William Jarvis - Sky Valley 02 - Beaches & Coffee Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Contents

  Chapter 1 Counting Down The Days

  Chapter 2 A Trip To The Resort

  Chapter 3 Surprise, Surprise

  Chapter 4 Welcome To My Life

  Chapter 5 Snip Snap

  Chapter 6 I Never Did Anything Wrong To You

  Chapter 7 He’ll Never Stay With You

  Chapter 8 Here Comes The Bride

  Chapter 9 Just A Few More Days

  Chapter 10 I Don’t Think She Loves Me

  Chapter 11 Do You Still Have Feelings For Her?

  Chapter 12 He’s Dead

  Chapter 13 Why Is This Happening?

  Chapter 14 You’re Investigating Me?

  Chapter 15 Why Don’t You Just Give Up?

  Chapter 16 I Want Out

  Chapter 17 Scarlet Fever

  Chapter 18 This Has To End

  What Happens Next

  About The Author

  Beaches And Coffee

  SkyValley Cozy Mystery Series

  Book 2

  By: William Jarvis

  Yap Kee Chong

  8345 NW 66 ST #B7885

  Miami, FL 33166

  Digital Edition

  Copyright 2015

  All Rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any way or form or by any means whether electronic or mechanical, this means that you cannot record or photocopy any material ideas or tips that are provided in this book.

  Get Notice of Our New Releases Here!

  http://eepurl.com/7jbzn

  Part 1 – Coffee, Cupcakes & Murder #1

  Part 3 – Mayhem At The Mansion

  Part 4 – Murderous Coffee Crumb

  Check Out Our Other Books

  Wolf In Disguise: Once Bitten

  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PH8QGTO

  Wolf In Disguise: Never Forgotten

  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PHJSF5Q

  Wolf In Disguise: The Past Bites

  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PHJSF10

  Wolf In Disguise Trilogy

  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RD4JH1O

  Forbidden Passion

  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PHF6YQM

  Second Chance

  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PHQ6HO0

  Closure

  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PHF6XZY

  Black & White Trilogy

  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PHJSF10

  CONTENTS

  Chapter 1 Counting Down The Days 6

  Chapter 2 A Trip To The Resort 10

  Chapter 3 Surprise, Surprise 15

  Chapter 4 Welcome To My Life 19

  Chapter 5 Snip Snap 24

  Chapter 6 I Never Did Anything Wrong To You 29

  Chapter 7 He’ll Never Stay With You 34

  Chapter 8 Here Comes The Bride 39

  Chapter 9 Just A Few More Days 44

  Chapter 10 I Don’t Think She Loves Me 51

  Chapter 11 Do You Still Have Feelings For Her? 55

  Chapter 12 He’s Dead 62

  Chapter 13 Why Is This Happening? 68

  Chapter 14 You’re Investigating Me? 71

  Chapter 15 Why Don’t You Just Give Up? 74

  Chapter 16 I Want Out 80

  Chapter 17 Scarlet Fever 84

  Chapter 18 This Has To End 87

  What Happens Next 91

  About The Author 92

  CHAPTER 1

  COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS

  "And look at that!" Emmy smiled as she finished putting the last bit of decor on the cupcakes. It was a miniature diamond placed on top of a red shoe. The cupcakes were her favorite lemon-flavored ones that apparently, the client liked.

  Emmy had been busy recently. One of her clients who went by the name Scarlet Levi wanted her to cater for her wedding at the Sky Valley Resort. Aside from that, she also asked Emmy to help coordinate the wedding because they had a branch of their coffee shop there, Beaches and Coffee, known for having an air of nostalgia, and for bringing comfort to customers.

  Emmy thought that this was good. After everything that happened at Time for Coffee, the neighborhood coffee shop they owned for a long time, she thought that it was finally time to move on. It has been six months, anyway.

  Those six months haven't exactly been easy. She just came back from Paris and was on the process of helping one of her old friends, Annabeth Mayer, with her wedding preparations. Then one day, while they were talking with her fiancé, Matthew, who happened to be Emmy’s ex-boyfriend, Annabeth suddenly fell dead on the floor.

