A Cupcake to Die For Read online

  When Harper Madison’s cupcake bakery is chosen to cater the Cressmoor High School 15 year reunion, the last thing she expected was to be attending the prom queen’s funeral two days later. Nowhere near an angel, Harper discovers the prom queen had several enemies. With so many suspects to choose from, Harper soon finds herself on that long list. Faced with proving her innocence to the handsome new detective in town, and possibly losing her bakery for good, Harper must track down the killer or risk losing everything.

  A Cupcake to Die For

  A Prairie Cove Cozy Mystery, Book 1

  by

  Emily Greene

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  Copyright, 2016 by Emily Greene.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. No portion of this work may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the author.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter One

  “Harper, are you sure you’ll be able to handle this?” My sister Katie followed me around my bakery as I got ready to open for the day. I pulled out the latest batch of cupcakes so they could cool before I frosted them. I turned to her, rolling my eyes as I smiled at her.

  “Yes, of course, stop worrying.” I playfully pointed at her forehead. “Your wrinkles really show when you frown.”

  Her hands flew to her forehead and the look of horror on her face was priceless. I loved my sister but she was a bit on the vain side.

  “Do I need Botox?”

  I put my hand on my hip and looked her right in the eye. “You know I was just teasing you, and mother would have a fit if she knew you were even thinking about using that poison. What does she always tell us?”

  Like clockwork we repeated our mother’s words in unison. “Growing old gracefully is a gift and everyone should be so lucky.” We erupted into giggles and then I glanced at the clock.

  “I only have a few minutes before we open. Why are you even here this early? Did you need something, Katie?”

  She was on my heels as I arranged the sample platter of mini cupcakes that sat on the front table. I put those out every week to get feedback from customers about new flavors I was trying.

  “Well, I just want to make sure you won’t be overwhelmed because I don’t think you’ve ever had to cater a venue this big, have you?”

  My sister Katie was on the reunion committee for her 15-year high school reunion and she had arranged to have my bakery, Cupcake Savvy, cater the treats. The reunion was about 11 days away and I was really excited about the great exposure we were going to have. The local newspaper wanted to do an article on the reunion and a reporter had reached out to me to get an idea of what I would be serving. It was a huge deal for me because my bakery had been in business for less than two years and an event like that was really going to help generate more business for us.

  My name is Harper Madison and I live in a quaint little town in northwest Illinois called Prairie Cove. Prairie Cove is about three hours from Chicago and is the kind of place where everyone knows each other and people are always willing to lend a helping hand if needed. It is a modern day Mayberry and I know I live in a special bubble protected from the big mean world, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. The worst thing that had ever happened in Prairie Cove was a bunch of kids from a neighboring town spray painted silly messages on the side of the old Hanson warehouse. Mr. Hanson decided not to press charges because the boys came back, apologized and power washed the side of the building so you couldn’t even tell the side had been vandalized.

  The warehouse housed all of the materials for the Hanson family locker business that supplied lockers for stadiums all over the United States. The Hanson’s were easily one of the richest families in the country but they were the nicest, most humble, down to earth people you would ever meet. I was a CPA and I got a job with their company right after college. After eight years of working as one of the accountants for the Hanson’s, I decided to take the leap of faith and start my own business.

  I tried to love accounting, I really did, but baking was always my first love. Cupcake Savvy was a moderate success from day one because I had special ingredients I used to really make the different flavors come alive, and customers loved them. It also didn’t hurt that I was the only cupcake bakery in town.

  I looked at my sister and gave her one of my semi-annoyed looks. She could sometimes be a worrywart. “No, I haven’t had a job this big but I can handle it. Carrie and I have got this.”

  Carrie was my assistant and best friend, and she had been with me from day one. She was always reliable and she was just as good a baker as me so I knew I was in good hands with every single order we received.

  “Okay, I know you’ll do a great job, Harper, I just wanted to make sure you weren’t nervous.”

  “Nervous? I’m excited! This is an amazing opportunity for us and if I haven’t said it enough, thank you for getting the committee to hire us, Katie.”

  She had a matter of fact look on her face. “Well, I really didn’t have a choice.”

  “What do you mean? Because there aren’t a lot of places to choose from?” There was only one other bakery in Prairie Cove and it was a restaurant/bakery.

  “No. Because you are simply the best choice around! Have a great day!”

