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    A Mountains of Holly Church Mystery: Altars of Deception
    A Mountains of Holly Church Mystery: Altars of Deception
    A Mountains of Holly Church Mystery: Altars of Deception
    Ebook147 pages2 hours

    A Mountains of Holly Church Mystery: Altars of Deception

    By Pamela Kay Noble Brown

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    About this ebook

    Kayla Wannamaker couldn’t be more blessed. A chance meeting with the world-famous Bishop Harold Goodflow had led to her snagging the coveted church secretary job at the Mountain of Holly Baptist Church. Being new in town, Kayla was immediately enveloped by the warmth of the eclectic members of the church family. That Bishop’s close friend and active church member Detective Willie Kincaid was easy on the eyes was just an added bonus.

    Everything was great until the day Kayla answered the church phone and got nothing in response but heavy breathing. Then she started finding crazy letters in the church mail that threatened to ruin the spotless reputation of Bishop Goodflow and take down one of the most well-respected mega churches in the world. Not to mention the fact that Bishop’s normally charming, wife Lillie Goodflow, was suddenly treating Kayla colder than a brand new refrigerator freezer.

    As the clock ticks down to the big anniversary celebration, everyone suspects everyone. But the biggest shock of all turns out to be something they never would have expected and it all comes to a big showdown at...The Altar of Deception!

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPamela Kay Noble Brown
    Release dateSep 2, 2012
    ISBN9781476466552
    A Mountains of Holly Church Mystery: Altars of Deception
    Author

    Pamela Kay Noble Brown

    Pamela Kay Noble Brown is a resident of Columbia, South Carolina, where she resides with her husband Virgil Brown. She enjoys reading, writing, acting, and attending church. Pamela also enjoys bowling, roller-skating, traveling, dancing, and singing (mainly in the shower). She would love to read your thoughts and reviews on her stories.

    Read more from Pamela Kay Noble Brown

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      Book preview

      A Mountains of Holly Church Mystery - Pamela Kay Noble Brown

      A Mountains of Holly Church Mystery:

      Altar of Deception

      by Pamela Kay Noble Brown

      Copyright 2012 Pamela Kay Noble Brown

      Smashwords Edition

      Smashwords Edition, License Notes

      Thank you for downloading this ebook. You are welcome to share it with your friends. This book may be reproduced, copied and distributed for non-commercial purposes, provided the book remains in its complete original form. If you enjoyed this book, please return to Smashwords.com to discover other works by this author. Thank you for your support.

      Harold Goodflow chuckled as he watched his secretary singing at the top of her lungs and bouncing in her seat. Kayla was giving Marvin Gaye a run for his money on Let’s Get It On. Predictably, as soon as she heard the door squeak open, Kayla immediately punched the tuning button and strains of the old sweet hymn, Blessed Assurance, flowed from the radio.

      Good morning Bishop Goodflow, said Kayla turning towards the door with an angelic smile.

      Good morning Kayla, said Harold, stopping at her desk to pick up the huge stack of phone messages. Anything urgent this morning?

      No, everything’s been pretty quiet, said Kayla. I’ve just been sitting here doing my morning praise and meditation.

      Yes, and did you receive a word from the Lord? asked Harold.

      Well, I, ah..., Kayla stammered.

      Don’t even try it missy, laughed Harold. We’ll just leave that alone.

      Yes sir Bishop. said Kayla.

      Kayla, how long have you been my secretary? asked Harold.

      Um, going on six months now, said Kayla.

      How long do you think before we’ll be on a first name basis? I understand the titles and all when you’re bringing visitors into my office. But really, when it’s just us, feel free to call me Harold, okay?

      Yes sir Bishop, said Kayla. Oops, I guess it’s just going to take me awhile to get used to it.

      Don’t worry about it, said Harold, walking towards the door of his inner office. Whenever you’re comfortable.

