Angela Crawford Series Books 1-6: Angela Crawford Cozy Mystery Series

By P Bodi

This compilation of books are all clean Cozy Mystery short stories that do not contain any foul language, sexual situations, witches, or paranormal events. 

Book 1  - Forest For The Trees

Angela Crawford returned to her home town of Millerston to work in the family lumber business after going through a difficult divorce. She had always considered herself to be a strong woman, but just as she was starting to get comfortable in her new surroundings her ex suddenly shows up in town. Could his visit result in murder?

Book 2 - Put Your Affairs In Order

After 60 years owning and operating Crawford Lumber Angela Crawford's parents have decided to take a vacation. Angela of course thinks that she will be in charge of running the business while they're gone.

Will her parents trust her to run the business in their absence or do they have another plan that could result in murder?

Book 3 - A Snake In The Grass

Small town USA, Millerston Oregon, is about to get its first new big box store and the protesters are already lining up. Angela Crawford is looking for a creative way to help the local protesters block the new store from ruining the small-town businesses. 

Will the new change in the landscape result in murder?

Book 4 He Loves Me He Loves Me Not

Angela Crawford just received a job offer from her former employer in California with a starting salary at twice her prior wages. Now she must decide whether to leave her family owned business, and her new boyfriend, to move back to California where her ex-husband currently resides. 

Could that decision result in murder?

Book 5 The Proof Is In The Printing

After the recent threat of a national big-box store coming to Millerston, Angela Crawford decided it's time to put her marketing skills to work. Family owned Crawford Lumber hasn't added any new products to sell for many years, and it's time change that. Will adding a new product line result in murder?

Book 6 Deck The Walls

Snow is falling and Christmas is just a short time away. Crawford Lumber had closed due to inclement weather and Angela Crawford decided to work on her own home remodeling project during the downtime. 

Could the house she inherited from her grandmother hold a secret from long ago?

• Language: English
• Publisher: 99 Cent Press
• Release date: Apr 9, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386082330

Book preview

ANGELA CRAWFORD SERIES

ANGELA CRAWFORD SERIES

ANGELA CRAWFORD

COZY MYSTERY SERIES

BOOKS 1-6

PBODI

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99 Cent Press

© Copyright 2018 by PBodi All rights reserved

This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and locations portrayed in this book and the names herein are fictitious. Any similarity to or identification with the locations, names, characters or history of any person, product or entity is entirely coincidental and unintentional.

From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

No responsibility or liability is assumed by the Publisher for any injury, damage or financial loss sustained to persons or property from the use of this information, personal or otherwise, either directly or indirectly. While every effort has been made to ensure reliability and accuracy of the information within, all liability, negligence or otherwise, from any use, misuse or abuse of the operation of any methods, strategies, instructions or ideas contained in the material herein, is the sole responsibility of the reader.

Any copyrights not held by publisher are owned by their respective authors.

All information is generalized, presented for informational purposes only and presented as is without warranty or guarantee of any kind.

All trademarks and brands referred to in this book are for illustrative purposes only, are the property of their respective owners and not affiliated with this publication in any way. Any trademarks are being used without permission, and the publication of the trademark is not authorized by, associated with or sponsored by the trademark owner.

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ANGELA CRAWFORD SERIES BOOKS 1-6

First Printing March 2018

Published by:

99 Cent Press

http://www.99CentPress.com

Printed in the United States of America

Contents

Also by PBodi

Forest For The Trees

Put Your Affairs In Order

A Snake in the Grass

He Loves Me He Loves Me Not

The Proof Is In The Printing

Deck The Walls

About the Author

Also by PBodi

Also by PBodi

For a list of all Pbodi’s books please visit her website at:

http://www.pbodi.com/p/book-list.html

PET PALACE

COZY MYSTERY SERIES

Fowl Play

No Bones About It

Fishy Business

A Hairy Situation

Dangerous Creatures

A Vacation to Die For

Pet Palace Box Set Books 1-3

Pet Palace Box Set Books 4-6

Pet Palace Box Set Books 1-6

MOTHER EARTH’S KITCHEN

COZY MYSTERY SERIES

A Perfect Cup Of Tea

Murder On the Mountain

New Year's Resolution

The Heart Of The Murder

The Luck Of The Irish

A Corpse In The Kitchen

Midsummer Murder

Mother Earth's Kitchen Box Set Books 1-4

Mother Earth's Kitchen Box Set Books 5-7

Mother Earth's Kitchen Box Set Books 1-7

HAPPY BEAR CAFE

COZY MYSTERY SERIES

Elected For Murder

Death And Decorations

Resolution for Revenge

To Kill A Rat

Sleeping Dogs Lie

A Bird In The Hand

Picture Perfect

Happy Bear Cafe Box Set Books 1-4

Happy Bear Cafe Box Set Books 5-7

Happy Bear Cafe Box Set Books 1-7

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ANGELA CRAWFORD

COZY MYSTERY SERIES

Forest For The Trees

Put Your Affairs in Order

A Snake In The Grass

He Loves Me He Loves Me Not

Proof Is In the Printing

Deck The Walls

Angela Crawford Box Set Books 1-3

Angela Crawford Box Set Books 4-6

Angela Crawford Box Set Books 1-6

To get PBodi’s latest releases at the lowest price sign up for her newsletter:

http://www.pbodi.com/p/newsletter.html

Forest For The Trees

Full Page Image

Chapter One

Angela Crawford finished with the stack of invoices her father had left on the desk and filed them neatly away. Her long dark hair fell over her shoulder, dangling down into the paper work, and she flicked it back into place impatiently and slammed the drawer shut.

Heading out into the warehouse of Crawford Lumber, Angela breathed in the scent of fresh wood and climbed onto the forklift. A new batch of 2x4’s had just come in from the mill, and needed to be put away.

Just as she was finishing up, a handsome man with a constant five o’clock shadow came trotting toward her across the dusty floor of the warehouse. He waited until she had shut off the machine to speak. Hey! I told you I would do that.

Angela hopped down from the forklift and headed full stride for the sales desk. There was no time to pause for conversation. That’s okay. I had the time.

No, you didn’t. Greg stopped, his arms crossed in front of his chest, forcing Angela to turn around and face him.

Excuse you? Angela felt a bubble of panic rising up inside her at the delay. They were wasting precious work time, and she knew there were more things to be done than could ever be achieved in one day. She tried daily not to be offended that nobody else at the lumberyard was as enthusiastic as she was. What’s that supposed to mean?

Greg took a step forward and gently laid a hand on her elbow. The warehouse foreman had been working for Crawford Lumber for almost ten years now, ever since he got out of college. Everyone in the tiny town of Millerston, Oregon had scratched their heads and wondered why he would waste his degree like that, but Greg was not one to worry about idle gossip. He showed up on time every day and never complained about his job or his pay.

Look, he said, his blue eyes burning into hers, I think you’re pushing yourself too hard. You deserve a break.

Angela yanked her arm away, angry at him for being right and for pointing it out. It hadn’t been easy to come back home when her marriage fell apart, leaving her feeling shameful and lost. But where else could she go? She had done everything she thought a good wife should do. The house was clean, she cooked homemade meals anytime she didn’t have to work late at the advertising firm, and she had lavished her husband with attention. Somehow, that hadn’t been good enough for Jake.

I’m fine, she lied. There’s just a lot to do around here, and I’m tired of seeing everything get put by the wayside. This business has been in my family for decades, so you can’t really blame me for caring. The truth was that she was tired. Her feet ached, she had a twinge in her lower back, and her eyelids had a distinct heavy feeling. But that didn’t mean she was going to stop. She turned back toward her original destination.

I get it, Greg continued, keeping her still with his words. I know things have been…hard on you. But everyone understands. It’s okay. Heck, this is the time when people usually do their best to get out of work.

She could feel the daggers shooting out of her eyes at him as she glanced over her shoulder. He had no right to tell her how she was feeling or how she should be acting. Even if, once again, it was true. But Greg was the last person she wanted to talk to about her divorce. He was handsome, confident, and happy, and he made her feel like that much more of a loser. I don’t need you to run my life, thank you very much.

With a sigh and a scratch of his beard, he gave up and returned to the warehouse.

Chapter Two

Angela, meanwhile, had reached the sales desk. The actual store for Crawford Lumber was the smallest building the family owned, just big enough to hold a few shelves of hardware and a desk where they could sell it all from. It was Friday afternoon, which meant they would have several customers hoping to get a lumber delivery before the weekend. It was their busy day.

