Ablazing Grace: Faith and Foils Cozy Mystery Series Book #2

Book 2: Faith and Foils Cozy Mystery Series

by Wendy Heuvel

Genres: Christian Romantic Suspense; Christian Suspense; Amateur Sleuth; Cozy Mystery; Animal Cozy Mysteries; Female Sleuths; christian cozy mystery; christian mystery

Synopsis

Welcome to autumn in Banford, where foliage is vibrant, apple pie is sweet, and fire is fatal...

Cassie Bridgestone enjoys her simple life in Banford, grateful for fall, her cat, and her growing friendship with Daniel, the handsome bookstore owner.

But once again, her life is turned upside down when a deliberate explosion kills a woman, and injures Cassie – and the wrong person is blamed.

Now she must juggle an attractive fireman's affections along with Daniel's, but not let the intense love triangle distract her from finding the truth.

Before the real murderer silences her for good.

Return to the cozy village of Banford with the second book in the Faith and Foils Cozy Mystery Series by Wendy Heuvel.

Release date: October 6, 2020

Publisher: Olde Crow Publishing

Print pages: 235

Sample

 

ABLAZING GRACE

by Wendy Heuvel

Chapter 1

Chatter and laughter echoed throughout the long church foyer as the after-service crowd discussed their Thanksgiving weekend plans while sipping their pumpkin spice lattes from the church café. Cassie Bridgestone craned her neck to see and admire the autumn displays of straw bales, pumpkins, and coloured leaves.

“Um… Cassie?”

She turned back to the handsome man in front of her. “Yes?”

Daniel Sawyer pointed at the paper cup of Earl Grey tea she grasped in front of her. “Your hair was in your tea.”

A wet curl stuck to the sleeve of her fall cardigan. She sighed and rolled her eyes.

He gave her a smirk that lit up his blue eyes and made her stomach flip. “Do you want to fill out a thankful leaf with me?” Daniel pointed to a small group gathered around a table, writing things they were grateful for on paper leaves and sticking them to the thankful tree outlined on the wall.

“Sure.” She followed Daniel to the tree, wondering what she should write on her leaf. What was she most thankful for this year? Her friendship with Daniel was a big thing, but that’s all it was, and that’s all she would let it be until he turned his life completely over to God. Grams had instilled in Cassie the importance of waiting for a man who loved God more than her, and her more than himself. Daniel had made steps in that direction, but he wasn’t there yet, and she was growing rather impatient.

“Here.” He handed her a red maple leaf cutout and a marker, and scribbled on his own yellow oak leaf.

Cassie set her tea on a windowsill, but before she could even take the top off her marker, Daniel had already taped his leaf to the tree. It had her name on it.

“You can’t do that!” She felt the heat rush to her cheeks.

“Why not? I’m thankful for you.”

Cassie swallowed to counter her dry throat. Now what? Did he expect her to put his name? She wanted to, but didn’t want to give him the wrong impression. What else could she write? After a moment of deliberation, she wrote friendships on her leaf and grabbed a piece of tape to add it to the wall.

Daniel frowned but stayed silent.

“Have you seen Lexy?” Cassie opted to change the subject and glanced through the crowd, looking for her best friend. “I haven’t talked to her yet this morning.”

“Maybe Rick and Maggie have seen her.” Daniel nodded his head in the opposite direction, where Cassie’s brother and wife approached.

“Hey Cass!” Rick gave her a smile and shook hands with Daniel. “Daniel. Good to see you here.”

Cassie gave Maggie a hug. “Hi! Where are the girls?” She loved her two nieces Olivia and Lily, ages eleven and seven respectively, and always looked forward to hugging them Sunday mornings.

“Running around somewhere, as usual.” Maggie grinned.

Cassie studied Maggie’s smiling face. “What’s up?”

“Roberta has the flu.”

“And that makes you happy?” She grabbed her tea from the sill and took a sip.

“She can’t go to the women’s group leadership conference, so they’ve asked me to go in her place!” Maggie’s brown eyes shone.

Cassie knew Maggie had been wanting to go to this conference for years, but the church only slotted space for one participant. That spot always went to Roberta, who ran the women’s group at the church. Maggie was a leader, but not the head.

