Five Furry Familiars

Book 5: Kitchen Witch Mysteries

by Lynn Cahoon

Genres: Amateur Sleuth; Culinary Cozy Mysteries; Mystery

Synopsis

In the latest enchanting mystery from New York Times bestselling author Lynn Cahoon, kitchen witch Mia Malone is working as a catering director at a ski lodge, but when her roommate’s ex checks in, everything starts going downhill . . .

To keep her cooking school and catering business, Mia’s Morsels, afloat, Mia’s handed off oversight to her boyfriend Trent’s mother while she focuses on earning a steady paycheck. Too bad her mean-spirited boss at the lodge keeps the misery flowing as steadily as the money. At least her roommate, Christina, is still dedicated to Mia’s Morsels—though she’s also distracted, thanks to her clingy mother’s constant demands. And the distraction only grows when Christina’s old flame shows up in Magic Springs, Idaho, in his Escalade, claiming out of the blue to be her fiancé.
 
The arrival of some homeless kittens, as well as Trent’s new familiar, a cute little Maltese, brings more chaos—as well as a strange spiritual energy that seems to emanate from the animals. But before Mia can figure out what kind of paranormal pets she has on her hands, she finds herself with a murder to solve—when a dead woman is found in the lodge rental of Christina’s suddenly attentive ex . . . 

Release date: February 20, 2024

Publisher: Kensington Books

Print pages: 304

Sample

Mia Malone sat at the kitchen table, wishing she didn’t have to go into work for the meeting today. Frank Hines, her new boss, insisted on the two-hour torture session every Monday morning. They would do a blow-by-blow of last week’s catering events, then a plan for the upcoming week. If they didn’t have an event, he insisted on doing an inventory of the Lodge’s linens, tableware, and place settings that week. Just in case one of their servers was making their rent money by stealing the silver. Frank had a no-trust policy in his work life as well as his personal life. Rumors circulated around the Lodge that Frank’s first wife hadn’t been as committed to their marriage as he’d been. Mia knew the feeling after her failed engagement, but that hadn’t turned her into a modern-day Scrooge.

Mia wasn’t sure that this job wouldn’t though. Working with Frank was killing her. But as James, the kitchen manager, had leaked to her when he encouraged her to take the job, the Lodge wasn’t outsourcing any events. Not even small ones. Her catering company had depended on these types of events before this new catering director job had been created. In order to save Mia’s Morsels, she had to suck it up and figure out a way to work with her unyielding boss.

At least for a while.

Christina Adams, Mia’s second-in-command and roommate, stumbled out of the hallway and into the kitchen, stepping on Mr. Darcy’s tail as she moved toward the coffeepot. The cat hissed his displeasure and then jumped up on the window seat where he glared at her.

“Sorry, Mr. Darcy, or Dorian. I’m just a little tired.” Christina mumbled as she settled in at the table, “I know we’re cooking today but I could have used another couple of hours sleep.”

“You should have come back to Magic Springs yesterday afternoon. Or stayed the night at your mom’s after the party.” Mia studied Christina. “You look beat. I worry about you driving the mountain road so late at night. You know deer are active then.”

“I didn’t want to get up early and drive. Besides, Mom’s being weird. Clingy. I’m not sure what’s going on with her, but ever since she bought me that car, she expects me to drop everything and be at her beck and call. Last week, she wanted me to drive home to Boise to go to the pharmacy for her. I told her Isaac could pick up her prescription. Or send Jessica, his new arm candy.” Christina sipped her coffee and sighed. “And then she got mad at me.”

“Your mom likes things to go her way.” Mia had her fill of Mother Adams when she’d been engaged to Isaac. The two had never gotten along. Christina had never been the woman’s favorite child. At least not up to a few months ago. “Maybe she misses you.”

“I think she misses having her assistant. Dad apparently decided that Mom didn’t need an assistant since she’s supposed to oversee the house stuff and there’s no kids in the house anymore. He’s cut her budget and she’s scrambling.” Christina closed her eyes, leaning her head into her open palm. “Maybe Abigail will be late today.”

The parking lot alarm went off, notifying them to a car coming up the driveway. Mia pointed to the television monitor they had set up in the kitchen. “No such luck. She’s ten minutes early.”

Christina groaned. “I’m missing my old boss.”

“Not as much as I’m missing my old job. Frank is impossible to work for. Maybe we should switch places and you can be the Lodge’s catering director?” Mia asked, hope seeping into her words.