  I smiled at her as she dashed out the door. My sister Katie was a real character and she was so different from my sister, Nicole. Nicole was married to the town Sheriff, Greg Anderson and was very focused and responsible. I was the youngest, Nicole was the oldest and I sometimes thought Katie felt the need to stand out as the middle sister. She was what I would call a free spirit and kind of went whichever way the wind blew. She didn’t really have a normal job; in fact she’d had at least 15 different “jobs” in her 33 years. She was artistic and had always found a way to pay her bills so we didn’t really ever have to worry about her being able to put food on her table. Katie didn’t have any kids and had been seriously dating Mike Cartwright, a local real estate agent and a really nice guy, for about eight months. Our mother, of course, was over the moon and was constantly nagging her about when they were going to get married. Secretly, I was happy that she wasn’t even engaged because that kept Mom off of my back, at least for a little while. We lost our dad a few years back in a car accident and I knew that he would be so proud if he could have seen how happy we all were.

  I heard the bell above the bakery door ding and glanced up to see Carrie’s smiling face. It was 6:05 a.m. and she was usually there by 5:50.

  “Sorry I’m late, my silly car took forever to start again.”

  “Don’t worry about it. When are you going to get a new car, Carrie? That thing is on its last legs.”

  “I know, but it has been with me through so much. I’m not ready to let it go. Jeff wants me to get rid of it, too. He thinks it’s a safety hazard.”

  Jeff Hanson was Carrie’s husband and was one of the nicest people I had ever met. Yes, he was one of the Hanson boys and you would never know how wealthy he was by looking at him because he was so down to earth. Carrie had an am
azing life and had access to all the best everything, but marrying Jeff didn’t change her one bit. That was one of the many reasons I loved her. She was as sweet and kind as the day was long. I was thrilled for her the day I stood next to her in her wedding, and she and Jeff made a lovely couple.

  “He’s absolutely right. I’m worried that you’ll end up in a ditch somewhere when it finally dies on you while you’re driving one day. I’m just looking out for you.”

  She came over to me and gave me a quick side hug. “I know. I appreciate it. I’ll look into getting a new car soon.”

  I looked at her completely shocked. “Not new! Don’t throw your money away like that. I meant a new used car.”

  She laughed at me. “So did I, silly. I would never buy a brand new car, the thing loses value as soon as you drive it off the lot!”

  She was a smart woman. She could afford to buy any brand new car she wanted but she was not frivolous with her money. I was so grateful she decided to join me at my bakery because she didn’t have to work. She could have spent all day doing nothing at all but she chose to help make my business a success. I was eternally grateful for her friendship.

  I finished setting out the last cupcake on the platter and smiled at her. “I knew you were a smart cookie.”

  “So, what’s on the agenda for today?”

  “We have two custom themed birthday parties: one is a princess party and one is a Spiderman party. We also have a graduation party tomorrow for the mayor’s daughter, and the big news is we are doing the dessert for my sister’s 15th high school reunion.”

  Her eyes were as wide as saucers.

  “You’re kidding!”

  “Nope, she told me this morning.”

  “Oh my goodness, Harper, that is so great for us! When is the reunion?”

  “Next Saturday, and we have to make at least 200 cupcakes.”

  “Two hundred? Why so many? Katie’s class only had 75 people in it.”

  “Everyone can bring a plus one and some people might have more than one cupcake. It is better to have too many than not enough.”

  “That makes sense. Wow, okay, we can do this.” The excitement on her face quickly faded and was replaced by worry. “Hey, do you think Melanie Clark will be there?” Carrie tried to sound nonchalant but there was a hint of trepidation in her voice.

  Melanie was in Katie’s class, was the prom queen and was the most popular girl in high school. She was without a doubt the Queen Bee. I never understood why because she was also the snobbiest person I had ever met. Yes, she was really pretty but she also could be very nasty if you weren’t in her inner circle. My sister Katie was in that inner circle and considered Melanie to be one of her best friends. I had never really cared for her but I was always cordial because she was my sister’s friend. She, apparently, was a big time high end realtor in Chicago and was doing very well. That did not surprise me one bit because it completely fit her personality.

  Carrie didn’t have the best experience with Melanie when we were in high school. Carrie and I were in the same class and Melanie picked on her a lot. We were sophomores when my sister was a senior. I talked to my sister Katie about it and asked her to get Melanie to stop, and sometimes she would but it would start back up again a few days later. I think Melanie picked on Carrie because she was gorgeous and she saw her as competition. Yes, she was that shallow. Thankfully Carrie grew a backbone and eventually stood up for herself and Melanie backed down. Graduation day was one the happiest days of Carrie’s life because she thought she would never have to see Melanie again.

