A Fatal Family Feast

Book 6: Farm-to-Fork Mystery

by Lynn Cahoon

Genres: Amateur Sleuth; Culinary Cozy Mysteries

Synopsis

Angie Turner's Idaho restaurant, the County Seat, is the perfect site for a picturesque country wedding, but the party planning skids to a halt when the groom-to-be is implicated in a murder investigation . . .



When Angie's best friend and business partner, Felicia Williams, picks the County Seat to host her upcoming nuptials, Angie wants it to feel like a family affair—especially since Felicia is set to marry the farm-to-fork restaurant's talented sous chef, Estebe Blackstone. Unfortunately, the bride's actual family is far less enthusiastic about the union. They're pulling out all the stops to cancel the couple's wedding, even arranging for a surprise visit from Felicia's ex-fiancé (and her father’s current lackey). But when her ex is killed days before the ceremony and Estebe is framed for the crime, Angie and the County Seat crew must scramble to solve the murder and save the wedding . . .

Release date: January 4, 2022

Publisher: Lyrical Press

Print pages: 208

Sample

Chapter 1

Spring in southwestern Idaho is fickle. One day, the weather could be soft and perfect. The grass in your lawn turns a bright green, and the daffodils in your flower bed start to bloom. Then, a week later, you wake up to a late storm that freezes the ground and covers all that spring green with an inch or two of white snow.

Angie Turner wasn’t sure Felicia Williams, her best friend, had made the correct decision to hold her spring wedding on the Turner farm. The driveway was dirt, so the chance it could turn to mud and ruin not only Felicia’s dress but everyone’s shoes was a real possibility. Holding it in the barn was an option, but then she had to think about what to do with Mabel and Precious. She didn’t want to tell Felicia and Estebe Blackstone, who was the groom and also Angie’s sous chef at the County Seat, no, but it might be the smartest thing to do.

They could hold it at the restaurant. The floors wouldn’t be muddy, and with the beams and white fairy lights they’d installed last summer, the eatery would be a beautiful place for a wedding. Now all she had to do was convince the bride. She picked up her phone and dialed Felicia’s number. The call went straight to voice mail.

“Hey, call me when you get this. I was looking at next week’s forecast, and I think we’re going to have to go with plan B on the wedding site. We’ve closed the restaurant for that week anyway, so we’ll be able to decorate starting on Sunday. I’m sorry about the farm, I just don’t think it’s a good idea.” The voice mail beeped, and Angie hoped she’d been fast enough to deliver the bad news without actually talking to Felicia directly.

Dom woofed from his bed, and Angie reached down and rubbed the Saint Bernard’s head. “I don’t need any comments from the peanut gallery. Besides, what would I do with you around two hundred people?”

The door opened, and Ian McNeal stepped inside. She’d been dating Ian for a while now, and he was a frequent visitor to the farm. “Talking to Dom again? You must be discussing the pros and cons of holding the wedding here.”

“Actually, I’ve decided against it and called Felicia already.” Angie stood and turned on the gas under the teapot. “Do you have time for some tea and coffee cake? I made a cinnamon apple version this morning.”

“I’m going to gain so much weight being with you that I’ll need to go up a few sizes. You always bake when you’re stressed.” He leaned in and kissed her. “I’d love to stay for tea. What did Felicia say when you told her? Was she upset?”

Angie got down cups and plates. She cut the coffee cake and served slices on the plates, which she set on the table. “I don’t know.”

“What do you mean, you don’t know? What did her voice sound like? You called her, right?” He flipped through the tea bags in a basket on the table and pulled out an Earl Grey packet. “I need to order you some proper English tea. Maybe I’ll pick some up this summer when I go back to see Mom.”

“Oh, you’re visiting your mom this summer? That’s nice.” Angie changed the subject while she took the screaming kettle off the stove and turned off the heat. She poured hot water in the cups and then sat down and fiddled with the tea bags.

“You didn’t answer my question. What did you do, email her? Or worse, text?” He was staring at her.

She felt the heat on her face. “I called her. She just didn’t answer, so I left a voice mail. I’m sure she’ll call back soon.”

“You are going to be in so much trouble. If this was such a big deal, why did you say yes when they asked you to hold the wedding here?” Ian took a bite of the coffee cake and groaned. “I love it when you’re conflicted. This is fun to watch.”

