Poison and Paint
Poison and Paint
Gold Valley Mysteries Book 3
April Browne
Contents
Author’s Note
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Thank You
About the Author
The Poisons
Also by April Browne
Author’s Note
Hey, new reader friend!
This book is just one of many witchy adventures, so make sure to keep in touch to find out about my upcoming books.
I offer my reader group sneak peeks, the occasional giveaway, adorable dog pictures, and many other cool things that are just for my inner circle of readers. Follow me on Facebook or join my email list.
April
Thank you to my wonderful family for supporting my writing and trusting that one day it will help support us.
In particular, I would like to thank you my husband Steven for being my first reader and providing all kinds of wonderful suggestions, including the bet in Chapter 8.
Thank you to Cillian, AKA Mr. Five, for “helping” me write by changing up my house and hero on 4theWords with me when he woke up early. Another hearty thanks to Kacie, AKA Little Miss, for “helping” me write by sleeping on my chest most mornings while I wrote and edited this book.
I would also like to thank my beta readers, Karen, Kimberley, and Manda for their hard work and dedication in pointing out all the parts that didn’t make sense and other inconsistencies.
Also, a huge thank you to my grammar police: Rosaleen Underwood, B. Fredericks, Debbie Breen, Amanda Forsberg, Stacey (Dees) Whipple, Shirley Lam, Debby Stephan, Manda French, Manda French, Fishmom23, Joan Salley, Marian Flynn, Betsy, Willa Condy, Carolyn Bartlett, Diane Rowland, Jessie Cairney, Melly DiSessa, Shelby H Forbes, Lynda Lippin—Pilates Goddess, Elizabeth Rowe, and Sylvie Roy.
Thank you for ferreting out all the mistakes. Any errors that remain are mine alone.
Any errors that remain are mine and mine alone. All of these people have done a wonderful job helping to make this book the best it could be.
~ April Browne
Corbett Publishing, January 2023
Copyright © 2023 by April Browne
* * *
Poison and Paint
Gold Valley Mysteries, Book 3
By April Browne
* * *
Cover Design by Melody Simmons
License Notes
* * *
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold.
All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious, and any resemblance to real people or events is purely coincidental. Published by April Browne. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without written permission of the publisher.
For information regarding permission, contact April Browne at AprilBrowneFiction@gmail.com
* * *
For more information please visit AprilBrowneFiction.com
Created with Vellum
1
Sophia Bell rubbed her arms, trying to chase away the goosebumps. The sun had set, leaving the sky a brilliant array of purples and oranges and taking with it the last heat of the day.
Were there any spells that could help with the cold? No, she couldn’t risk anything like that. Her magic was too dangerous.
Still, she’d gotten a lot better at controlling it after she’d spilled some honesty into a batch of cupcakes. The manager of the Magnolia Winery had revealed a long-kept secret to the wrong person, and had gotten killed for the indiscretion. The fallout from that had caused her therian side to surface, finding out she had an inner spirit fox and learning to commune with it stopped those abilities from interfering with her witch magic. She was furious with Mama for hiding those abilities from her. Another thing Mama hadn’t told her before she died was that Sophia’s magic would get stronger with age.
Sophia wanted a night to forget about the magic and the murder investigations that had put her life at stake. The wine would help with the forgetting and with warming her up.
Sophia eyed the beanie pinning down Lemon's poofy afro. Maybe her bestie would give up the hat?
“I see you looking at my hat. This sucker is mine.” Lemon pulled it a little lower, then grumbled, “Why did I agree to walk?”
“It’s only a couple blocks, and walking’s good for us.” Sophia shoved her hands in her pockets.
“Nothing to do with Detective Gorgeous?”
“A little.” Sophia shivered. “Ben runs for fun.”
“It’s Ben now? Girl, you’re finally as fast as the tortoise.”
“We can’t do anything until I break that curse…” The curse had killed her father and driven away any man the women in her family had dared love. She wouldn’t let it take Ben.
When they reached the paint studio, Lemon waved her ever-present sweet tea at an empty parking space. “You said I’d wind up driving back to the garage. There’s a spot right in front. Right in front, Soph.”
“You sure this spot’s not reserved?” Sophia asked.
Lemon rolled her eyes.
The words Poison and Paint stood out in a sharp, old-fashioned script over the studio’s door. At first glance, it looked like a skull and crossbones preceded the studio’s name. But when she looked closer, a paint pallet made the skull and paint brushes formed the crossbones. A cartoon wine bottle and a paint bucket followed the studio’s name.
Inside, a paint spattered, black foam mat squished under Sophia’s feet. At the far end of the room, a huge canvas stood on an easel with two long tables angled away from it. A few couples sat at smaller easels in between the tables and the outside edge of the tables were filled with small groups of women, with smaller canvases set out in front of them.
