Donuts and Danger, page 1
Donuts and Danger
Snow Falls Alaska Cozy Mystery
Book 9
Wendy Meadows
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
Also by Wendy Meadows
About Wendy Meadows
Copyright © 2025 by Wendy Meadows
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Chapter One
Snow.
Bethany Lights had come to love—and even adore—snow. She lived in a small town in Alaska called Snow Falls. This small town rested in the far reaches of Alaska, sitting like a remote island surrounded by a sea of ice and snow during the winter and lush green foliage during the summer. Deep, impossible woods surrounded the town, reaching out for towering mountains that were untamed and wild; mountains filled with deadly, wild rivers that could swallow a man whole within seconds. Hungry, dangerous animals roamed the woods and mountains with vigorous determination and confident strength; grizzly bears and wolves were the most prominent threat. A thunderous river journeyed throughout the county, filled with delicious trout but also many hidden snares. Parts of the river were shallow, and it was known that a man could easily drop into water thirty feet deep, caught in cruel, soulless rapids that raced faster than a howling winter wind around the heart of a lost hunter. When the snow arrived, the snow Bethany loved, the entire landscape transformed into a completely different world, summoning new dangers but creating a world that no man or woman could ever control or truly touch. The snow, Bethany felt, was a mysterious heartbeat that she belonged to, and the snow always came to Snow Falls.
So did a deadly snowman.
The snowman, Bethany knew, would always be in the snow. Even when the snow fainted for a season before returning with a mighty vengeance, the snowman remained—hidden, watching, hungry.
“Oh, that's horrible!” Bethany Lights threw a pair of exhausted hands over her face. She’d been told her beauty was akin to the loveliness of Jane Wyatt, the woman who played the mother on the “Father Knows Best.” Bethany didn't mind looking like Jane Wyatt. Jane Wyatt, after all, was a lovely woman, she just hated being pegged as the weak and timid type. But that was life. “I've been trying to write the first page of my new book for four days now, and I can't even get past the first few paragraphs.”
A strong blast of winter wind struck the glass of her bedroom window. It was there that Bethany had hunkered down like a lost hiker in a cave during a storm. It's snowing again. A late spring snowstorm is about to strike Snow Falls. The storm isn't forecast to be fierce, but a large amount of snow is going to fall. I don't mind. The snow is where I belong.
She imagined the brightly lit computer screen fussing at her, urging her to get back to the story her heart was struggling to write. Instead of going back to work, however, Bethany stood up from her brown computer chair, brushed the cookie crumbs off her brown sweater onto the glossy hardwood floor, and walked over to the window covered with a heavy green drape. She lifted her hand to pull the drape back. A powerful white face greeted her. The icy wind seemed to speak in a cold whisper. A frozen tree, taller than a neighborhood of other frozen trees, stood at the far end of a snow-covered backyard. Bethany walked her eyes through the falling snow and found the tree—her tree. The tree appeared lifeless, but deep within its heart, a powerful, determined life was sleeping, soon to wake up.
“You and me, old friend. You and me.”
A light knock at the bedroom door caused Bethany to turn away from the bedroom window.
“Yes, come in.”
A beautiful woman who resembled a young, dazzling Judi Dench opened the bedroom door and appeared like a sky-blue dream.
“Back from your lunch so soon?”
Julie Walsh let out a low moan as she released her hair from a stylish ponytail. Bethany watched her best friend's brown hair cascade down onto the back of her blue and white dress. “Yes,” she said in a voice that was tinged with anger. “My date,” she continued in a thick British accent that only came out when she was angry, “and I decided to end our luncheon early.”
“Oh, you had a fight with—”
“Don't even mention his name, love.” Julie glanced toward the cluttered writing desk sitting under a fussy computer. She then spotted a brown coffee cup and a green cookie plate that was standing empty. “No progress?”
“Afraid not.” Bethany strolled over to her green sitting chair near a large bed covered with a heavy brown quilt. My bedroom is very bland—but then again, so am I. “I made a stew for lunch. With Uncle Riley currently on a sabbatical, there is more food in the cabin. I—”
Julie saw sadness enter Bethany's eyes. “You miss Joshua, don't you?”
“I do,” Bethany confessed. “I know Joshua is better off with his new family in Oregon. He has an uncle and an aunt and four cousins.” Joshua had been gone for two weeks, but it felt like much longer. She sometimes wondered if she’d made the right decision in letting him leave to go live with his uncle. She thought she did, as there wasn't much for him there in Snow Falls. At least now he has cousins, a family. And it's not as if Joshua left my life for good. We talk on the phone, write emails, and I'm due to go visit him this summer. Still, I miss him. “I'm also sad that Paul left. I guess he had itchy feet. He sent me a postcard from Chile, and he's working his way down to Antarctica.”
“Paul is determined to see the world, love.”