“Thanks, I think. Anyway, I didn’t think it would be a problem, but then I got thinking about the driveway and how it turns to mud after a rain. And Mabel, you know she doesn’t like strangers. And she’s so old. What if someone didn’t see her and ran her over? I’d be heartbroken. And there’s no way Precious wouldn’t try to get out and see what was going on. Then she’d eat something, like Felicia’s bouquet, and Felicia would cry.” Angie stuck a tea bag in the water and started dunking it. “And that’s not even taking into consideration Dom. He’s so big, he’d probably sit on one of Estebe’s nieces and squish her.”

“You have been putting this to a lot of thought.” Ian looked out the door window. “Well, at least we’ll get this over with. There’s Estebe’s Hummer now.”

Angie sank against the back of her chair. Either Felicia had heard the voice mail and was mad at her...or she hadn’t heard the voice mail and she was going to have to break Felicia’s heart now. “Great. Now I’m going to get yelled at in person.”

“She’s not going to yell,” Ian assured her.

But when the door banged open, Felicia stormed into the house and flopped into a chair. “My wedding is ruined.”

Angie and Ian shared a look.

“It’s not ruined, my love.” Estebe closed the door and put a hand on Felicia’s shoulder. “Let’s just talk this out. I know you’re hurt. But let’s have some tea and do some damage control.”

“I’m sorry, I just didn’t want your dress to get all muddy. And Precious would want to eat the bouquet,” Angie blurted out as Estebe moved around the kitchen to get two more cups. The four of them had cooked in Angie’s kitchen way too many times for her to play hostess. “Then there was Dom to think about.”

Felicia lifted her head from where she’d laid it on the table, her blond hair pooling around her tear-stained face. “Angie, what the heck are you talking about?”

“Why you can’t have the wedding here. That’s what ruined your wedding, right?” Now Angie was confused. She looked at Ian, who shrugged, but Estebe wouldn’t meet her gaze. “Why are you upset, then?”

“Don’t worry about the farmhouse. I knew we couldn’t do the wedding here when I heard the forecast for next week. I don’t want to be pelted by rain during my ceremony.” Felicia wiped the tears off her face. “The problem is my family.”

“Aren’t they coming to the wedding?” In all the years Angie had known Felicia, she’d never met anyone from her family. And when she’d confessed that they were East Coast wealthy, Angie felt better about it. She might cook upscale food, but she’d hate to have to do the whole socialite thing. Even for her best friend.

“Mom says she’s coming. She says Dad is as well, but he refuses to give me away.” Felicia snuck a look at Estebe. “He’s...”

“He’s afraid she’s marrying beneath herself,” Estebe clarified. He puffed up his chest. “I am proud of my Basque heritage, and if it’s about money, I’m very well suited to take care of Felicia and myself. I probably have more money than a lot of those boys they wanted her to marry when she was just a child.”

Felicia grinned and patted his hand. “In Dad’s defense, I was of legal age before he started bringing over suitable dates. He never set up an arranged marriage for me, even though he tried.”

“I want to send him copies of my accounts and a list of real estate I own, but Felicia says she loves me for me and won’t let me.” Estebe shook his head. “I tell her she doesn’t understand men. This will make him happy his daughter is marrying someone who can take care of her.”

Angie wondered if it was Estebe’s money that was bothering Felicia’s father or something else. Like Estebe’s heritage. “Look, we’ll figure something out. Maybe Allen will walk you down the aisle. He’s going to need the practice when Bleak finds the one.”

“From what Bleak’s told me, she’s going to elope.” Felicia sipped her tea. “I can’t believe I let him get into my head again. There’s a reason I don’t go home.”

“This is your wedding. If it’s not exactly as you pictured it, maybe that might be a better thing.” Angie patted her friend’s arm. “So let’s talk about the reception. Have you finalized the menu? With the wedding being at the restaurant, that will help in keeping things cold before, and we can hire some temps to cook the day of so we’re not too stressed out.”

“You want temps to cook for my wedding?” Estebe shook his head. “Maybe I can find some friends to come over the morning before.”

“They won’t have anything to cook if we don’t finalize the menu. Do you have final numbers? The restaurant can hold up to three hundred, but that’s a stretch.” Angie walked over and took out the notebook that held the notes they’d taken as they planned this wedding for the last three months. “We have to get the order in tomorrow.”

Estebe pulled out his list. “My family has responded. However, several others from the community would like to be invited if we have room. A Basque wedding is very large.”

“Yes, and typically held in June. Which we could have done if you hadn’t chosen March 23rd for the wedding date. At least it’s a Saturday. Why on earth did you insist on March?” Felicia pulled out her own list. “We could have had it here on the farm.”

