Read Online Jolly Dead St. Nicholas by Carol A. Guy - Free Book Online
Authors: Carol A. Guy
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her several years ago so she wore it often. Her comfortable black, flat-heel shoes would keep her from having blisters on her feet.
As she prepared to leave the house, she thought about yesterday’s events, especially the argument she’d heard between Jerry Hatfield and Reverend Douglas Underwood. Jerry was usually an easy going man, who was always willing to help out at the church, especially with keeping the finances on track. To hear him making such horrible accusations against the minister was very disturbing.
Adelaide grabbed her coat and purse from the chintz covered sofa in the living room, gave Oscar a pat on the head then walked through the cozy kitchen to the back porch. After making sure the cat had food as well as plenty of water, she got her tote bag off a hook by the back door. She added a pair of slip-on boots to the contents, in case she had to walk home through snow.
Once outside, she locked the door then started down the cobblestone walkway to the alley running beside the house. As was her habit, she would walk to the church just a block away. As she crossed Hawthorne Avenue, she glanced at the Historical House Museum across the street. It was another Victorian structure, although not as large as her home. The local Historical Society had purchased it several years ago when it went into foreclosure.
The members got a grant from town council to restore the building to its former condition provided it would be used as a museum. The idea was a good one, so Adelaide was all for it. Artifacts from the town’s past, some already in the possession of the society, some donated by residents, were now displayed throughout the rooms. Guided tours were offered on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from one PM until four PM. Tourists coming to see the falls usually took a tour. There was no charge, but donations were gratefully accepted, usually netting the society a substantial amount during the holiday season.
As Adelaide trudged along she heard a voice behind her. “I see I’m not the only health-conscious person in town today.” She turned to find Tina Engler entering the alley from her backyard. Tina, another Crescent Falls native, owned the local hair salon. She was a petite woman with short black hair, soft brown eyes and skin the color of heavily creamed coffee. Always a snappy dresser, today she wore red slacks. Her tweed coat, unbuttoned all the way down, revealed a striped blouse. Santa’s-face earrings dangled from her earlobes.
“I take it you’re headed for the bazaar?” Adelaide said.
“I don’t have to be at work until one today, so I have lots of time to shop. I heard the quilts this year are fabulous, especially the one that’s being auctioned off.” Tina’s step was lively so Adelaide picked up the pace.
“You should get Rudy over to the church. He could do his Christmas shopping there,” Adelaide suggested.
Rudy Engler had been one of the best fullbacks the local high school had ever known. There had even been talk about him being scouted by several colleges. Then, during one game in his senior year, he sustained a knee injury that put to rest any idea he had of a football scholarship or career. Undaunted by the setback, Rudy married his high school sweetheart, Tina, and went to work for L&C Precision. Unfortunately he’d been one of the first casualties when the company began its layoffs because he was one of its highest-paid employees. Now he worked full time for the Church Coalition, managing the affairs of the food pantry and thrift store.
“Isn’t Rudy’s birthday today?” Adelaide asked Tina.
“Don’t remind him, for heaven’s sake. He’s grousing around like you wouldn’t believe.” Tina smiled. “I told him forty-six isn’t old. I’m forty-six. I don’t feel old.”
“And people say women are the vain ones,” Adelaide replied as they approached the church.
“I guess I’m early.” Tina looked at her watch.
“Come on in. It’s only twenty minutes
As she prepared to leave the house, she thought about yesterday’s events, especially the argument she’d heard between Jerry Hatfield and Reverend Douglas Underwood. Jerry was usually an easy going man, who was always willing to help out at the church, especially with keeping the finances on track. To hear him making such horrible accusations against the minister was very disturbing.
Adelaide grabbed her coat and purse from the chintz covered sofa in the living room, gave Oscar a pat on the head then walked through the cozy kitchen to the back porch. After making sure the cat had food as well as plenty of water, she got her tote bag off a hook by the back door. She added a pair of slip-on boots to the contents, in case she had to walk home through snow.
Once outside, she locked the door then started down the cobblestone walkway to the alley running beside the house. As was her habit, she would walk to the church just a block away. As she crossed Hawthorne Avenue, she glanced at the Historical House Museum across the street. It was another Victorian structure, although not as large as her home. The local Historical Society had purchased it several years ago when it went into foreclosure.
The members got a grant from town council to restore the building to its former condition provided it would be used as a museum. The idea was a good one, so Adelaide was all for it. Artifacts from the town’s past, some already in the possession of the society, some donated by residents, were now displayed throughout the rooms. Guided tours were offered on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from one PM until four PM. Tourists coming to see the falls usually took a tour. There was no charge, but donations were gratefully accepted, usually netting the society a substantial amount during the holiday season.
As Adelaide trudged along she heard a voice behind her. “I see I’m not the only health-conscious person in town today.” She turned to find Tina Engler entering the alley from her backyard. Tina, another Crescent Falls native, owned the local hair salon. She was a petite woman with short black hair, soft brown eyes and skin the color of heavily creamed coffee. Always a snappy dresser, today she wore red slacks. Her tweed coat, unbuttoned all the way down, revealed a striped blouse. Santa’s-face earrings dangled from her earlobes.
“I take it you’re headed for the bazaar?” Adelaide said.
“I don’t have to be at work until one today, so I have lots of time to shop. I heard the quilts this year are fabulous, especially the one that’s being auctioned off.” Tina’s step was lively so Adelaide picked up the pace.
“You should get Rudy over to the church. He could do his Christmas shopping there,” Adelaide suggested.
Rudy Engler had been one of the best fullbacks the local high school had ever known. There had even been talk about him being scouted by several colleges. Then, during one game in his senior year, he sustained a knee injury that put to rest any idea he had of a football scholarship or career. Undaunted by the setback, Rudy married his high school sweetheart, Tina, and went to work for L&C Precision. Unfortunately he’d been one of the first casualties when the company began its layoffs because he was one of its highest-paid employees. Now he worked full time for the Church Coalition, managing the affairs of the food pantry and thrift store.
“Isn’t Rudy’s birthday today?” Adelaide asked Tina.
“Don’t remind him, for heaven’s sake. He’s grousing around like you wouldn’t believe.” Tina smiled. “I told him forty-six isn’t old. I’m forty-six. I don’t feel old.”
“And people say women are the vain ones,” Adelaide replied as they approached the church.
“I guess I’m early.” Tina looked at her watch.
“Come on in. It’s only twenty minutes
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