Read 06 Suspects and Surprises Online
Authors: Cindy Bell
After Suzie had cleaned up from breakfast, she hid in her room to make a few phone calls.
“I need the cake to be delivered,” she explained to the baker. “If you can have it here by about five that would be perfect. Of course I'll pay extra.” Once the cake delivery was settled she placed a call to the caterers to make sure that the food would be ready to go by five. When she stepped out of her room she found Mary standing outside of it.
“What are you up to?” she asked suspiciously. “You've been sneaking around all day.”
“Nothing,” Suzie said innocently. “I was just making arrangements to meet with Paul later this evening.”
“Oh,” Mary nodded a little. She did her best to hide her disappointment. Suzie was just about to come up with even more excuses when her phone began ringing.
“I have to take this, I'm sorry, Mary,” Suzie said as she ducked back into her room. It was Paul.
“Hello?” she whispered into the phone.
“Suzie, why are you still at Dune House?” he asked. “I'm here with Benjamin and Catherine.”
“What?” Suzie glanced at her watch. “Oh no, I'm sorry! I lost track of time!”
“Well, if you come out you're going to see us. Do you want me to take them to lunch and come back in a little bit?” he asked.
“No, actually, just bring them in the back,” Suzie said. “Give me five minutes.”
“Okay,” Paul replied before he hung up the phone.
Suzie rushed back to Mary's side. “Ready to go to a movie?” she asked.
“Really?” Mary smiled with excitement.
“Yes, absolutely,” Suzie said. “Let's go right now, not a moment to waste.”
“Did you even check the times?” Mary asked with some confusion.
“Sure I did,” Suzie assured her. “Wait for me on the porch,” Suzie instructed. “I just have to grab my purse.”
“Don't worry about it, I'll drive and I'll pay,” Mary said. “Let's go or we'll miss the previews.”
“No way, you can't pay on your birthday,” Suzie said. “You get the car started, I'll be right out.”
“Okay, okay, but hurry,” Mary said as she stepped out onto the porch. As soon as she closed the door, Suzie rushed to the back door. She opened it to find Paul, Benjamin, and Catherine standing outside.
“Oh, it's so good to see you!” she said as she gave them both a quick hug. “I'm sorry to do this, but things haven't worked out the way I planned. I need to get you upstairs and hidden away before your mother sees you.”
“It's okay, Aunt Suzie,” Benjamin said and hugged her. Catherine gave her another tight hug.
“Is there anything that we can do to help?” she asked hopefully.
“Actually,” Suzie glanced between the two of them. “If you wouldn't mind, I could really use some help with decorating the dining room. I won't be able to if I'm spending time with Mary.”
“No problem,” Catherine said with a smile. “We'd be happy to help.”
“I can take them anywhere they need to go,” Paul added. “Just go enjoy your time with Mary.”
“Thank you so much,” Suzie sighed.
“Suzie?” Mary called out as she stuck her head in the front door. “Did you find your purse?”
Suzie gasped and herded Benjamin and Catherine into the pantry.
“Not yet!” Suzie called back shakily.
“Well, it's right here,” Mary said as she picked up Suzie’s purse which had been sitting on the kitchen island. Paul was crouched down behind it.
“Oh, silly me,” Suzie said. “Let's go!”
“Suzie, are you sure that you're okay?” Mary asked. “Yesterday was quite traumatic, maybe we should just stay in.”
“Nonsense,” Suzie said. “Let's get going,” she nearly pushed Mary out through the front door. The rest of the afternoon was a whirlwind of Suzie sneaking off to make phone calls. Mary was exasperated by the time the movie was over and they had finished lunch.
“Really Suzie, if you'd rather be with Paul it's fine,” Mary said with a shake of her head.
“The only person I want to be with on your birthday is you,” Suzie insisted. “But not with that hair,” she added.
“What?” Mary asked with surprise. She had worn the same hairstyle for a very long time.
“That's my birthday gift to you Mary, a trip to the hair salon,” Suzie said. “I'm going to let you get your hair done while I cook you a nice dinner at home. Louis said he will give you a ride home when you are done.”
“Okay, I guess,” Mary said with a slight frown. Then she shook her head and smiled. “Thank you, Suzie,” she said warmly.
“You deserve it, Mary,” Suzie said. Once she had made the arrangements with the hairstylist and pleaded with her to delay her until the time of the party, Suzie sent a text to Louis to let him know that Mary would be waiting for him. Then she rushed back to Dune House to help with the final party preparations and greet the guests. She had invited just about the entire town. As everyone began to arrive, she noticed that Wes was missing. Suzie tried to call Wes to see if he was going to be there. His phone went to voicemail. She growled with frustration.
“What's wrong?” Paul asked.
“I can't believe he's not here yet,” Suzie said as she paced back and forth in the foyer.
“It's okay, Suzie,” Paul said in an attempt to soothe her. “I'm sure he'll be here. Something must have come up.”
“He better be dead,” Suzie muttered. “Or I'll kill him myself.”
