Murder at the Church: Cottonwood Springs Cozy Mystery Series Read online

  “Okay, Pasta King. Why don’t you help me clean up the dishes?” Brigid said.

  Linc stood up and started to take his empty plate to the kitchen area. “It would be my pleasure,” he said as he slipped up behind Brigid and wrapped his free arm around her. He dotted kisses along her neck.

  “Hey, there are young people in the room,” Holly said, but she was smiling. She secretly enjoyed seeing Brigid and Linc together. She knew they were taking things slow and easy, but she couldn’t help but hope they’d end up getting married.

  “Are you going to go to the funeral with us tomorrow, Holly?” Brigid asked. Paul Sterling had passed away in his sleep just days after Billy was arrested. Frank and Eve had been at his bedside when it happened. Both of them were sad to see him go but relieved they no longer had to watch him twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

  “I can’t. I told Fiona I’d watch the store for her, so she could go,” Holly said as she bit into a slice of garlic toast.

  “Oh, that’s right. She mentioned it, and I forgot,” Brigid said.

  “How do you like working there, Holly?” Linc asked.

  “I love it!” Holly exclaimed. “Fiona’s letting me pick out some new books whenever she places an order and we’re going to be expanding the Young Adult section. She never realized just how good they were, and how many people would buy them,” she said, smiling proudly.

  “Good, I’m happy for you. It’s always great to have a job you love. That way it doesn’t feel like you’re even working,” Linc said as he scraped some scraps left over from dinner into Jett’s dog dish. Jett ate them as fast as they touched the dish.

  “Yep, and when school is officially out, we’re starting a book club for teens. Fiona noticed that most of her customers were adults, so we’re trying to change that,” Holly boasted.

  “Now that sounds like fun,” said Brigid. “You kids can finish up in the front room, if you want. I know your favorite show will be coming on any minute.”

  Holly and Wade picked up their plates and darted off toward the couch, Jett hot on their heels.

  “I’m so glad she’s happy,” said Brigid.

  “Things really seem to be working out,” Linc said. “Have you heard any more about Billy and Sam?”

  Brigid looked toward the front room to make sure Holly and Wade weren’t listening. “Corey told me they have Billy on suicide watch. After his hearing and finding out the extent of the charges against him, I guess he lost it. He keeps telling everyone he just wants to be with Maggie.”

  “That’s too bad,” said Linc. “But being unbalanced is no excuse for what he did.”

  “I agree,” said Brigid. “And I guess Sam still thinks there’s hope for the two of them. I heard she’s been writing him every day from her cell. I’m fairly certain he hasn’t replied.”

  “They don’t allow inmates to write each other, do they?” Linc asked.

  “I don’t know if they’re delivered to him, but she’s been writing him. I just wish they could have charged her with more,” Brigid sighed.

  “Agreed. She may not have done it, but she knew Billy did and tried to help him get away with it.” Linc shook his head. “What’s wrong with people these days?”

  “Have no idea,” Brigid said, “but I feel better knowing there are two less bad guys out there.”

  “Speaking of bad guys, I hope you don’t plan on making a habit of this crime fighting business,” Linc said as he rinsed a plate.

  “Oh no, not you too.” Brigid leaned her head back and looked at the ceiling.

  “I know, but hear me out. I don’t want you making a name for yourself as being the person who catches the bad guys. Otherwise, the bad guys might start looking for you.” He pointed the plate in his hand at her. “You need your own gun.”

  “No, I bought pepper spray. It’s in my purse right now. Plus, I signed up for self-defense classes. I have to drive out of town for them, but I think it will be worth it.”

  “Good, I don’t want anything happening to my special baby,” Linc said as he kissed Brigid.

  “Oh, speaking of baby… Did you hear about Mark and MaryAnn Thompson?” Brigid asked.

  “No, what?”

  “MaryAnn’s pregnant!” Brigid said. “I guess they’d been trying forever and had finally given up. That was about the time their relationship started falling apart. Now, they’re stronger than ever and she’s expecting.”

  “That’s a happy ending. Guess it’s a good thing they took their furniture business online. I heard they’ve been doing even better now that their customers can shop on the internet,” Linc said. “Although, I’d never buy a couch without sitting on it first.”

  Brigid laughed. “Agreed.”

  They finished loading the dishwasher just as there was a knock on the door.

  “I’ll get it,” Brigid said. She hurried to the door and peeked outside to see who it was. She opened the door and said, “Sheriff Davis, what are you doing here?”

  “Hey, Brigid, Linc. Jes’ on my way home and thought I’d stop in and say ‘hello’. How’s Holly doin’?”

  “Good, she’s in the great room. Care to join us?”

  “Sounds good,” Corey said as he shut the door behind him.