“I know,” Bethany said and sighed, lowering a set of sharp, brilliant eyes. “Steven is in Los Angeles with Pete again working on a case. He and Pete have become the best of friends.”
“Which means you and I are currently two single girls.” Julie walked over and sat down on the edge of Bethany's bed. “For now, Ben Nayes is on my bad side,” she announced, crossing her arms across her chest. “Do you know what I suggest?”
“What?” Bethany asked.
“After the snowstorm, we should go up to Ice Mountain.”
“Ice Mountain? Julie, are you insane?” Bethany nearly choked on her words. Was Julie Walsh suffering from winter insanity? “We almost died—”
“Let me finish, love,” Julie said in a terse but calm tone. “I know we almost died, but the bad guys were done away with, right?” Bethany reluctantly nodded. “And love, that old ski resort was kind of charming. I do have a bit of extra money, and so do you. I was thinking maybe we could go back to Ice Mountain and explore.”
Bethany could only stare at Julie with shocked eyes. “Are you suggesting we buy it?”
“Perhaps, love.” Julie's lovely face became a bit knotted. She quickly began nibbling on her lower lip. “I love Alaska. At first, I missed London dearly, but not anymore. My last trip to London proved to me that the city has changed for the worse. Alaska—love, this land is a land that doesn't really belong to anyone. Oh, I know America claims this land as a state, but that's just for show. Up here, a man and woman can be free from the world. When the snow arrives, oh love, it's so beautiful. It's as if my heart enters a completely new world. And love, I want to be as far away from the world as I can possibly get. Ice Mountain is extremely remote, and the ski resort was truly quaint. I'm sure with a lot of elbow grease, we could get the ski resort back on its legs.”
“Julie, I don't know what to say.”
“Well, we can't let a few sour grapes ruin a beautiful mountain for us, love,” Julie insisted in a nervous tone. “Sarah and Amanda have O'Malley's. I just think you and I need something, too.”
“But the ski resort on Ice Mountain is far away. Like you said, extremely remote.” Bethany felt her heart start to race some. Was Julie serious? It certainly seemed that way; at least, that's the conclusion Bethany saw in Julie's excited eyes. “Honey, why are you just now telling me this?”
“I was waiting for spring to arrive,” Julie confessed. “Also, I was waiting to see if my own heart was serious or not. But for the last month, the ski resort is all I've been able to think about. That's why Ben and I got into such a heated argument at lunch. He called my idea dumb. Dumb, can you believe that?”
“Julie, honey, does this have anything to do with your son?” Bethany dared to ask. Julie has been so upset over her son. That lousy, no-good-for-nothing betrayed his own mother. I think that’s why she wants to get as far away from the world as she can possibly get, and Ice Mountain is that place.
“Yes,” Julie confessed without the slightest hesitation. “Bethany, you know how awful my son hurt me. I feel—no, I want—to be as far away from London as I can be. I've given that abandoned ski resort on Ice Mountain a great deal of thought. I'm not suggesting we’ll open a bustling business that will attract hundreds of people. I'm not even suggesting we try to get the ski lift working. I'm suggesting we open a remote getaway for people who have suffered mental and emotional trauma during their lives. A sort of retreat.”
“For you or the guests?” Bethany immediately regretted her hasty question. “Oh honey, I'm sorry, I didn't mean—”
“Don't be sorry, love, because you're right. I want—need—a distant location to retreat to for myself. And deep down, at times, I think you do, too.” Julie pointed at Bethany's computer desk. “You've been trying to write an impossible story sitting at that desk, and you haven't gotten very far, I'm afraid. Ever since you got back from British Columbia, it seems that your mind and heart have been lost in an avalanche of uncertainty, if I dare say it like that.”
Bethany felt a heavy sigh leave her heart. Julie wouldn't be wrong in making that assumption. Joshua has left. Paul left. Sarah and Amanda are in Los Angeles with Conrad and Little Sarah. Whatever case Pete is on, Sarah was worried enough to fly down to Los Angeles and help, even though Steven is on the scene. It seems like there is a lot of uncertainty in the air lately. “Honey, couldn't we try to find a closer location?” Bethany asked. “If you want to open a retreat, I'll support you without question, but Ice Mountain is a long trip from Snow Falls.”
“That's what I need, love. My son and ex-husband both know I live in Snow Falls. I want to be able to escape to a place that those two skunks are not aware of.” Julie stood up, stretched her back, and then walked over to the bedroom window. “When this snowstorm passes,” she started, pulling back a green drape, “I intend to make a trip up to Ice Mountain. I would like for you to come. It isn't likely we're going to encounter a second killer up there, love.”
Julie is probably right. The ski resort up on Ice Mountain is probably housing a hibernating bear right now. Ice Mountain is so remote, it takes a Snow Cat to get up there, and the road up to the ski resort is so treacherous. Only the main entrance was taken out by dynamite. We would have to use that awful back trail to get there. “Julie, the main entrance—the entrance that went between the rocks—was knocked out, remember? And remember how difficult it was leaving the mountain using that horrible back trail?”
