Pink Velvet Murder: A Frosted Love Cozy Mystery - Book 9 (Frosted Love Cozy Mysteries) by Carol Durand, Summer Prescott Read Free Book Online Page A

farewell.
    Missy
was furious. Felton Chadwick hadn’t listened to her at all, and had actually
threatened her business if she didn’t bow to his wishes and acquiesce to his
demands. Instead of coming out of this meeting having severed all ties with the
insufferable Priscilla Chadwick, it seemed that she was more entrenched now
than she had been before. She had no idea how she was going to make the mayor
understand that his daughter was beyond help, but for the moment, what she did know
was that she was going to make the most of her free lunch. The menu had no
prices listed on it, which automatically meant that everything was expensive
and she didn’t hold back, ordering a soup course, salad plate, appetizer,
entrée and dessert, with coffee and a port wine to finish her meal. She had
eaten only small bites of everything except the salad, and requested a doggy
bag for all of the leftovers. She left feeling full, but bitter, and just the
tiniest bit ashamed of herself.

Chapter 13
    Missy
arrived at Chas Beckett’s lovely home with her hands full of luggage, dog toys
and leashes, Toffee and Bitsy in tow.
    “Here,
let me help you with that,” the gallant detective said, taking her suitcases
and bags as though they weighed nothing, and leaving Missy with only the
leashes attached to two very excited dogs.
    “Thank
you so much for letting me stay Chas,” she said, somewhat breathless from
having carried her belongings. “I really appreciate it.”
    “Oh
don’t worry, you can earn your keep around here by keeping me entertained with
stories about our illustrious mayor,” he teased, glancing over his shoulder at
her.
    Missy’s
heart was warmed when she saw that, in addition to the large dog bed that he
kept in a corner of his living room for Toffee when she visited, there was
another, tiny, pink doggie bed for Bitsy. “Chas, you didn’t have to…” she said,
her eyes welling as she gazed at the little bed.
    “Of
course not,” he dismissed her protests with a smile. “I wanted to.”
    “Mmmm…something
smells amazing, what’s cooking?” she asked trailing into the kitchen after
unleashing the dogs.
    “I
figured I’d whip up something special in honor of my favorite guests,” the
handsome detective replied, coming back from stashing her things in the guest
room and kissing her soundly.
    “Toffee
and Bitsy?” Missy teased, moving over to see what was bubbling on the stove.
    “Exactly,”
Chas nodded. “There’s just nothing better than an evening with…Toffee and
Bitsy,” he murmured, leaning in to kiss her neck just below the ear while she
peered into the pots.
    “Oooooo!
Alfredo?” Missy asked, her stomach growling.
    “With
homemade bread sticks.”
    “Oh
my, a girl could get used to this,” she grinned.
    “See,
a yankee can learn southern hospitality after all,” Chas remarked, pleased with
himself.
    “You’d
better not let anyone outside of this house hear you say that,” Missy warned,
with a wry smile.
    Chas
seated her at the formal dining table, which was set with linens, china, silver
and candles, pouring her a glass of wine to enjoy while he plated their meals.
He brought back plates heaped with creamy fettuccini alfredo, garnished with
basil and finely shredded prosciutto, and a basket of garlicky bread sticks,
fresh from the oven and still piping hot.
    “Oh
Chas, you’re going to spoil me,” Missy observed, her eyes wide as she gazed at
the sumptuous spread.
    “That’s
the idea,” he grinned, sitting down across from her.
    They
chatted, laughed and thoroughly enjoyed each other’s company while they
devoured the delicious fare, then settled in on the couch, doggies at their
feet, to watch a movie. About halfway through the movie, Missy started yawning,
her long day finally catching up with her. Chas pulled her close, and she
fought against sleep, leaning her head against his broad, muscular chest, safe
and secure. The detective’s phone rang, and he paused the movie while he