“Too late to change your mind now.” Angie tried to push past the discussion, but Felicia smoothed her list.

“Seriously, Estebe, why March 23rd?” Felicia wasn’t letting the question drop. She turned toward her soon-to-be husband.

He smiled and pushed a lock of hair back out of her face. “You wouldn’t remember, but it’s the day I knew I was going to marry you. One day.”

“That’s so sweet.” Angie glanced at Ian, who was sipping his tea.

He shook his head. “Don’t look at me. I’m still making up my mind about our future.”

She swatted at him with the notebook and turned back to the happy couple, who were now staring deeply into each other’s eyes. “Come on, guys, no matter why the date was chosen, it’s in a little over a week. Let’s get this planning finished.”

They worked for a couple of hours on the menu, and Angie made up an order list from the plans. As they were finishing, Felicia’s phone beeped with a text. She picked it up, read it, and set the phone down. Upside down.

Estebe, who’d been talking to Ian about the local college basketball team and their chances in the tournament, turned back. Something in her face must have alerted him to a problem. “Who was that?”

“The dress. I need to go in for another fitting tomorrow.” Felicia tucked her phone into her jeans pocket. “Angie, do you want to go with me?”

Angie nodded, but she was totally confused. The final fitting had been last week, and they’d gone to Boise and had lunch at Copper Creek to celebrate. Something was definitely up with her friend, and she didn’t want Estebe to know. “I was going to play with some recipes in the morning, but I can do that next week.”

“Great.” She put her hand on Estebe’s shoulder. “If we’re going to your parents’ for dinner, we need to leave now. I’d like to change.”

He stood and gave her a kiss. “I don’t know why. You look beautiful as you are.”

She grinned at Angie. “I told you the last time we went to the Blackstones’ for dinner and Estebe said it was casual, I wore jeans and everyone else was in dresses.”

“That is not true,” Estebe deadpanned. “I was not in a dress, and neither were my father or brothers.”

“You know what I mean.” She leaned into his arm. “He’s so exasperating at times.”

“And yet you love him,” Angie told her friend. Felicia would explain what they were doing when they were alone. “Do you want me to pick you up, or do you want to drive?”

“I want to drive.” Felicia lowered her voice. “You haven’t seen my wedding gift from Estebe yet. It’s on fire.”

“I hope not,” Ian said, glancing between the two women. “You don’t want to lose it so soon.”

“I didn’t mean real fire….” Felicia pointed her finger at Ian. “You’re teasing me.”

“Guilty as charged. But I didn’t think you’d fall for it so quickly.” He slapped Estebe on the back. “I need to head back into town as well. I’ll walk out with you.”

Angie followed everyone to the door, where she got hugs from Estebe and Felicia and a kiss from Ian. She watched as everyone left. It was almost dinnertime, and she had a recipe she wanted to try. Ian had already fed the zoo, as he called Mabel and Precious. Dom sat next to her, watching out the window as everyone left.

“I hope Felicia’s family realizes what a gem Estebe is and how much Felicia loves him,” Angie told Dom.

Dom woofed his support, then left her standing at the door. He went and cuddled back into his bed. He hadn’t gotten his afternoon nap since there were too many people here to play with him. He laid his head on the edge of the bed and watched her shut the door and go to the fridge.

Estebe might not be a trust fund baby, but the guy had money. And he’d do anything to protect Felicia. That much Angie was certain of. She took out the chicken breasts and started pounding them flat. Cooking was a perfect way to deal with emotions.

Chapter 2

Angie climbed into Felicia’s brand-new cherry-red Jeep and tucked her tote on the floor behind her. She pulled on her seatbelt and whistled. “Now you have to marry him. This is a great wedding present.”

“Estebe’s the best, but I’m not marrying him for the money. I could have bought my own Jeep, but it makes him happy to do things for me.” She pushed a few buttons on the dash. “I wouldn’t have gotten the fully loaded version, though. This model has heated seats and a heated steering wheel.”

“There’s some vehicle brand that has massage seats. I’d fall asleep driving and kill myself.” Angie leaned back as the seat started to warm. “This is like having your own personal heating pad.”

“I know, right.” She pulled the Jeep out of the driveway and onto the road.

Angie turned toward Felicia and watched her face. “Do you want to tell me what we’re really doing this morning? And who sent you the text?”

“Crap, was I that obvious?” Felicia glanced over at her.

“For someone who has known you for years, yes.” Angie paused. “I don’t think Estebe questioned your motives, however.”

