I have exciting news. One of my shorts, Wildflowers by Moonlight, was selected for the Editingle's NEW Release, the second Halloween story collection, titled Wildflowers by Moonlight.
Wildflowers by Moonlight by M.M. Ward
The five Mantras
Never pass
the fences.
Never forage
or walk alone near the fences or in the far fields.
Never leave
the longhouse before Dawn or after Dusk.
Never go out
in the moonlight.
Never let the monsters bite you.
Growing
up, I was taught there were monsters in the hollowed-out places of the mountains,
forests, and hills beyond the fences. But this year, the bitter winter lasted too
long, and my heart heeded its sad song. The cruelty of my mother chilled my
spirit worse than the winter wind, so I foolishly rebelled against the
teachings of the clan. When spring came... When the wildflowers bloomed in the
warmth of the new season, I had to see them, smell them, taste them, even if it
was by Moonlight. So, I broke the first mantra, I went beyond the fences.
Here's the details and the totally awesome cover by my amazing friend Portia!!!
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Beyond The Hallow Grave (Editingle Halloween Anthology)
And to celebrate the upcoming release I am offering one of mine for 50% off.
50% off SALE 10-13 to 10-20- 2020
Revelation of A.S.H. by M.M. Ward
"We thought it was a hoax, we thought the 9-1-1 alerts were a Halloween hoax. Vampires, Werewolves, those weren't real things... We didn't know they were a real threat until after it had begun and then it was too late to save ourselves. "
After the attack, Quinn Shalom Phillips woke up in the hospital as one of them, a werewolf. Her old aunt was right, monsters are real and she never should have stopped running. Now she has to find the truth that killed her family and 2 million others the night the nonhumans went mad and murdered so many.
Little Milli Vanilli waved at her new friends as she got off
the bus then went up the long white stone path to the Haywood mansion. Stepsister
Marni had gone to dance class and so Milli rode the bus alone on the early
release day. She let herself in with the key she had never needed to use.
Milli stood in the foyer and called out timidly, “Hello?”
The maid was gone for the day. The house felt oddly empty
and overwhelming. She walked through the mansion and up the grand staircase to
put her backpack on her desk in her bedroom. She hung her coat and looked at
the clock. It would be at least two hours before anyone else came. She had
never been alone in the Haywood’s home...
My home, Milli
corrected herself. Mommy Emily said this is my home now.
Her bedroom was bigger than the whole apartment she had
lived in with her biological mother Diva and little brother Duran. Milli’s tears
came unbidden as she thought about the day she took her brother and tried to
flee from their mother’s abuse.
Duran’s crying was
getting louder. He was so hot and kept pushing away his bottle and pulling at
his ear. She didn’t know what to do. Milli tried to shush him then she heard
the sound she feared most.
“Shut up, you
worthless brat!” Diva shrieked as she staggered into the room.
Their mother still had
blood running down her arm from shooting up. She yanked the toddler from his
tiny sister’s arms and began shaking him violently, making him scream louder
and struggle.
“Mommy, stop! Mommy,
please stop,” Milli begged pulling at her mother’s arm but she wasn’t big
enough.
Diva didn’t even seem
to notice Milli hanging from her arm. There was a sickeningly loud pop and
Duran stopped screaming. He just hung limply and made a weird gurgling noise.
Panicking, Milli bit her mother on the arm.
“You bit me, biyatch!”
Diva dropped Duran and snatched Milli up by both arms, twisting them until
Milli screamed.
“How dare you bite
Mommy, you ungrateful brat!” Diva screeched.
“I’m... I’m...” Milli
stammered between sobs. “S-s-s...”
Diva’s milky jade eyes
wild and wide as her beautiful face twisted into something evil. “Say you’re
sorry and you love Mommy, or you’re a bad girl.”
“I love you, Mommy...
I’m sorry... I love you, Mommy... I’m sorry...” Milli chanted the demanded
words and cried as Diva continued to twist her arms. Then Diva threw her on the floor next to her baby
brother.