Amy waved from the front of the long table, a grin transforming her hawkish features. Despite their rocky first meeting, the women had bonded after having both their lives on the line. In helping Sophia to learn to control her inner fox, the squirrel therian had become one of Sophia’s best friends.
Front row? Everyone would see Sophia’s failure of a painting. If only wine would help her art, too.
“This should be fun.” Amy held up an empty wine glass. “Nikki just went in the back to bring out some supplies.”
“Who?” Sophia hated that name.
Amy gestured around the studio. “Nikki uses this place as her own personal studio and does the paint nights and lessons to supplement the income from her own paintings.”
High school came rushing back, but it couldn’t be the same person.
Lemon took a big swallow of sweet tea. “Not Nikki Russell?”
“I think so,” Amy said, looking back and forth between Lemon and Sophia. “Why? I was just trying to support another woman owned business.”
“High school was a long time ago,” Sophia said. “Besides, they’re not together anymore, are they?”
“Oh, honey.” Lemon put her hand on Sophia’s.
“You keep tabs on them?” Sophia asked.
“Not enough to know this was her shop, or I’d never have agreed to c
ome,” Lemon said.
“What are you talking about?” Amy asked.
“Nothing,” Sophia said.
“The jerk who ditched Soph at prom.” Lemon grabbed her bag. “We should go.”
“That was a long time ago,” Sophia repeated, her cheeks warming. “Besides, I only dated that pot-head to piss off Mama.” The curse had driven Tyler off when it became more than that.
“No way your temper’s not showing up tonight,” Lemon said.
“You’re not hung up on your high school boyfriend, are you?” Amy asked.
“Of course not.” Sophia forced a smile. “Tonight will be fun.”
“If you get mad, think of your detective.” Amy waggled her eyebrows.
“He’s not my detective.” But her cheeks burned at the thought of the man who’d saved her life.
Amy laughed. “High school boyfriend, not an issue.”
Large swinging doors opened, and a tall woman appeared, walking backwards with a box of paint in her hands. Her wavy brown hair cascaded down her back. The same Nikki and she looked even better than she had in high school.
While Sophia’s curves had softened into pudge, Nikki’s stick straight build had filled her out in all the right places.
“It’s not like Courtney to be late,” Sophia said, changing the subject.
Courtney, Sophia’s newest employee, had only returned to Gold Valley after the murder at Amy’s winery.
“Didn’t you see her text?” Amy asked. “She’s not coming because her daughter got dumped today.”
“A week before Valentine’s Day? That’s a bummer.” Lemon tucked her empty travel cup into her over-sized purse. “I’m set with a backup for the big day, and everything.”
“A backup?” Sophia asked.
“A lunch date and a dinner date. What about you and Ben?”
“Wait, it’s Ben now?” Amy asked.
At Sophia’s wide-eyed look, Amy flagged down Nikki. “I think we need some more wine over here.”
“Sure thing,” Nikki said. “I’ve got help coming in a bit, but I’ll get on that wine as soon as I get all the art supplies out.”
Did she not recognize Sophia, or was she ignoring their past? Sophia could make it through the night by pretending the disaster at prom hadn’t happened.
The door chimed and two older women headed straight for the easels marked reserved, right on the other side of the big canvas. One had an auburn pixie. The other had long hair so pale that Sophia couldn’t tell if the hair had gone white or if the woman was that blonde.
“Nikki,” the one with short hair crowed when she saw the artist. “We missed you.”
“You two again.” Nikki put her hands on her hips in mock seriousness. “What are you going to do with all these paintings? You’ll stop buying my originals if you keep taking all my classes.”
“Nonsense, I give mine away and keep yours, dear,” the blonde said.
“We love your artwork,” the redhead said.
“You’re too good to me.” Nikki laughed. “I’ve got to get some things together because today’s been a little hectic.”
Once Nikki had gone back to handing out paint brushes, Amy turned to the newcomers. “I didn’t know you two came here.”
“Amy? I thought you only did serious art?” the woman with short hair said.
“I’m combining two of my passions with girls’ night out.” Amy raised her glass.
The older women laughed.
“Who are your friends?” the short haired woman asked.
“This is Lemon Wilson and Sophia Bell from Mama Ginger’s Bakery.”
Something ugly flickered over the two women’s faces, but plastic smiles replaced it so fast that Sophia wasn’t sure what she had seen.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” the blonde pushed her glasses up her nose and didn’t offer her hand. “I’m Pamela Gray, owner of Buccaneer Bettas. We specialize in rare and exotic fish.”
“The pleasure’s all mine.” Sophia tried to mimic the woman’s tone. She’d heard of the expensive pet store in Liberty Junction, the uppity part of town that was trying to break off from Gold Valley.