“Not on your life. He’s mean. Everyone says so.” Christina stood and picked up her coffee. “I’m getting in the shower. Tell Abigail I’ll be right down as soon as I’m dressed.”

“Sure, go hide so she can’t yell at you.” Mia smiled as Christina nodded and left the kitchen. Mia went into the living room. Abigail had taken on the responsibility of running Mia’s Morsels while Mia was playing Lodge catering director. Mia had set up the system before she’d interviewed, just in case, but she still wasn’t sure it was the best decision. Best or not, it was what they had to work with.

When she saw Abigail on the monitor, at the front door, she buzzed her in and spoke over the speaker. “Hey, come on up, Christina’s running late. I’ve got a few minutes before I have to leave. I’d like to hear how it’s going.”

“I’ll be right there.” Abigail was always chipper. She exuded happiness. Not a trait Mia had or aspired to have. At least not now. Or any time soon.

Mia pulled out her calendar from her tote. She liked to keep up with what the business was doing, just to keep her hands in the pie, so to speak. She opened the apartment door and returned to the kitchen and her coffee. When Abigail came into the kitchen, she filled a cup for her and sat down. “Good morning. Christina got in late last night.”

“Her mom really needs to cut the cord a little. She can’t be driving back and forth to Boise every weekend, working, and going to school. It’s too much.” Abigail rubbed Mr. Darcy’s head. “Good morning, sir.”

Mr. Darcy meowed and not for the first time, Mia wondered if Abigail could talk cat. Or if she somehow had a mind meld with Dorian, the spirit trapped in her cat’s body.

Abigail nodded and turned to Mia. “Christina was clumsy this morning, I take it.”

“Yeah, he got his tail stepped on. I’m not sure he’s forgiven her yet.”

Abigail sipped her coffee. “I’d say that was true. Anyway, I’m supposed to tell you that Dorian is afraid the wards are slipping again. He’s been seeing wisps around the side of the building.”

“I’ll get someone over here from the coven to check. I had a feeling the patches would need to be updated sooner or later, but I was hoping for later.” Mia wrote a note on her calendar. This time she’d see if she could get someone from leadership out to check the wards on the old schoolhouse. She’d done a lot of renovations inside to change the building from being an abandoned witchcraft academy to the new home of Mia’s Morsels. She had two classrooms on the ground floor for lecture teaching. However, she wanted to remodel a couple with individual stations so students could cook along with the teacher, rather having a watch-and-learn class. So many plans, not enough money.

It was the story of her life.

“So, Abigail, how have you been?” Mia needed to leave soon, but she wanted to hear about the week ahead. Unfortunately, Abigail liked a little small talk before they got down to business.

“Oh, it’s been a madhouse over at the Major’s house. Thomas is off for a week of hunting and of course left everything until the last minute. I hate to say it, but I love having him gone. Before I worked for you, I would just sit in the living room with a fire on and read for hours. I ate when I wanted to eat. I slept when I wanted to sleep. Thomas likes more of a routine.” She rolled her shoulders. “Although I admit that I also like not being on call twenty-four seven. He called from his way to Boise and wanted me to run to town, meet him at the airport, and take him a hoodie he left in the kitchen. I told him it wasn’t happening. He can buy a hoodie at the airport to take with him. I do believe I spoiled that man way too much.”

Mia had to agree with that. But she took the polite route and only smiled. “Sometimes men need to miss us to realize what they have.”

“Isn’t that the truth.” Abigail narrowed her eyes and stared at Mia. “Do not tell me that son of mine is acting like his father. I’ll talk to him if you want.”

Another reason Mia didn’t like Abigail running the business. She was way too involved in Mia’s relationship with Trent now. Although, for all Mia knew, Trent might have kept his mother in the know about them before as well. They were a close family. She sipped her coffee. “No, Trent is lovely. We’re doing great. In fact, he’s meeting me at the Lodge for dinner tonight. We used to go on Mondays so that I didn’t have to cook after getting deliveries ready, but now, we just kept the tradition.”

“Well, you two lovebirds have fun. And don’t worry about Mia’s Morsels. We signed three new delivery clients last week. I’m giving them a free welcome dessert tomorrow. I bet they stay on.” Abigail started chatting about the business and caught Mia up. By the time she was done, it was almost eight thirty.