  Apparently, she was poisoned with cyanide, but it took a while before the culprit was found. At first, they thought it was Audrina, her dad’s assistant at the coffee shop. Audrina never really liked Annabeth and was there when the crime happened. But just as the police were about to take Audrina with them, her one-time boyfriend, Jimmy came and said that it was him who was at fault. He poisoned Annabeth because she did not allow him to take responsibility for her pregnancy. He said that he hated the fact that Annabeth did not think much of him and set on to marry Matthew.

  For the most part, Emmy found this to be hard to believe. She wasn’t close to Jimmy, but she knew that even know he let them hear the recording he made at the scene of the crime, and he told them how he got hold of the cyanide, it was as if there were still some holes in his story. And, Emmy wanted to find out about those things, but at the same time, she knew that she could not devote all her life to that because what’s done is done—and no one can really go back in time.

  She also managed to be friends with Audrina, who also turned out to have had a relationship with Emmy’s dad. Both of them did not want to label it, but Emmy knew that it was more than whatever they thought it was. Audrina had to leave after Jimmy had been put to jail, though, because she said that she wanted to start fresh. She and Emmy still communicate every once in a while. Emmy heard that she is currently in Guatemala, but who knows where she’ll fly to next?

  Annabeth’s death had a huge effect on their business. For a while, no one wanted anything to do with Time for Coffee, and although they recently re-opened, Emmy knew that customers really did not want to risk their lives. Even though they tried to advertise and tell people that it’s safe, it’s not very easy for people to accept that things are okay for them and that they could forget about what happened because it’s not exactly easy.

  It also had some effect on Beaches and Coffee. Because some people knew it was one of the companies owned by Emily’s family, they were a bit hesitant to go there, too. Luckily, most tourists still think that the coffee shop is a breath of fresh air. Instead of the usual Kebab or snack shacks by the beach, it is good to know that there’s a coffee shop that has a really nice ambiance and that can make them feel at home while at the resort.

  Emmy tried to concentrate on the online cupcake business that she put up with Audrina, which she currently operates by herself, and is also busy with creating wedding gowns. These are the reasons why Scarlet Levi asked her to help coordinate her wedding for her. Emmy didn’t know if Scarlet was even Scarlet’s real name, and she hasn’t met her yet. They’ll see each other at the resort, Scarlet said. Emmy met Scarlet’s assistant a couple of days ago, though, to finalize some details so everything would go smoothly when they get to meet each other.

  “Do you think that looks good?” Emmy asked Daniel, her boyfriend, after she put the mini diamond into place. She made a couple of cupcakes that she could present to Scarlet tomorrow.

  “No.” Daniel answered with a grin on his face. “It looks amazing!”

  Emmy playfully shoved h
im as she washed her hands on the faucet. She took a deep breath and faced Daniel.

  “I’m kind of scared, you know…”

  Daniel kissed her on the forehead. “Relax.” He said. “You’re getting so worked up again. I told you everything would be okay.”

  “Yeah, but I feel like if I screw this up, everything will really be ruined.”

  “Hey, this Scarlet girl trusts you.” Daniel said. “And you still haven’t met in person. That counts for something. I mean, she sounds sketchy and all but maybe she’s really just full of surprises. And I really don’t want to confuse you more so…”

  She laughed. “Well…” Emmy said. “Maybe you’re right.”

  Daniel smiled at her. “Come on.” He said. “I’ll help you pack.”

  CHAPTER 2

  A TRIP TO THE RESORT

  The following day, Daniel and Emmy started to make their way to the Sky Valley Resort to meet up with Scarlet whose wedding was going to happen in a few days. They were in Daniel’s car, and Tove Lo’s Habits was playing on the radio. Emmy was singing along as she looked out the window.

