Davis, Krista - Murder, She Barked - A Paws & Claws Mystery (A Paws and Claws Mystery)

Mr. Luciano scowled. “Why would this be on Philip’s phone?”

“We wondered about that,” said Zelda. “It’s on Philip’s voice mail. We think it was an accidental pocket dial. You know—when the buttons on your phone are accidentally pushed, and you can hear a conversation going on but they don’t hear you. Except Philip’s voice mail answered the call and taped it.”

Philip was as devious as Kim. He’d heard that conversation and then made arrangements for Jerry to be called away about a phony emergency. Ironically, Philip had saved Jerry’s life that night. He knew a murder was going down, and instead of reporting it, he’d used that knowledge to further his own desires by substituting Oma as the victim, instead of Jerry.

• • •

When everyone had helped themselves to the buffet, Oma dimmed the lights slightly, and we sat down to eat. Through the huge window wall, a harvest moon shone in the sky like a beacon. A golden path sparkled across the lake reflecting the light. Inside, a fire crackled in the rustic stone fireplace. Candles and bouquets of sunflowers and chrysanthemums adorned the tables. Even though we weren’t all relatives, the horrible events of recent days bonded us like one big family.

Oma clinked a fork against her glass. “Thank you all for coming. It has been a terrible time for us in Wagtail. We mourn the loss of two of our beloved residents, Sven and Jerry. We are grateful, though, that the perpetrators have been apprehended, and we thank everyone who played a role in that effort, especially Zelda, Trixie, and my wonderful granddaughter, Holly. Enjoy your dinner!”

I caught a glimpse of Kim. She turned away quickly, no doubt ashamed of herself for her involvement.

We dined on savory spinach and bison lasagna and blackberry-wine venison stew that I could have eaten by the vat. Miniature versions without onions or wine were available for the dogs. Assorted salads, grilled zucchini with fresh herbs, and spicy sweet potatoes rounded out the meal.

Over after-dinner coffee and chocolate-glazed profiteroles filled with rich vanilla ice cream, Ben said, “I’m heading home tomorrow, and I’d like to take my car. Can you be downstairs prepared to go by nine?”

I wasn’t quite ready to leave Wagtail. But, like a vacation, my visit had to come to an end. I had to get back to my job. They wouldn’t hold it for me forever. “Guess I’d better head back with Ben,” I said to Oma. “Assuming he’ll allow Trixie and Twinkletoes in his car.”

Oma couldn’t hide her disappointment. “If this is what you want.”

Around the room the chatter stopped in a wave, and everyone listened.

Even Trixie watched me with a glum, apprehensive look.

“We’ll be back to take care of the inn when you go on your cruise.”

Oma brightened a little bit. “You could stay a few more days if you drove my car home. I don’t use it very often since we have the golf carts.”

“That would be so complicated. I’d have to come back to return it.”

“Exactly.” Oma smiled. “Then I would know that I will see you again soon.”

I felt terrible. Would another year, or five or ten, pass before I returned for a longer stay? I gazed around at their faces. Zelda, Shelley, and Casey, appeared disappointed. Even Gingersnap, who walked over and buried her face between my knees. They had been so good to me. What was my big rush to return to Washington? To a relationship that had ended. To a job where I would turn into a workaholic again. If I was going to work all the time anyway, shouldn’t it be fun? In a place I loved?

“Oma, if you were to semiretire, wouldn’t you need a manager of sorts?”

“I was thinking more along the lines of a partner.”

A partner? That thought had never crossed my mind. “Really, Oma?”

“This has been my dream for a very long time.”

It was a huge decision–a major life change for me. But there was no place in the world I would rather be. Running the inn and meeting new people was fun, and different every day. I stood up and hugged Oma. “I accept!”

A cheer went up. Gingersnap, Trixie, and even Mr. Luciano’s Gina barked and danced in crazy circles. Twinkletoes leaped to the safety of a tabletop, but she held out one paw, and Zelda seized the moment to high-five with her.

Only Ben looked on in shock.

Oma hugged me again. “Welcome home, liebling.”

Wagtail might not be as sophisticated as Washington. There weren’t any high-rises or big chain stores, and it was miles and miles away from everything. But the Sugar Maple Inn was where I wanted to be, with Trixie, Twinkletoes, Gingersnap, and especially Oma.

Author’s Note

One of my dogs suffered from severe food allergies that did not allow him to eat commercial dog food. Consequently, I learned to cook for my dogs and have done so for many years. Consult your veterinarian if you want to switch your dog over to home-cooked food. It’s not as difficult as one might think. Keep in mind that, like children, dogs need a balanced diet, not just a hamburger. Any changes to your dog’s diet should be made gradually so your dog’s stomach can adjust.

Chocolate, alcohol, caffeine, fatty foods, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, onions and garlic, salt, xylitol, and unbaked dough can be toxic to dogs. For more information about foods your dog should not eat, consult the Pet Poison Helpline, atpetpoisonhelpline.com/pet-owners/.

Recipes

Sugar Maple Inn Caramel Banana Oatmeal

For people. Makes 2–3 portions or 4 small portions.

Caramel

1/ 4cup heavy cream

1/ 4cup sugar

1/ 4cup dark brown sugar

2 tablespoons butter

dash of salt

Place ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl. (I use a Pyrex 2-cup measure.) Microwave in short bursts from 20–50 seconds, stirring each time until it bubbles up and is hot. Set aside to thicken and cool slightly.

Cook oatmeal in your preferred method. Or fill each individual bowl with oatmeal and add enough water to barely cover it. Microwave for 1 to 2 minutes.

Slice one banana for each serving, and cover the cooked oatmeal with the slices. Drizzle with caramel.

Oma’s Hungarian Goulash

For people. Contains onions— do not feed to dogs.

1/ 4cup vegetable oil

2 pounds cubed stew beef or pork (do not use lean meat, like a tenderloin)

2 cups chopped onions

2 teaspoons marjoram

2 cloves garlic

1 tablespoon sweet paprika

1 cup water or stock

4 carrots, peeled and sliced

4 medium potatoes, cubed (optional)

Heat the oil in a deep pot. Brown the meat and remove. Sauté the onions in the same pot. Add the marjoram, garlic, paprika, water, carrots, and meat. Cover and simmer 1 1/ 2hours over low heat until the meat is tender.

If you wish to add potatoes, you may cook them in the goulash for the last 1/ 2hour. Or, so they won’t soak up the sauce, you can cook them in another pot and add them to the goulash for the last five minutes.

Sugar Maple Inn Cherry Strudel

For people.

10 sheets 12 x 17 filo dough

2 cups pitted and halved fresh cherries

1/ 4cup sugar (I use sweet black cherries, you may need more if you use sour cherries)

1/ 3cup graham cracker crumbs

1/ 2of a lemon

1 teaspoon vanilla or brandy (optional)

6 tablespoons butter

powdered sugar

Mix the cherries, sugar, lemon and vanilla or brandy in a bowl. (If you’re very lazy, you can skip this step. Watch for the ** later.)

Melt the butter and brush a little bit on a baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 350.

On an ungreased baking sheet, spread the first sheet of filo dough. Brush with butter. Lay another sheet of the filo dough on top of it and brush with butter. Repeat until you have ten sheets of filo dough.