned the restrooms and the small kitchenette every month. It was odd she pointed out the candy dish since I did not know who brought it. But it didn’t matter; the place would be spotless before we locked up. “Don’t worry, Flora. I’ll make sure everything is clean and tidy.” 

She jabbed a finger that almost touched my chest. “See that you do.”

I watched the older woman march out of the room. Through the doorway, I kept an eye on her just in case she came back for round two. Her short steel-gray hair was in a no-nonsense style. She always dressed exactly the same way. A starched white blouse, a horsehead broach, and black slacks with sturdy tie shoes. In the winter, she added a fisherman knit sweater to stave off the stiff ocean breeze as she biked from her home to the library. Even in the snow, she still biked. I could never figure out how, since the winds off the water were enough to push a car around, let alone a biker. I often thought she looked like the wicked witch from The Wizard of Oz, riding her bike in the tornado. But it was none of my business. At least I took comfort in knowing she treated everyone the same as me. She was an old biddy and thought she was doing the town a favor by letting groups hold events there. 

At one time, Flora had tried to put an end to our gatherings. Even though she was on the board of elders, the rest of the group had intervened and reminded her it was a public space and community-minded groups could use it as long as it was posted to the schedule. 

Pushing all thoughts aside, I turned my attention to Nikki, my best friend for life. We were complete opposites. She had long strawberry-blonde hair while mine was dark in a pixie cut; her eyes were blue and mine, brown, and we always had each other’s backs. She held up the DVD for Marshall to see. 

As she grew closer and smiled at me, she asked, “What did the old bat complain about tonight?”

Marshall looked at us and said in his best Sherlock Holmes voice, “Fair to say, everything. I swear, how can someone as cantankerous as her even want to live in our fair town?”

Standing over six feet and strong as an ox, he owned and worked a vegetable farm on the outskirts of town. Years in the sun had left him with deep creases in his weatherworn face. Marshall had been running the projector for the last five years. Like everyone in Pembroke Cove it seemed, he had experienced at least one run-in with Flora. The last time she had been downright vicious when she thought he had broken the projector. It turned out all that was wrong was he had unplugged it at the end of the night. 

People had taken their seats and the lights had just shut off when I heard Aunt Mimi scream, “Help! Somebody help!”

Chapter2

Lily

I ran from the community room, scanning the space as I raced through the library. Where was my aunt? Panic clutched my throat and squeezed my heart with each step I took. She screamed again as if she was in agony, and it cut to my core. I burst through the front doors and skidded to a stop on the top of the granite steps. Aunt Mimi was standing over Flora’s motionless body. A blood-covered baseball bat was in my aunt’s hand. I recognized it was the kind Little League kids use. Lying next to her crumpled body were several books, a candy wrapper, a brown paper sack, and her tote bag. “Where did you get the bat?”

“It,” she stammered, “it was leaning against the handrail, and it started to fall. I didn’t want it to conk her in the head, so I grabbed it.”

That wasn’t something I wanted to hear. If it turned out to be the murder weapon, which based on the amount of blood, it was, Aunt Mimi’s fingerprints were on it. “Put it back exactly as you found it, okay?”

She carefully propped the bat against the railing. Holding her hands out, palms down, as if she was steadying herself, she said, “It was just like that.”

I nodded to show that I had heard her. I saw Teddy, Jill, and Marshall standing at the front of the group, and Teddy was stuffing something into his front pocket. The rest of the movie buff fans had followed me from the community room. I didn’t want Aunt Mimi or anyone to mess up the evidence. I had watched enough mysteries to know we needed to call the police. “Touch nothing.”

“Do you think she’s,” Aunt Mimi’s voice dropped to a hoarse whisper, “dead?” 

If the situation hadn’t been dire, I might have laughed at the way she said the word. Like it was contagious or something. “I’m not sure.” I didn’t want to touch Flora, but someone needed to see if she was breathing so when the police were called, they’d know to send an ambulance and not a hearse. But heck what did I know about these kinds of things.

I walked down the steps, giving the crime scene a wide berth. “Flora, can you hear me?” But she didn’t move. A pool of blood had formed under her head. I was extra careful to avoid that mess since it wouldn’t do if I stepped in it. Besides contamination of the evidence, it was yuck. I didn’t want to have to throw out my cute penny loafers; they were just broken in. I glanced at my aunt and thought, thank goodness she couldn’t read my mind, worrying about my shoes. But she was frowning at me. That was odd. I needed to check if Flora had a pulse. 

The bump on the back of my head twanged from where I had bonked it earlier as I leaned forward. I placed two fingers where her carotid artery should be thumping. Again, thank you, Netflix, for the tutorial. Nothing. Her skin was warm which made sense as she had just left less than fifteen minutes ago. 

“Aunt Mimi, call Gage. He needs to get down here, but tell him we need a medical examiner and not the paramedics.” 

Nate rushed to her side and while she was talking, I took a closer look around. There was a butterscotch hard candy wrapper next to her right hand and keys looped around her left fingers, but not in a defensive position at all. If it wasn’t for the bat and the blood on the back of her head, one could surmise she died from a fall down the stairs. 

Minutes later the wail of sirens were growing closer, and I couldn’t quite see what was underneath her. It almost looked like a red rose. Was that even possible? I never heard of any man who would give Flora anything, let alone flowers. 

Car doors slammed, and Gage ran to where I stood. “Lily, are you okay?” 

I appreciated that his first concern was for my safety. I pointed to Flora, who lay in front of us, definitely dead. If she hadn’t been, she would have been yelling at all of us for gawking. She was one who wanted to be center stage when she was hurling snark at others. Being hurt, or in this case worse, didn’t matter. 

