Page 18 of Meet Me at the Fudge Shop

Mom laughed. “Then there was the time you convinced me to make peppermint fudge.”

“It was a good idea.” The memory warmed Lily’s heart. She’d been seven, maybe?

“It was agreatidea—became our hottest holiday seller. Far better than your idea to make cranberry fudge. That did not go over well.”

“Creativity always has risks.” She should revisit that recipe, though. Experiment with an improved version.

“You’re definitely the risk-taker in the family. I’ve always admired that about you. That and your free spirit, your impulsivity.”

“Thanks, Mom.” A memory surfaced, pinching the air from Lily’s lungs. Grandpa Hart’s voice. Scolding. Not everyone enjoyed that particular facet of her personality. “I’ll have to see how that pairs with running a business.”

“You’ll find your way. I have faith.” Mom checked her watch. “Oh! It’s almost time for book club at Constance’s house. Are you okay if I take off for a few hours? I can come back and help later.” She set the broom back against the wall.

“No, no, I’ve got this. Really. Have fun.”

“Oh, I will. We just finished reading a new romantic adventure by Susan May Warren and I can’t wait to discuss all the ins and outs.” Mom pulled a key ring from her purse and removed a key, holding it out to Lily. “You’ll have to take my key for now. I’m not sure what happened to the other one, but I’ll look for it tonight. Or we can get a copy from Seb when he returns from his cruise.”

With a kiss and a hug, Mom was gone, and Lily continued cleaning until her back ached and her arms felt like noodles. There was still a lot to do, but she washed up and headed into the back of the shop to take inventory of the equipment. Hopefully everything just needed a good cleaning, but if she had to order parts, that would take a chunk of time she didn’t have to waste.

From the back room, a sound caught Lily’s attention. She palmed the single key, still in her pocket.

Not Mom. In fact, no one else had access. Maybe Seb Jonathon, who had leased them the property, but he wouldn’t enter without warning. And like Mom said, he was out of town. She turned her head to listen. Tried to talk sense to herself. This was Jonathon Island. They didn’t have crime—did they?

Of course, she’d been gone awhile. The world had changed. Newcomers had come from who knew where to set up shop here. Maybe one of them was a murderer who broke into other people’s places of business and?—

“Seriously, Lily?” she hissed. Great, now she was talking to herself.

Then the grunt of a very, most definitely male, voice lifted every hair on her body.

She had to get out of here. But she didn’t want to leave the shop unattended. Maybe she could call for help…except, shoot, her phone was inside her purse in the kitchen.

The unmistakable sound of footsteps resounded down the hallway. Getting closer.

Maybe it was her brother.

Or maybe not.

A weapon—she needed a weapon, just in case it was, what? A burglar?

Maybe. Still. She felt around on the nearest high shelf, and her fingers slipped around the cold steel of something. Bringing it down, her heart sank. A metal ladle. Too bad they didn’t run a meat shop. There wasn’t a cleaver or blade to be found, at least back here.

This would have to do. Maybe if she employed the element of surprise…

Lily tightened her grip on the ladle and tucked herself behind the ice cream maker. Her throat had dried to thick paste, and she stifled her reflex to cough.

The door opened and a large form stepped inside.

Lily screamed and jumped out in front of him, the ladle held over her head. “Gotcha!”

* * *

His first reflex was to grab the weapon out of his attacker’s hand.

His hand closed on it, and she kicked at him, hitting his shin.

“Knock it off!”

Declan ducked as the metal object flew past his face. What?—?

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