Peppermint Fudge Killer: A Pumpkin Hollow Mystery, book 13 Kathleen Suzette (top novels txt) 📖

“I may have asked a couple of people,” I admitted. “But really, nobody seems to know much of anything.”

She finished making my coffee, put my biscotti into a bag for me, and I paid for it.

“Are you going to hang out for a while?” she asked. “We can sit and visit if you are.”

“I have a few minutes before work,” I said. “I’m working the late shift today.” It was almost 9:30, so I had some time before I needed to be at work at ten o’clock.

She made herself a coffee, and we headed to a table. “I made some gingerbread first thing this morning, but it all sold out. You’ll have to come in when I get some more made.”

“I love gingerbread,” I said, sitting down across from her and took a sip of my coffee. “This is really good.”

“Thanks. Isn’t all of Suzanne’s family dead now?” she asked me.

“She has a cousin, aunt and uncle, and grandfather left.”

“Oh, Brittany Wilson, right? I forgot they were cousins.” Her brow furrowed.

I nodded. “Yes, Brittany is her cousin.” The look on her face said that she knew something. “What are you thinking?”

“I don’t know. For a minute I forgot that Brittany was her cousin. How could I forget something like that?”

I shrugged. “I have no idea. Christy and I went to talk to her the other day. Poor thing. She’s lost a lot of her family in the past several years.”

She nodded. “Yes, I remember when Suzanne’s parents were killed, and then she had an aunt and uncle that died. Do you remember how the two of them used to fight all the time when we were in school?”

I stared at her for a moment. “What do you mean they used to fight all the time?”

“You don’t remember? When they were in school, they used to be so competitive over boys. It seemed like Brittany was always stealing Suzanne’s boyfriends. Or maybe it was the other way around.”

It was my turn to stare at her. “How could I forget something like that? It seems like high school was so long ago, and at the same time, it feels like it was yesterday. If I didn’t forget so much of what happened back then, I might think it was just yesterday.”

She nodded. “I remember when the two of them were in the quad one day and they were fighting over Brad Helms’ sweater. Suzanne swore he had given it to her but when she saw Brittany wearing it, she just about came unglued.”

“I was absent that day, but now that you mention it, I remember all the talk about it. You’re right. They fought a lot.”

She nodded. “I’m glad they patched up their differences. I think losing family members makes you appreciate the ones you’ve got left.”

I knew she was talking about the recent death of her own grandmother. I reached out and squeezed her hand. The two of them had been very close, and I knew she was struggling with it. “I know you miss her.”

She nodded and her eyes teared up. “I do. I’m glad we had the time that we did, but ever since Brian and I got married, she kept talking about great grandbabies. And now she’ll never get to see them.”

“Oh, that’s sad. I know she was thrilled that you two got married.”

She nodded. “We’re going to, you know.”

I stared at her a moment, confused about what she was talking about. And then it hit me. “Are you serious? You’re going to have a baby?”

She nodded and those tears of sadness turned to tears of joy. “Can you believe it? I’m going to be a mother!”

I stared at her, shaking my head. “Oh my gosh, Amanda, that is wonderful news!” I stood up and came around the side of the table and gave her a hug. “I’m so happy for you. How exciting!” I sat back down. “When are you due?”

“At the end of July. I had just found out and told her about it and then she passed away the next day.” She shook her head. “After that I didn’t have the heart to tell anyone about the baby, so I’ve kept it quiet.”

“I bet she was so happy for you,” I said, feeling my own eyes tear up. “I’m sorry she won’t be here to see the baby.”

She nodded. “She was incredibly happy,” she said. “She had already made a baby blanket. Can you believe it? As soon as we got married, she started on a cute little quilt. Brian said she was pushing things since we had just gotten married, but Grandma said she just knew there would be a little one coming soon. She was right. She made it yellow and white so it will be fine for either a boy or a girl.”

“That’s so special, Amanda,” I told her. “I know you’ll treasure that blanket forever.”

“You know I will.”

We looked up as the front door opened. It was Brian, and he grinned at us. “Hey,” he said. “How are two of my favorite people?” He headed to the front counter.

“We are doing great,” I said and got up and went to him and gave him a hug. “I heard you’re going to be a daddy.”

He chuckled and hugged me back. “It’s amazing, isn’t it? I didn’t think it would happen this fast. We’ve been debating on whether we wanted to wait a couple of years, but I’m glad we didn’t wait.”

“I know you’ve got to be excited,” I said. “A baby is going to be so much fun!”

“It’s all I can think about. It’s all either of us can think about or talk about. We’re going to have a little one.” He chuckled. “You