Claws and Clues a Paw Paws Pet Bakery Cozy Mystery Book 5

Dive into a small town cozy mystery with pet side kicks you will fall in love with.

Chapter 1

“It sure is hot today, especially for June. It almost feels like I’m back in Alabama, not in Michigan,” I said to my friend and employee, Missy.

“It’s definitely been a lot hotter so far this summer than I can remember, to be honest. My grandpa lived and died by the Farmers’ Almanac. Maybe we should check it out?”

“My grandpa did the same thing. And he swore he was always right, even though I was little and didn’t know if he was telling the truth or pulling my leg, like he often was. At least we have air conditioning in here,” I said. 

“In here” was my pet bakery business, Paw Paws Pet Bakery. I catered to the pet owners who only wanted the finest treats for their pets.

My name is Myrtle Moore, but I go by Tillie, and I had moved to Sweet Haven, Michigan, from Alabama almost three years ago after I divorced my husband of twenty-plus years. When I found out he had a wandering eye, I immediately divorced him. No way was I putting up with that. Our two kids were in college at the University of Michigan, which had been funded by my great-aunt, so it’s not like I had kids at home. Not that it would have made a difference. I could put up with a lot but not cheating.

My aunt had been eccentric and very wealthy and had offered to pay for both kids’ colleges if they went to the University of Michigan. It was my aunt’s alma mater and not an easy school to get into, so the kids had worked hard, knowing that a free education and not graduating from college with student loan debt was an amazing gift. She had also left me her house when she died. When I realized I didn’t want to stay in the town where I might run into my ex and the twenty-five-year-old bimbo he was currently spending time with, I picked up and moved to Michigan and opened the bakery, which had always been my dream.

“That’s true. The air conditioning at my apartment is old and having a really hard time keeping up with this heat. It’s blowing out more lukewarm air than cold,” Missy said.

“Have you told your landlord?”

“All four of us who live in the building have, but it pretty much falls on deaf ears. I’m sure once the AC finally goes for good, it will take forever to get her to replace it.”

“That doesn’t seem right.”

“No, but for the price, I really don’t want to complain.”

“Who owns that house that you live in?” I asked.

“Speak of the devil.”

“What?”

“She just walked in.”

“Edna Birch is your landlord? Have you told me that before?” I asked. 

Edna Birch was a resident of Sweet Haven and was a little more than crazy about her cat, Logan. She came in about once a week to see what special treat I had made because Logan liked variety. She was always offering suggestions on new flavors. I didn’t mind. She wasn’t the only one who liked to offer suggestions. It was all part of good customer service.

“Probably not. I’ve lived there for over a year, and while she knows my name because it’s on the check I send her every month, she’s never once recognized me in here, and I’m okay with that.”

I heard the swinging door between the front and the back squeak and looked over from where Missy and I were standing to see Mr. Cuddles walking through with Daisy and Beans behind him.

“Hey, buddy,” I called out to him. 

Mr. Cuddles was the cane corso I had adopted last Halloween when his owner’s life was cut tragically short. Daisy was the Saint Bernard I’d had since she was a baby; same with Beans, my Vietnamese pig. I rescued both under various circumstances. I’ve always had a soft heart for pets. That’s how my love for making pet treats came about. There was a time years ago when money was tight, and pet treats for my dog were a luxury, not a necessity. So, I started making my own and found I really liked it. I mostly made them for friends and family and then every once in a while, I would sell them at the church bake sale. People were always telling me I should open my own business, but when I was married, my now ex-husband had wanted none of that. He wanted me home so dinner could be on the table every day at six.

When my aunt died and left me a little bit of money along with the house, I decided to take the plunge, and so far, the business was doing really well. I wasn’t a millionaire or anything, but I was able to break even during the winter months, and during the tourist season, sales skyrocketed.

“What is your flavor of the day?” Edna asked in her uppity tone as she walked up to the counter. It didn’t bother me. She was who she was.

Like most communities, Sweet Haven was made up of a variety people, and I was a people person. So even the more difficult ones didn’t bother me much. Missy had skedaddled to the other side of the bakery, pretending to rearrange a shelf when Edna came over. I almost wanted to mention that Missy was a tenant and was having an issue with her air conditioning, but I had a feeling Missy wouldn’t be too thrilled with that.