“That’s great news!” Cassie hugged her sister-in-law again. “When do you go?”

Maggie’s eyes shifted toward Rick, who was in his own conversation with Daniel. She nudged his arm, and he turned back to the two women.

“So, can you do it?” Rick raised his eyebrows at Cassie.

“Do what?”

“I haven’t asked her yet.” Maggie elbowed him again.

“Oh. Maggie’s going to the women’s conference thingy tonight and has to pack today. Can you take her place at my open house this afternoon?” Rick was a real estate agent, and Maggie worked part-time for him when she wasn’t working for Cassie in her Olde Crow Primitives country store.

“Oh, um…” Cassie hesitated. She was supposed to go birdwatching with the Banford Birding Club this afternoon. Those outings were the highlights of her month. She loved hanging out with her birding friends, especially Anna. They’d grown close over the last few months, and she didn’t want to disappoint her. And she really wanted to go birdwatching.

“Do you two have plans for this afternoon?” Rick glanced back and forth between Cassie and Daniel.

She wished he wouldn’t do that. Rick knew they were only friends. “No.” Cassie shook her head. “But I’m supposed to go birding with Anna and the club.”

“Pfft.” Rick waved his hand. “You can help me then?”

“Play nice, Rick,” Maggie chided her husband. He liked to tease Cassie about what he considered to be her strange hobby.

“Just kidding.” He winked at Cassie. “But seriously, Sis. I know it’s short notice, but it would really help me out. I need someone to sign people in while I show others the house.”

Cassie chewed her lip and turned to Maggie. Her sister-in-law’s face drooped like a lost puppy as she waited for Cassie’s reply. As much as she loved birds, Maggie was much more important. “Of course I can help.”

“Thank you!” Maggie’s eyes sparkled again.

“But you owe me, Rick.”

“I’ll get you a cookie.” He laughed and pointed to the baked goods table at the church café. “After you finish open house duty.”

“Gee. Thanks.” Cassie shot him a joking sneer and turned to Maggie. “How long will you be gone for?”

“It’s only for two nights. I’ll be back Tuesday evening.”

“That sounds like—” Cassie’s shoulders slumped as she realized what it meant. “Oh no! What about dinner tomorrow? You’ll miss it!”

Thanksgiving Monday was Cassie’s favourite day of the year. Gathering with the family for turkey dinner was a big event. For years, Grams held the festivities at her home, but after she retired and moved to a seniors’ manor three years ago, Rick and Maggie began hosting the dinner.

At first it was difficult to change locations. Even though Cassie’s mother had passed away ten years ago when Cassie was only eighteen, the memories of her still remained in Grams’s old home. She’d adjusted to the change, but she couldn’t imagine celebrating without her sister-in-law present.

“I know.” Maggie grimaced. “I’m sorry. But I can’t pass up this opportunity.”

“Of course not.” Cassie groaned. “Why do they have to have the conference on Thanksgiving weekend?”

“Tradition, I guess. Besides, most participants know way ahead of time and schedule their dinners on Sunday before they leave.” Maggie frowned. “I’m really sorry I’m going to miss dinner.”

“It’s okay. I’m the one who’s sorry.” Cassie rubbed Maggie’s arm. “I didn’t mean to make you feel guilty.”

“That’s fine. I already—”

“There you are!” A short man in his thirties barged into the group and patted Rick on the shoulder. His bangs fell into his eyes as he peered at Cassie over the top of his thick-rimmed glasses and gave her a seductive smile. “Hey, Cassie.”

Cassie refrained from wrinkling her nose by taking a sip of tea. After she swallowed, she forced out, “Hi, Wesley.”

He pushed his way past Rick to the center of the social circle and faced Cassie. Daniel moved closer at the same time.

“I hear you’re hanging out at my mom’s house today.” Wesley winked at her.

Cassie stepped back and glanced at Maggie and then Rick—both of whom avoided her gaze at the moment.

“I’m helping out my brother. I didn’t know it was her house.”

“Maybe we could grab a coffee afterward. You can let me know how it went.” Wesley reached out and grabbed Cassie’s hand. She tried to pull it away, but he gripped tightly.

“No, thank you.” She yanked her hand again, this time escaping his grasp.

“How about dinner instead? It’d be great to spend time with you.”