“You better love me,
you worthless slut. You’re as useless as Roxie and I’ll kill you to if you
don’t be a good girl. Are you going to be a good girl, Milli Vanilli?”
“Yes, Mommy... I’m
sorry, Mommy... I love you, Mommy... I’m
good girl...” Milli sobbed with her voice cracking. Her wrists hurt so
much, worse than they ever had.
As Diva staggered
toward the bedroom, Milli tried to make her hands work to pick up her brother.
“Duran... Duran, look
at sissy.” Milli begged in pained whispers.
His eyes were vacant,
like Roxie’s eyes had been after their mother killed her. Desperate for help,
Milli managed to get her arms around Duran
and stood up. She bit the latch on the screendoor to open it and pushed the
door hard with her foot when it squeak.
Diva yelled after her, “Where do ya think
you’re going?!?!”
Milli struggled to
carry her brother across the yard while Diva staggered after her, shrieking
like a monster from a nightmare. As Milli ran across the street, she tripped on
Duran’s foot and they tumbled to the burning pavement. Tires squealed louder
than her mother. The car horn blared loudly so Milli closed her eyes, waiting
to be squished like the neighbor’s cat...
But she wasn’t squished that afternoon. Panicking, Milli sat
on her bed weeping because she was alone and couldn’t stop the memories of the
nightmare her life had been before that day. That day Duran had died and left
Milli alone in the world except for their murderous mother. That day Dr. Emily changed
her life and fought Diva for her. Hearing the clock downstairs chime, Milli
hurried to the kitchen, hoping it was the backdoor bell, but no one was there.
“Hello!” Milli cried out, panting in panic. Only the echo of
her fear answered in the giant empty silence of alone.
Milli rushed into the pantry and slammed closed the door.
The small space was the same size as the walk-in closet that had been her
bedroom for most of her life. It felt safe. The light turned on automatically as
Milli sat on the floor staring up at the fancy fixture with tears running down
her face. A minute passed, then another,
then many more. She heard the clock chiming the quarter hour in the foyer while
Milli looked from shelf to shelf. She had never seen so much food in one place
except at the corner bodega or the food pantry. Twice a month until her death,
Roxie had taken Milli to help carry home the charity that had kept them alive
while their mother sold her food stamps for drugs.
She remembered Roxie cooking for her and teaching her how to
make macaroni and cheese or Ramen in the microwave, but Milli was a lot older
now. Three years older. Eight years old,
almost a grown up. Thinking of Roxie’s courage, Milli stood up and began
touching the boxes and cans and jars. So many kinds of food, more kinds than
she ever imagined existed. She wondered what it all tasted like. Milli decided
she should cook something for dinner since the maid was gone, then she
remembered her new Daddy, Charles would bring home Italian food from the place
with the flaming bananas and ice cream that Marnianne liked so much. Milli
liked the chocolate cake Emily had shared with her more than the bananas and
ice cream but she ate it because it was Marni’s favorite and her new sister
tried so hard to share everything she loved with Milli, just like Mommy Emily
did.
Pulling down a box with a picture of chocolate cake on it,
Milli looked at the directions. It seemed simple enough; just add water, oil,
and eggs, then bake. Reaching up to turn the knob, Milli decided to be brave.
She would bake a cake instead of hiding in the pantry. Mommy Emily and Daddy
Charles would be so proud of her for overcoming her panic attack on her own
today. Looking around, Milli began getting the things she needed out of the
cupboards and refrigerator, then spent several minutes trying to figure out
which knob turned on the oven.
~~~~~
Dr. Charles Haywood sped home through the early rush hour
traffic of Las Vegas. He scowled at the light, willing it to change as he was
forced to stop. Their adopted daughter, Milli, was home alone, she had been
home alone for over an hour. Something he and Emily had promised she would
never be until she was comfortable in their home. Milli had acute PTSD-related
anxiety attacks and so many phobias, the result of severe abuse by her violent,
drug addicted biological mother, but the child had shown amazing courage when
she testified against the woman who birthed her.