  Remembering how tortured Carrie was by the bullying I felt bad that I was excited about catering the sweets for the reunion, but we were adults. It was going to be great for our business and it was only going to be one night. Carrie could deal with that.

  The more I thought about it, the more I realized Melanie was probably the main reason Katie was so concerned about me being able to handle the reunion order. I was pretty sure she wanted everything to be perfect for Melanie. In my opinion, she cared way too much what Melanie thought about everything.

  “Yes, Katie said she’s coming but don’t worry, all that stuff happened 15 years ago. We’re all adults now and I am sure Melanie has matured.”

  “Well, she’s still friends with Katie, isn’t she? You haven’t seen her?”

  “Yes, they are still friends and no, I haven’t seen her, but if she is still stuck in high school mentality that’s pretty sad. I wouldn’t even think twice about that past nonsense.”

  “Nonsense? Harper, she was the rudest girl in school and she took every chance she could to make my life miserable. You more than anyone knows that. I was hoping she wouldn’t show because she is the last person I want to see. In fact, I would be happy if she would just disappear never to be heard from again!”

  “Carrie!”

  “It’s true. I cannot stand her and the world would be a better place without her.”

  I felt for my friend because she was obviously dreading seeing Melanie again and I needed to help her get her mind off of Melanie and back on to the huge job we had to do.

  “Carrie, I didn’t mean to minimize what you had to deal with back in high school, I’m sorry about my comment. But I’m sure everything will be fine. Let’s just focus on making the best cupcakes we can, okay?”

  “Okay, you’re right. The night will probably go off without a hitch.”

  “Yes, the night will be perfect!”

  The bell dinged above the door and like clockwork, Edna Charles and her three best friends Doris Harris, Betty Greene, and Mavis Newton showed up for their breakfast treat. I called them eeny, meeny, miny and mo because no matter which one you ran into, you could always get a full dissertation on the latest town gossip. They were sweet and harmless elderly ladies who made it their business to know everyone’s business.

  They sat at their normal table and I brought over a pitcher of coffee, their favorite cupcakes, and overheard them gossiping about the town pediatrician.

  “Yes, he’s retiring next year. I spoke to his wife a few days ago.” Edna seemed very proud of herself to be revealing that information.

  “Who is going to take over?” Mavis looked baffled.

  I smiled at them as I poured their coffee.

  “Good morning, ladies. And what are we talking about today?”

  They all smiled at me before Mavis chimed in. “Good morning Harper. Edna was just telling us that Dr. Carson is retiring next year.”

  I looked at Edna and smiled. “Oh really? Do you have any idea who is taking over for him?”

  “I heard that his son, Matthew, is moving back from Chicago and is going to join him this year before taking over for him next year. And Harper, I also heard that Matthew is single in case you were interested.” Doris gave me a mischievous little smile and I just shook my head at her.

  “Thank you for telling me, but I am very busy right now with the bakery. I am sure that some beautiful young woman in Prairie Cove will scoop him up before too long.”

  “Don’t let your mother hear you say that, because as soon as she finds out that a single doctor is moving to town, I am a sure she is going to be all over you about that,” Betty quipped.

  I rolled my eyes as I smiled at them. “Oh, let’s hope not!”

  I went to the back to frost the cupcakes for the princess birthday party while Carrie took care of things in the front. I was putting the finishing touches on the last cupcake when I heard a familiar and shrill voice waft through the bakery. I let out a deep sigh and washed my hands. I slowly made my way to the front counter, and her eyes lit up when she saw me. I knew it meant she was cooking up trouble.

  “Harper, there you are, dear!”

  I smiled at her as she came around the counter. “Hello, Mother.”

  “I have some very exciting news!” She kissed me on the cheek.

  “Oh really, I can’t imagine what this is about.” I knew my mother. I knew her really well. And I also kne
w that news traveled fast in Prairie Cove. I braced myself for what I already could tell was coming.

  “Tom and Mary Carson are having an impromptu dinner party tonight and we are invited! Apparently their son, Matthew, is moving back to Prairie Cove and they want him to meet some of the nice people in town. Matthew is single and he is a doctor, honey. Harper, it is very important that you dress in something more suitable than that flour-coated t-shirt, those blue jeans and those clunky boots. Please try to look like the beautiful young lady that you are.”

  “On a Tuesday night? Mother, I am so swamped with orders I don’t think I will be able to make it.”

  A stern look transformed her normally bright face.

  “Harper Christine Madison, an eligible doctor is moving to town and you will be there to welcome him to Prairie Cove. Please don’t fight me on this one. You’ll never meet someone if you don’t put in some sort of effort.” She was practically whining.