The Case of the Reptile Rescuing Receptionist (Buttercup Bend Mysteries Book 5)

Book summary

Newlywed Cathy Jefferson’s peaceful honeymoon is upended when a body is discovered near her cottage. The victim, an ex-hotel employee, appears to have died from venomous snake bites. With her friends Nancy and Mildred, Cathy delves into a web of suspects—including an ex-husband, reptile rescuers, and secretive staff—in this cozy mystery.

Excerpt from The Case of the Reptile Rescuing Receptionist (Buttercup Bend Mysteries Book 5)

Chapter One

Cathy was expecting a surprise from her new husband, but she was still taken aback when Steve filled her in on the honeymoon plans he’d made after their triple wedding aboard a yacht.

“We’re spending our honeymoon at Waterside Gardens?” she asked. “I didn’t even know they had a hotel.” Cathy and her friends had toured the Long Island wedding venue and even put down a deposit for their reception, but their plans had been disrupted by a murder.

“They do, Cat. I reserved the honeymoon cottage. I found out about it from Nancy when she managed to get our deposits back. Mr. Gannon, the manager, even offered to put part of the money toward our stay.”

“Steve, I’m not sure how I feel about this.” Although Cathy had enjoyed the time she’d spent with her great aunt on Long Island, she thought Steve would’ve booked a more exciting place. Nancy had talked Brian into a honeymoon in Paris. However, Mildred and Henry were only going upstate to the farm at Oaks Landing.

Steve noticed her hesitation. “I’m sorry if this isn’t what you imagined, but I think you’ll enjoy it. We’ll be able to spend time together in a beautiful place. I know you love nature and so do I.”

Cathy knew part of the appeal for Steve of Waterside Gardens were the gardens. As a gardener, she knew he’d want to be near flowers, but there were so many lovely gardens all over the world. She still conceded he might have a point. A honeymoon cottage sounded sweet, and the main thing was that they’d spend their first days as man and wife together. While a murder had forced them to change their plans to marry at the gardens, it hadn’t taken place there.

When they drove up to the hotel that was nestled behind a hill on the other side of the gardens, Cathy drew in a breath. The place looked like something out of a fairytale. She’d once spent a day in New Paltz at Mohonk Mountain House. That was what the Waterside Inn reminded her of with ivy clinging to its stone walls, and its view of waterfalls below. Steve took the turns up the mountain road slowly.

“It’s beautiful,” Cathy said. “I see why you chose it.”

Steve smiled. “The honeymoon cottage is even nicer. We’ll have a small refrigerator in the place, but we may want to take our meals in the hotel unless we call room service, which is a good option, considering that we might want to stay in bed our whole time.”

Cathy felt a blush heat her cheeks. While they’d consummated their nuptials before the wedding, she still felt bashful around Steve. He’d been her first serious boyfriend and even Michael, his competition, hadn’t made her feel this way.

Steve parked the car in the visitors’ lot, got out and opened her door. “We’re here, Cat. Let’s get checked in.”

As they walked up to the entrance, Cathy saw Steve glancing at the mums and other fall flowers that decorated the front of the inn. Two pumpkins flanked the door like festive sentinels. It was mid-October and there was a chill in the air. Cathy was about to pull her sweater close, but Steve drew his arm around her. “This is our new home for the next week, but I won’t pick you up and carry you over the threshold. We’ll save that for the house we’re building near your second rescue center.”

“That sounds good to me, Steve. Gran says they’re getting the permits and should start building soon if things go through quick enough.”

“Are you in a rush?”

She shook her head. “No. I enjoy being with Gran, and I know she’ll give us our privacy, but she needs privacy, too.” Cathy was thinking of her grandmother’s relationship with Howard Hunt, a detective whom she and Nancy worked with.

“I agree.” Steve paused at the hotel’s threshold and then held the door open for her. But before Cathy walked through, she saw a sign in the window, “Receptionist Needed. Immediate opening. Apply with Mr. Gannon.”

Steve saw her glancing at the notice. “That’s strange,” he said. “When I reserved our room, they seemed to have plenty of help.”

“Maybe business is booming.”

“Could be, or maybe someone quit or was fired.”

Cathy laughed. “I thought I was the one who always saw the glass half empty.” She entered the hotel.

Chapter Two

Roger Gannon was at the desk. When he saw them, he waved his arms and smiled. Cathy recalled the tour he’d given them back in June when they were looking for a place for their wedding. She’d been disappointed that they’d had to cancel their reservation because the legend he’d shared about the couples marrying at the gardens sounded so nice, even if it was marketing hype. She wished couples honeymooning there would be treated to the same good luck on their marriage.

“Hello there,” Roger said. She noticed he’d trimmed his beard and that he was wearing a new pair of glasses, ones with purple frames. “Nice to have you with us, Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson.”

“It’s our pleasure to be here,” Steve said. “I surprised Cathy because she had no idea you had an inn here besides a garden.”