“Our special today is the Peaches Paw. It’s a muffin top made with puréed peaches. The last time we did this flavor, it sold really well. I’m sure Logan would love it.”

“He’s very particular,” she sniffed. 

I had to refrain from rolling my eyes. That wouldn’t be good for business, but sometimes customers were just too much. Animals weren’t often picky.

“I am sure Logan would like them. If you want to buy a couple to see if he likes them, I can refund you if he doesn’t.”

That wasn’t an option I offered to everyone, but Edna was a good customer, even if she was somewhat difficult. She was in here once or twice a week without fail.

“I suppose they are worth a try. Ring me up for four.”

I had to stifle another smile. This was our normal routine. Edna would say she just wasn’t sure Logan would like whatever the special was, and I would offer her a deal. Edna would buy four and not one would get returned.

“Here you go,” I said after wrapping up her purchases. 

Edna nodded and turned to walk out when she suddenly stopped short, and I could hear her hiss. She glanced over at Missy, who had a wide-eyed look on her face and jerked her head toward the front door, and all of a sudden, I saw what had captured Edna’s attention.

Stanley Potter, Edna’s archnemesis. This wasn’t going to be pretty.

You see, Edna and Stanley were bitter rivals. It started over the annual summer best lawn contest , long before I moved to Sweet Haven. One might think the annual summer best lawn contest might not be something that would make enemies, but it was. It was a coveted prize, and one Edna stole from Stanley last year after he had won it three years running. Suffice it to say, he was a sore loser, and there had been animosity between them since, resulting in the town taking sides.

Both were customers of Paw Paws Pet Bakery; Edna for her cat Logan, and Stanley had a prize-winning rabbit, Lord Fluffington. It was no great surprise that they would eventually both show up in the bakery at the same time. I steeled myself for the confrontation that was about to happen. Luckily, the bakery wasn’t that busy right now.

“Stanley,” Edna forced out in a tone that no one would have thought was genuine. 

I would’ve almost found it comical if I wasn’t worried about them disrupting my other customers.

“Edna,” Stanley said in the same forced tone.

At first, I thought Edna would continue on her way and an altercation would be averted, but as soon as I heard the next sentence come out of Stanley’s mouth, I knew that was wishful thinking.

“I assume you’re here buying treats for that no-good scoundrel of a cat of yours,” Stanley spat out. 

And here we go, I said to myself. I was behind Edna and could see her back stiffen. There was no way she was going to let that comment slide.

“How dare you say anything about Logan!” she said, her voice rising on each word.

“I wouldn’t if you kept him at home. He is always in my yard and bothering Lord Fluffington.”

“That is a ridiculous accusation. Logan doesn’t leave my fenced-in yard and definitely doesn’t bother your rabbit.”

The disdain with which Edna uttered the word “rabbit” made Stanley’s face turn red. At least that’s what I assumed really set him off.

“I have proof that raggedy cat has been sniffing around Lord Fluffington’s outdoor lounging spot,” Stanley shouted.

“Lies! You’re just jealous I won best lawn last summer, and I’m going to do it again. I saw some crabgrass sprouting in your yard,” she said smugly.

I didn’t think Stanley’s face could get any redder, but I was wrong. I started to fear he would have a stroke or something.

“You probably planted it there, you and that blasted cat of yours!” I had to admit I wouldn’t put it past her.

Edna took a step closer to Stanley, and I looked over at Missy. I could tell we were both thinking the same thing. It looked like they might come to blows, and we would have to break them up.

“I’ve never cheated a day in my life. Now out of my way!” Edna said.

“You better watch it, Edna. And keep that cat at home where he belongs, or you’ll be sorry!” Stanley yelled to her retreating back.

I breathed a sigh of relief when Edna was gone, and Stanley turned his attention to our display of treats that weren’t for cats and dogs. I assumed he was picking some out for Lord Fluffington.

“Well, that certainly was something,” Missy sidled up to me and whispered. “See why I don’t bother asking her about my air conditioning?”

“She certainly is a piece of work. They both are,” I said, happy they were done fighting in my store. Though I couldn’t help but wonder if they would ever get over their feud. Something told me no.