Page 3 of How Sweet It Is

Amelia walks around the counter to Skyler. “Ooh, that’s great. There are a lot of sweet treats. What’s your favorite?”

Skyler thinks a moment. “I want the knife cupcakes.”

Kiki squints at the selection as I hold in a chuckle. “Which ones?”

“I think she’s talking about Murder in the Frost Degree,” I say, sliding open the case and taking one out. “These?”

“Yes!” Skyler shouts, jumping.

“That’s a really creative name,” Kiki says.

Amelia gives me a smug smile and folds her arms. “Thanks.”

“That was you?” Kiki asks. “Really clever. We’ll take a dozen. And I hope Skyler picking the murder cupcakes isn’t a bad sign.”

Amelia laughs. “Horror is a fun genre. I watch tons of horror flicks, and I turned out fine.”

I give her the side-eye. I’m not sure what to think of Amelia, especially after overhearing what she said on the phone yesterday.No, they don’t suspect a thing.

What exactly is she hiding? She doesn’t look like a murderer, but the neighbors always have nice things to say about serial killers. “So quiet and well-mannered.” Except for the wholechopped-up-bodies thing, they were perfect in every way. Do I need to be concerned?

“I’m sure you’re right,” Kiki says, ruffling Skyler’s hair.

“Did you pick out a wedding cake?” I ask Kiki.

“Yes. I’m glad you reminded me. I have the book in the car. Let me go get it.”

As Kiki runs out to the car, I box up her cupcakes. Skyler looks at all the other treats, walking the length of the display case. She stops when she gets to the mini cupcakes with white frosting and rainbow sprinkles I named Almond Confetti Dream. She presses her nose up against the glass as she stares at them.

I open the back and take one out. “Here. This one is yours.” I lean over the display case and hand it to her.

“Wow, thank you!” Skyler takes a huge bite and gets frosting on her nose.

Amelia laughs and shakes her head.

Kiki comes back in with the wedding cake book and gives me a look. “I see what you did. You uncles are sure good at spoiling her.”

I puff out my chest. “That’s what I’m here for.”

Kiki hands me the book. “I marked the page with a sticky note.”

I turn to the page and look at the three-tiered cake. “Looks simple enough.”

“When is the wedding?” Amelia asks.

“September nineteenth. Less than three weeks away now.” Kiki fans herself. “I’m a little beside myself.”

Amelia steps toward Kiki. “If you need someone to watch Skyler while you get stuff done, let me know. I’m free in the evenings.”

I give Kiki a little shake of my head, since I’m still unsure whether Amelia is a serial killer, but she either doesn’t noticeor she ignores me, then she grins at Amelia. “Oh, thank you! I might take you up on that.”

“I’d be happy to. I love kids.” Amelia rocks back on her heels.

I ring up the box of cupcakes for Kiki, and she and Skyler leave. I watch Amelia as she walks around the counter and heads toward the kitchen door. I don’t want her near my niece if she’s hiding something. I follow her into the kitchen. “I have a question.”

She turns to me. “What is it?”

“I heard you on the phone yesterday.”

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