Blueberry Cupcake Mystery (Amish Sweet Shop Mysteries Book 1) Read online

  ENDORSEMENTS

  "I’m ready to pull up a chair in The Sweet Shop, savor a slice of cinnamon bread, and dig into this juicy mystery.”

  ~ DANA MENTINK – MULTI PUBLISHED

  AWARD WINNING AUTHOR

  "A sweet, fun and intriguing mystery you can really sink your teeth into.”

  ~ RACHEL L MILLER – AUTHOR OF THE AMISH

  ROMANCE SERIES: WINDY GAP WISHES

  "I feel as if I know these characters, have walked down these streets, and went along for the “ride” with Katie while she solved this mystery. Don't miss it!!”

  ~ JC MORROWS – BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE

  YA SERIES: ORDER OF THE MOONSTONE

  BLUEBERRY

  CUPCAKE

  MYSTERY

  BOOKS BY NAOMI MILLER

  BLUEBERRY CUPCAKE MYSTERY

  CHRISTMAS COOKIE MYSTERY

  (COMING SOON)

  BLUEBERRY

  CUPCAKE

  MYSTERY

  BY

  NAOMI MILLER

  Blueberry Cupcake Mystery

  Copyright © 2016 by Naomi Miller

  Blueberry Cupcake Mystery / Naomi Miller

  ASIN: B01E3A1ATC

  1. Fiction / Religion & Spirituality / Christian Books & Bibles / Christian Fiction. 2. Fiction / Mystery, Thriller & Suspense / Mystery / Cozy. 3. Fiction / Christian Books & Bibles / Literature & Fiction / Amish & Mennonite.

  S&G Publishing, Knoxville, TN

  www.sgpublish.com

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes, without written permission of the publisher, except for brief quotations in printed reviews. Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible (KJV)

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, and/or events is purely coincidental

  Cover design © Rachel L. Miller

  First Edition 2016

  To God be the Glory…

  A NOTE FROM NAOMI MILLER

  I love reading Amish fiction! I love inspirational, romance, mysteries, and suspense – especially in Amish fiction. But I feel the Lord is calling me to write Amish fiction that is fun to read; free from the usual stress, anxiety, and other stomach-tightening reactions. Instead, I’m hoping to instill good feelings, good emotions, and good reactions.

  I have created fictional characters, in a fictional town. As with any work of fiction, I’ve taken license in some areas of research as a means of creating circumstances necessary to my characters or plot. Any inaccuracies in the Amish, Mennonite or English lifestyles portrayed in this book are completely due to fictional license.

  God bless you!

  ~Naomi

  GLOSSARY OF DEUTSCH WORDS

  The German/Dutch dialect spoken by the Amish is not a written language. It is solely dependent on the location and origin of each settlement. The spellings below are approximations.

  allrecht = all right

  appeditlich = delicious

  bruder/bruders = brother/brothers

  buwe/buwes = boy/boys

  danki = thank you

  dat = dad

  dochder = daughter

  du bischt daheem = you’re home

  Englischer = non-Amish person

  freind/freinden = friend/friends

  gen gschehne = thank you

  Gott = God

  jah = yes

  kaffe = coffee

  kumme = come

  maedel/maedels = girl/girls

  mamm = mom

  naerfich = nervous

  rumschpringe = running around time for youth

  schweschder = sister

  wunderbaar = wonderful

  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

  Ephesians 4:32

  Katie Chupp felt a chill run through her as she unlocked the door to The Sweet Shop. Hesitating, she turned and looked around, taking in the scenery around her.

  It didn’t seem possible that it had anything to do with her surroundings. The day was just beginning and it looked as if it was going to be a beautiful day.

  The blue sky was pleasant to behold, with white, fluffy clouds lazily floating by, the sun already shining brightly, and a warm breeze gently wafting around her.

  Katie was glad Mrs. Simpkins didn’t ask her employees to come in earlier than six o’clock. It was a rare morning that Katie would arrive at work before sunrise.

  Up and down the street, American flags were waving in the breeze, heralding the festivities. Red, white and blue decorations were in all the store windows. The town was ready to celebrate Independence Day.

  Katie anxiously awaited the fireworks that would be set off tonight, under cover of darkness. She was looking forward to sitting on a blanket with her family, watching as the fireworks exploded high in the sky.

  The Fourth of July was one of her favorite holidays. Everyone met at the town square to celebrate. Many of the families, including Katie’s, would eat a late supper while waiting for the fireworks.

  Katie always had such a gut time. Her freinden, Freida and Anna would sit with her and they would all chat incessantly.

  Freida usually chatted about the buwes in the community; somehow she always knew which buwes and maedels were courting—or thinking about it.

  Katie had no time to waste—yet she waited, sensing that something was wrong. She couldn’t imagine what it could be, to cause such a reaction. It made no sense to her.

  The Sweet Shop would be busy today. Extra baking had been done during the past few days, in preparation of the holiday. Lots of customers would be coming into the bakery to pick up their orders today.

  Katie-girl, you need to stop this nonsense and get to work. You don’t have time to waste. You have a lot to do before customers begin showing up.