  No matter what transpired in the past couple of months, she still couldn’t help but be in awe of Sky Valley. It was one of the most beautiful and peaceful places in Georgia and on earth. The lush trees and the colorful flowers make it seem like a piece of paradise on earth. Somehow, she wished that it really was just like that and that there were no problems but she also knew that it was impossible. There will always be some bit of trouble in paradise.

  “What if that Scarlet girl is an actress?” Daniel asked. “I mean, come to think about it, maybe she wants to be mysterious and she does not want to reveal her real name because the paparazzi would come find her. She does not even use her own photo on Facebook and there’s too little information, right? Maybe, being a star would explain it all!” He laughed. “Oh boy, I guess I’ve read too many of your girly books…”

  Emmy laughed. “You’re insane.” She said and smiled. She then took a deep breath. “That makes me nervous, though.” She went on, “her air of mystery, I mean. Sometimes I feel like, maybe she just wants to test me, or that maybe this is just a drill and she won’t show up and all that.”

  “Hey,” Daniel answered. “She doesn’t know you. Sorry if I made you nervous—“

  “No, it’s not your fault. I guess I still really have not gotten over everything that happened months ago.”

  Daniel held her hand and squeezed it gently. “Those things are not exactly easy to forget.”

  “You’re right.” She said. “I should stop stressing over everything.” She laughed nervously. “It’s just making things worse.”

  “Maybe when this Scarlet person reveals herself, you’ll feel better. Anyway,” he said, “How’s Audrina? Have you spoken with her recently?”

  “Yeah,” Emmy answered. “She’s still in Guatemala. She told me she’s currently working at this surfboard shop by the beach and she’s enjoying it there. I guess that’s good for her. I mean…she does deserve to move on from all these…Dad misses her, though. He’ll never say it directly, but I know he does. It’s obvious that he does.” She went on. “You know, sometimes I feel like he wants to go out there and find her but he’s not sure if it’s right. I wish I could talk to him about it but you know how he is…”

  Daniel nodded his head. “Maybe, Audrina will come back sooner or later. Sky Valley’s her home, even if she thinks otherwise.”

  Emmy chuckled. “It’s like you’re talking about me, too.”

  Daniel laughed. “Yeah, well, maybe.” He said. “You see, you spent so much time in Paris but you know your roots are here.”

  “Yeah…” she muttered. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  She squeezed his hand and thought about how lucky she was to have him. She tried to avoid him before, especially while she was in Paris because she was confused about a lot of things but six months ago, she realized that he is an integral part of her life and that she could no longer deny that. So, they officially got together and things have been smooth-sailing since. They were perfect together and some days, that thought scares her. Sometimes, she thinks that because they are perfect for each other, life will play with them. But she tries to brush off the thought as much as she could. She loves Daniel and she knows that he loves her, too.

  “What are you thinking of?”

  “What?” Emmy said, snapping back to reality. “Oh, nothing.” She said. “I was just…I was just thinking about us.”

  “Let me guess.” Daniel said. “You’re thinking that because things seem too perfect, everything will go haywire, right? I know you, Emmy.” He said. “And you can deny that but you know that it’s the truth.”

  She laughed. “Mind reader now, huh?”

  He laughed. “No.” He said. “But I just know you. Every cranny and crook of your personality, I know, because I love you. And again, please don’t worry too much. I know Annabeth’s death is coming back because you’re going to work on another wedding again but just because something already happened before doesn’t mean they’re going to happen again. It’s going to be okay. And I’ll be here for you.”

  “Thanks.” She said as she squeezed his hand. “I love you.”

  “I love you more.” He said. “And look! We’re here!”

  And there they were. Daniel got out of the car and helped Emmy get out of her seat. As Emmy stepped out of the car and onto the cobble-stoned pavement that leads to the entrance of The Sky Valley Resort, she could not help but gasp.

  It was beautiful. The pavement reminded her of Paris, but everything else was different. The white-arched gate, the roses, poppies, and dahlias that lined up the pavement, the turquoise waters and the whole vibe of the place was astounding. She hasn’t been there in years and it all felt new to her.

  “Wow.” She said.

  “I know.” Daniel said. “Last time I’ve been here was 2 or 3 years ago and I have to say, it just gets better each time.”