  “By the way, Corey,” Linc said. “Brigid’s helped you twice with investigations. Sure would be nice if she didn’t have to do that anymore. Makes me worry about her.”

  “I can unnerstan’ that, but in a town this small, can’t believe we’ll be havin’ any more problems. I’m sure this was the last of ‘em. Not to worry,” he said as he walked into the great room.

  Linc looked at Brigid and said, “I’d like to believe him, but I do think you have a talent for this and that’s what worries me.”

  She put her arms around him and said, “Like the sheriff said, ‘Not to worry.’ Hopefully, Cottonwood Springs won’t be seeing another murder for a long, long time.”

  RECIPES

  CREAM CHEESE BROWNIES

  Ingredients:

  8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, room temperature

  5 jumbo size eggs

  ½ tsp. vanilla extract (Don’t use imitation!)

  1 cup plus 5 tbsp. unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into 16 pieces

  2 1/3 cups sugar

  1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

  1 cup all-purpose flour

  1 cup sugar (for the frosting)

  5 tbsp. unsalted butter (for the frosting)

  1/3 cup milk

  6 oz. pkg. semi-sweet chocolate chips

  Directions:

  Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9” x 13” baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

  Filling:

  Put the cream cheese, 1/3 cup sugar, 1 egg, and vanilla into a food processor and process until smooth. Remove from processor and place in a bowl.

  Batter:

  Put the 16 pieces of butter, 2 cups sugar, and 4 eggs in a food processer and process until smooth. Add the cocoa and pulse 4 or 5 times. Add the flour and pulse until it is fully mixed.

  Spread half the chocolate batter over the bottom of the prepared pan. Dot with the cream cheese filling, then top with the remaining half of the chocolate batter. Gently swirl the batter and filling with a rubber spatula. Bake until a skewer inserted into the center comes out with some crumbs on it, approximately 35 – 40 minutes. Let cool until just warm.

  Frosting:

  In a small saucepan combine 1 cup sugar, remaining 5 tbsp. butter and milk. Bring to a boil and continue boiling for one minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate chips until smooth. Pour over the warm brownies. Cool on a rack for 10 minutes and while still warm, cut into 24 2” squares. Enjoy!

  LINC’S ITALIAN STYLE POT ROAST

  Ingredients:

  3 cloves garlic, minced

  2 tsp. salt

  1 tsp freshly ground pepper

  2 tbsp. olive oil

  4-pound eye of the round roast

  1 cup
onion, finely chopped

  4 carrots, finely chopped

  2 ribs celery, finely chopped

  2 tsp. dried rosemary

  1 cup red wine (Only use something you’d drink!)

  2 15.75 oz. cans crushed plum tomatoes with juice

  2 cups beef broth (I use the Better Than Bouillon concentrate.)

  Directions:

  Sprinkle the garlic, salt, and pepper over the roast, rubbing them in. Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the roast and brown on all sides.

  Remove the roast from the pan and add the onion, carrot, celery, and rosemary. Cook, stirring, until the vegetables are softened, about 8 minutes. Transfer the vegetables to a slow cooker including any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in the wine and tomatoes. Add the roast and beef broth. Cook on high in the slow cooker 4 to 5 hours. When fork tender, reduce heat to low until ready to serve. Enjoy!

  CRUSTLESS QUICHE LORRAINE

  Ingredients:

  8 jumbo size eggs

  2 cups heavy cream

  ½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper

  6 dashes Tabasco sauce

  2 scallions, finely chopped

  8 strips bacon, cooked until crisp, drained on a paper towel, and crumbled

  3 cups finely shredded Swiss cheese

  Directions:

  Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 10” pie pan with nonstick cooking spray.

  In a large bowl whisk together the eggs, cream, salt, pepper, and Tabasco. Stir in the scallions, bacon, and cheese, whisking until blended.

  Pour the quiche batter into the prepared pan and bake until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean and the quiche has puffed up above the rim of the pie pan, 40 to 50 minutes. Set aside to cool. It will shrink as it cools, and that’s okay.

  Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!

  Baked Penne alla Carbonara

  Ingredients:

  1 cup unsalted butter

  ½ cup chopped shallots

  1 tsp. fresh thyme

  ¼ cup all-purpose flour

  1 ½ cups heavy cream

  ½ cup chicken broth

  1 ½ cups Parmesan cheese (Please don’t use the one that comes in a can.)

  ½ tsp. freshly ground pepper (or to taste)

  Salt (to taste)

  1 lb. penne pasta, cooked according to directions on package, and drained

  2 tbsp. olive oil

  12 strips bacon, cut into ½” pieces, cooked until crisp and drained on paper

  towels

  ½ lb. fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into ½” cubes

  Directions:

  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Heat the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallots and thyme. Cook, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes. Whisk in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until the flour is cooked but hasn’t changed color, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the cream and chicken broth and bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Stir in 1 cup of Parmesan cheese and season to taste with salt and pepper.

