Deceit in Little Leaf Creek
A Little Leaf Creek Cozy Mystery
Cindy Bell
Copyright © 2023 Cindy Bell
All rights reserved.
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Chapter One
Cassie Alberta felt an ache deep in her ankles as she turned around to greet a woman walking up to the front counter of the diner.
“Coffee?” Cassie smiled as she held up a coffeepot.
“No, thanks. Though, would you mind if I left these here?” She placed a stack of cards on the counter. “Dr. Jacobs is having a special, and I’m just trying to spread the word.”
“A special on cosmetic surgery?” Mirabel Light laughed as she picked up one of the cards and looked across the counter at Cassie. “I’m not sure our customers are going to be interested, even with a special. That stuff is pretty pricey.”
“Oh, I know a lot of people think that.” The woman gestured to her nose. “I used to have a huge bump that just made me really uncomfortable. I had it smoothed out and the cost and the recovery time is much less than you’d expect. Plus, you can make payments.” She flipped the card over. “There’s a list of common procedures and their cost on the back of each card. I think it’s important that people know that cosmetic surgery is really more accessible than they think.”
“Is that so?” Mirabel flipped over the card she held. “Yes, this is surprising. Sure, you can leave them here. Dr. Jacobs. That’s Hugh? He recently moved to Little Leaf Creek, right? His practice is in Rombsby?”
Rombsby was the larger neighboring town.
“Yes. Hugh. I’m just trying to spread the word. He’s too humble to do it himself. But he’s a great doctor. He did my work, and to be honest, it’s changed my life.” She smiled, then lowered her voice as she continued. “People always think that cosmetic surgery is about vanity, but that’s not always really the case. It’s about feeling good about yourself, and sometimes you don’t need surgery for that, and sometimes you do.”
“That makes sense.” Cassie eyed the stack of cards. “I’ve never really thought much about it.” She considered the number of years she’d spent watching her weight as her late husband had made her feel self-conscious of her body. She now felt much more comfortable and happier with herself.
“Thanks, ladies. I’m Holly, by the way. If you reach out to Dr. Jacobs, let him know that I sent you.”
Holly winked at them, then turned and left the diner.
Mirabel continued to study the list on the back of the card.
“Are you thinking about it?” Cassie smiled as she looked Mirabel over. From her long, red braid to her bright eyes, Mirabel had a unique beauty that Cassie couldn’t imagine changing.
“Of course! I’d love to get rid of these freckles.” Mirabel gestured to the freckles scattered across her cheeks. “And my chin could definitely use some work. Don’t even get me started on my neck.” She plucked the skin of her neck. “After forty, it’s all downhill, Cassie.”
“What are you two talking about?” A tall man with broad shoulders and stern gray eyes walked up to the counter. He looked at the card in Mirabel’s hand. “What are you looking at that for?”
“Mirabel’s thinking about going under the knife.” Cassie eyed Detective Oliver Graham. She’d known him for as long as she’d lived in Little Leaf Creek and could already guess his reaction to the idea of Mirabel changing her looks.
“What do you think, Ollie?” Mirabel met his eyes. “One visit, and these freckles could disappear.”
“If you touch a single one of those freckles, I’ll have you arrested.” Oliver pulled the card out of her hand.
“There’s no law against cosmetic surgery, Ollie.” Mirabel rolled her eyes, though a faint smile crossed her lips.
“Haven’t I told you enough how beautiful you are? Inside and out?” Oliver’s cheeks flushed slightly.
“Aw, you’re so sweet, Ollie.” Mirabel smiled. “Don’t worry. I work too hard for my money to spend it on things like that.”
“Ollie’s right, Mirabel.” Cassie grinned as she nudged Mirabel’s shoulder. “You’re a work of art.”
“And so are you.” Mirabel pinched her cheek. “Now, get back to work before the customers start complaining.”
As Cassie walked around the diner, refilling coffees, she thought about Mirabel’s comment. Turning forty hadn’t been the easiest transition for her, especially after her life had changed so drastically. She’d gone from being in an unhappy marriage to a quite wealthy man, to being a widow, living in a completely new place. It had taken her time to adjust, but someone had been by her side the entire time. Sebastian Vail, who owned the farm that backed up to her property.
Their friendship had quickly bloomed into an unexpected romance. The most sought-after bachelor in town had chosen her, and though he was patient as she resisted, he never gave up. Between his stunning looks, and his slightly younger age, she often wondered why he had chosen her. What could he see in her that set her apart from the other women he could easily be with?
“You’re exactly who I want to be with.” Sebastian had told her that more than once, and she had learned to trust and believe him, but in a way, it still remained a mystery to her. Her wandering thoughts were interrupted as she noticed two men still seated at a table. Mirabel had served them, and they had been there for some time. The fact that Cassie didn’t recognize them had made her curious. Little Leaf Creek didn’t often host too many strangers. They huddled close together, and their whispered, but heated, conversation sent that curiosity into full bloom. She strolled over to them.
“Can I get you two some fresh coffee?” Cassie smiled as she paused beside their table.
“No, just some privacy.” The larger man cut a sharp look in her direction.
“And the check.” The smaller man grunted his words, then turned his attention back to the man across from him. “All I’m saying is that it’s risky.”
“Keep quiet. You’re the only part of this that’s risky.” The larger man flung a packet of sugar across the table at him.
“I’ll be right back with that check.” Cassie forced a smile as she did her best to ignore the tension that flowed between them. They both had an arrogance and sense of authority that set off warning bells. She walked up to the register and printed off their check. A quick glance at it revealed they had only ordered coffee and pie. The order didn’t stand out, but the time of the order did. They had been at that table for over two hours without ordering anything else.
“Here you go.” Cassie placed the check down on the table between them.
“Great.” The larger man stood up. He tossed some money down on the table.
“I’ll get your change.” Cassie scooped up the cash and the check.
“Keep it.” The larger man looked at Cassie.
“Are you sure?” Cassie asked.
“Yes. I said it, didn’t I?” He scowled at her, then brushed past her, toward the door.
The shorter man followed after him without so much as a glance in Cassie’s direction.
Cassie walked back to the register. As she watched the two men leave, she couldn’t help but wonder what their purpose might be in Little Leaf Creek.
“They finally left.” Mirabel looked over her shoulder. “That’s a generous tip.”
“It is.” Cassie closed out the check, then glanced over at Mirabel. “Have you seen them in here before?”
“Can’t say that I have, but there have been a few out-of-towners coming through for a convention in Rombsby,” Mirabel said. “Maybe they decided to explore the area.”
“Maybe.” Cassie smiled, but the men’s leather jackets and faded jeans didn’t scream business executive to her.
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