  “Beats me.” She laughed. “I haven’t been here since forever!”

  They then walked to the coffee shop. It was easily seen from the entrance. Beaches and Coffee was beautiful and quaint, with its cabin-style exterior. There were bunches of roses on each side of the door, and when they got in, Emmy realized how much she missed it there.

  Photographs of her mother when she was still alive lined the walls and some of Emmy herself when she was still a child. There were also some framed poems she made years ago, and some seashells she collected. In a way, it felt like her dad tried to preserve all those good memories. She couldn’t help but feel some warmth in her heart.

  “Is that you, Emmy?” A woman’s voice said. They turned to find out who it was and saw a beautiful, red-haired woman who was also wearing a red dress and some black pumps.

  “Scarlet?” Emmy asked.

  “Oh no.” Daniel muttered. “You have got to be kidding me.”

  CHAPTER 3

  SURPRISE, SURPRISE

  “Surprise!” Scarlet said and smiled. Emmy thought that although she was beautiful, there seemed to be some meanness in her—and she couldn’t put her finger on it. In addition, why did Daniel react that way, and did Scarlet say “Surprise”?

  “Is this a joke?” Daniel asked. His voice was stern and Emmy never heard him speak that way before.

  “What is going on?” Emmy asked.

  “Danny,” Scarlet said. “Is that the way to greet an old friend, or rather, someone who was a big part of your life?”

  “What?” Emmy was getting more and more confused by the second.

  “Oh, I haven’t formally introduced myself.” Scarlet said. “I’m sorry.” She then faced Emmy. “Emmy, I’m sorry if I went by the name Scarlet but I know it’s the only way I could get your services. I mean, I’m in awe of your skills and I thought that since your family has a coffee shop here and you’re great at designing wedding gowns and making cupcakes, everything would be perfect.” She
smiled. “My name’s not really Scarlet. I’m Ruby.” She introduced.

  “Ruby.” Emmy repeated. She tried to make sense of things and as she looked at Daniel and Scarlet, or Ruby, or whatever her name was, she realized the reason why Daniel reacted that way: This person wasn’t just any person. She’s Ruby—Daniel’s ex-girlfriend who broke up with him because she thought that he was too disconcerted and that he was thinking of somebody else—that somebody being Emmy.

  “Oh my god.” Emmy said. “You’re Ruby?” She said. “You’re—“

  “I’m Daniel’s ex, yes.” Ruby answered.

  “Is this a joke?” Emmy asked. “I mean, now I’m confused. What exactly do you want?”

  Ruby laughed. “What kind of a question is that?” She said. “I asked for your help to help me with my wedding. You make great cupcakes, you’re a great designer and you know this place well, even if you have been gone for so long. And, come on. You know this would help you more than it’ll help me. It would help you gain a following again and it would revamp your family’s business. It’s as simple as that.”

  “Ruby, this is crazy.” Daniel said. “You know a lot of people in town. You know that you can ask for somebody’s help. And getting married here? What’s gotten into you?”

  “What’s gotten into me?” She said sarcastically. “Danny, I am going to get married. I have the right to choose whoever I want to make my wedding gown and bake my cupcakes for me. I don’t think I owe you any explanation.”

  “Yeah, but getting married here?”

  “You know, Daniel, I don’t care if you haven’t gotten our memories here.” She then looked at Emmy. “We used to spend a lot of time here, you know?” She then turned back to Daniel. “But I want to get married here because this place is special for me and I don’t really care what you think.”

  “Wow.” Emmy said. “Just wow. You guys have issues. And I think I need to get out and—“

  “Hi!” Suddenly, a blonde-haired cheery man entered the shop. He was wearing a white, long-sleeved top and khaki pants. “Sorry, I’m late.” He said and shook Daniel’s and Emmy’s hands. “I’m Edward.” He introduced with an air of someone who thinks that everyone should know him. “I’m Ruby’s fiancé. You must be Emmy, and this is—“He looked at Daniel, confused.