Paul raised his hands and backed away a few steps. “Scary,” he said.
“It's her birthday,” Suzie grumbled. “Her first one since she got away from that beast. She will be hurt if he doesn't show and I will be so furious with him.”
“Wow,” Paul chuckled. “I've never seen this side of you, Suzie,” he stepped closer to her. “I think I like it.”
“Not now, Paul,” she huffed and then peered out the front window. “Unbelievable,” she muttered just as a text came through from Louis to say that he and Mary were on their way. “Mary’s on her way, Wes is going to ruin the surprise,” Suzie said with frustration.
“Suzie remember, this is for Mary,” Paul said gently. “Let's just try to have fun, and maybe not so much talk about murder with the cop here,” he tilted his head towards Jason who had walked out to the foyer.
“Murder?” he asked and looked between the two. “I thought this was a party?”
“You're right, you're right,” Suzie sighed. “Okay, everybody hide!” she said as she headed into the kitchen. Benjamin and Catherine were ducked behind the front desk. Mary opened the door. Suzie was surprised by the bobbed hairstyle she had chosen. It suited her, and made her eyes shine.
“Surprise!” Suzie shouted, signaling everyone to jump up from behind the furniture. Mary gasped and jumped backwards a few feet.
“What have you done, Suzie?” she roared. “Benjamin, Catherine?” she cried out. “Oh my babies!” she said happily and rushed over to them. She smothered them in hugs and kisses. Suzie couldn't stop smiling. Until she heard Wes shuffle in behind her.
“It's about time,” she said to him sharply and fixed him with a glare.
Wes shot back a harsh look. “I'm sorry, I got held up.”
“Wes! Do you see what Suzie has done?” Mary said, laughing with joy.
“I'm sorry I was late,” he said. “Here, I brought you a present,” Wes was still eying Suzie with some annoyance.
“Thank you,” Mary said sweetly. Suzie noticed Benjamin watching Wes closely, before he whispered to his sister.
“Open it,” Wes insisted. “I can't wait for you to see it.”
Mary smiled and began carefully unwrapping the gift. Inside the paper was a wooden box, with intricate designs on the sides.
“It's beautiful,” Mary said.
“No, no, you have to open the box,” Wes grinned.
Mary raised her eyebrows and lifted the lid on the box. Inside was what appeared to be a painting of the outside of Dune House, framed by the clear blue sea.
“It's a puzzle,” Wes blurted out. “I know how much you like them, so I thought you might like this.”
“I do,” Mary said with a gasp. “It's perfect, Wes,” she hugged him tightly.
“I'm glad you like it,” Wes said proudly. “I really wanted it to be a surprise and it was quite an adventure to get it done. I had to hunt down some real artists, and you know how unreliable they can be.”
“Is this what you've been keeping a secret?” Mary asked with surprise.
“Well, I thought it would be a simple present at first, but there was a lot more to it than I expected. I'm sorry that I've been so preoccupied, I just wanted it to be a surprise.”
“It is,” Mary said warmly. “A beautiful one. I don't think I've ever had a more wonderful birthday,” she admitted. Suzie felt a sense of warmth wash over her. It had been touch and go for a while, but it seemed the party was going to be a success.
Once the party was in full swing Suzie felt a sense of relief. She could see that Mary was having a wonderful time with Wes, Catherine, and Benjamin. The rest of the guests seemed to be enjoying the food and beverages as well as the company. Suzie stepped out onto the porch to grab a breath of fresh air. She heard footsteps just behind her.
“A chance to be alone,” Paul said as he slid his arms around her. “You did a great job, Suzie.”
“I never could have done it without you,” Suzie said with a grim smile. “This party was almost a disaster.”
“It could never be a disaster with you in charge,” Paul said firmly. “You gave her a great birthday, Suzie.”
“She deserves it,” Suzie said with a fond smile.
“So, now that Wes and Mary are lost in romance again, maybe we could try for some of our own?” he suggested.
“That sounds like a lovely idea to me, Paul,” Suzie replied. She smiled as he pulled her close.
The End
Thank you very much for reading Suspects and Surprises, the sixth book in the Dune House Cozy Mystery Series. If you enjoyed the book and would like to be updated when I release a new book you can sign up for email updates at
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Cindy Bell is the author of the cozy mystery series, Sage Gardens, Bekki the Beautician, Dune House, Heavenly Highland Inn and Wendy the Wedding Planner.
Cindy has always loved reading, but it is only recently that she has discovered her passion for writing romantic cozy mysteries. She loves walking along the beach thinking of the next adventure her characters can embark on.
You can sign up for her newsletter so you are notified of her latest releases at
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Sage Gardens Cozy Mysteries
Dune House Cozy Mystery Series
Wendy the Wedding Planner Cozy Mysteries
Bekki the Beautician Cozy Mysteries
Hairpin, Hair Dryer and Homicide
Cosmetics, a Cruise and a Killer
Lipstick, a Long Iron and Lifeless
Camping, Concealer and Criminals
Heavenly Highland Inn Cozy Mysteries