Chocolate Cream Cupcake & Murder (A Dana Sweet Cozy Mystery Book 3) by Ann S. Marie Read Free Book Online

Dana got Truffles ready for her morning stroll in the cat stroller. Of course, Truffles was a cat so she didn’t appreciate long walks as dogs do. But Dana loved walking her pet. And she knew the fresh air would be good.
    Besides, Grandma Rae used to walk her kitty every day in the four-wheel zip-free pink cat stroller where Truffles would have a panoramic view through the mesh screen of her surroundings. Truffles felt safer in there than walking on the street. She was much too shy, given her past of being abandoned by her previous owners before Grandma Rae rescued her from the Berry Cove Pet Rescue shelter.
    Truffles let out a healthy meow and licked her lips. She actually seemed to enjoy the cat stroller. Dana often ignored the looks of some of the tourists who didn’t quite understand or who’ve never seen one before.
    They would often comment that she should “get a real baby”, or “cats don’t go for walks, dogs do” to which Dana would simply either smile sweetly or eye roll before walking away. Dana had on her snug fitting black and pink yoga pants and matching jacket. She couldn’t wait to get on the trail and get some fresh autumn air in her lungs so that she could clear her mind and think. Really think.
    There was something very odd about the Renaldo household. She wondered if Troy got onto any more leads. She really wanted to help him with the case. But she didn’t want to get into his gorgeous mane of hair—figuratively speaking. Physically, she wouldn’t mind running her fingers through it.
    Dana, really now. Is that all you can think about? You’re supposed to be off men now, remember?
    Still, no harm in admiring a handsome, stunning man now was there? He was miles apart from her ex, that was for sure. It was nice, no, breathtaking to finally meet an honest hardworking guy who knew how to treat a lady right. That’s all. Nothing more to it.
    While walking on the nature trail with Truffles in the stroller, Dana couldn’t help but turn over the scene of the crime from yesterday in her mind…
    Before long Dana spotted a tall dark and deadly handsome man with broad shoulders and muscular build jogging towards her.
    It was Troy, of course.
    Delicious Troy Evans. He was jogging with a furry four-legged companion.
    Her heart started to flutter in her chest again.
    Why was it that whenever he was nearby she would get that reaction from him?
    But still, just like herself, he had already stated he was married to his career and had no room in his life relationships. And who could blame him? She too had no room in her life for relationships.
    But she still loved the feeling she got whenever she was around Troy.
    “Hey there, Dana”, he said. He was jogging on the spot when he reached her keeping up his momentum. His hair was slightly damp and moist from sweat. Looks like he was having a good workout.
    “Hey, Troy.”
    “I see you’re walking your cat again. Hey Kitty,” he said kindly to Truffles.
    Truffles purred with approval. Well, at least she liked Tory. That was good news.
    She liked a man who was gentle with animals, especially kitties and puppies. And Troy, as much as he was a hard core cop, certainly had a soft spot for animals which was a check mark in her book.
    “Yes, I'm walking her again today. She likes to get fresh air. Of course, unlike a dog she doesn’t like to do too many long walks.”
    “That's understandable.”
    “Hey little guy,” Dana said to his dog.
    The black and white-furred dog barked quite happily in response. It was a border collie, if Dana wasn’t mistaken.
    The sun was shining brightly and the air was cool and bearable. The soft sound of the waves sounded in the distance from the shoreline. It was the best day to go for a jog or a walk. The birds were chirping in the air. Everything seemed so calm. Except, of course, for the fact that there was a horrible murder committed recently. Yet again in the nice quiet small town of Berry Cove.
    “So did you find any