      Kayla relaxed back into her chair as she started sorting through the papers in her inbox. She really did have much to be thankful for. She thought back to how just six months ago she’d been blessed to get the secretarial job at the Mountains of Holly Baptist Church in Columbia, South Carolina. She’d been searching for work after having been laid off of her last three jobs in rapid succession. In the meantime, Kayla had pulled her old passion of writing off of the back burner at the urging of her longtime friend Sharon.

      ***

      Six Months Ago

      Kayla was excited about her foray into writing and self-publishing, however she hadn’t counted on what an uphill battle marketing would be. She’d read on one of the many authors’ forums that you can have the best book in the world, but if nobody knows it’s there, then no one will read it. She’d set out on a mission to publicize her book using any means necessary. Stealing an idea she’d read about from another author, Kayla decided to go to all of the nearby stores and slip a card with her book information into the books on the shelf that were already for sale. The theory was that as the reader turned the pages, the card would fall out, and there was always a small chance that they would look up your information and buy one of your books.

      Kayla had already inserted her card into the first two rows of books at the Allmart that particular Saturday, and was reaching down to begin the books on the bottom shelf.

      What are you doing? asked a deep voice.

      Ouch, gasped Kayla bumping her head on the top shelf in her rush to stand up.

      Are you okay? asked the handsome vision in the midnight turquoise sweater and fitted jeans.

      You’re holding your head, said the stranger. Would you like me to get the manager or call someone for help?

      No I’m fine, said Kayla. You just startled me.

      My apologies, he said. I’m just curious, okay nosy is more like it, as to what you were doing? It looked like you were putting something in all of those books.

      I was just...hey wait a minute, are you security or something? asked Kayla.

      No, but I’d just been watching you and...,

      Why? Kayla cut him off, causing him to blush.

      Ok, you got me, he said. I’m a man and I just happened to glance at a fairly attractive woman. Nothing odd about that, but then when I saw you slipping something in all those books, I couldn’t help but wonder why.

      You’ve redeemed yourself with that answer buddy, said Kayla with a smile. "Everything except that part about fairly attractive. By the way, who are you?

      I’m Harold Goodflow. And you are?

      Kayla died a thousand deaths of shame as she realized that she’d just called one of the most prominent Bishops in the United States buddy. If only he’d been wearing that usual flowing black robe and white collar that he always wore on television, she’d have recognized him. It was several seconds before she could even drag her eyes from the floor to meet his gaze.

      Sir, Bishop, I am so sorry. Please forgive me. My momma did not raise me to be disrespectful to a man of the cloth.

      No disrespect taken, said Harold with a reassuring smile. And you are?

      I’m Kayla. Kayla Wannamaker.

      Pleasure to meet you Miss Wannamaker, said Harold. So are you going to tell me what you were doing with those books?

      You’ll probably think it’s kind of crazy, but I was trying to get some publicity for my books. said Kayla. As she spoke of her books, her excitement overtook her embarrassment and she was able look Harold squarely in the eye. I’ve recently written two books. But with the economy and all I’ve been laid off three times and don’t have the money to buy ads for my books. So I figured if I just put my cards in these books then maybe someone might buy my book too.

      Harold smiled at the stark hope in Kayla’s eyes. It was refreshing to see such optimism in a world that sometimes seemed too cynical.

      No I don’t think that sounds crazy at all, said Harold. I think it sounds like a person determined to find a way to do what needs to be done. And I’m sure with God’s help and your perseverance, it will get done.

      Thank you sir, said Kayla. I really appreciate your encouraging words.

      So how’s the writing coming? asked Harold.

      Well I haven’t been able to do as much as I’d like to do lately simply because I’ve been spending every waking moment trying to find a job, said Kayla.

      Yes, this economy has been pretty tough on everyone, said Harold. But I will add you to our prayer list at church and ask God’s blessings on you and your endeavors.

      Thank you sir, that would really mean a lot to me, said Kayla.

      You’re making me feel like your father or something, said Harold. You don’t have to call me sir.

      Yes Bishop, said Kayla.

      Daddy, Daddy, cried a little boy as he ran up and flung his arms around Harold’s waist. I found the DVD I wanted. Can I get it? Please?

