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  Photo Bombed

  A Bianca Wallace Mystery, 1

  (A Cozy Mystery Novel)

  Photo Bombed: A Bianca Wallace Mystery, Book One

  Copyright © 2020-2021 by Daria White

  Published by Crimson Fox Publishing

  www.crimsonfoxpublishing.com

  First Edition

  Cover Design by Vila Designs

  This eBook is fiction. All characters, locations, and situations are purely fictional, coincidental, and for entertainment only. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as fact. Any resemblance to actual events, organizations, or persons—living or dead—is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable, right to access and read the text of this book. Except for reviews or in promotional posts or similar uses, no part of this text may be reproduced in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of the author. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

  eISBN: 978-1-005650-87-2

  ISBN (Paperback): 978-1-952667-49-7

  Smashwords License Statement

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please visit your favorite ebook retailer to purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Table of Contents

  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

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Epilogue

  More by Crimson Fox Publishing

  About the Author

  Stay in Touch

  Thank you from Daria

  Photo Bombed

  (A Bianca Wallace Mystery, 1)

  Chapter 1

  “Excuse me, young lady?” Bianca Wallace eyeballed her daughter, who had her phone in her hand. Who knew how many texts her sixteen-year-old had sent because Alyssa’s thumbs moved at every ping that sounded from her phone?

  Alyssa met her mother’s dark brown eyes. She placed her phone back on the table, face down. “Sorry.”

  “No phones during dinner.” Bianca picked up her fork just as her own cell phone rang.

  Alyssa smirked as she folded her arms over her chest. “Well, well, well.”

  Bianca pointed her fork at her. “Not one word.” Loud laughter filled the air of the Italian restaurant, Bello Italian, along with servers taking orders. Heat emerged from a pulled apart breadstick on Bianca’s plate.

  Alyssa giggled. “Sorry, Mom, but that was Chloe. We’re meeting some friends after dinner.”

  “You’re just now telling me this?” Bianca would never get used to her daughter becoming an adult. Two more years and her only child would graduate high school. Though Alyssa didn’t know her major yet, she’d mentioned plans of either studying medicine or architecture. Bianca hoped her daughter decided soon.

  “It’s only a party.” Alyssa bounced in her seat.

  Bianca watched her. “With whom? Do I know the parents?”

  Alyssa groaned. “Mom.”

  “Don’t Mom me. Who’s chaperoning this party?” she asked. Bianca had been young once too, wanting to hang out with friends. High school was where she’d met Alyssa’s father, Malcolm Cook.

  “Mom,” Alyssa continued unabated. “We have a new kid at our school, and they invited us. Chloe and I will look out for each other. Don’t worry.”

  “Be home by eleven.”

  “Mom!” Alyssa’s eyes bugged, as if realizing her outburst. She leaned across the table. “I’ll be seventeen soon. I at least thought you’d bump the curfew to midnight.”

  “I would have if you’d put up the dishes last night. Guess who had to empty the dishwasher?” Bianca twirled the fettuccine on her plate.

  Alyssa sat back in her seat. “Fine.”

  “I’m only thinking of you,” Bianca said. It was the truth. She’d been thinking about her since she’d become a mom, even more now that she was single.

  “Can we negotiate on the curfew?” Alyssa asked.

  “I don’t do that. I’m the mother.”

  Alyssa rolled her eyes. Then she took a gulp of her iced tea.

  Bianca didn’t take pleasure in being the bad cop, but if she didn’t raise her daughter with boundaries, she’d only run wild and make careless mistakes. Though some things were inevitable since her daughter had to learn, Bianca did her best to guide her daughter to be a well-rounded person. Then she cocked her head to the side. “Does this have anything to do with that boy?”

  Alyssa’s head jerked back. “What boy?”

  “The boy who met you this morning at the door when I dropped you off at school.”

  Alyssa looked down at her plate. “He’s just a friend.”

  “I know that look.”

  “Mom, please don’t say anything.”

  “Why would I do that? I was young once. I remember having crushes and wanting to fit in. I didn’t forget,” Bianca said.

  “His name is Kendrick.” Alyssa’s eyes glowed. “He plays basketball and football. Before you say anything else, he’s the nicest boy ever. He’s not cocky at all. He’s so smart.”

  Bianca smiled. “I see. Is he hosting this party tonight?”

  Alyssa bit her bottom lip. “Yes.”

  “Now we’re getting somewhere.” She gazed at her mini me. Alyssa had her dark brown eyes and naturally curly hair. Smooth brown skin, but Alyssa had faint freckles on her nose. Like her father. “You can tell me anything. I’m always willing to listen.”

  “I know.” Alyssa laced her fingers together. “Please, can I stay out a little later? I’ll be home by midnight, Mom. I’ll even text you when I get there.”

  “This boy must be something.”

  “He is. He’s amazing. And mature. Do you know how many jerks are in high school?”

