Murder by Mushroom by Virginia Smith

Author:Virginia Smith [Smith, Virginia]
Format: epub
Tags: American Light Romantic Fiction, Romance: Modern, General, Romance, Fiction, Fiction - Romance, Suspense, Christian, Religious - General, Christian - Romance, Religious, Romance - Suspense, Mystery & Detective, Murder, Detective and mystery stories, American Mystery & Suspense Fiction
ISBN: 9780373442539
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2007-08-07T23:10:50.359000+00:00

TWELVE

The sweet scent of honeysuckle tickled Jackie’s nostrils when she pulled into the church parking lot that evening. Big, overgrown bushes covered with pale yellow blossoms lined one side of the field where they’d held their picnic.

Jackie shuddered. She did not want to think about that picnic!

The parking lot held no more than a dozen cars. She was among the first to arrive. Wednesday nights didn’t typically draw a big crowd, except for the kids’ classes. Some parents liked to use Wednesdays at the church as a free babysitting opportunity. Judging by the amount of whooping and laughter that drifted into the sanctuary from the downstairs activities, Jackie didn’t think the kids minded.

A red Chevy glided to a stop on the far side of hers. Jackie halted her progress across the parking lot. Providence was on her side tonight. Kathy Dorsey and her twins had arrived.

Kathy turned to speak to her sons in the backseat, her voice carrying clearly through the open window. “Charlie, if you hit your brother at church tonight, there will be consequences.”

Through the back window, Jackie glimpsed the four-year-old’s pensive expression as he considered his mother’s warning. “What consequences?”

“A big one. No television all day tomorrow.”

“All day? Aw, Mom.”

Jamie raised his chin to smirk at his brother as the trunk popped open. Kathy got out of the car and headed toward the rear. Jackie didn’t know much about her beyond the obvious fact that she was a single mother of rambunctious twins and one of the reality-show group. She glanced at Jackie as she rounded the back of the car.

“Oh, hi.” She lifted her nose and inhaled. “Mmm, doesn’t that honeysuckle smell wonderful?”

“It sure does,” Jackie responded. “Do you need any help? Looks like you’ve got a load.”

“That would be great. It’s my night to bring snacks.”

Jackie took a bulging grocery sack in each hand as the boys tumbled out of the car and headed for the church at a gallop.

“Don’t run inside the building,” Kathy shouted after them, then grinned at Jackie. “I don’t know why I bother. The dog listens better than they do.”

Jackie had no experience whatsoever with kids or dogs, so she limited her response to a smile. Kathy took a gallon jug of fruit punch in each hand and closed the trunk. The two women followed the boys toward the church at a more leisurely pace.

Though she had a bit of practice under her belt, Jackie still bumbled around with trying to turn the conversation to Mrs. Farmer. As she sifted through a few possible openings, dismissing each one as too obvious, Kathy took the situation out of her hands.

“I didn’t get a chance to speak to you on Sunday, but I wanted to tell you how sorry I am about what happened.” She gave an embarrassed shrug. “You know, with your casserole.”

“It wasn’t my casserole that killed her,” Jackie said, too quickly.

“Oh, I know,” Kathy rushed to agree. “The boys and I ate some of it. It was really good.”

Her ruffled feelings placated, Jackie nodded.

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