Ganache with Panache: Book 2 in The Chocolate Cafe Series by Valley Sams Read Free Book Online Page B

anything.
    “Just get in.”
    How dangerous could these two Botoxed, carbohydrate-starved women be? Not only could Mac outrun them, but she could probably knock them both on their flat backsides with one well-timed slap. She had nothing to worry about, right? What could they be up to?
    Murder?
    Mac pulled her earbuds out again and stuffed them into the interior pocket of her running pants. She hastily wiped some of the sweat off her brow and shrugged.
    “It’s your leather upholstery, not mine,” she said to Harper, fighting the temptation to flick the sweat at her smug little face. Maybe she’d get a chance to really try that one slap theory. That was reason enough to get in.
    Harper made a disgusted face as Mac wiped her wet hands on her tee shirt.
    Mac stepped into the vehicle and slid her moist back against the camel-colored seat. She pulled the door closed, and she heard the automatic locks engage.
    “You’re up early,” Mac said, facing Olivia in the backseat. “Is this official wedding business or is stalking joggers at sunrise a new hobby for the two of you?”
    Olivia attempted another warm smile but once again, failed miserably.
    “I’m afraid our wedding plans have been more than a little derailed,” she said.
    “Murder will do that.” The smile that crawled across Olivia’s face at Mac’s comment was much less forced and considerably more sinister.
    “What can a person expect?” she said, “Conducting your business in that manner, refusing to listen, and throwing little tantrums. It’s the basic tenet of customer service: one does what the customer asks. You ignore those basic principles…”
    “You never work again, right? Isn’t that what you said to Mr. Lau that afternoon? That you’d see to that, isn’t that right?”
    This whole situation—the pseudo-kidnapping mid-jog, the giant sunglasses, the drama—Mac was tired of it already. She had been tired of it before she had even climbed in the SUV. Olivia’s little speech had been on her mind since that afternoon. Yes, she had promised not to interfere but really, wasn’t it self-defense at this point?
    Olivia’s tissue-thin cheeks drained of color. Her mouth, a slash of red lipstick, became tight and she leaned closer to Mac.
    “Now you listen to me. I have had enough of the inconvenience caused by this whole fiasco. I spent eight hours in the police station this week. Me! They took me from my home to question me; they questioned my daughter.”
    Mac was pleased to see Olivia’s chin shake with the memory of her indignity.
    “I said I would be sure he wouldn’t work again and I meant it. That little deviant needed a comeuppance and I’ll be the first to say it. I said the same thing to the police and I’ll say it to you. Good riddance.”
    Harper looked at Mac sideways. The smugness in her eyes was back, making Mac fight the urge to slap the back of her icy blonde head.
    “I now want your designer friend, Vanessa, to design my gown.”
    The urge to slap intensified to a need. Mac was speechless, looking between the two women for some sort of explanation. “How?—”
    “It’s a small town, sweetheart. You of all people know that. We know that you and your little biker friend introduced Vanessa to Amelia yesterday. We know she’s agreed to do her dress and do you know what? That just won’t do.”
    Mac couldn’t help but burst into sarcastic laughter. “Oh my gosh. This is like a bad mafia drama but with washed-up socialites. Look,” it was her turn to turn toward Olivia, her wide-set eyes narrowed with disgust, transforming her from kitten to tiger. “I don’t control Vanessa. You want her to do the dress so badly, ask her your own self.”
    “She won’t take our calls. You two must have said something to her.” Harper whined.
    Mac groaned and dropped her sweaty head back onto the headrest. “Just stop the car. Stop. This little game you’re playing is over.”
    Olivia’s claw-like hand suddenly clamped on to