detective skills are telling me there is only one answer here.”
Holly cocked her brow. Whatever the old woman had come up with would probably annoy her but she couldn’t stop her next words as the sarcasm poured out of her, “Oh yeah, please enlighten me.”
“Yep,” Mildred popped the ‘p’. “My conclusion is… it was your fault.”
“How is it my fault? And why is everyone picking on me today?” A pout emerged on Holly’s face as her brows pulled together. Stupid family. Stupid Mildred. Stupid Waffles.
“You’re an easy target. What do you expect? Now, tell me what’d ya do that had even my little munchkin after you.”
Holly’s expression pinched together. “I don’t know what the big deal is. I was just trying to do something nice for my family… That’s it. It’s not like I was going to burn down the house or anything. I was just gonna make some waffles for everyone. Is that a crime?”
Mildred snapped back in terror. “You were gonna cook?!”
“I am allowed to cook. I’m a grown-ass adult after all.”
“No, you’re not!”
“Am too. I’m married and have two kids. I am an adult.” Take that!
“Sure, whatever, you’re an adult, that’s questionable but you are not allowed to cook.” Mildred shuddered in horror as a new wave of disgust washed across her face. “I don’t know why you’d even try to…Wait a second, now I get it.” Mildred slapped her knee. “You wanted to see that hunky fireman again. Now, I understand it. He’s the one that’s come out to your house a couple of times when you cooked. Remember the chicken tenders? Whoo-wee, he sure is a fine piece of meat. I knew you wouldn’t be stupid enough to actually cook.” Mildred wiped her brow.
A deep growl came from Holly’s throat as Mildred patted herself on the back. “I swear to God, Mildred, I will murder you.”
“I don’t blame you at all. That man sure is hot stuff. No wonder why he became a fireman.” Mildred fanned herself.
“His cat is also one of my husband’s patients, so can you stop? This has nothing to do with the fire department. Plus, that hunky firefighter told us the next time he needed to respond to the house he was taking our stove with him. So, no. And while we’re at it, can you stop bringing that back up? Every time Hank or his wife brings Dog into the clinic, they remind me not to turn on the stove.”
“That’s right, you told me he’s the one with the giant cat named Dog.”
“Yes, that’s the one. I really need to remember you never forget anything I tell you.” Holly shook her head.
“He is pretty fine. Remember when I caught him and his wife in the back of the library?” Mildred got a faraway look in her eyes. “You know what, I think I should call the fire station and tell them Holly Richman’s trying to cook her lunch in the break room. You and I both know he’ll be the first one here.”
As Mildred reached for the phone Holly snatched it from her. “You better not! I swear to all things I will murder you and no one will ever find your body.”
“Oh, yeah, yeah, let’s go with that one. That way Officer Jones can come by instead. He is f-i-n-e. I’m only seeing this as a win-win for me.”
Holly threw her hands in the air. Today was not her day. “Why are you here anyway? It’s a Saturday. You’re normally off.”
“My knitting club is getting together in a few hours and I needed some good material.”
“So, you came here ‘cause you knew I was working?”
“Duh, who else do I get the best stories from? My gal-pals live for your antics. You’re their highlight of the week.”
“Great, not only does my own family troll me, so does you and your stupid knitting club.” Holly went back to searching the internet trying her best to ignore the crazed woman sitting on top of the desk.
“Let me get this straight, your family was making fun of you for cooking, and now you’re here at work annoyed at them?”
Holly rolled her eyes. “A little. I’m not really annoyed, but I’m going to get them back for it. Especially, Ben.”
“Really, how so?”
Holly turned the computer around to face Mildred. On the screen was a horde of holiday elf costumes. They were in all different sizes, colors, and shapes. They had everything from pointy ears all the way down to green pointy toe shoes with