by Diana Orgain | Jul 3, 2021 | Maternal Instincts Mysteries, Sneak Peek, Uncategorized
Did you miss Chapter One? Did you miss Chapter Two? Did you miss part one of Chapter Three? From Rockabye Murder Chapter Three Continued “I said, get out,” Eddie growled. “I won’t say it again.” Monte flipped him the bird, then turned and stalked out of the studio. “Unpleasant business,” muttered a British accent from behind me, and I realized Leo had followed us out. “Yes, very unpleasant,” replied Eddie, scowling in the direction of the door. Then he turned to us, brightening. “Jim and Kate! Dave said you were coming.” “Where is Dave?” Jim asked, wrinkling his nose. Petunia typed something on the computer and said, “He went out to grab some subs for dinner. Monte’s a coward, and Dave intimidates him. He must have been watching the studio, so he could come bother us as soon as Dave left.” This was my opportunity. “What’s been going on with Monte? I take it this isn’t your first run-in.” Jim shifted beside me, and I could tell he was trying to suppress a smirk. He could see right through me. Jack, who was shorter than Eddie and Dave by a full head but looked remarkably like Dave, slumped into one of the lobby chairs. “Monte opened up a dance studio next door, and he wants our space.” “Wants to drive out the competition, more like,” muttered Petunia, re-tucking the flower in her hair. “Our dance instructors are better than his.” Jim stepped over to the window and peered out, no doubt looking to see if Monte was still lurking. “Why would someone open up a dance studio right next to...
by Diana Orgain | Jul 2, 2021 | Maternal Instincts Mysteries, Sneak Peek, Uncategorized
From Rockabye Murder Chapter One To Do: 1. Land new client. 2. Research the best baby-proofing system. 3. Sign up for prenatal exercise class? 4. Meet contractor who is doing garage reno. I frowned at the batter in the kitchen aid mixer, wasn’t brownie batter supposed to be smooth and thin? Or was that just for brownies out of a box? “Maybe I put in too much flour,” I murmured, shifting my eight-month-old daughter Laurie on my hip. I glanced at the clock. The contractor we’d hired to do the garage renovation was swinging by in ten minutes to take a look at the space. “Ma-ma,” Laurie babbled, and my chest filled with happiness. “That’s the nicest thing anybody’s ever called me, peanuty pie,” I said, tapping her on the nose. Too late, I realized my finger was covered in flour, and now Laurie’s nose had a dusty white streak. “Whoops! Sorry, honey.” I leaned toward the counter and reached for a napkin to dab her clean. With a gurgle of glee, Laurie lurched forward, and I swiftly maneuvered to keep her from sailing out of my arms. “Now, listen—” Laurie’s tiny fingers curled around the edge of the half-empty flour jar, and time seemed to slow down as the plastic tub teetered on the edge of the countertop and tumbled into the air . . . and I couldn’t do anything about it without losing my grip on Laurie. I watched in horror as it flipped upside-down, dumping a veritable mountain of flour. The jar hit the kitchen floor with a thud, belching a cloud of white powder...
by Diana Orgain | Jul 2, 2021 | Maternal Instincts Mysteries, Sneak Peek, Uncategorized
Did you miss Chapter One? Did you miss Chapter Two? From Rockabye Murder Chapter Three Petunia wants to marry Dave? “Oh,” I said, momentarily confused. “How long have you been dating?” She glanced down at the floor and bit her lip. “A year. I know that doesn’t sound like very long, but I’m about to turn thirty, and I really want kids, and . . . I let my last boyfriend string me along for five years before I accepted that he was never going to commit.” “I’m sorry.” “I don’t need him to propose right away.” She looked up and met my gaze. “Although I’d be thrilled if he did. I love him. I’m in love with him.” A giddy smile flashed across her face. “I just need to know that he’s eventually going to commit, you know? That history isn’t going to repeat itself.” “Have you talked to Dave about your feelings?” I asked. “I think so. Maybe I should have said it more directly—” “Petunia, darling,” said an older gentleman from the doorway. “How are you?” Older or not, his British accent and neatly pressed suit no doubt made most women swoon. I glanced down at my jeans. Yup. Definitely underdressed. “That’s Leo,” said Petunia, smoothing her floral skirt. “He’s the dance instructor for your lesson.” She shifted from foot to foot and whispered, “I’m sorry. I feel like I shouldn’t have asked you. You won’t tell Dave, will you? I don’t want him to feel pressured into something he isn’t ready for.” I promised I wouldn’t breathe a word, and a moment later, Jim returned....