“I remember,” Julie said and nodded. “The Snow Cat Claude owns can make the trip. I called up to the hunting lodge and spoke to him.”
Bethany winced some. “Did Claude think you were crazy?”
Julie dropped her shoulders. “Yes.” She sighed, turning away from the window. “But I finally convinced him to drive me up to the resort. I told him if he didn't take me, I would find someone else to take me.” Julie bit down on her lower lip for a second. “Samantha agreed to make the trip. I think Samantha believes she and Claude will be able to talk me out of trekking up to Ice Mountain once I arrive.”
“Claude and Samantha mean well,” Bethany pointed out.
“Yes, that's my worry. As much as it pains me to say this, Bethany, I may have to find someone else to take me up to the ski resort. I know Claude and Samantha mean well, and I do love them so, but I know what I want and what I need.” Julie walked to the bedroom door. “I'll have to think on it. But will you come with me, please?”
Bethany heard desperation in her best friend's voice. How can I say no? Julie has stood by me through thick and thin. She's my best friend, my sister. I wouldn't know how to live without her, and she's so hurt. I can't imagine how bad it would feel to be betrayed by my own son. I think Julie needs to take a distant journey. Maybe when we get to the ski resort, she’ll change her mind… or not. I don't know. But the pain I see in her eyes tells me she needs the trip. “I'll call Claude and tell him to halt any plans that involve giving you grief.”
A relieved smile touched Julie's weary eyes, and then a single tear followed. “Ben called my idea dumb. He didn't mean to insult me, he just doesn't understand. I think it'll be best if Ben goes back to Vermont. I think Ben knows that as well. I care about Ben very deeply, but not enough to ever marry him. I—love, I need to get away from everyone and everything.”
Bethany stood up and hurried over to Julie. “It's alright, honey.” With two caring arms, Bethany offered a warm hug. “I've sensed that you and Ben have been growing apart. I think he wants to go back to Vermont.”
Julie placed her head down onto Bethany's shoulder. “I think you're right. Ben wants to try to grow closer to me, but I'm just not ready, love. I thought I was, but after my son hurt me, I need time.” Julie hugged Bethany and then wiped at another tear with a quick hand. “I'll go make us some coffee and bake a cake. We can talk about the trip over a nice slice of cake in an hour or so.”
Julie hurried out of Bethany's bedroom, and Bethany felt her heart break for her. “I'll make the trip with you, Julie. That's what best friends are for. But the snowman is still in the snow. Wherever we go, the snowman will certainly follow.”
On weary legs, Bethany journeyed back to the bedroom window and dared to look out at a heavy falling snow. “When the snow falls, oh, when the snow falls.”
Chapter Two
Two weeks later, Bethany and Julie arrived at a remote hunting lodge.
“I can't believe we're back at Claude and Samantha’s hunting lodge. Well, I don't think they really operate anymore since Claude retired.” Bethany put a brown suitcase down onto an old hardwood floor that creaked and moaned. “They're allowing this lodge to be used for a Christian Marriage Retreat now. As much as Claude fussed about that the last time we talked, I think he's happy about his decision. He doesn't have to go out into the cold as often to guide hunters, and the money is better.”
“I think Claude and Sam are both happier,” Julie agreed, plopping down in a wooden rocking chair beside a window that was covered over by a heavy brown curtain. “The only problem is all the marriage retreats take place in late spring, summer, and early autumn. Claude and Samantha still need money to get through the winter months.”
Bethany slowly folded her arms over a heavy blue winter coat that complimented her dark red hair. Being a redhead was tough at times. Redheads were known to be quick-tempered and tough, but Bethany's appearance illuminated a timid, quiet, withdrawn woman. After all I've been through, I should be able to tangle with a grizzly bear. “Are Claude and Samantha hurting for money?”
“I don't know. I just heard Samantha telling Claude that the money we're paying them to take us to Ice Mountain will help them balance out the months when there isn't a marriage retreat happening,” Julie answered, snuggling up in a warm brown coat that was thick enough to swallow her whole. “We'll have to find out if Claude and Samantha are hurting for money, love. I'd hate to think that they are and—”
“We're not hurting for money!” The door to Bethany's room burst open. A tough old lady in her sixties burst in carrying a warm blanket. “You two sure like to blabber. You mean well, sure as the sun is hot, but you need to get the facts.” Samantha Stewart walked over to Bethany and handed her the blanket. “Me and Claude are saving up to buy a new Snow Cat is all. We've been putting back money. Because of that, the winter months get tight. But trust me, girls, me and Claude are doing just fine. We're just sixteen thousand dollars away from getting the Snow Cat Claude has his eyes on.”
“What's wrong with the Snow Cat you have, Sam?” Bethany asked in a curious tone.