  Her thoughts shifted to the long list of tasks that must be completed each day to prepare for customers. There was much to be done. There would be no time to rest once the bakery opened.

  With a silent prayer of thanks for such a beautiful day, Katie stepped inside the bakery.

  Uttering a cry of alarm, Katie collided with the door as she involuntarily stepped back.

  The bakery was a mess!

  The glass in the display case provided a clear view of the disaster awaiting her. The shelves were mostly empty; all the special treats created just for the holiday were gone! All that was left behind were broken pieces of decoration . . . and a few crumbs.

  There is nothing worth keeping. Nothing.

  Looking around, Katie noticed that the jars of jam, preserves, butters and specialty items were somewhat intact, although a few had fallen—or been knocked—to the floor.

  But the pretty rows of bread . . . dozens of loaves looked to be missing, especially the pumpkin, cinnamon, and zucchini bread.

  It looked as if the lower shelves had taken the brunt of the damage, while most of the items on the higher shelves had been left alone.

  Why? Why would someone take so much from the lower shelves and leave the top shelves pretty much alone? That makes no sense. Who would do such a thing?

  Katie didn’t know what to do next. Mrs. Simpkins didn’t arrive for another hour, but she would need to be told.

  As soon as possible.

  Dear Gott, I’m scared! Give me wisdom to know what to do and the courage to do it. Tell me—

  A loud rapping at the door startled her, causing her to ju
mp back, once again hitting the door.

  “Katie, what are you doing in there? Why are you blocking the door? Katie Chupp, you let me in this instant.”

  Taking a shaky breath, Katie turned away from the mess, opening the door and then moving through it before her freind could step through the doorway—into the bakery—and the same scene Katie had just discovered.

  Freida Schmidt, Katie’s freind and co-worker, was standing outside, impatiently waiting to enter the bakery. She normally arrived about thirty minutes after Katie. It was likely that she came early this morning, being excited about the holiday celebration tonight and wanting to chat before the others arrived.

  “Freida, I’m for sure glad to see you. You are not going to believe what’s happened!” Katie’s words rushed out quickly. “Just take a look in the window. But do not go inside.”

  As Katie moved away from the doorway, a look of shock appeared on the face of her freind, before she had even taken a step toward the room.

  “Ach, Katie! What is going on? Who would do such a thing? It’s ruined!” Freida looked as if she might drop down in a heap.

  “Freida, maybe you should sit down, but not inside the bakery. I need to call Mrs. Simpkins and tell her what has happened. She will know what to do next. Are you going to be okay until I get back?”

  “Get back? Get back? What do you mean? Where are you going?”

  “Um . . . I’m thinking I might run over to The Coffee Cup. I am not about to go back into the bakery to call Mrs. Simpkins. Whoever did this might still be inside. It’s not safe.”

  “Then you are not leaving me here alone. If you’re going, I’m going with you.”

  “Allrecht. Just let me lock the door, so no one else can get in until we get back.” Moving past her freind, Katie placed her key into the lock for the second time that morning. She turned it until she heard a click. Then she placed the key in her pocket and turned back to her freind, before putting her arm around Freida.

  “Let’s go, then. I won’t be going back in there anytime soon. After I call Mrs. Simpkins, we can return to wait for her. But we’ll be waiting outside the bakery—not inside.”

  “Or maybe you could tell Mrs. Simpkins we will be waiting at one of the tables outside The Coffee Cup? Wouldn’t that be a better idea?”

  Katie only nodded her head as they crossed the street, looking carefully down each side in the early morning light.

  A cup of kaffe would be a gut idea. At the very least, it might help with the shaking that had taken hold of her hands.

  Katie suggested Freida sit at one of the outdoor tables in front of the coffee shop across the street from the bakery.

  Although it was going to be a hot day, there was a breeze blowing. Besides, Katie felt a bit of a chill—and had ever since she had opened the bakery door earlier.

  Once Freida was settled, Katie stepped up to the front door and was relieved to see her freind Hannah at the counter.

  The Coffee Cup would not open for another half hour, but Katie was certain Hannah would allow her to come in and use the phone.

  Especially when she finds out why...

  When she knocked on the glass door, Hannah looked up. Seeing Katie, she quickly came around the counter and unlocked the door, before opening it.

  “Katie! What are you doing here at this hour? Why are you not already doing your baking?”

  “Hannah, you are not going to believe what happened! Just let me call Mrs. Simpkins first, and I will tell you about it.”

  “You are welcome to use the phone. But why do you not use the one at The Sweet Shop?”

  “I will tell you, but first, let me call Mrs. Simpkins. She needs to know what has happened.” Katie walked over to the telephone on the counter.

  After dialing Mrs. Simpkins' number, she turned to Hannah, with her first finger at her lips.

  Katie’s boss, Amelia Simpkins, must have been near the phone, because she answered after the first ring.

  “Hello.”

  “Hello, Mrs. Simpkins. This is Katie Chupp. There is a problem at The Sweet Shop. We have had a break-in. When I got there this morning, everything was a mess.” Katie's voice shook, but she bravely continued, knowing that she needed to give Mrs. Simpkins the information she needed.