The trial convicted Diva Divina Velvet of murdering her
other children and her husband. Milli had been lucky to survive the sociopathic
woman. He uncharacteristically honked at the slow car in front of him, worried
for Milli home all alone. The maid was off, and both doctors had forgotten
about the early release from school today. Marnianne had ridden with a friend
to dance class then called to ask if she could take Milli some ice cream after
ballet. Realizing their error, Charles canceled his last two appointments and rushed home. He parked in the
garage and went into the rear foyer before the garage door closed. Inhaling to
call out to Milli, he smelled something... off.
It smelled sweet like cake but also bitter like burnt
pancakes. He could hear Milli singing in the kitchen to deafeningly loud music.
Peeking in around the corner, he was shocked to see his adopted daughter
covered from head to toe in flour. The smoke detector was beeping in time with
the music as the oven smoked. Kneeling on one of the white barstools, now
smeared with something brown, Milli was staring at her tablet then back at
something lumpy and melted-looking . He realized she was making frosting
flowers to go what he guessed was a cake? Maybe?
He closed to oven and tapped on the alarm panel to silence
the alarm then he typed in a code to cancel the alert before the fire
department came and turned the radio down. “Milli, little angel, what are you
doing?”
Milli blinked rapidly, looking distressed at the huge mess.
“I... I...”
“It’s okay, don’t be upset. What did you make?” Charles
asked gently.
“I made a cake but... but... it isn’t finished.” Milli’s
chin trembled. “I wanted to make it pretty for Mommy Emily and Marni.” The cake
was obviously still warm because the frosting ‘roses’ were melting.
“Oh... well... good job. You finish up and I’ll tidy the
kitchen,” Charles offered.
Milli grinned and bounced on her knees, excitedly. “Do you
want a taste? I trimmed the cake like the video showed.”
“Yes please.” Charles dutifully opened his mouth and
accepted some almost burnt and yet partly raw cake trimmings with a smear of
melted frosting. The warm, undercooked cake was disconcertingly crunchy beyond
the partly charred part and Charles coughed as he swallowed because it taste so
wrong. Then he got a drink of water.
“You don’t like it?” Milli stared at him with large
devastated jade eyes.
He couldn’t bear to tell the eight-year-old the truth, so he
lied, like a good dad. “Oh, it’s wonderful. I missed lunch and am so hungry, I
didn’t chew it enough before I swallowed. Why don’t you clean up and we’ll pick
up dinner before Mommy and Marni get home?” He tapped her nose affectionately,
“You have flour on your face.”
Milli nodded rapidly sending her dark curls bouncing. “I had
to oil and flour the pans. It was so hard but fun too. I love baking!”
“I know, and the cake
didn’t stick so you did a good job. Now, upstairs with you.” Charles praised
her then sent her off to change.
He looked at the cake mix box, then realized he didn’t see
any eggshells. Picking at the cake trimmings, he found several bits of
eggshells. He carefully pushed a knife into the center and created a small
hole. It oozed raw batter. Charles rubbed his forehead and called Emily as he wiped
the counter around Milli’s attempt to make dessert.
“Hello love...”
“Milli?”
“Milli is fine. When I got home, she was baking a cake for
dessert tonight,” Charles explained.
“She what?” Emily
sounded startled.
“She baked a cake from a box mix we had in the pantry. It
expired two years ago,” Charles revealed as he tossed the box in the trash.
“She put the eggs in it shell and all and I think she used your garlic and
olive salad oil or that’s what it tastes like,” Charles groaned as Emily burst
out laughing.
“She tried, that sweet
angel.” Emily insisted.
“Yes, she did but the cake... I can’t let any of you eat it.
It’s horrible,“ Charles bemoaned, he didn’t know Milli was standing outside the
kitchen door in the hall.
Little ears eavesdropped as tears gathered in her pale jade
eyes. Milli couldn’t hear was her adoptive mother was saying but her new dad
hated her cake and lied to her about it. He wasn’t proud of her, she had made a
mess, and he was telling Emily. Milli wished she could hear what Emily was saying
but she couldn’t. So, she sat on the cool marble floor with her heart starting
to break. Then Charles said something that made Milli listen closer.
