She curled her legs to the side of her, placed the ceramic bowl in the grass, and closed her eyes. The sound of passing water calmed her senses. Three deep breaths cleared any stress she carried from the long drive and allowed her to focus her thoughts.
When she was ready, she gave a small nod and opened her eyes.
Nestling the ceramic bowl farther into the grass, she placed the first small sheet of folded notepaper inside. After taking another moment to center herself, she lifted a match from the tiny container. A flick of her wrist, drawing the match along the side of the box, resulted in a small, trembling flame.
The brief scent of sulfur struck her senses before the breeze whisked it away. She cupped her hand along the side of the bowl to protect the swaying flame and quickly touched it to the paper holding the negativity she wanted to release. Once she had the page lit on three sides, she blew out the match.
The flames grew as they consumed paper, and she held a hand out, allowing the heat to tickle her fingers. “With Fire, I cleanse myself,” she whispered.
The fire jumped, died low, and then jumped again, circling the paper and turning it black as it released the negative energy.
When nothing was left but ashes, she pulled grass from the earth and lifted a pinch of soil. She rubbed the moist dirt between her thumb and forefinger and allowed it to fall into the bowl. “With Earth, I cleanse myself.”
She wasn’t finished, but already, her soul felt lighter.
Her heart thumped as she stood and made her way to the edge of the riverbank. She poured the ashes and dirt into one hand and tossed them into the breeze. Some sank to the ground beneath her, while others caught the wind and drifted away into the water. “With Air, I cleanse myself.”
Carefully, she bent and scooped cool water into the bowl to wash away any remaining ashes, swirling her fingers around the edge of the bowl before dumping it out. “With Water, I cleanse myself.”
Straightening, she stood and filled her lungs. “Blessed Universe, hear my plea. Take this negative energy from me. Transform it into light and love. Grant these things from up above. This I ask, so mote it be.”
Then she quietly read her written intentions and closed her eyes to visualize them coming true. When those things were solidified in her heart, she opened her eyes and smiled.
Happiness filled her as she lifted her gaze to the sky. She was home and could be at peace now. She turned to look at the earth around her, to the gently flowing river ahead. Mother Earth had provided many beautiful things for her to enjoy and fill her thoughts, and she intended to—
The sight of something large bobbing in the water startled her, and she inhaled a quick breath. Self-admonition for being silly hovered on her tongue as she turned fully in that direction expecting to see a log or other debris.
The words died in her mouth, and she screamed.
She took several clumsy steps backward and pointed toward the offending item. “A body,” she said, barely able to breathe. “There’s a body in the water.”
Click here to get your copy of Murder and Moonstones, Book One, Crystal Cove Cozy Mysteries.
Book List
CRYSTAL COVE COZY MYSTERIES (PG-Rated Fun):
Murder and Moonstones
TEAS & TEMPTATIONS COZY MYSTERIES (PG-Rated Fun):
Once Wicked
Twice Hexed
Three Times Charmed
Four Warned
The Fifth Curse
It’s All Sixes
Spellbound Seven
Elemental Eight
Nefarious Nine
BLACKWATER CANYON RANCH (Western Sexy Romance):
Caleb
Oliver
Justin
Piper
Jesse
ASPEN SERIES (Small Town Sexy Romance):
Wounded (Prequel)
Relentless
Lawless
Cowboys and Angels
Come Back To Me
Surrender
Reckless
Tempted
Crazy One More Time
I’m With You
Breathless
PINECONE VALLEY (Small Town Sexy Romance):
Love Me Again
Love Me Always
RETRIBUTION NOVELS (Sexy Romantic Suspense):
Branded
Banished
Hijacked
Betrayed
ARGENT SPRINGS (Small Town Sexy Romance):
Whispers
Secrets
OTHER TITLES:
Moonlight and Margaritas
Sweet Vengeance
About the Author
Award-winning author Cindy Stark lives with her family and a sweet Border Collie in a small town shadowed by the Rocky Mountains. She writes fun, witch cozy mysteries, emotional romantic suspense, and sexy contemporary romance. She loves to hear from readers!
Connect with her online at:
http://www.CindyStark.com
http://facebook.com/CindyStark19
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5895446.Cindy_Stark
https://www.amazon.com/Cindy-Stark/e/B008FT394W
Table of Contents
License Notes
Table of Contents
Welcome to Stonebridge, Massachusetts
Prologue
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
Seventeen
Eighteen
Nineteen
Twenty
Twenty-One
Twenty-Two
Epilogue
Excerpt from Murder and Moonstones
Book List
About the Author