“Well, I hope the surprise was pleasant. Most people aren’t aware of all our facilities. Our actual name is Waterside Inn and Gardens. I should’ve mentioned that originally, but I knew Ms. Carter, I mean Mrs. Jefferson, was staying at her great aunt’s at the time. I’m glad Mrs. Fitzcullins inquired about it when we processed your refunds.”

Cathy had a weird moment wondering why Brian’s mother would’ve asked about the inn, but then she realized Mrs. Fitzcullins was her friend, Nancy.

“We’re glad, too,” Cathy said. “The honeymoon cottage sounds lovely.”

Gannon raised a thick eyebrow over his frames. “I hope you find it so.” He reached into the desk drawer and withdrew a key card. Handing it to Steve, he said, “It’s not far.” He pointed toward the door that led to the back of the inn. “You take the path to the left, and it’s right up the hill, the first of the two other cottages on the property. There’s a marvelous view from there. We’ve also provided firewood if you’d like to use the fireplace. The bathroom has all the amenities you need and a whirlpool tub. If there’s anything else you want, just call the main number.”

“Is there a separate number for room service?” Steve asked with a grin toward Cathy.

Gannon’s smile froze. “I’m afraid we’ve paused our room service for the time being. We’re short on staff. You may have noticed the sign out front. One of my employees left suddenly a few days ago.”

“Sorry to hear that. I guess we could order delivery if we didn’t want to make the trip back here to eat.”

“That would be fine, but you’ll find the food in our restaurant above the take-out level. Make a reservation first. The number is on the card in your cabin.”

It seemed to Cathy he didn’t quite understand Steve’s reason for not wanting to leave the cottage.

“Great!” Steve nodded his blond head. Then he turned to Cathy. “I’ll go back to the car and get the bags. You wait here.”

“No need for that. I’ll have someone bring them over for you or bring them myself. We’re not that short-staffed.”

“Thanks,” Steve said handing him his car keys. “It’s the blue Ford in the parking lot. There are two cases in the trunk.”

Cathy knew the manager wouldn’t find it hard to locate the car because there weren’t many in the lot. Despite his comments about needing help, she didn’t notice anyone gathered in the main lobby, but it was possible guests had already checked in or were occupying the other cottages on the property.

Steve put his arm around Cathy again, and they followed the path Gannon had indicated. When they arrived at the cottage, Cathy couldn’t help comparing it to the one on her new rescue center’s property that had once given her a scare and a clue to solving the mystery of her professor’s murder. The honeymoon cottage made her smile instead of shake. Light surrounded it, and it overlooked a valley of wildflowers. Fountains danced below. Cathy wished she’d brought her camera.

“This is magical,” she said standing in the doorway and looking down.

Steve laughed. “Gannon said there were waterfalls. He exaggerated, but the fountains are a nice touch. We should check them out. Maybe take a shower in them.”

“I’d rather try that whirlpool bath he mentioned.”

Steve opened the door and held it for her. “I’d be up for that, but let’s wait until Gannon brings our suitcases.”

Cathy stepped inside and held her breath. It was the cutest, coziest place she could imagine. Wallpapered with pink and white flowers, there was a loveseat in the main room. The bedroom had a heart-shaped king bed like those the Poconos boasted. A square of dark chocolate rested on each pillow. There was also a large-screen TV with a cable box. The connecting bath featured the whirlpool tub. Assorted bubble bath bottles and soaps rested around it.

“No kitchen,” Cathy pointed out. “Just a small refrigerator in the corner.”

“I told you. It isn’t a big place, but I think we’ll enjoy it.”

“I’m sure I will. Thanks, Steve, for planning this.”

He winked. “Do I get a kiss for my trouble?”

She laughed and then planted a big one on his lips. “How’s that?”

“Perfect, my bride.” He suddenly swooped her up and carried her to the bed. She laughed, as he returned her kisses. But then she pulled away. “Not yet, Steve. Gannon will be here any minute.”

“Aww shucks!” he exclaimed. “He better hurry.”

Cathy had an idea. “It might take him some time since he’s short-staffed, but I was thinking of going for a walk and taking some photos with my iPhone. It’s such a pretty place, and I promised Nancy I’d send her pictures.”

Steve sat up. “You’re kidding, Cathy. Nancy’s in Paris. This doesn’t exactly compare.”

“No, but I’m sure she’ll still want to see it.”

“She knows you’re on your honeymoon, but if you want to take photos, that’s fine. I’ll wait here for Gannon if you’re okay going alone.”

Cathy leaned over and gave him another kiss. “That should keep you. I’ll be okay, and I’ll be back soon.”

Walking around the cottage, she began taking photos of the wildflowers, trees, and birds. She caught some squirrels munching and turned around and shot the cottage, too. From this angle, it was like a small fairy place. Colorful fall leaves scattered her path as she made her way deeper into the woods. She wasn’t scared. Sunlight lit her way. She sniffed in the pine scent and cool, crisp air. For a moment, she closed her eyes and nearly stumbled. She thought she’d caught her shoe on a tree root, but when she looked down, she was staring at a woman covered by some twigs and leaves: a dead woman.