Fudge Brownies & Murder (24 page)

Amy squeezed Geri's hand as they stood in front of the window and whispered, "You're going to be a terrific grandma."

Five minutes later, Macy Geraldine Shepler was born.

Amy followed along behind Shepler, rearranging the platters of brownies, cookies, and cupcakes as he filled up his plate. She didn't blame him for not wanting to be at the all-girl event. Although, now that he was outnumbered by females in his house three to one, he should probably start getting used to the ways of the opposite sex.

"Did you ever figure out what happened to Shantelle and Harlan?" she asked as she shifted a couple chocolate chip peanut butter cookies to fill some of the empty space where he took three. "I stopped to see Rayshelle yesterday, and she hasn't heard from her sister even though she's left messages asking for her to call. I guess the voice mailbox on Shantelle's phone is full now, too."

He shrugged as he stacked two oatmeal fudge bars on top of the base layer of brownies that he had built on the, thankfully, sturdy paper plate. "I have no idea where they are, but missing persons and burglary rings aren't my department either. I can tell you that outbreak of thefts has stopped, though. Tracks found at a couple of the scenes were for the kind of tires his truck could have, but without the truck, there's no way to match them up conclusively."

"Rayshelle said her sister has a habit of disappearing like this quite often, so she hasn't filed a missing person's report. She figures Shantelle's hiding from the law and doesn't want to be found."

Shepler masterfully arranged milk chocolate truffles in the nooks of his baked goods mountain. "She could be right. The mystery of where those two went may never be solved. Sometimes people disappear, and they are never found. The departure could've been planned by them, or something malicious could've happened. You just never know until the person or their body shows up."

"Considering how much Rayshelle has turned her life around over the last few weeks, not having her bad-to-the-bone sister around would actually be a good thing for her."

The lease on the Southern Gals booth had been paid up for six months. Since Rayshelle was the closest next of kin, the market space and mini restaurant's equipment went to her. She sold all of the restaurant supplies and used the profits to open a hair accessory business where she offered colorful hair extensions, barrettes, and ponytail holders that she made herself. Her personality softened considerably once she was finally doing something that she loved, not just working to buy groceries and pay her rent. The change from cranky to happy was startling and wonderful, all wrapped up into a colorful, rainbow-striped hair extension package.

Finally, Shepler announced that he had enough snacks, so he could leave. Amy began setting out round two of the dessert buffet. All of the original baked goods had been donated to the soup kitchen when Macy's arrival interrupted the first baby shower. Now that Carla had settled into her new role, she had actually agreed to letting Amy and Geri throw the replacement shower.

As Amy stuck serving spoons into the bowls of dark chocolate and mocha pudding, she thought about the maker of the absent Southern-style banana pudding. Shepler didn't have to work hard to build a case against LeighAnne because she readily admitted to murdering her best friend. There was no reason for her not to own up to committing the crime. She went into the emergency room to get stitches for the gash in her head that occurred when she fell into the china cabinet. In the waiting room, while Buck was gone trying to get revenge on Amy for turning in his new girlfriend to the police, she had a seizure. In the end, what she thought was a flare up of her adrenal disease was actually terminal cancer which had spread throughout her body. The doctors figured she only had a few months to live. She was spending the remainder of her life in the medical ward of a women's prison.

LeighAnne's story was depressing, but Amy couldn't stay sad. She was hanging out with the world's cutest baby. In the living room, Carla peeked underneath the thin blanket she had covered Macy with while she was breastfeeding her. The contented smile that spread over her friend's face was a demonstration of pure love.

Geri emerged from the hallway. The new grandmother literally sparkled with pride since she was wearing a pink sequin-covered sweater. It was a departure from her usual bohemian-chic clothing style, but she pulled it off with ease. A nod to her former life as an ordinary housewife in Kellerton. She kissed the top of Carla's head as she walked past her daughter. "How's she doing?"

"Almost done. I think she inherited her daddy's appetite."

Shepler walked out of the kitchen with the plate of baked goods in one hand, his cell phone clasped to his ear with the other. They all laughed. He wrinkled his nose at the odd reaction to his appearance then continued on his way out the door to the garage. "Have fun, ladies," he called before the door swung shut behind him.

"We have a few minutes before anybody should start arriving," Geri said as she sat in the recliner usually designated for Shepler. Folding chairs were dispersed between the permanent furniture of the living room to accommodate the shower guests. "I wanted to talk with you two about something."

Carla slipped Macy out from under the blanket. The new mom expertly moved the infant over to her shoulder outfitted with a burp cloth then swiftly fastened the nursing bra and rearranged her blouse before removing the blanket. Macy wasn't even a month old, but her momma was a pro at being a momma. Amy grinned with pride at her best friend's dazzling new maternal skills. Did those changes happen to all women who had babies?

"What's up?" Carla asked as she began gently patting Macy's back. The baby's pink tutu skirt was so puffy she needed to smooth it down to get a clear look at her mother. "Is something wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong. I don't think I've been this happy since you were born." Geri smiled as she took a deep breath. "I'm so in love with Macy, and it has been wonderful reconnecting with you during this new phase of your life." She turned sideways to look at the clock on the wall. "I'll stop blabbering and get to the point. What would you think if I moved back to Kellerton? I put the pieces of my life back together after the divorce in New Zealand, but now I would really like to continue to be a part of your, Macy's, and Bruce's life."