“He is a trusting soul. Probably too trusting in this case.” Felicia sighed and focused on the road. “I’m, I mean, we’re having coffee with Jason Anderson Roberts, the Third.”

Now that was an answer Angie hadn’t been expecting. “The guy you were engaged to back home? He’s here in Boise?”

“The one and only. He heard about my wedding from my dad and wanted to congratulate me in person.” Felicia stared straight ahead at the road.

Angie tried to read between the lines. “You don’t think he’s here to congratulate you on the wedding. You think he’s here to stop it.”

Felicia nodded. “He’s going to try. He works for my dad. He was one of Dad’s fix-it guys. He takes care of problems.” Felicia added, “Problems like me.”

“Why did you two break up, anyway?” Angie wasn’t sure seeing this guy was the best decision, but she wanted to have enough information beforehand to stop anything from happening. “You never told me that part.”

“It was going too fast. He and my folks planned everything. Like I was some chattel that my family could pass on to him. I got mad and told him I wanted a say in my own wedding. Then he went behind my back and changed something that was very important to me. When I confronted him, he tried to placate me and told me that no one who was anyone wanted that sort of thing at a wedding.”

“What did you ask for? A three-ring circus?”

“I was working with a choir from a local public school. I asked them to perform at the wedding. He decided the school they came from was in the wrong part of town. Not classy enough for our wedding.” She laughed at the memory. “Like I cared about the optics of my own wedding. He was such a jerk. I dumped him that same day. Then I took off to attend school at Boise State the next week. There was no way I was going to be tied to someone who measured worth in the size of their wallet.”

“I’m glad he showed his true colors early, then. So...why are we meeting him?” Angie didn’t like the guy at all.

“One, because he’ll buy us breakfast while he tries to convince me to listen to my father and move back home. And two, because he has my father’s ear. Maybe I can get him to tell us why Dad’s refusing to give me away. If I knew, maybe I could fix what has Dad so riled up.” Felicia sighed. “You don’t have to be part of this. I kind of tricked you into coming anyway.”

“I don’t want you to be alone. I’ll stay in the car if you want me to, but if you need an anti-wing woman, I can be that person too,” Angie pledged. “Besides, I like a free breakfast, especially if it comes with a show.”

“Oh, this one probably will.” Felicia turned onto the highway that would take them into Boise.

By the time they got downtown to the upscale hotel and found parking, it was almost ten. Felicia smoothed her hair down as they took the elevator to the top floor of the hotel to the panoramic restaurant.

“Did you know there was a different Top of the Hoff down on 5th Street? The building was the Hoff, but the chef who owned the restaurant closed that one and moved here. He didn’t want to change the name of the restaurant, so now the Top of the Hoff is at the Grove Hotel.” Angie chatted, but she could tell Felicia wasn’t listening. “And so when Santa comes on Christmas Eve, he knows where to find the chef’s children, who live behind the stove.”

“That’s interesting.” Felicia checked her hair for the third time in the elevator mirrors.

“Are you sure you’re not interested in this guy anymore? Why do you care what you look like?” Angie pointed out the obvious.

Felicia glanced at herself again, then turned toward Angie, her shoulders dropping. “I don’t. It’s just an old habit. He didn’t like it if my hair was out of place. He preferred it being up in a bun and me in a dress. I can’t believe I’m still worried about what he thinks.”

“That’s a discussion between you and your therapist. I just want to know, do you love Estebe?”

Felicia’s face broke into a smile for the first time that morning. “Of course I do.”

“Then it doesn’t matter what this guy thinks or that he likes his women to look like they stepped out of the fifties. You are here seeing an old friend. That’s all.” The elevator doors opened, and Angie stepped out into the lobby. “Let’s get this breakfast going. I’m hungry.”

They walked up to the hostess stand, and Felicia nodded to the man sitting by the window. “We’re meeting him.”

“Oh, we were expecting a table of two. Carol, please get a third setting.” The hostess nodded to the woman next to her, who scrambled back into the restaurant. “Come this way, please.”

They wound their way through the tables and finally reached the table where the man stood and greeted Felicia. He leaned in for a kiss, but she moved just as his lips came close, and he kissed her cheek instead. Then he focused on Angie. “I’m sorry, Felicia didn’t mention she was bringing a friend. I’m Jason. Any friend of Felicia’s is a friend of mine.”

“I’m Angie Turner. I’m Felicia’s partner at the County Seat.” Angie studied the man. He was handsome in a suit-and-tie kind of way. He’d make a good model for a billionaire romance. She sat in the chair at the end of the table, putting herself between . . .