  Coat a 9” x 13” baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and sprinkle ¼ cup of the remaining Parmesan over the bottom. In a large bowl toss the cooked penne pasta with the olive oil.

  Stir the sauce into the penne pasta, then stir in the bacon and mozzarella cheese. Transfer to the prepared pan and sprinkle the top with the remaining ¼ cup of Parmesan.

  Bake the penne pasta until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Let rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

  CARMELIZED BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

  Ingredients:

  1 ½ tbsp. olive oil

  1 large butternut squash, peeled down to the orange core and cut into small cubes

  ½ large onion, sliced

  1 ½ tbsp. flour

  ½ tbsp. sea salt

  ½ tsp. white pepper

  2 cups chicken broth

  2 tbsp. honey

  ¼ cup heavy whipping cream

  Pinch of ground nutmeg

  Salt and pepper to taste

  Directions:

  Heat olive oil in a large pot over high heat. Stir squash in and brown, about 10 minutes. Stir onion, butter, sea salt, and white pepper into the squash. Cook until the onions are tender, about 10 minutes.

  Pour chicken broth and honey over the mixture. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until the squash is tender, about 5 minutes

  Pour the mixture into a food processor until half full. Cover and hold lid in place. Pulse a few times and then puree until smooth. (You may have to do this in batches.)

  Return mixture to pot over medium heat. Stir in cream, and salt and pepper to taste. Serve and enjoy!

  *****

  I'm giving away FREE paperbacks. Find out more at www.dianneharman.com/freepaperback.html

  ABOUT DIANNE

  I live in Huntington Beach, California, with my husband, Tom, a former California State Senator, and my boxer dog, Kelly. My passions are cooking, reading, and dogs, so whenever I have a little free time, I am either in the kitchen, playing with Kelly in the back yard, or curled up with the latest book I'm reading.

  Her other books are available below:

  Amazon: Blue Coyote Motel

  Amazon: Coyote in Provence

  Amazon: Cornered Coyote

  Amazon: Coyote Series

  Amazon: Kelly’s Koffee Shop

  Amazon: Murder at Jade Cove

  Amazon: White Cloud Retreat

  Amazon: Marriage and Murder

  Amazon: Murder in Cottage #6

  Amazon: Murder in the Pearl District

  Amazon: Murder and Brandy Boy

  Amazon: Murder in Calico Gold

  Amazon: The Death Card

  Amazon: Murder at The Cooking School

  Amazon: Murder & The Monkey Band

  Amazon: Murder at The Bed & Breakfast

  Amazon: Murder at The Secret Cave

  Amazon: Murder in Cuba

  Amazon: The Blue Butterfly

  Amazon: Trouble at the Kennel

  Amazon: Murdered by Words

  Amazon: Murdered by Country Music

  Amazon: Murder at the Big T Lodge

  Amazon: Murdered in Argentina

  Amazon: Murder on the East Coast

  Amazon: Murder at the Clinic

  Amazon: Murder at the Polo Club

  Amazon: Alexis

  Amazon: Trouble at the Animal Shelter

  Amazon: Murder in Calistoga

  Amazon: Murder on Bainbridge Island

  Amazon: Murder & The Movie Star

  Amazon: Murder in Whistler

  Amazon: Murdered by Plastic Surgery

  Amazon: Murder in Seattle

  Amazon: Murder after Midnight

  Amazon: Murder in San Francisco

  Amazon: Murder at Le Bijou Bistro

  Amazon: Murder at the Courthouse

  Amazon: Murder at the Gallery

  Amazon: Murder at the Waterfront

  Amazon: Murder at the Gearhart

  Amazon: Murdered by Superstition

  Amazon: Red Zero 1

  Amazon: Red Zero 2

  Amazon: Red Zero 3

  Amazon: The Professor’s Predicament

  Amazon: Murder at the Church

  Please feel free to follow me on these social media sites:

  Website: http://www.DianneHarman.com

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  Email: [email protected]

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  COMING SOON!

  PUBLISHING 11/23/18

  WINE COUNTRY KILLER

  BOOK FIFTEEN OF

  THE CEDAR BAY COZY MYSTERY SERIES

  http://getBook.at/WCK

  Winery owners murdered in Sonoma, California. A serial killer on the loose. What’s the connection? Will there be another murder?<
br />
  A desperate call from the Sonoma County sheriff that Kelly and Mike have previously helped leads them to a winery guest house in Sonoma and then on to the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado, searching for that connection.

  Good thing they took their boxer dog, Rebel, with them. He’s a master at helping apprehend killers.

  As always in this two-time USA Today Bestselling Author’s cozy mysteries, there’s plenty of food, mouth-watering recipes, and dogs.