There was another tentative knock on the door and Kelly walked in, her face all but obscured by a huge flower arrangement. “Where shall I put this?”

  “I’ll take it.” She handed it to Greg and he placed it on the dresser.

  “They’re beautiful, Kelly. Thank you.”

  Kelly leaned over the bed and gazed at the baby. “What an adorable little peanut.”

  Monica laughed. “While I was pregnant, it felt more like a watermelon.”

  “I’m glad I got to meet the new member of the family,” Kelly said. “We’re all leaving for home this afternoon.”

  “I imagine you must be anxious to get back to your normal routine,” Greg said.

  Kelly rolled her eyes. “You bet. I can’t wait. This has been quite a trip.” She sighed. “Certainly not what anyone expected.” She glanced at the baby again and smiled. “Ray shared the contents of the will. Aunt Violet left Edith enough to enjoy a comfortable life and Ray inherits the rest except for a small trust set up for Aston.” She laughed. “He’s not going to be too happy about that since his father is the trustee. Ray has been after him to get serious about a career. So far, he’s had one job after another—none of them particularly demanding. Ray offered him a position at his company but Aston wasn’t interested. I fear he’s in for a shock when he tries to wheedle more money out of his father.

  “I’m getting a modest sum myself that won’t make me rich but will certainly make life easier.”

  “Did she leave Dawn anything? I know she was hoping there’d be a little something.”

  “She did,” Kelly said. “I’m sure Dawn will be very pleased.” She glanced at her watch. “I’d best be going. Congratulations again on your little bundle of joy!”

  “Well,” Gina said, “shall we open the gifts?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  “I’ll hold the baby,” Nancy said, reaching toward it.

  Gina placed the pile of boxes on the bedside table and Monica reached for the first one.

  Monica read the card. “It’s from Tempest. How nice.” She opened the box and nestled inside was a deep purple crystal along with a note.

  Monica read the note out loud. “I hope this amethyst brings you and the baby better sleep and calm.”

  “Better sleep,” Nancy said. “What every new mother needs.”

  Monica opened the card on the second gift. “It’s from the VanVelsens.” She felt tears forming in her eyes and dashed them away with her sleeve. She tore off the wrapping paper and lifted the lid on the box. Inside were several pairs of hand-knitted booties in white, yellow and green.

  “Here’s the next one.” Gina handed her another box. The card said it was from Dawn and Bart. Inside was an adorable mobile with horses dancing around a carousel.

  “It looks like it plays music.” Greg pushed a button and it began playing a lullaby.

  The final gift was from Edith. Monica moved several layers of tissue paper to reveal a silver rattle.

  “How lovely,” Monica exclaimed. “Everyone has been so kind.” She dashed a hand across her eyes again. “I can’t believe my good fortune. A beautiful baby, loving husband and family and the best friends anyone could ask for.”

  Nancy scowled at Monica. “You’re looking tired. I think we should go and let you get some rest.” She began to shoo everyone out and Gina glanced at the baby one more time and then reluctantly picked up her purse.

  Nancy handed the baby to Greg, kissed Monica on the cheek and said goodbye.

  She was tired, Monica realized. The baby was still sleeping so she let her eyes slowly drift closed.

  “We’re so very lucky,” she mumbled sleepily to Greg.

  He kissed her on the forehead. “We certainly are.”

  Recipe

  Sassamanash Farm Cranberry Oatmeal Sandwich Cookies

  Cookies

  ½ cup plus 5 tablespoons softened butter

  ½ cup brown sugar

  ¾ cup granulated sugar

  2 eggs

  1 teaspoon vanilla

  1½ cups flour

  1 teaspoon baking soda

  1 teaspoon cinnamon

  ½ teaspoon salt

  3 cups of quick or old-fashioned oats

  1 cup dried cranberries

  Heat oven to 350 degrees.

  Cream softened butter and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla and beat.

  In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Add to butter/sugar/egg mixture and combine.

  Add in oats and cranberries and mix well.

  Drop tablespoons of dough on an ungreased cookie sheet.

  Bake 8–15 minutes, depending on your oven. Let cool on baking sheet for one minute, transfer to cooling rack to cool completely.

  Filling

  ½ cup softened unsalted butter

  1⅔ cups powdered sugar

  ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

  zest of 1 orange

  1 orange juice (or more as needed)

  Beat all the filling ingredients until smooth and spreadable. Add more orange juice or powdered sugar as needed to achieve desired consistency.

  Choose cookies of comparable sizes. Spread filling on flat side of one cookie, top with second cookie and press together.

  Books by Peg Cochran

  The Cranberry Cove Mysteries

  Berried Secrets

  Berry the Hatchet

  Dead and Berried

  Berried at Sea

  Berried in the Past

  Berried Motives

  Berry the Evidence

  Berried Grievances

  The Lucille Mysteries

  Confession Is Murder

  Unholy Matrimony

  Hit and Nun

  A Room with a Pew

  Cannoli to Die For

  Farmer’s Daughter Mysteries

  No Farm, No Foul

  Sowed to Death

  Bought the Farm

  The Gourmet De-Lite Mysteries

  Allergic to Death

  Steamed to Death

  Iced to Death

  Murder, She Reported Mysteries

  Murder, She Reported

  Murder, She Uncovered

  Murder, She Encountered

  Young Adult Books

  Oh, Brother!

  Truth or Dare

  Writing as Meg London

  Murder Unmentionable

  Laced with Poison

  A Fatal Slip

  Open Book Mysteries

  Murder in the Margins

  A Fatal Footnote

  Peril on the Page

  A Deadly Dedication

  About the Author

  Peg grew up in a New Jersey suburb about twenty-five miles outside of New York City. After college, she moved to the City, where she managed an art gallery owned by the son of the artist Henri Matisse.

  After her husband died, Peg remarried and her new husband took a job in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where they now live (on exile from New Jersey, as she likes to joke). Somehow Peg managed to segue from the art world to marketing and is now the manager of marketing communications for a company that provides services to seniors.

  She is the author of the Cranberry Cove Mysteries, the Lucille Mysteries, the Farmer’s Daughter Mysteries, the Gourmet De-Lite Mysteries, and also, writing as Meg London, the Sweet Nothings Vintage Lingerie series, and as Margaret Loudon, the Open Book Mysteries.

  Peg has two daughters, a stepdaughter and stepson, and two beautiful granddaughters. You can read more at www.pegcochran.com and www.meglondon.com.

 

 

  Peg Cochran, Berried Grievances

 

 

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