But Lucy Crawford, Angela’s mother, had taken up the station behind the counter and was tackling the customers in her own efficient way. A tiny woman with curly hair that she always kept in a bun, Mrs. Crawford favored long skirts, plain shirts, and fancy pins. Today, she had a large enameled dragon fly pinned next to her lapel. Lucy never rushed her customers, taking the time to ask them about their children or their farms before writing out a quick invoice by hand. Angela had tried to teach her to use the computer, but they both found that it was easier for Angela to enter the information into the system later.

That’ll be $97.22. You let me know when your tomatoes are ready. I don’t know if I’ll get the time to plant any this year. Lucy smiled at the old man on the other side of the counter and sent him on his way.

Need some help, Mom? Angela smoothed her braid and prepared to take over.

Nope. Your father wants to see you in the office, missy.

Angela didn’t like the way that sounded. Rex Crawford was a kind old country guy, but when he meant business he expected others to listen. Angela made her way back into the office, where less than an hour ago she had been plowing through invoices.

Her dad sat at his desk, directly across from hers, one hand in the front pocket of his overalls and a kind look on his face. Angela relaxed, knowing that her father wasn’t angry with her, but she still bounced with the energy that endless distraction required. What’s up?

Have a seat, kiddo. Rex gestured at her own desk chair and waited until she was seated before he spoke again. I see that you got all the invoices taken care of. I didn’t expect to see them until Monday, or maybe even Tuesday. Good job. He had a low, slow way of talking, like he was leaning against the fence post of a wheat field and watching the clouds roll in. Mr. Crawford had a big belly that was not well hidden by his overalls, a wide face, and a big bald spot that he hid constantly underneath a ball cap.

Thanks. I didn’t want them lingering over the weekend. She could just barely hear the murmur of customers in the store, and she itched to go assist them. But Angela could tell that her father had more to say.

And the new inventory? You got that taken care of? He had turned to his computer now and was clicking through the screens that showed overviews of each aspect of the business.

Yep. Though she felt breathless, she wanted to do more. There were still several hours of the workday left.

Good, good. He clicked some more. Think you could run down to the mill and fill in? We’re short a few workers.

Absolutely. She rose out of her chair and grabbed her keys.

Sit down, Rex commanded softly. He shook his head and sat back, fishing a sunflower seed out of his pocket. So it’s true.

So what’s true? Angela’s eyes wandered to another stack of papers on her desk. She had done the invoices, and these were going to wait until Monday. But there was no reason she couldn’t get them done while her dad talked to her.

That you’re working too hard. I hate to admit that I didn’t really notice. You’ve always been the kind to put your all into a job, and I like to think I had something to do with that. But a person who runs themselves ragged will eventually be no good to anyone.

She dropped her hands into her lap to keep from grabbing the papers. I’m not running ragged. I just want to make sure the business runs smoothly. I have a lot of time to make up for. Has Greg been talking to you?

He’s concerned about you, and rightfully so. Rex spit the sunflower shell into his trash can and retrieved another seed. He leaned forward, his big, watery eyes intent on his daughter. Just what do you think you’re making up for?

Well, come on, Dad. I was down in California for several years, running around and doing my own thing instead of being here with you and Mom. I never should have left in the first place. She gestured wildly with her hands, unable to keep them in check.

Mr. Crawford shook his head a little, but in sadness. You don’t need to hide your grief with guilt, Angela. Nobody is angry with you for ‘running around and doing your own thing.’ It was what you needed to do at the time, and nobody could expect you to putter around this old sawmill every single day for the rest of your life. I’m beyond thrilled to have you back, but I don’t expect you to run the place singlehandedly. I just want you to be okay.

I am okay, Angela protested, but she felt the sting of impending tears at the back of her eyes. She blinked rapidly and breathed deeply, anything to keep that from starting up again. If she let just one tear come out, a flood would surely follow it.

Her father wasn’t one to push her. All right then. But on Monday, I want you to go out to the logging site. It will be a nice long drive through the woods, and you can let me know how everything is going. I’d do it myself, but my knees can’t take the uneven ground anymore. He rubbed the leg of his overalls for emphasis.

