Read The Root of All Evil (Hope Street Church Mysteries Book 4) for Free Online Page A

“Thanks.”
    “And if you’re looking for some wholesome friends, you should come to the Sunrise Bible Study on Sunday. It’s a nice group.”
    Something resembling a quiet growl escaped Edward’s lips. “I do not care for church.”
    “Good, because I didn’t invite you to church. I invited you to Bible study. It’s totally different.”
    “And where is this Bible study?”
    Cooper got quiet. “At a church.”
    “Mmm-hmm.”
    “Actually, technically, it’s at a school. Come on, Edward.” Cooper tried to think of something that might entice him. “We have really good food and coffee. You could have a gourmet dessert breakfast for free.”
    That seemed to do the trick. Edward sat back and thought.
    Nathan reappeared at the table. “What’d I miss?”
    “I’m trying to convince Edward to come to Bible study.”
    “Hey, that’d be great!” Nathan agreed. “Will you come?”
    Edward hesitated. “I’ll think about it.”
     
    • • •
     
    The week went by quickly, and as soon as work was done Friday evening, Cooper hurried home to get ready for Parent Night at Hope Street Christian Academy. She changed out of her work attire into comfortable jeans and a green tunic shirt Ashley had insisted she buy during their last shopping trip before the bed rest began. Then Cooper jogged down to the kitchen, where Maggie was just closing the lids on two boxes of cookies.
    “Something smells wonderful,” Cooper said, inhaling the scent of freshly baked treats. “What did you make?”
    “These are salted caramel banana cookies,” Maggie explained, handing the first box to Cooper. “And these . . .” she said, stacking on the second, “are chocolate chip cocoa cookies.”
    “They’re perfect, Mama,” Cooper said, giving Maggie a hug with her free arm. “Thank you so much!” She lifted the lid of the chocolate cookies and breathed in the sweet smell. “These are gonna be a hit! Do you have some extra business cards I could take? Some of the parents may have connections.”
    Maggie laughed. “I appreciate the support.” She retrieved a stack of cards from a little tin box by the refrigerator. “You have fun tonight.”
    “Between your cookies and Quinton’s cupcakes, I fully intend to.”
    Cooper sang along with her radio on the way to church and arrived fifteen minutes before Parent Night was scheduled to begin. Since the snacks were supposed to be set up at five till, she had a good ten minutes to park, deliver Magnolia’s Marvels to the Sunrise Bible Study food table and set up the feast. More than enough time.
    Cooper found a space near the school’s main entrance and hurried inside with cookies in tow. The snack table was set up near the door to catch the eye of incoming parents, and Savannah, Jake and Quinton were already preparing the food. The group hadn’t failed to produce a tasty-looking spread.
    There were three trays of mini-cupcakes—courtesy of Quinton. Jake ladled fruit punch from a heavy bowl into disposable plastic glasses, while Savannah prepped a pot of decaf vanilla hazelnut coffee.
    “Looks good,” Cooper said, setting her cookie boxes at the end of the table. “Quinton, those cupcakes look delicious! I don’t suppose they need sampling.”
    Quinton grinned. “Only if your Magnolia’s Marvels need sampling, too!”
    “You’ve got yourself a deal.”
    Quinton took a paper plate from the stack and set the first mini-cupcake on it. The cake itself looked chocolate, while the frosting was white with brown at the edges. “This is a s’mores cupcake,” he explained. “It has two layers of chocolate with a graham cracker crumble in between. The frosting is marshmallow fluff.”
    “The fluff looks like it’s been cooked over a fire!”
    “I took my crème brulée torch to the edges.” Quinton set the second mini-cupcake on the plate. The cake and frosting were all white, with what appeared to be nut pieces on top. “These are white chocolate cakes with vanilla