“No, Emi, I can’t just tell her the cake is bad. She worked
so hard and even looked up how to make frosting and frosting flowers online...
Oh love... Milli is such a sweet little angel and I am so glad we adopted her...
I’m sorry, but I have to get rid of the cake or it will poison us all... She will
be upset when you get home,” Charles revealed to his wife.
“Milli is very smart
and practical... Drop it while putting it in the refrigerator, beg her forgiveness,
and then offer to help her make another one. I’ll make sure Marnianne and I are
late picking up dinner so she can still surprise us,” Emily insisted then
added, “I have to go, my next patient is
here. I love you, Charles, take care of her.”
“Good idea... I love you and I will.” Charles hung up then
looked at the lopsided, burnt and raw mess with its melted, separating
buttercream frosting. He sighed and muttered, “Forgive me, Milli.” Then he
picked up the cake and dropped it on the floor in front of the refrigerator. The
plate shattered as the still raw center splattered.
Hearing the crash, Milli jumped up and ran into the kitchen,
“Oh, my cake!” Tears still glistened on her cheeks.
“Mind the glass,” he stopped her before she could come too
far. Kneeling, Charles looked at her with true regret as he lied about the
accident. “I’m so sorry, Milli. I was going to put it in the refrigerator until
dinner. I dropped it, please forgive me.”
Hugging his neck, Milli nodded. “It’s okay, Daddy Charles.” She
knew he dropped it on purpose, but she believed his apology.
Standing up with her in his arms, he looked at her clean
face and clothes then carried her to the kitchen door and. “Go get your jacket
on while I clean up the mess and we’ll get stuff for another cake from the
store and bake it before Mommy and Marni come home. Quick like a bunny, hurry.”
He set her feet on the hallway marble. She ran up to her
room, grabbed her coat and came back. Pulling his hand, toward the garage,
“Hurry, Daddy. We can clean up while the new cake bakes.”
In the car, as Charles drove them to the grocery, Milli’s
eyes filled with tears but she blinked them back. Her heart was so full it felt
like it would burst. She had made a terrible, ugly cake, but Charles had eaten
some and lied that he loved it because he loved her. He had risked her being
angry with him because he wanted to protect her from getting sick from her bad
cake. Milli looked out the window and wiped away a tear, not a sad tear, but
the joyful tear of a little girl who finally knew unconditional love from a
parent.
After her sister's death, wedding cake artist Milli Velvet Haywood left her busy life in Vegas behind; Hoping for a new beginning in the small town resort community of Pagosa Cliffs, Colorado. But with a new start comes challenges. Can she move forward and be better? Or will the bitterness of her life sour her future chances at happiness and love.
Milli sat up suddenly, uncertain where she was. Her things
were in this strange room yet for a panicked moment she was confused then it
all came back. Laying back down, Milli glanced at the clock on the dresser
before putting her arm over her eyes. It was 4Am, 3AM Las Vegas time. Milli
groaned as her internal clock prodded her to get up. After a few minutes of
tossing and turning Milli angrily crawled and stomped into the bathroom to pee.
Glaring in the mirror at the dark bags under her pained jade eyes
as she washed her hands, she snarled at herself, “Go back to bed... go, back,
to, sleep, go to sleep!”
But the longer she lingered in front of the mirror then more
awake and angrier she got.
“Go b-back to sleep,” she stammered through gritted teeth.
She didn’t need to be up to go get Marni, her sister was dead.
Panting as tears of grief and rage leaked from her watery eyes.
“I don’t have to go get her... I never have to go get that whore again... I’m
going back to bed.”
Milli stormed back to her room and threw herself down on the mattress
with an ohf. Lying on her stomach, she held onto the edge of the mattress as
hard as she could. Her socked feet curled as her whole body shook.
“No, I don’t have to get up... I don’t have to get up.” She cried
into her pillow.