  “Oh, my goodness! Are you all right? Was anyone there when you arrived? Was anything taken?”

  “They took everything that was in the display case, plus a lot of the bread and stuff on the shelves. I didn't stay very long. I knew I would need to let you know about it as soon as possible. I don't know what the workroom looks like or if they took any—or all—of the orders we had prepared for the customers.”

  “My goodness! And where are you now, Katie? Are you at the bakery?”

  “No, ma’am. I thought it best not to stay in the bakery. For one thing, I didn't know if someone might still be there, hiding. And, I thought you might need to notify the police and I didn't want to touch anything. I figured it was best to leave it just as I found it.”

  “That is very good thinking on your part. Yes, I think it is best that I go ahead and call the police department and have an officer meet us at the bakery. Where did you say you were calling from?”

  “I'm sorry, Mrs. Simpkins. I forgot to tell you. I locked up and came straight to The Coffee Cup. I knew Hannah would be here early and she would let me use the telephone.” Katie hesitated, before going on.

  “I should also let you know, that Freida is here with me. She arrived just after I discovered the mess at the bakery. But I didn't really give her a chance to go in. As soon as she arrived, I came out and locked up, then we both came here—to The Coffee Cup. Ach, I am sorry. I think I am repeating myself. I am just so naerfich.”

  “It's all right, Katie. It's perfectly understandable for you to be shaken up over this. I don't know if I would be handling it as well as you are, if it had happened to me.”

  “Mrs. Simpkins, do you want us to go back to The Sweet Shop—or can we stay here until you arrive?”

  “Well, for now, I think you should stay just where you are. I will meet you there—and tell the police where to find us. Then we can go over to the bakery together.”

  “Yes, Ma'am. That's just what we'll do. Thank you, Ma'am. Goodbye.”

  Hannah watched as Katie hung up the phone. When she turned to look her way, Hannah saw fear in her eyes. Hannah wondered what she could possibly do to help her freind.

  Thank you, Gott. I am so blessed that I have never had to deal with a break-in. I never realized how scary it could be for the person it happens to. And thank you for taking care of my freinden.

  Wondering what might help the maedels, she had an inspiration.

  “Katie, could I make you a cup of strong, hot kaffe, with three lumps of sugar? I know that's the way you like it.” Hannah had heard that sugar was sometimes helpful when someone had received a shock. Maybe it would help to lift Katie's spirits.

  “Ach, that sounds wunderbaar, Hannah. Could you please make one for Freida, too? She's just outside—at the table, waiting for me.”

  “Of course, I will. I know Freida likes lots of sugar in her kaffe. Should I add three lumps of sugar to her kaffe, too—or just bring the sugar bowl to the table?”

  “That's probably a gut idea. You know how much Freida loves sweet stuff . . . drinks, pastries—even her breads end up sweeter when she bakes! Mrs. Simpkins usually assigns her the pastries at the bakery.”

  “I used to be surprised by how much sugar she adds to her kaffe. But no one really cares, because she's such a sweet maedel.”

  “That is true.”

  “I have just brewed a fresh pot of kaffe. Why don't you join Freida outside at the table and I'll bring it out to you.”

  Hannah watched as Katie slowly moved outside to one of the little tables. A few minutes later, she stepped outside, carrying a tray with three cups of delicious-smelling kaffe, along with two raspberry turnovers.”

  “I feel silly, bringing you pastries, b
ut I figured you hadn't stopped for breakfast yet, and it goes so well with the kaffe. More than a third of the people who kumme in for kaffe also order some sort of pastry to go with it, I reckon.”

  “But listen to me go on . . . Katie, do tell us what happened this morning at the bakery. What brought you to The Coffee Cup so early?”

  “Well, I don't know how much I should say about it, until Mrs. Simpkins and the police arrive, but I can tell you what I found. First, let us give thanks for this gut food.”

  After taking time for prayer, Katie took a bite of her turnover.

  “This is appeditlich, Hannah. Freida, you need to try yours.” Taking a sip of her kaffe, Katie began answering their questions, starting at the beginning.

  “I opened the shop at the usual time. It was when I stepped inside, that I looked up and saw everything was a huge mess!”

  Hannah watched as Katie spoke about the break-in. Now that she was remembering the scene she had walked in on, she was looking more and more naerfich. Hannah hoped she wasn't going into shock. She was glad now, that she had thought to give them both hot kaffe with plenty of sugar.

  “The display case was empty, except for crumbs and broken pieces of decorations. Much of the specialty breads were gone off the shelves. The only thing that wasn't so bad, were the jams and preserves and condiments. Some were gone, jah, but much of them were right on the shelves, just as they were left last night.”

  “But Katie, I don't understand. What could have happened?”

  “I don't know, Hannah. I really don't know. I worried that whoever did it might still be lingering in the shop, so I hurried outside, locked the door tight, and came here with Freida. I didn't want to take a chance and stay in there another moment.”

  “But who could have done such a thing?” Freida finally found her voice. “Mrs. Simpkins is just the nicest person to work for. I don't know why anyone would do anything to hurt her.”