“I’ve got to run. Our staff meeting is at nine. Thanks again for stepping in at Mia’s Morsels. I’m not sure what I would have done without you.” Mia knew that losing most of her catering business had tanked the profit she needed to pay living costs. Mia needed the money she got from the job to pay the payments on the school. Having Abigail work the delivery portion of the business as well as any catering jobs they did get, gave Mia the time to work at the Lodge and still teach a class once or twice a month. “I’ll be in the kitchen as soon as I get home Tuesday to get ready for the soup class Wednesday night.”

“Well, you just let me know if you need my help. I’m all by myself this week, so I’d love to keep busy.” Abigail finished her coffee and grabbed her tote.

“If you want to help with prep tomorrow night, that would be great. Christina has a date with Levi, so I could use an extra set of hands.” She followed Abigail out of the kitchen.

“Sounds like a plan.” Abigail called down the hall. “Christina, come on down when you’re ready. We’ve got a lot of cooking to do today.”

They walked together downstairs and paused at the foyer. Mia got her keys out, and hesitated. “Thanks again for doing this.”

“Mia, it’s a season, not a lifetime. You’ll either get enough catering gigs on your own so you can quit or that idiot of a boss of yours will realize that having an in-house catering director is too much for such a small market. You’ll be back in control of your life in no time.” Abigail gave her a hug and then went to open the kitchen and start cooking.

Mia got into her small, old, okay, so it was ancient, car, but it ran. She’d been saving for a new van, but when she had to take the Lodge job, she needed transportation that wasn’t her side-by-side. Especially in winter. She drove to the Lodge and parked near the kitchen back door. James left it propped open so that he and his kitchen staff could sneak out for a cigarette without going through the main lobby.

On the way through the kitchen, she waved at the cooks who were dealing with the morning breakfast rush and found James in the hallway outside her office. “Good morning, why are you here stalking me?”

“You forgot, didn’t you? I know it’s Monday, but you’re the one who set the appointments.” He pointed to three people who were sitting outside her door. “Do you have time to interview them before the meeting or do you want me to help?”

“Take one and I’ll take one and hopefully, whoever is done first can get the last one interviewed before the meeting. I’m so sorry.” She pulled off her coat and unlocked her office. “Who was here first?”

A tall girl stood up. “I’m Jenna McDonald and I’m in a class with Christina Adams. She said you were looking for serving staff for events?”

“Perfect come on in my office.” She turned back to James. “This guy will interview the next to arrive.”

The man popped up out of his seat. “That’s me.”

Mia smiled at the last woman. “Someone will get you in for an interview as soon as possible.”

“That’s fine, I brought a book to read.” She held up a paperback novel. “I never leave home without one.”

Mia hung up her coat and turned on her computer, shoving her tote in the bottom drawer of her desk. She got out a notebook and sat down, pen in hand. “So, Jenna, tell me about yourself. Christina is a great reference so you’re already one step ahead of everyone else.”

“I’m twenty-four, I’m in my first year of culinary studies, so I need some flexibility in a job. Just for classes. I can study around class and work time. I’m a hard worker. I waitressed for two years at the Ponderosa before it shut down last month.” Jenna handed her a résumé and the completed job application form that James must have given everyone when they arrived. She rattled on more about her high school grades and extracurricular activities.

As Jenna talked, Mia watched her body language. Jenna was cute, personable, had a strong work ethic and as long as Christina said good things, Mia thought she was going to hire her. Mia explained the job and the irregular hours. She told her the salary. When the woman nodded rather than blanched at the low hourly pay, Mia continued. “I can probably keep you busfull-timeme, maybe more during holiday season. And yes, you’d get overtime. I promise I’ll work around your school schedule. If your references check out, when can you start?”

“Anytime. I’m going crazy hanging around with nothing to do. I’ve been acting as a private chef to fill in the time and for some cash, but I’d rather have a W-2 job.” Jenna stood and held out her hand. “I know you’re busy, so thank you for spending some time with me today.”

Mia stood and shook the woman’s hand. She really hoped the references checked out because she liked Jenna. She said goodbye and interrupted the last woman’s reading time.

When she got to the conference room, she was the last to arrive. Frank narrowed his eyes as she went over to the credenza to get coffee and a donut.

She slipped into her chair at one minute to nine. Everyone at the table heard Frank’s sigh.

“Miss Malone, I wonder if you ever heard the saying if you’re not ten minutes early, you’re late?” Frank stared at her.

“I have but I was interviewing applicants for the catering positions. James and I had three good prospects this morning so I’m sure that is worth the fact that technically, I was in my chair and ready before nine. Of course, with this discussion happening, we’re now running a little late according to your agenda.” Mia glanced down at the agenda. “Yes, see, it’s a little after nine and you should be done with your weekly welcome and inspirational saying by now.”