She battled against the internal clock she had lived with for
the last two years. Marni wasn’t waiting for her at the Velvet Rope Club, Milli
didn’t need to bring her sister home before going to the Famous Vegas Cakery. That
life ended twelve days ago.
Rolling over on her back, she felt a smear of tears and snot
across her face. She screamed her anguish into the silent house. “I hate you
Marni... I hate you and I hate Edgar... I’m glad you’re dead! I wish he was
dead too!”
As she laid there panting, the small whimpering cry of her
sister’s baby came from the nursey. Wiping her face with her sleeve, Milli walked
across the hall to tend Emily. She changed the newborn’s diaper then carried
her into the kitchen. Milli’s hand shook as she measured the formula. Before
Emily, Milli hadn’t made bottles for a baby since... since Duran... The memories
of her late baby brother choked her, and she suddenly regretted her shouted
hatred.
“Shhh, it’s okay, Emily, Auntie didn’t mean it. I’m sorry
your mommy died.”
Sitting in the heavy antique rocking chair Elizabeth had Beau
Wallace carry over from the Wild Anemone, Milli fed her niece as she tried not
to cry. Emily fell asleep quickly after the bottle was empty but Milli’s pain
didn’t subside. Instead it got worse. Putting her newborn niece in her crib,
Milli pressed her hand hard over her mouth. Her sobs whistled out between her
fingers as she stared at the mural above the bed. Her beautiful sister painted
as the queen of fairies looked at her serenely with a kind smile. Milli ran
back to the kitchen and sat on the floor sobbing.
Turning on the television, the local weather person wished
everyone a happy Thanksgiving before the jolly anchor started taunting him
about the incoming snow. Their cheerful banter made her feel sick to the bottom
of her soul, she had nothing to be thankful for, so she turned it off. On
autopilot, Milli began pulling the ingredients for a red velvet cake out of the
pantry. While it baked in simple 9-inch rounds, she also made pies to take to
the Wallace’s ranch. As the cakes cooled, she mixed and chilled frosting. She
hadn’t unpacked her decorating tools, so she found a simple spatula to spread
the frosting. Oddly, the cake didn’t rise like it normally did and Milli
wondered if her baking was as down as her mood. She showered and made herself
as presentable as possible before waking Emily and dressing her in an adorable
outfit her best friend Jackson had gotten for Marni’s baby shower.
“Let’s go, sweetheart. Time to pretend to be okay for a few
hours.”
Aunt Elizabeth was sitting in the rocking chair petting
Marni’s cat when Milli came out. Shocked, Milli realized she hadn’t heard the
centenarian come in. “Good morning, Milli. Did you sleep well? It smells like
you had a productive day already.”
“I did, Auntie. Are you ready to go after Emily has her
second breakfast?” Milli tried to sound upbeat. She put the child in the old
woman’s outstretched arms and started a bottle as the 102-year-old Elizabeth
rocked the fourteen-day-old Emily.
~~~~~
The drive out to the Ridgeline Ranch was icy and slightly
terrifying to Milli who was unused to such road conditions. Ben Wallace waved
from the tractor as he finished plowing the drive. Milli followed him to the
house and worried about getting her little car out if it got stuck. She
suddenly wished she had driven the heavier, taller rental van. Camille came out
and helped Elizabeth as Willow and Gracie fought over who got to carry Emily’s
car seat inside. Beau carried the two of
the pies while Milli got the cake.
“The Turkey is in the fryer and Tank will be here to join us
soon,” Gramma Dorine announced as she stirred gravy in the kitchen.
Milli unpacked the deserts. “I didn’t know what to bring and
Grandpa Ben said he like cake, so I brought two pies and a red velvet cake.”
Camille came in carrying Emily on her shoulder, “You really
didn’t have to bring anything, but I am sure Beau will be happy to be saved
from my version of cake.”
Chuckling, Beau inhaled the smell of the red velvet, “Sorry
Cam, but it even smells better than yours.”
“Oh, pecan and pumpkin pies, thank you, Milli. I haven’t even
thawed to ones we bought yet,” Dorine revealed.