by Diana Orgain | Jul 2, 2021 | Maternal Instincts Mysteries, Sneak Peek, Uncategorized
Did you miss Chapter One? Did you miss part one of Chapter Two? From Rockabye Murder Chapter Two Continued Kenny arrived just as I finished putting on my mascara “Kate, can I order—” “Pizza money is on the counter,” I said with a grin. Kenny, who’d just turned eighteen, lived to raid our fridge and to devour any pizza we would buy him. His folks still hadn’t given up trying to make him a vegan. He flipped his pink hair—the tips used to be purple but now they were blue— and gave me two thumbs up before scooping up Laurie. I stared at his hair. The tips were blue on one side, but on the other . . . “Did you shave half your head?” He groaned. “Don’t remind me.” Blinking a few times, I asked, “Why did you shave half your head? I mean, it looks great—edgy and artistic, and all that. But you don’t seem happy about it.” “I got a bird stuck in it,” he mumbled. “You got a what stuck in it?” He sat down with Laurie and started to play peek-a-boo. “So, I took Siena—you know, the one with the nose ring—on a date to the zoo.” Ah, yes, Kenny had been quite enthusiastic about Nose Ring, as I’d taken to calling her in my head. He’d met her a couple of weeks ago while busking with his tuba at Fisherman’s Wharf. He covered his eyes. “We went into the aviary. Peekaboo!” He opened his hands and peeked out at Laurie. “Oh no.” I grimaced. “Oh yes.” He covered his eyes again. “Anyway, we...
by Diana Orgain | Jul 2, 2021 | Maternal Instincts Mysteries, Sneak Peek, Uncategorized
Did you miss Chapter One? From Rockabye Murder Chapter Two To Do: 1. Research best baby-proofing system. 2. Land new client? (Maybe Dave’s studio?) 3. Dance lesson—tonight. 4. Meet contractor who is doing garage reno. “MRS. CONNOLLY?” I surveyed the fiery-haired man standing on my doorstep. He had thick glasses, a bulbous nose, and so much energy that he couldn’t seem to keep his hands still. I glanced toward the street. A pickup truck bearing the name Jo-Jo’s Jobs was parked at the curb, but this couldn’t possibly be the contractor, could it? “Yes, I’m Kate Connolly,” I said, trying to hide my amusement. “And you are?” His head bobbed like a pigeon, and he grabbed my hand and shook it. “Jo-Jo Jones,” he exclaimed in a strong Irish brogue. “I’m here to do the garage renovation job.” “Of course,” I said, drawing back my hand and glancing at my watch. He was an hour early, and Jim wasn’t home yet. But better early than late, right? At least I hadn’t tried to bake anything today. I beckoned him inside. “Come on in.” He stayed on the porch and waved a sheaf of papers at me with frenetic energy. “I got muddy boots, lassie. Don’t wanna track it in yer house. Got yer plans here and just need to take a look around, make sure everything’s in order here to start. So, maybe if you’d just open up the garage door, I could go in and outta there?” “Oh, sure! I’ll do that,” I said. I closed the door and opened up the garage for him. As the door...
by Diana Orgain | Jul 2, 2021 | Maternal Instincts Mysteries, Sneak Peek, Uncategorized
Did you miss part one of Chapter One? From Rockabye Murder Chapter One Continued… “Watch Laurie!” I yelled as I slammed the door and turned on the shower. Fifteen minutes later, I emerged from the bathroom with damp hair and a fresh change of clothes, feeling a bit more like myself. I found Jim and Laurie sitting on the living room couch, reading a book, and I gave Jim a real kiss. “I’m sorry about that,” I said, letting out a giggle as I thought back over the absurdity of the situation. “I was trying to bake and . . .” “Decided to pioneer a hot new hair trend?” he asked with a devious grin. “Definitely,” I said, putting my hand on my hip and affecting the mannerisms of my always-fashionable best friend, Paula. “It’s all the rage in Paris, you know.” “Seemed pretty sexy to me,” he said, shooting me a wink. “But you’re sexy no matter how you do your hair.” I rolled my eyes, but sank onto the couch and cuddled into his side. “You’re silly.” He held up his free hand in mock affront. “I speak nothing but the truth.” “I need to start a prenatal exercise class.” I glanced down at my baby bump. “I never got back into shape after Laurie, and I don’t know how I’m going to reclaim my figure after having twins. And if you make one crack about cutting out baking and brownies, I’ll knock you out flat.” Jim snorted. “Are you kidding? I value my life.” I chuckled. “Anyway, you don’t need to worry about that unless you...