“What happened?” He touched my arm. It was a familiar touch that calmed me. “Were you the one to find Flora?” 

He hadn’t needed to feel her pulse. Another officer, Sharon Peabody, a rookie I had met a few weeks ago, had done that the moment they’d arrived. She informed Gage in a monotone voice there was no pulse.

“We were inside and the movie was about to start, and you know how it goes, talking and microwaving the popcorn. Just as the lights went out, I heard Aunt Mimi screaming, and I came running. I found Flora like this and told my aunt to not touch anything and made sure everyone heard me, too.” 

I looked back at the group of onlookers. Marshall, Jill, and Teddy were clustered together. The teenagers had formed a close-knit circle away from the movie buffs, and the newcomers stood off to one side. My eye caught Meredith hovering in the doorway, wiping her eyes with a hankie. I gave her an encouraging smile, hoping to convey everything would be okay.

Gage walked around, guiding me to step to one side so Peabody could take some photos. He nodded with a knowing smile. “Netflix again?” 

My heart skipped. “You know me so well.”

Officer Peabody cleared her throat. “Detective Erikson, I’ll tape off the area and request an investigation unit.” She waited for Gage to agree with a nod.

I pointed to the bat. “I think that is the murder weapon, but why leave it?” I was talking more to myself than to Gage, who was still beside me, but his focus had turned to the scene in front of us.

“Lily, this isn’t a game of Clue or some old movie. Don’t start spinning theories.” 

I didn’t look at him so I wouldn’t have to fib. There was nothing I loved more than solving a good riddle. Crossword puzzles, Jenga, scavenger hunts. If there was a puzzle to solve, I was the it girl. And for the first time I had a real-life—well, dead—mystery I could try my skills on.

“Gage, give me a little credit. I know this is serious.” I was going to have to be very careful as I poked around. Then I had an interesting thought. I had an ace in the hole, a confidential confidant. Milo. There might be some advantage to being a witch with a familiar after all. 

A while later, Gage sent everyone home. I walked Aunt Mimi and her boyfriend, Nate, to their vehicle. They’d been dating for decades, and he’d become part of our family. The movie was forgotten in all the excitement. As we approached Nate’s truck, I broached the subject of the book. The one that caused me to fall. 

“Aunt Mimi, do you remember that book you asked me to read?” 

Her eye twitched, and she glanced my way and then back to the stone path we were walking on. “Yes.”

“I opened it up today, and it was full of dust. Where did you find it?” Even if she wasn’t looking at me, I was keeping my eye on her. After all, I had just discovered she might be a witch too, and she was the sweetest woman in the world. Now, that was an interesting comparison. The sweetest woman found the most cantankerous one dead tonight. What were the odds?

“Everyone has read it in our family over the years. Did you read any of it yet?” 

The little minx was being awfully coy. “No, in fact, I left it at the bookshop when I took Milo home.” 

She stopped short and tipped her head. “How is Milo?”

“Chattier than ever.” 

She nodded. “It happens from time to time with a cat. They grow with us. Look at me and Phoenix. We’ve been together forever.” 

That was an interesting statement, and come to think of it, Phoenix had been alive for as long as I remembered. “How old is she now?”

Aunt Mimi’s eyes darted to Nate and then to me. “I don’t remember, but she’s in perfect health and who knows, she might even outlive me.”

This was fascinating. “Anyway, tomorrow I’m going to start reading the book and see if there are any puzzles in there to solve.” I adored Nate, but right now I wished it was just Aunt Mimi and me strolling along. I could pump her for information. 

“How about if I stop around midmorning and we can chat? I might shed some light on where you should start reading.”

Nate piped up. “Most people start at the beginning, my beautiful mermaid.”

She slipped her arm through Nate’s. “And sometimes it’s best to let the book tell you where to start. It adds to the thrill of life.” 

What was my aunt trying to tell me? That this book would guide me on the alternative path to my future? “Gage is coming around ten, so stop in a little later.” 

She gave me a sly wink. “I’ll bet he’s stopping at the bakery, too.” She waved her hand. “No need to confirm the truth. I’ll come down around noon, and we can have lunch. I want to hear all about coffee with the cute detective.” 

“Aunt Mimi, don’t say that, and Gage is not my guy.” Not that I wouldn’t open the door if he came knockin’, but that was a pipe dream. It had been too many years since we’d been tap dancing around each other. Eventually, some girl much prettier than me would catch his eye, and he’d be a goner. Me? I was a one-man kind of gal.

“We hear you talking, but neither of us believe that’s true. But we can talk about that tomorrow, too.”

We reached the truck, and Nate opened Aunt Mimi’s door. She kissed both my cheeks and placed her cool hand against my warm cheek. “Please don’t worry about a thing. I promise everything will make perfect sense in time.”

Nate gave me one of his special bear hugs and told me to drive safely. He didn’t say it, but I knew it was on all our minds. There was a murderer on the loose. 

As I watched them drive away, I noticed Jill Dilly sitting in a parked truck in the passenger seat. I didn’t recognize the vehicle, so I wandered in her direction, waving as I went. Thank goodness it was still light out. I didn’t want to scare the poor woman. 

“Jill, what are you doing out here by yourself?” 

“Oh, hello, Lily. Marshall drove tonight. We take turns, you know, each driving in for movie night. Living outside of town, it just seems to make sense.”

I scanned the small parking area. But Marshall was nowhere to be seen. “Why didn’t you wait in the library?”