“The pumpkin is a traditional pie, but the pecan has a layer
of ricotta cheesecake baked on the bottom. They were our best sellers at the
Cakery.” Milli grinned then sheepishly added, “My body got me up for work, so I
baked.”
“Miss Milli, come see what we found.” Willow or Gracie
dragged Milli from the kitchen.
The other of the nearly identical sisters eyed Milli with
deep sapphire eyes, “Yep that’s her.”
Milli was surprised to see herself on the tv and instantly
recognized it as from the Under the Hallowed Veil Halloween Wedding Cake Wars.
She blushed, “Well, you’ve found me out.”
Aunt Elizabeth settled into a chair, “Ahhh, was this the pomegranate
filled, dark chocolate velvet?”
“Yes, Auntie.” Milli felt embarrassed by the scrutiny.
“Don’t be shy, child. I’ve watched every episode of Cake Wars
and am looking forward to tasting every one of them. Girls, my great grandniece
is famous, and now we get to eat her famous cakes.” Elizabeth grinned and the
one Milli suspected was Willow called, “Dibs.”
They watched the first episode before Thanksgiving lunch was
served, asking Milli dozens of question, then watched another episode while Camille
and Milli did dishes.
“Sorry about my girls, they’ve never met anyone famous,”
Camille apologized.
Milli looked up at the retired Olympian in shock, “But... But
you’re their mother. Don’t they know who you are?”
“The Famous Blue Butterfly... Yah, yah, they know but to them,
I’m just Mom.” Camille began drying the plates.
“What... What about their fathers?” Milli had not seen a
single picture of Willow or Gracie’s fathers in the rustic homestead full of
family mementos and photographs.
“Those bas*tards don’t deserve a moment of my daughters’ lives,”
Camille hissed and Milli looked at her shocked. Sighing Camille explained,
“Willamina met Kent in college, she ignored him and all his money but then I
broke my arm and he helped her get to the hospital while I was in surgery. He
discovered that being a decent guy meant more to Mina than all his money and
gifts, so that was the card he played. They got engaged and I really thought he
was the one for her. That he loved her. I met his brother and Kyle put the same
act one me. Shared interest and good conversation and false attentiveness.”
Camille’s voice had a bitter edge that Milli could almost taste like green tea
powder, because she felt the same way about Edgar.
“What happened?” Milli asked.
“Their bachelor party happened.” Camille snorted derisively. “They
took a bunch of pictures of them with these whores painted up to look like me
and Mina. I worked for a cellular call center and Kent was on our plan, so the
pictures went to our shared cloud account. My sister sent me a picture of her
pregnancy test and that was how we found out the truth of our fiancés’ affections...
we found out we’d been had. We saw the pictures. I was so mad, I was done, but
Mina broke down. The next day she was supposed to come home to Colorado while I
handled canceling her and Kent’s wedding, but she left early. She had changed
her flight to Vegas, she was going to bring Kent home.” Camille’s hands shook
slightly as she dried a plate, she almost dropped it so she put it down on the counter.
“Mina was in a terrible accident on the way to the airport. She lived on life
support long enough to give us Willow. I spent so many months at the hospital,
holding her hand and waiting. There was nothing else to do except hold her hand
and pray until Willow was born.”
Milli drained the water and began wiping the counter. Her
heart ached for Camille, so she asked, “Whatever happened to them?”
Camille sighed heavily. “I canceled everyone on our side of
the wedding, so only their guest were there. Kent and Kyle walked in with their
brother while I was giving a very special slide show in the reception all. I
showed all their family, friends, and business partners the less r-rated photos
from their bachelor party. They just looked so surprised we had caught them.”
Camille laughed in malevolent memory.
“After they were
speechless, I showed them the new video of Mina’s accident scene from the news.
I didn’t even know if my sister would live the day, much less the week, so I
let them thing she was dead. I mean she was almost brain-dead, everything that
was my sister died in that accident. I gave them back Mina’s ring and walked
out. I never looked back and I don’t regret it.”