  Bianca laughed. “I can only imagine.” She swallowed the last of her pasta. “I’ll give you until eleven-thirty, and you have to make sure you unload the dishwasher.”

  Alyssa practically squealed. “Thanks, Mom!”

  Bianca flipped her medium-length brown hair. “I know. I’m the best.”

  They both laughed

  Bianca continued. “Just promise me that whomever you end up liking or dating, it won’t hinder our mother-daughter nights. They’re important to me. I know you’re growing up, but don’t forget.”

  Alyssa’s eyes beamed. “I promise, Mom. You’re the best.” Taking her phone out, Bianca figured Alyssa confirmed her plans with her best friend. “She’s picking me up here. Is that okay?”

  “That’s fine,” Bianca said.

  Once the ladies finished eating and Bianca had paid the bill, they exited the double doors. Chloe
pulled up to the restaurant and let down her passenger-side window to her Toyota Corolla. How her parents had gotten her a new car at sixteen, Bianca didn’t understand. Thank goodness Alyssa hadn’t asked for a car. She needed to pass the driving test first.

  “Hey, Ms. Wallace!” Chloe waved. The girl’s long layered black hair framed her olive skinned face. Her loose curls rested on her shoulders. Alyssa joined her friend inside the vehicle.

  “Hi, Chloe.” Bianca leaned to look at her daughter. “Remember your curfew. Don’t make me change my mind.”

  Alyssa clicked her seatbelt. “I will. I promise.” The girls waved and Chloe drove out of the parking lot.

  Bianca threw her keys in the air and caught them. With the night sky free of clouds, the stars sprinkling above lifted her spirits even more. The gentle night breeze kissed her face. She turned her head for a moment as the murmurs of waiting customers heightened in her ears.

  Sitting on benches and standing near the entrance, they either waited for a table or chatted with their party. Others walked to their cars with plastic takeout bags. Bianca walked the semi full parking lot to her royal blue 2018 Kia Soul.

  Where had the time flown? It was as if it were only yesterday that she’d had her daughter. Now Alyssa was almost out of the house.

  Bianca would be an empty nester. Her breathing slowed as the memories took over. Alyssa’s gurgles and toothless smiles. She was such a happy baby, squealing and bouncing with excitement when she played with her toys. A shallow sigh escaped Bianca’s full lips as the engine hummed in her ears while she drove home.

  A night to herself, and since she was caught up with work for the week, she’d watch reruns of her favorite sitcom, Living Single. Home. One of her favorite places. Pulling into the driveway, she hit the button for the garage door to her modern farmhouse home. With a hanging swing bench on her front porch, it was the perfect place where she could sit with a steamy tea cup in her hand.

  A mix of vinyl shingles and cement board siding covered the house and the garage. To her surprise, the garage came attached to the house, at the request of the previous owners. Bianca parked. Grabbing her phone again after cutting the engine, she saw a text from her mother. How did she not hear her phone? Lost in thought with memories about baby Alyssa.

  Mom: Check your porch. Left a surprise!

  Just now? Perhaps her mother had been in a hurry and couldn’t stay. Typically Bianca entered her one story house through the garage, but she marched to her front door. She stopped in her tracks as she stepped on her porch. An open cardboard box. What?

  She heard whimpers. What did her mother leave on her doorstep? She looked inside to see a puppy. A white and chocolate puppy with a red bow around its neck. Bianca’s mouth fell open. She didn’t do pets. Even when Alyssa had asked for one in middle school, Bianca hadn’t cared to take care of one, when trying to support herself and a child.

  She focused her eyes on the dog. A Beagle? It sat on its hind legs, with his paws hanging on the end of the box.

  “Uh…” Bianca pulled out her phone. When she saw another text from her mother, she inwardly winced.

  Mom: You’ll love Casper. Enjoy!

  Bianca called her mother. “What’s this?”

  “Mrs. Pruitt’s dog had puppies. I thought you would love Casper, so I dropped him off a few minutes ago.”

  “Mom—”

  “If you don’t want him, I’ll take him, but I know Alyssa’s had her heart set on a dog for years.”

  “Why now? You wait until she’s sixteen? Who will take care of him once she leaves home?”

  Her mother huffed, never ceasing to surprise her. Just when she had her mother figured out, she threw a curveball. “Bianca, I thought it would be a fun gesture. He’s young, so you can train him. But like I said, if you don’t want him, I’ll take him.”

  “You already have two dogs.”

  “The more the merrier. You’d be surprised what great company they are.”

  Bianca didn’t mind dogs, but since she’d grown up with them, she didn’t care to have any of her own. They were a lot of responsibility.

  “Fine. He can stay for one night, but I’m bringing him over to your place in the morning after I drop Alyssa off for school.”

  “Enjoy him, dear. He’s such a sweetie.” Her mother hung up.

  Bianca released a deep breath and picked up the box. Casper licked her chin. “Not the face, please.” She carried him inside. Not the evening she’d expected.