Crawford Lumber was not just a lumber yard. They brought construction materials to their clients straight from the source. Their own loggers cut down the trees, and those were sent to their own mill. From there, everything came to the warehouse at the store. This way, they knew the exact quality of what they were selling and didn’t have any suppliers who would try to overcharge them.

Angela knew that her dad could probably go check on the loggers on his own just fine, and that they probably didn’t need checking on anyway. But she nodded and forced a smile before returning to the front of the store to ring up some sales.

Chapter Three

Though she would have rather stayed at work, Angela conceded to a trip to the bar that night. She wasn’t a drinker, but it was the only place in their tiny town where people gathered. Michelle and Brianna had been her best friends since high school, and there was no good reason for Angela not to sit down and share a plate of nachos with them on a Friday night.

The Rough Day was a typical small town bar, with paneled walls, a concrete floor that could easily be cleaned, and dim lights. Everyone from lumber workers to lawyers went there, and beers were always on sale on the weekends. Michelle and Brianna were already there, sitting at a high-top table and glancing around the room.

Hey, sorry I’m late. I had a hard time getting off work. Angela sat down and reminded herself that she had to relax a little tonight. She couldn’t spend the whole evening talking or thinking about work, and she was not going to think about Jake.

That’s okay. Michelle flagged down a waitress. It gave us a chance to check out who’s here. Both she and Brianna were scanning the crowd, and the glimmer in their eyes suggested they were looking for men.

I guess that’s great and all, but don’t you think your husband might be a little upset, Brianna?

Brianna had been the tallest girl in their class, with chestnut hair as straight as a stick and large, sad, eyes. She waved off Angela’s worries but didn’t stop looking around the room. "I’m not looking for me. I’m looking for you. We think it’s time you had a date."

Inwardly, Angela groaned. Brianna wasn’t the first person to suggest this. Unfortunately, she was wrong. Angela had decided as soon as she knew she was getting divorced that she was going to wait a while. There was no reason to run right out and jump back into the market. When she was ready, she didn’t want to date just anybody. He had to be at least a little bit special, and she didn’t think she would find anyone like that at the Rough Day. No.

Oh, come on. What about that guy? Doesn’t he work with you? Michelle asked, pointing at a guy at one of the pool tables.

It was Greg, and both of her friends knew that fact perfectly well. He had gone to school with them, and they had all known each other for decades. Very funny. Not happening.

Michelle shrugged. Okay, but he’s cute.

Their nachos came, and Angela was eager to dig into the gooey cheese. It was terrible for her, but she really didn’t care. It was delicious, and it kept her friends from talking for a little while.

Really, though, Brianna began as their plate grew empty. She wiped a bit of salsa from her chin. You should get back out there. Michelle did, and she’s having a great time.

I sure am, Michelle replied with a grin. A shorter girl with strawberry blonde hair and a killer smile, she had never had problems with the men. She’d dated a lot back in school, eventually married the quarterback who had split up from his first wife, and then divorced him herself. She was almost always busy on the weekends with her dates.

I’m happy for you, Angela said, but I’m just not ready.

I can see that based on your attire. Brianna took a sip of her margarita and pointed at Angela’s flannel shirt and jeans. It’s cute and all for work, but it’s not exactly Friday-night-at-the-bar.

Good. I doubt anyone in here would hit on me anyway, but I can just wear my flannel as my armor. She grinned and took the last nacho.

Michele pointed over her shoulder. Looks like your armor might not be strong enough. You’ve got someone headed right for you.

Before Angela could turn, Jim Jorgenson was standing next to her. Logging foreman for Crawford Lumber, Jim was a wiry man with a scruffy beard. His face was deeply tanned from all his time in the sun, and he hadn’t changed out of his work clothes, either. His jeans were ripped and his khaki work shirt still bore the green stains of the trees he had cut down that day.

Hey, Angel. Can I get you a beer? His breath and the heaviness of his eyelids suggested that he had already had a few.

It’s Angela, she corrected him, and I don’t drink.

Aw, c’mon. One little beer isn’t gonna hurt you. And then maybe you can come over here with me and figure out when we’re going to go out for a steak. His eyes roved over her as he spoke, oblivious to how gross he was being.