Milli was shocked, she could never imagine doing something so
dramatic. “You were so brave to face them like that.” Milli breathed out,
thinking about how she had just packed up and left after only calling Heith
once the evening after Marni’s death and Emily’s birth.
Camille shook her head, “It wasn’t bravery, it was rage.
Pure, blind rage. I have 328 images that support my feelings. I never looked
back. I never will. Kyle had asked me to be his girlfriend the morning before
he left, knowing full well that he would be screwing some whore with a fake
tattoo like mine fourteen hours later. So, I gave it to him, him and his
whoremongering brothers with both barrels. They should be glad there wasn’t a
pool at the wedding venue, or I would have drowned them all.” Camille tipped
her head at Milli and Milli could see the pain still swirling in her hazel eyes.
“Didn’t you want to hurt your ex when you found out he cheated?”
Milli looked down, “Yeah but I’m... I’m Catholic, I’m going
to be praying to forgive him every day until I can and let the lord take care
of the rest.”
Camille’s hazel eyes telegraphed all her sympathy. “You’re so
sweet, Milli,” then they twinkled with amusement, “As sweet at the cake you
bake.”
Milli laughed at her tone as Gracie came in, “Mom, stop
hogging Miss Milli.”
“Your fans are calling.” Camille grinned as her daughter
dragged Milli back to the sunroom for another round of twenty thousand
question. The video on the tv first Mother’s Day Cake Wars Milli did had just
started on the program. She had lost but it didn’t dampen Gracie’s enthusiasm.
At 3PM, Dorine was holding the sleeping Emily and talking
quietly with Elizabeth as Gracie watched the end of the Cake Wars Milli had
lost. Willow had gone into the living room, where Beau and Tank were yelling at
the football game while Camille laughed at them. Peeking at Camille curled next
to the giant blond sheriff, Milli thought they made a lovely couple. She almost
laughed at Camille’s claim in answer to Tank’s question about more cake.
"If I eat any more, I'll have to start wearing Beau's
clothes. But can I have a cocoa?"
Beau and Grandpa Ben laughed at her statement, then Beau said,
"I want another too. I don't think I have ever tasted anything so good.
Sorry, Cam, but your box mix cakes suck."
Camille retorted, "Still better than your biscuit pucks and
snot."
"My gravy isn't that bad," Beau defended himself then
Willow chimed in, "Uncle Beau, the dogs won't eat your gravy and the
chickens won't eat your biscuits. So, yeah, you should stop lying to yourself,
it really is that bad."
"No, it isn't," Beau insisted. "The dogs will eat
it eventually..."
"Eventually?.. Eventually?!?!" Willow exclaimed, then
threatened, "Quit trying to poison Petey and Bingo or I'll call the Humane
Society on you."
Milli giggled as the family bickered about Beau's bad gravy. She
followed Tank into the kitchen and saw him eyeing the pumpkin pie.
"Do you want a slice of pie, Sheriff?" Milli asked
sweetly.
"No, thank you, Miss Milli. They never taste right to me
since my divorce," He explained.
She tipped her head at him; his eyes reminded her of the summer
sky but there was a little bit of pain in them. "Tell me about it and I
can figure out the flavor profile."
Tank shook his head. "It's not that, Ma'am. Irene was a
terrible cook, she'd burn the edges and the middle would still be raw, but I always
ate them because she tried so hard." He seemed so chivalrous.
Milli tried to cheer him, so she laughed, "I don't think I
could bake one that way if I tried. How about pecan then? This one has a lovely
layer of cheesecake baked on the bottom." Milli expertly sliced and plated
the pie.
Tank cut off the tip of the slice with his fork, the caramelized
pecan filling oozed, and lightly salted roasted pecans mixed with the tart and
sweet ricotta cheesecake over a perfect flaky crust, it melted like heaven in
his mouth.
"Omigawd." He groaned. "This is amazing."
Milli smiled sweetly. "Tell me your favorite thing and I'll
bake it for you. I get bored."
Grinning, Tank took another bite, "Today, this is my
favorite thing."