  Chapter 2

  Alyssa had to ask to keep Casper. She arrived on time for her curfew, but when spotted the puppy asleep in the living room’s corner, she pleaded with her mother to keep him. Bianca said she would consider it and they had to weigh in the opinion of her younger sister. Melanie. Her one and only sibling.

  The sisters hadn’t shared a home since Bianca moved out to marry Malcom, but it was nice to be together again. Even when she texted her, Mom left us a dog, her sister sided with their mother and Alyssa. Three against one. Casper was staying.

  When she dropped Alyssa off at school that morning, Casper rode in the back seat. A puppy in the family? Would it be so bad? Alyssa loved him already, and as Bianca glanced at him in her rearview mirror, her mouth twisted into a grin. He was adorable. When she dropped him off at her mother’s home, her mother practically busted with excitement at the news of Bianca keeping him.

  Pulling into the parking lot of R&J’s Restaurant and Bakery, she entered through the glass door, hearing the bell chime above her.

  “Good morning, Judy.” Bianca paced to the front counter, grateful that the morning rush was gone.

  “Bianca.” The redhead’s eyes beamed. For a woman in her late fifties, Judy didn’t look a day over forty. Five eight, emerald green eyes, and a pleasant smile. “Good morning. What can I get for you today?”

  Bianca pulled out her card. “It’s my turn to bring donuts for the teachers. PTA.”

  Judy bobbed her head. “How many?”

  “At least two dozen.” Bianca’s eyes wondered about the combo restaurant and bakery. Aside from the tall glass cases filled with donuts, she noticed the collection of cookies on red plastic trays. Customers chatted as they ate, and Bianca couldn’t help but inhale the smell of toasty bread.

  “Are you excited about Nicole’s bridal shower?” Judy asked.

  “Yes. Besides, I get to eat your cooking, but…” Bianca rubbed at her toned stomach. She wanted to keep it that way. “I may stay clear of the pastries. Most of them.”

  Judy giggled. “You look great, so don’t even try that with me.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Makes me think of going to the gym.”

  “It can be fun once you find an exercise routine you like,” Bianca said.

  Judy tapped her forehead. “I said think. Thinking and going are two different things.”

  Bianca laughed.

  “Looks like a new face in town.” Judy stared out the front door as the bell chimed. Someone had just walked inside.

  Bianca pivoted out of curiosity, only to have her eyes widen slightly. She stared for a moment at his almond skin against his gray suit. Fresh haircut, tall but no more than six feet she assumed. His muscular frame filled his suit.

  How old was he? He couldn’t be no older than thirty if she had to guess. Though his groomed beard made him look older. She didn’t recognize him, either, so he had to be new in town or a tourist. Or he could have been lost. His eyes intrigued Bianca even further. Were they gray too? She couldn’t tell, but staring wouldn’t help. She faced the counter. She felt a presence behind her.

  “Is that all for you, Bianca?” Judy asked.

  “That’ll be all.” Bianca took back her card and returned it to her purse. Judy handed her two boxes, and Bianca secured them in her hands. The man behind her backed away. “Excuse me.”

  Next thing she knew, he walked ahead of her and opened the door. Bianca swallowed. A gentleman. She could appreciate that. “Thank you.”r />
  “You’re welcome.” His voice was smooth, and she could not ignore his woodsy cologne. Her chest heaved as the scent filled her lungs. Was there a smolder to his eyes? Bianca didn’t stick around to see. She had to get back to work and drop off the donuts to her daughter’s school.

  She didn’t waste time getting into her car and pulled out of the parking lot. Whoever this new guy was, she’d met enough attractive men in Edenville. One more didn’t matter. None of them sparked her interest until… she blinked. Hearing her mother’s ringtone, Boyz II Men’s “Mama,” through her car, she answered. “Yes, Mom?”

  “I forgot to ask you before you left. With my matchmaking event, I got behind cooking for our family meal. If you can come over after church this Sunday, I’d appreciate some help in the kitchen.”

  Deborah Wallace never missed cooking a family meal.

  Bianca agreed. “I don’t mind coming over.”

  “I’ll tell you something else too. I’m so excited for Nicole’s wedding.”

  Bianca’s eyes widened. She’d forgotten to call Nicole back last night. Her best friend since college. How long had it been? At least sixteen years since the day they were roommates. Practically another sister to her and she was getting married. As matron of honor, Bianca stayed on call if the bride-to-be needed anything, and thank goodness her friend wasn’t a bridezilla. Even with the wedding coming up next weekend and Nicole scrambling with her wedding planner to finish all the details, she didn’t unravel.

  “Me too. I’ll call her as soon as I get home.”

  “Think you’ll meet some eligible bachelors at the wedding?” her mother asked.

  Bianca stopped at a traffic light. Her mother meant well, but she wasn’t ready to get back into the dating scene. At first, Bianca had told herself she’d try once Alyssa was older. Now that she was, Bianca’s stomach only roiled at the thought of dating again. She wasn’t supposed to be divorced. Malcolm was supposed to be here forever.