“Shannon Diaz.” The woman with the pixie held out a limp wrist. “My husband and I own Brew Can Do It.”
“Come on, you spend all your days at Arthur’s Table,” Pam said.
“And all my nights working at our brewery.”
“What’s Arthur’s Table?” Sophia asked.
“You haven’t heard of it?” Pam looked down her nose at Sophia.
“Should I have?” Sophia asked.
“It’s only the biggest charity in Gold Valley,” Shannon said. “We provide aid to those who need it most.”
“How do you decide who needs it most?” Sophia didn’t like the pat answer.
“We prioritize the children and the homeless. After that, anyone can apply for relief.”
If no one knew the charity existed, who would apply?
“How do you know Amy?” Lemon played with the straw of her travel cup.
This time, Sophia could read the day’s pun: “I love you, sweet tea.” The pink heart was a mug with a tea bag sticking out.
“We’re in BOW together,” Amy said.
The two women frowned, but didn’t say anything.
“Like a bow you wear in your hair?” Sophia asked.
Amy shook her head. “Business Owning Women. BOW.”
“How come I don’t know about this group?” Sophia asked.
“Our next meeting is Monday,” Amy said. “You should come.”
“That’s not necessary.” Shannon wrinkled her nose. Why didn’t these women like Sophia? They had seemed friendly until they found out who she was.
Nikki appeared, carrying a box full of bottles of paint. “Sorry, I didn’t have these set up before you all arrived.” She sent a long look towards the doors and smoothed her skirt. “Help just showed up. So, your wine will be right out.”
Watching Nikki hand out supplies, Sophia started thinking about a whole different set of worries.
“I’m just—tonight is going to be a waste. I won’t make anything worth hanging.” Sophia watched Nikki for any sign of recognition.
“Don’t be silly,” Nikki said, smiling. Either Nikki didn’t recognize her or didn’t care about their past. “I make these classes so that anyone can do them, even if it’s the first time you’ve ever held a paint brush.”
“The sample cupcake is so beautiful,” Sophia said, certain she could never paint anything like it.
“Thank you.” Nikki laughed. “You can copy anything if you see all the pieces, and I’ll teach you how.”
“Thanks, I guess.” At least it wasn’t time to start yet.
“It doesn’t have to be exactly like mine, either. You’re not making a forgery.” Nikki handed Sophia a bunch of paint brushes held together with a rubber band. “The little differences make it yours. Now I need to hand these out.”
“I have zero talent,” the pet store woman—Pam said. “But with Nikki walking me through it, I’ve painted everything that she’s shown us.”
“Me too,” Shannon said. “I’m running out of room to hang them in the house. My husband wishes I’d stop coming or get rid of some. I should get rid of him with all the time he spends working.”
“Maybe you should.” Pam looked down at her canvas, long hair covering her face, then took a swig of wine. “I could take him off your hands if you want.”
“You wish.” Shannon laughed, but there was a hard edge to it. “Eric’s all mine.”
Sophia mouthed, “What was that about?”
But Lemon wasn’t paying attention to the harpies. Instead, she stared at the back of the room. “Oh, sugar.”
Lemon watched Sophia’s high school boyfriend carry a tray of wine glasses into the room.
Sophia forced herself to breathe steadily. She had Ben to think about. He had those delightfully broad shoulders and unruly hair she wanted to run her fingers throu
gh. He’d saved her life and thought she was foxy. What wasn’t to love?
As Tyler approached, Sophia noticed lipstick stains on his lips and neck and the way his brows furrowed together. If they’d been making out, why did he look mad?
He caught Sophia staring at him and made a little choking noise. At least someone felt bad for what had happened at prom.
“What’s wrong?” Nikki snaked her arm around Tyler’s waist.
He whispered something into Nikki’s ear, then marched to Sophia and her friends.
Nikki watched him, her eyes darting from Tyler to Sophia and back again. After a few moments, her eyes widened in recognition. She laughed, then continued handing out brushes. She hadn’t recognized Sophia after all.
“Tyler.” Sophia licked her lips when his piercing green eyes met her blue ones.
“Sophia, it’s good to see you,” Tyler said.
Up close, Sophia could smell the pot he must have smoked. Sophia reminded herself it was legal now, so it didn’t make him a bad boy anymore.
“Sure it is. I didn’t realize this place was yours.” Sophia sniffed her cabernet. The oak scents flooded her nose and gave her an excuse to avoid his eyes.
“It’s not mine. It’s hers.” He ran a hand through his dark, curly hair. “I just help out when it’s busy. I mean…I want to apologize for….”
“It was ten years ago. I’m over it.” She chugged her drink.
Tyler handed a glass to Lemon. “I’m sorry about prom. It was wrong…how we left things.”