“That has to be a violation of some kind,” Julia muttered.

“Her outfit?” Kat’s eyes widened as she took in the woman’s ensemble. “I know. What would you call that color? Orange?”

“I was referring to having dogs in the kitchen, but yes, the dress is also a crime.” Julia turned and watched as the woman moved closer. She considered the garishly bright dress, matched with a flowing shawl in the same shade of … “Tangerine, maybe?”

“I was thinking apricot,” Andie mused. “Or cantaloupe.”

“Well, it’s some kind of fruit,” Kat whispered as the dress in question, and the woman wearing it, arrived at their prep table.

“Good afternoon, ladies,” Mrs. Weatherfork greeted them grandly.

“Good afternoon.” For some reason, Julia always had the urge to bow or curtsy or something around the eccentric woman.

“I’ve just come round to peruse the goodies.” She lifted a pair of old-fashioned spectacles hanging from her neck by a silver chain and inspected their cookie sheet. “Oh, my.” She leaned in for a closer look. “Are those…?”

“Cockies,” Kat explained.

Julia swallowed a giggle.

Mrs. Weatherfork shifted her gaze, peering at Kat from behind her glasses. After a moment, she winked. “Well done, you.”

Julia bit her lip, determined to keep a straight face. Beside her, she could feel Andie’s shoulders shaking with barely contained mirth.

“I shall instruct the staff to be careful when putting your cockies in the oven,” Mrs. Weatherfork said sagely, mouth twitching as she added, “I fear these may expand quite a bit in size once they heat up.”

And with that, Julia lost it. She held a hand over her mouth, cheek hot against her palm. Her face was probably bright red from trying to hold the laughter in.

“I’ve been letting all my guests know,” the resort owner continued, blithely ignoring Julia and her friends as they snickered like a pack of middle schoolers, “we’ve added a little surprise to the week’s activities. Tomorrow night at the last supper…” She paused. “Oh dear. I’ve just realized how positively maudlin that sounds.” She frowned. “Let me rephrase that in a less biblical manner. Tomorrow, at our final evening meal together, I’ve decided we should have a bit of entertainment.”

“Do you think she hired strippers?” Andie whispered.

“That sounds nice,” Julia said, beaming at the older woman while elbowing her friend.

“And to make it even more exciting, the guests will be providing the entertainment.”

Before Andie could add more speculative commentary, Julia gave her another quick warning jab.

“Which is why I’m encouraging all of you to participate in the talent show!” Mrs. Weatherfork clapped, setting off her dogs, who began yapping up a storm. “Dress rehearsal tonight. Hope to see you all there!” And with that, the woman swept her orange Dreamsicle dress into motion as she and the barking train of corgis moved on to Harry and Sally’s table.

“Talent show?” Julia groaned.