Beau and Camille came in at that moment and Tank held a bite out
to Camille, who groaned happily then gave Milli the most beautiful smile as she
winked at Tank. "Sorry Tank, I am going to leave you for Milli, she bakes
my favorite things."
Milli giggled and handed Beau a piece of red velvet cake,
"Sorry, Coach Wally but I can't, you'd get fat and they'd start calling
you Coach Walrus."
Bursting out in raucous laughter, the men almost fell over, but
Camille shrugged, unashamed, "I could be Coach Walrus for a lifetime
supply of this cake." Picking up her cocoa mug, she followed a giggling
Milli out of the kitchen as she took more tea to Aunt Elizabeth.
In the sunroom, Emily slept sweetly oblivious to all the noise. As
Milli refilled the tea mugs from the hot pot, Dorine and Elizabeth were watching
another episode with Gracie.
Camille looked at the child then turned to Milli. “Thanks for
baking. I know you do it all the time. You should be taking it easy after your move.”
“I didn’t mind, I wake up at the same time every day
anyway. My body doesn’t understand we’re
on vacation.” Milli followed as Camille carried her cocoa into the living room.
"Boys, the game's back," Camille called out, "And
leave some sweets for tomorrow."
"I don't think so," Beau taunted from the kitchen then
he came back with a plate full of deserts and sat next to Grandpa Ben. Milli
watched the family who had welcomed her into their holiday tradition, being
grateful for the good people of the Ridgeline Ranch. Maybe Pagosa Cliffs wouldn’t
be so bad after all.
Tank settled himself next to Camille as he smiled at Milli,
"Ma'am, if you ever need anything, you can pay me in pie and cake."
Milli tapped her chin thoughtfully, then said, "Well,
Sheriff, there is my ex-husband's body..."
Beau chortled then choked on a bite of cake.
Laughing, Tank saluted Milli with his fork, "Consider him
bear food, ma'am."
Milli nodded, then went back to watch another episode of Cake
Wars with Gracie, Dorine, and Elizabeth. Watching and remembering those shows,
helped Milli forget about Marni’s betrayal at least for that afternoon.
Thank you Editingle Indie House for supporting my scribbles and the entire Pagosa Cliffs Anemones Series. I feel so honored and humble that the staff and editors loved my story as much as I do.
See the review on YouTube With Booktuber and Author Catherine Edward.
And follow my twitter @penumbramine for more updates and sales info.
Thank you to everyone who has supported my scribbles since my stroke. I am so humbled by the responses and attention my simple stories receive. Have a blessed day and choose BETTER, not bitter, Mama Magie
Red Velvet and Anemones is launching in a few short days so to celebrate I am sharing Grandpa Ben Wallace and Detective Bill Harper's favorite cake. Black Velvet is a chocolate and coffee flavored Velvet Cake.
Black Velvet Cake
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray two 9-inch round pans with a nonstick cooking spray (or oil and flour) and set aside.
Cream together 1⁄2 cup vegetable shortening or butter 2 cups sugar plus 2 tablespoons sugar 2 eggs (one at a time)
Slowly add in 1 cup cold espresso (or 1 cup of instant espresso made with water) 1 cup buttermilk (or 7/8 cup milk with 2TBS cider vinegar)
Sift dry ingredients in slowly mixing until smooth 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
Pour into prepared pans. Bake in the preheated 350 degree F oven for 25 to 29 minutes for 9-inch round pans, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool ten minutes then remove from pan and cool completely on a wire rack before frosting. Frost with icing of choice but I prefer Mocha Buttercream
Mocha Buttercream Frosting
1 cup butter softened
1 cup dark cocoa powder
1/3 cup powdered mocha espresso (International Foods Instant Coffee is good)
6 cups powdered sugar, sifted
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2/3 cup milk
Whip until fluffy but don’t overmix or it will separate (because buttercream is a moody b***), chill slightly before frosting but not too stiff.
Garnish with chocolate curls, coffee powder, and/or cake crumbs. May also drizzle with chocolate ganache or caramel syrup or both.
𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿
