The Root of All Evil (Hope Street Church Mysteries Book 4) by Ellery Adams, Elizabeth Lockard Read Free Book Online

seat for me—I love to paint on interesting surfaces, you know. I’ve been trying to figure out what picture it needs, and I think I’ve finally settled on one.”
    “Do tell!”
    “The wagon reminded me of a simpler time—working on a farm with family, having a small community—and I thought, when was it simpler than in the Garden of Eden? Right at the beginning. No sickness, no sadness, no sin. Just working in the Garden and walking with the Lord. I want to put Adam and Eve surrounded by plants and fruits, with all the animals wandering around. What do you think?”
    “I think it sounds beautiful! I wish I could understand how you come up with these artistic ideas.”
    “What artistic ideas?” a strange woman asked as she approached the table. Her eyes were wide and tired. Her skin was pale and her red hair rather unkempt. She wore a name tag that identified her as Ms. Cassel. “Sorry to interrupt,” she continued. “But I always butt in when I hear something about art or being artistic.”
    “Are you a teacher here?” Cooper asked, eyeing the name tag.
    “Yes, I’m Sylvia Cassel, the art teacher.”
    Savannah held out a hand, which Sylvia kindly took. “That explains why you’re so interested in being artistic. It’s very nice to meet you. I’m Savannah.”
    Cooper shook the teacher’s hand, too. “And I’m Cooper. We were just talking about Savannah’s work. She’s a folk artist.”
    Sylvia did a double take. “Wait—the folk artist from Hope Street Church?”
    “Um . . . yes,” Savannah replied. “Have we met?”
    “No, but Principal Matthews has told me all about you! He said I ought to talk to you about being a guest speaker in my art class, but I had no idea who you were . . . But here you are!”
    Cooper smiled. “Savannah, you’d be great as a guest speaker. You should do it.”
    Savannah blushed. “Oh, I don’t know. I’m not sure I’d have much to offer.”
    “From what Principal Matthews says, I’m sure you’ve got plenty to offer,” Sylvia said. “Now that I know who you are, we’ll talk later, and I’ll try to convince you.” She glanced at her watch. “In the meantime, I’m in dire need of sugar, and I’m hoping you can help me out.”
    “You’ve come to the right place,” Cooper said. “We have all the fixings for a grade-A sugar high.”
    Sylvia licked her lips, her eyes taking in the snack table. “That’s quite a selection you folks have!”
    “Thanks! Our other baker and the keeper of the fruit punch are off getting ice out of the kitchen. Quinton—the baker—made the cupcakes.”
    “And did you make the cookies?”
    “No, no. They’re Magnolia’s Marvels.”
    Sylvia took one of the salted caramel banana cookies. “I love Magnolia’s Marvels!”
    “I’ll tell my mama you said so.”
    Sylvia paused mid-bite and wiped a crumb from her lip. “Your mother is Magnolia of Magnolia’s Marvels?” She eyed Cooper’s athletic shape. “If my mama made cookies like this, I’d weigh three hundred pounds!”
    Cooper laughed. “Wait until you try the cupcakes.”
    Sylvia tasted the white chocolate and coconut cake and looked as though all of her stress disappeared. “Did you all come here straight from heaven?”
    “From Hope Street Church,” Cooper replied. “Pastor Matthews—or Principal Matthews to you, I guess—he asked if our Bible study would bring snacks and staff the table.”
    “Well, you’ve done a wonderful job of it.”
    “I’m glad you think so. The students are limited to one of each tonight, but I’m guessing, since you’re staff, you can have as much as you like.”
    “That’s a dangerous offer,” Sylvia said with a laugh. It was then that Cooper noticed the dark bags under her eyes and the slight shake in her hands as she gratefully accepted a plate of cookies and cupcakes. Sylvia’s eyes welled. “You have no idea how much I needed this. It’s been a long week.”
    “Sorry to hear that,” Cooper replied. Sylvia