      "Jr., before we even discuss a DVD, what do you say when you see two people talking?

      Excuse me. said Jr.

      That’s ok son. Just keep that in mind, said Harold ruffling his son’s hair. This is my son Harold Jr. We all call him Jr. And Jr., this is Miss Wannamaker.

      Hi Jr. You can call me Kayla.

      Uh, no he can’t, said Harold giving his son a mock stern glare.

      Hi Miss Wannamaker, said Jr. laughing. Dad can I please get this DVD?

      Let’s go find your mom and see what she thinks, said Harold. Where is she?

      She’s over by the groceries, said Jr. pointing across the store. She told me to tell you to get another buggy and bring it over there.

      Ok son. You run along and tell her I’m on the way. Harold smiled fondly as Jr. took off to deliver the message. And stop running in this store.

      Another buggy? laughed Kayla.

      Between my wife and I and three sets of twins, we do some heavy-duty grocery shopping, laughed Harold.

      I can imagine, replied Kayla.

      Well I’d better get going. By the way, if you give me one of your cards I might be able to advertise your book in our newsletter if you’d like.

      What??? Kayla screamed and then immediately clamped her hand over her mouth. This can’t be real she thought. The Mountains of Holly Ministries newsletter was read worldwide.

      I can’t promise, laughed Harold as Kayla’s jubilant outburst echoed across the store. But I can promise that I will look up your book and let First Lady read it. My wife loves to read, and if she gives it the thumbs up, I’ll contact you and see about getting some ads for it placed in our newsletter. Is it a deal?

      Oh yes Bishop, said Kayla. Her hands trembled so badly she dropped the card twice trying to hand it to him. Thank you so much Bishop.

      No problem, said Harold, waving as he walked away. God blesses us to be a blessing to others.

      Kayla headed towards the store exit too excited to attempt putting any more cards in books at the moment. The possibility of her book being advertised in a worldwide newsletter? Her mother had been so right. When God shows up He shows out.

      The hours had turned into days, and then weeks as Kayla waited to hear back from Harold regarding her book. She’d taken to compulsively checking her phone for missed calls and making sure the battery was fully charged at all times. Finally the call came bright and early at exactly 6:15am one Sunday morning.

      Hello, said Kayla groggily.

      Good morning. This is Harold Goodflow. May I please speak with Kayla Wannamaker, said the deep sultry voice.

      This is she, said Kayla, struggling to get her sleepy bass sounding voice several octaves higher. How are you Bishop?

      Just fine, thank you, said Harold. I apologize for the delay in getting back with you about your book. First Lady just finished it last night."

      Oh that’s quite alright. I’ve been so busy I’d forgotten all about it, said Kayla, silently asking God to forgive her for that little white lie.

      I’d like to speak with you in person about the book, said Harold. What part of town do you live in?

      I know this married preacher, even though he is fine, is not trying to hit on me, thought Kayla.

      Well I actually live in St. Matthews, said Kayla.

      Oh ok, said Harold. Would it be convenient for you to attend our service here in Columbia this morning?

      I’m not sure... Kayla’s voice trailed off as she struggled with what to do.

      I understand if you can’t make it on such short notice, said Harold. I was hoping you could attend our services, and then join First Lady and me for brunch afterwards to discuss your book.

      Oh, said Kayla her voice brightening. Join him and First Lady? Well this put a whole new light on things. God forgive me for thinking he was up to no good. It’s only about a 45 minute drive. I’d be delighted to come.

      That’s wonderful, said Harold. Service begins at 9:00am. It gets pretty crowded so when you come in just let the usher know who you are. I’ll give them notice to save you a seat.

      Thank you so much Bishop, said Kayla. Lord willing, I’ll see you then.

      Ok Kayla, said Harold. Goodbye and drive safely.

      Kayla jumped up and did a happy dance before heading into the shower. Grabbing a piece of toast and coffee to hold her over until brunch, she made record time down Interstate

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