Scones, Skulls & Scams by Leighann Dobbs Read Free Book Online Page A

her counter.
    “That’s the best offer I’ve had all day,” he said as he followed her out the door.

Chapter Eight

    Lexy scowled out the window at the WOKQ van parked in front of The Brew and Bake , her fists clenched so tightly the nails bit into her palms.
    So, the television station really is doing a piece on the other bakery , Lexy thought as she watched the camera crew unpack the van. Her heart sank when she compared the front room of The Brew and Bake , bustling with customers to her own empty one.
    A movement on the sidewalk caught Lexy’s eye. A customer? No, it was just the orange tiger cat that lived in Victor Nessbaum’s antique store. He was an indoor cat, but sometimes he slipped out when the door was open. Lexy always tried to herd the cat back to Victor’s whenever she saw him outside.
    She stepped out onto the sidewalk, bending down to try to lure the cat over so she could pick him up and bring him back to Victor.
    “Here, Kitty.” She stuck out her hand to the cat who eyed her warily.
    Behind her, she heard Victor’s door open.
    “Oh, that’s where you are,” Victor said to the cat. He pushed the door wide and gestured to the interior of the store. “Get back in here.”
    The cat turned, flicked his tail in Lexy’s direction, and then trotted off into the store.
    “He likes to get outside, but then doesn’t know what to do with himself.” Victor laughed. “Say, I’m glad I ran into you … I sure would like to taste whatever it was you were baking yesterday afternoon. It smelled delicious in my store.”
    Lexy stood and crossed her arms over her chest. “Oh, you want to taste my baked goods and not those from across the street?”
    Victor’s brow creased and a sheepish look spread across his face. “Oh, did you see me over there? I was only trying out a sample so I could speak with authority when I said your pastries were the best.”
    Lexy thawed at the sincere look on the man’s face. “Oh, okay, then … come on over and you can try out my great-grandmother’s famous scones. I made a slight variation to the recipe yesterday. That’s what I was baking.”
    “Perfect. I’ll just lock up.” Victor reached inside his shop, grabbed his cane then flipped the lock on the door before closing it tight.
    Lexy held her own door open while Victor shuffled down the walk, nodding to her as he stepped inside The Cup and Cake .
    Behind the bakery case, Lexy pulled out the glass pedestal cake plate on which she’d arranged the scones and placed it on top of the case so Victor could get a better look.
    “Which one do you want?” she asked.
    “Hmm …” Victor frowned at the pile his eyes inspecting each scone. His brows furrowed and he rubbed his chin. “They all look so good.”
    His cane fell to the floor next to the case with a clatter and Lexy bent down to pick it up for him.
    “Thanks,” he said, then pointed to one of the scones on top. “I’ll take that one.”
    Lexy smiled. “If you want, you can take a seat at the table and I’ll bring it over along with some coffee or tea … I’d love to know what you think of it.”
    “That would be wonderful.” Victor turned and made his way to the self-serve station. “I can get my own tea.”
    Lexy put the scone on a small plate and took it over to the table where Victor sat with a steaming cup of tea in front of him. She slid into the chair across from him, eagerly watching the expression on his face as he took his first bite.
    “This is delicious,” he said chewing thoughtfully. “I particularly like the crumbly cinnamon and sugar top. You don’t normally get that on a scone … I think you have a winner here.”
    Thanks.” Lexy beamed proudly as the bells over the door jingled to announce Nans, Ruth, Ida and Helen.
    The four ladies greeted Lexy and Victor before marching purposely to one of the tables and slinging their purses over the backs of the chairs. Ruth gingerly placed several rolled up papers she’d carried in