He turned a little red. “I’m sure we’ll catch up soon.”

The discussion started and James leaned over and whispered in her ear. “You’re going to get fired.”

“Please, dear God.” She smiled sweetly at him and then focused on her donut. She wasn’t sure she could listen to another one of Frank’s motivational sayings which he repeated three times to make sure the team really took the saying to heart, then he’d explain the saying, just in case the people in the room were imbeciles.

When it was her time to give her update, she stood, listed off the catering jobs they completed last week, a summary of the comment card results, and any new jobs for this week. “As you know, we’ve been shorthanded with servers for the last month and James has been kind enough to let us borrow his kitchen staff. But since that would be overtime for his servers, that’s been costing us more than what’s been budgeted. With three new hires, we should be able to limit James’s staff involvement to emergencies and illnesses. I hope to hire five total positions, but interest has been slow. People can make almost twice what we pay here if they work in Sun Valley. We’ve been training their staff for the last quarter. They get a couple of months with us, then transfer to the higher paying job in Sun Valley. We may need to look at increasing our starting wage.”

“I’m not going to corporate to ask for more money. We just need to hire smarter.” Frank announced, then he went on to the next topic.

“Hire smarter?” Mia asked James as they walked out of the meeting together.

He nodded. “Hire great people but keep them in the dark on what they could make somewhere else.”

“Sounds like a plan. Maybe we could lock them in the basement when they aren’t working.” Mia paused at her office door and opened it.

“Don’t suggest that to Frank, he might implement the plan.” James headed to the kitchen. “Stop by for lunch. I’m working on a local trout dish for the menu. I need a taste tester.”

Her phone beeped and she answered the call as she walked into her office. “Hey, Trent. Don’t tell me you’re canceling.”

“Actually, no, but can we meet at your house? I’m running late and I want to take you to a new place in Twin Falls rather than the Lodge. It’s getting great reviews.”

“Sounds great. Besides, it gives me time to change out of work clothes. How fancy is this place?” She moved the stack of résumés to the middle of her desk. She needed to get these people hired and run through the HR gauntlet so she could get them on the floor.

“Not black tie, not a drive-in.” He said something to someone in the background that Mia couldn’t hear. “Sorry, the delivery truck is here. I’ll see you tonight.”

“Love you.” Mia hung up and then reviewed the notes James had made on the guy he’d interviewed. She’d call his references first.

By the time she left the Lodge, she thought she had three people to call tomorrow and offer jobs. She still needed to find out what Christina thought about Jenna. She’d do that as soon as she got home. Tomorrow, she might have almost enough servers for the weekend events. Hallelujah.

She pulled her small car next to Christina’s Land Rover which made her ten-year-old sun-faded Honda look even older. She got out of the car and noticed a black Escalade parked on the other side. She raised her eyes to the sky and prayed that Mother Adams wasn’t popping in for a quick chat. When she got to the door, a man stood from his place on the bench outside the doorway where he’d been watching her.

“Can I help you?” She tucked her purse closer to her body. Clearly, this was the Escalade driver, but you couldn’t be too safe.

“I’m Todd Thompson. I’m looking for Christina Adams?” He tossed back his too-perfect blond hair and smiled. “I’m her fiancé.”

Mia froze, staring at the man. “I’m sorry, you’re what?”

He grinned and she wondered if he got away with a lot with that smile. It was perfect, but just a little too perfect for her taste. It didn’t look real. “Sorry, I guess I should say I was Christina’s fiancé. We had a little falling-out a few years ago when I went away to Harvard. I’m here to correct that mistake now.”

“Okay, then, but you should know, she’s involved.” Mia wanted to say that Christina hadn’t just pined away for the guy, but it wasn’t her place. Besides, this was Mother Adams’s handiwork. Mia could see the emotional trailings of the woman on the guy. He’d talked to her just before driving to Magic Springs.

“She’ll see me. Things will work out. They always do.” He leaned against his car and examined his nails. “Should I wait out here while you fetch her?”

Mia wanted to tell him where he could wait, but she bit her tongue. “No, come on in. You can wait in the lobby while I track down Christina.”

She unlocked the door and motioned him inside. She stomped off the snow from her boots and then slipped them off, putting on a pair of slippers she kept inside the front door. She looked down at Todd’s fancy boots and nodded. “Please take those off. We d. . .