“Again, no, thank you.” She leaned against Daniel and put her hand on his chest. “Have you met Daniel?”

Wesley squinted as he studied the man beside Cassie. “Yes.”

“Hi, Wesley.” Daniel held out his hand, but Wesley didn’t accept the handshake.

Instead, he looked directly at Cassie again. “I’ll see you later. At the house.” He brushed against her shoulder as he strode past.

Maggie giggled.

“Seriously?” Cassie groaned and dropped her hand from Daniel’s very strong chest. “Why didn’t you tell me it was Wesley Clarkson’s mother’s house?”

“And spoil the surprise?” Rick grinned.

“And how did he know I was going to do it, when I only agreed a few seconds ago?”

Rick looked at the ceiling and whistled.

Daniel still stood close, his scent of leather and coffee stirring her senses. Cassie tried not to notice his biceps bulging underneath his tight sweater.

“Since when has Wesley returned his sights to you?”

“Since his latest internet girlfriend broke up with him.” Cassie sighed. “At least I had a break for a little while.”

Rick snickered.

“Be nice.” Maggie leaned into Rick. “He’s your friend, remember?”

“I’m not laughing at him. I’m laughing at my sister.”

Cassie rolled her eyes. “To set the record straight, I’m doing this open house for Maggie, not for you.”

“And I love you for it!” Maggie kissed Cassie on the forehead. “I’m going to go grab the girls so we can get home and I can get packing!”

“Okay.” Cassie gave her a squeeze. “Have a great time.”

“And I better find Grams and let her know the change of plans for tomorrow.” Rick waved and headed off after his wife.

Daniel shifted to face Cassie directly. It felt like he stared straight into her soul. How did he do that?

He rubbed his chin. “You’re sure I won’t be intruding at the dinner?”

“Of course not! We’re all glad you’re coming.” Cassie tilted her head and wrapped a curl around her finger. “Besides, Thanksgiving isn’t meant to be spent alone.”

Daniel’s parents were on a cruise he bought for them as an anniversary gift, so he had no other dinner to attend this Thanksgiving weekend. As a famous landscape and celebrity photographer—and now bookshop owner—he liked to share his wealth with those he loved.

She probably would’ve invited him to the Thanksgiving dinner anyway but was glad to use the cruise as an excuse. It helped keep things at the friendship level instead of implying anything more. The thankful leaves flashed through her mind.

Although he’d been attending church with her lately, Cassie had yet to see evidence of Daniel having a relationship with God. And even if he ever did, she still wouldn’t jump into anything until he showed he had solid roots as a Christian.

She’d learned that lesson over four years ago when her former relationship went sour. Her old boyfriend had decided to share himself with other women on numerous occasions, including a month before their wedding.

Not that dating a Christian necessarily always prevented those types of things from happening, but since renewing her own faith after the breakup, she knew sharing her beliefs with her mate was the most important thing.

“What are you thinking about?” Daniel gently lifted her chin.

Cassie felt the heat rise to her cheeks from his touch. “Sorry. I spaced out for a sec. Hey—thanks for having my back with Wesley.”

He smiled. “For the record, I’ll always have your back.”

Heart fluttering, she silently urged God to hurry with drawing Daniel to Him.

“There you are!” Lexy bounced up to the non-couple. Her long hair was pulled back into a ponytail that bounced along with her. Striped leggings peeked out from underneath her long sweater. “I saw you chatting with Wesley. Did you agree to go out with him yet?”

“Oh, please.”

Lexy giggled. “He’s quite the catch, you know. His software company sold another app last week.”

“Then why don’t you date him?” Cassie winked.

“Nah. He has his heart set on you.”

Daniel laughed and grabbed the empty cup from Cassie’s hand. “Refill?”

“Sure! Thanks.”

“Anything for you, Lexy?”

“I’m good. Thanks!” She held up her coffee cup as Daniel stepped away.

Lexy nudged Cassie’s arm. “And Wesley’s not the only one with his heart set on you.”

“Stop.” Cassie felt her cheeks warm again.

“You know it’s true.”

“And you know I can’t.”

“He’s in church again…”

“I know.” Cassie’s eyes were drawn to the muscular figure walking toward the café. Her heart pounded in her chest. “I know.”