"I would love to have you stay in the U.S., Mom. I want Macy to know her grandma, instead of just talking to her on a scratchy international phone line once in a while," Carla said.

Aaaawww!
Amy couldn't help but smile. It was wonderful when everything worked out. A killer was brought to justice. Macy was born happy and healthy. The postponed baby shower was about to begin—
with
Carla's blessing. All was right in the world. Amy placed her hand on Geri's shoulder and said, "I'm so happy you want to stay. I would love to get to know you better."

Double Orange Brownies

¾ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 ¼ cups sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 eggs, at room temperature

¾ cup all-purpose flour

½ cup cocoa powder

½ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon finely minced orange zest

½ cup orange marmalade

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8 x 8-inch baking pan.

In a mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in vanilla extract and eggs. Sift in flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Add orange zest. Mix until just combined, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl at least once.

Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake for 40-45 minutes, until edges of brownies begin to pull away from the side of the pan, and a toothpick, inserted near the center, has a few moist crumbs on it. Remove from oven. Drop spoonsful of the marmalade across the top. Let sit until heat begins to melt, about 5 minutes, and then spread evenly over the top to make a glaze.

Makes 9 servings.

Chocolate Covered Raisin Brownies

8 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing pan

2 oz. unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped

1 cup sugar

2 eggs, beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

¼ cup flour

¼ teaspoon salt

1 cup chocolate covered raisins

Heat oven to 325°F. Grease an 8 x 8-inch baking pan with butter.

Combine the butter and chocolate together in a 2-quart saucepan. Melt over medium-low heat, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Remove the pan from heat, and stir in the sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla, and stir until batter is smooth. Add the flour and salt; stir until incorporated. Mix in chocolate covered raisins. Pour the batter into the baking pan, and spread evenly. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 40–45 minutes. Refrigerate to make even fudgier.

Makes 9 servings

Hot Maple Horchata

1 cup cooked rice

1 ½ cups milk

¼–½ cup real maple syrup

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Place rice, milk, ¼ cup of maple syrup, cinnamon, and vanilla in blender. Process until smooth. Transfer to a small saucepan. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent from boiling over, until hot but not boiling. Taste to see if you would like to add more maple syrup as it is heating. When warm, remove from heat, and divide between two mugs. If you would like a smoother beverage, pour through a mesh strainer to remove any larger pieces of rice.

Chile Rellenos Casserole

4 4 oz. cans of whole green chiles

2 cups grated cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese

½ cup pico de gallo fresh salsa, drained to remove excess liquid

8 eggs

⅔ cup milk

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon mild chili powder

¼ teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon baking powder

Salt & pepper

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan.

Cut peppers into strips. Lay strips between several layers of paper towels. Gentle press to remove excess moisture. Layer half of the strips evenly over the bottom of the pan (won't cover completely). Top with half of the cheese. Arrange rest of pepper strips on top. Spread salsa on top of peppers then sprinkle with remaining cheese.

In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, flour, chili powder, garlic powder, and baking powder. Season with a bit of salt and pepper, if desired. Pour batter evenly over peppers and cheese. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until lightly browned, and egg mixture is set.

Makes 8-10 servings

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Janel Gradowski lives in a land that looks like a cold weather fashion accessory, the mitten-shaped state of Michigan. She is a wife and mom to two kids and one Golden Retriever. Her journey to becoming an author is littered with odd jobs like renting apartments to college students and programming commercials for an AM radio station. Somewhere along the way she also became a beadwork designer and teacher. She enjoys cooking recipes found in her formidable cookbook and culinary fiction collection. Searching for unique treasures at art fairs, flea markets, and thrift stores is also a favorite pastime. Coffee is an essential part of her life.

To learn more about Janel Gradowski, visit her online at:
http://www.janelgradowski.com/

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Culinary Competition Mysteries
:

Pies & Peril

Chicken Soup & Homicide

Doughnuts & Deadly Schemes

Christmas Canapés & Sabotage
(holiday short story)

Barbecue & Bad Juju (shorts story in the
Killer Beach Reads
collection)

Fudge Brownies & Murder

The Bartonville Series
:

Must Love Sandwiches (novella)

The Queen of Bad Decisions (short story)

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If you enjoyed this Culinary Competition Mystery, check out this other funny, romantic mystery from
Gemma Halliday Publishing
:

SOUTHERN PEACH PIE & A DEAD GUY

by

A. GARDNER

My first encounter with a southern guy isn't going so well. So far I've admitted I have never tried sweet tea, and my big toe is a little too long for the shoes I am wearing.
Nice one, Poppy
. Now he is going to think I am a weird westerner with a foot fetish. I try hard not to look down at my black, high-heeled boots.
Why am I the only one on campus wearing any black?

"My name is Cole," the man says with a grin on his face. I reach out to shake his hand. My palms are sweating just like every other place on my body.
I haven't even turned thirty yet, and I'm already having hot flashes.
It is going to take me some time to get used to this heat.

"Poppy Peters," I reply. I wipe my forehead and underneath my eyes. I bite my lip when I see a bit of smeared mascara on the side of my finger. It is so humid my makeup is melting off. "Is it always this hot here?"

"Welcome to Georgia." Cole chuckles and shrugs as we walk towards the student bakery. Cole is one of the first students I bumped into at the registration office. His lemon-colored T-shirt shines bright compared to his dark skin, and his impressive physique makes me look at him twice. His eyes are intriguing—an even mix of blue and green.