Read Online Mistletoe Murder by Leslie Meier - Free Book Online

pulled out a stub printed with large black numbers. She sat and looked at the paper, turning it over and over.
    When she made no effort to move, Lucy said, “That looks like it. Let’s give it a try, okay?”
    â€œAll right,” her mother agreed, following her over to the baggage carousel.
    â€œWhat does the bag look like?” asked Lucy. “How many are there?”
    â€œJust one.”
    â€œDo you see it?” asked Lucy.
    â€œNo, I don’t recognize any of these.”
    Lucy bent over and began comparing the strips attached to the bags with the stub in her hand. She soon found a bag with matching numbers and asked, “Is this it?”
    â€œIt could be.” She was open to the possibility.
    Lucy picked up the bag. “Now, where did the kids go?”
    â€œThe kids?”
    â€œYou know. My children. Your grandchildren,” snapped Lucy, her patience exhausted. “They were here a minute ago.”
    â€œThey were?”
    â€œHere they are,” said Lucy as the three kids ran up. She was almost hysterical with tension and relief, and her head was pounding. “We’ve got the kids and we’ve got your bag, I guess we’re all set.”
    â€œDid you bring us presents?” Toby asked boldly.
    â€œNo. I haven’t shopped yet.” All three children’s faces fell with disappointment, but their grandmother ignored their crestfallen expressions and turned to Lucy. “I didn’t want to carry the presents on the plane. I thought you and I could go shopping together this week.”
    â€œI’m sure we can,” Lucy answered in a cheerful voice, but inwardly she was furious with her mother. One week until Christmas and her mother had just assumed she would have time to take her shopping. Somehow they would have to fit it in, but Lucy already felt deluged with Christmas preparations.
    â€œI’ll carry the suitcase, Mom. You take Sara’s hand. I don’t want her running around in the parking lot. Elizabeth, Toby, stay with me and watch out for cars, okay?”
    Lucy had the sudden feeling that now instead of having three children, she had four. She was going to have to take care of her mother as well as her children. The realization absolutely overwhelmed her.
    As she led her little cortege out of the terminal, Lucy noticed a taxi pulling up. She was surprised to see Marcia Miller and little Sam IV climbing out of the backseat. As she loaded her mother’s suitcase into the Subaru and waited for the kids to pile in, she watched the cab driver unload suitcase after suitcase. Lucy couldn’t help but notice that these were not the canvas bags sold in the Country Cousins catalog; these bore the distinctive gold logo of Louis Vuitton. A long trip to someplace warm, thought Lucy as she put the key in the ignition. Not a bad idea at all. She wondered if she could stow away on their flight.
    Arriving home, Lucy installed her mother on a corner of the couch, switched on the TV for her, and sent Bill in to keep her company.
    â€œHow’s the knee?” she asked as he hobbled past her.
    â€œThe ice helped, but it still hurts. If it’s not better tomorrow, I’ll go and see the doctor.”
    Lucy sighed and went upstairs to get the kids ready for bed. Toby and Elizabeth could change into pajamas themselves, but Sara needed help. It was way past her bedtime, and she burst into tears when Lucy told her it was too late for a story. Bending down to kiss her good night, Lucy noticed that her forehead was awfully warm. A quick check with the thermometer revealed a temperature of a hundred and one. As Lucy counted out the cherry-flavored tablets, she wondered idly what else could go wrong this week.
    That night she ran her bath as hot as she could stand and in a fit of self-indulgence poured in the last of her treasured Vitabath. As she leaned back in the delicious suds, she sighed and felt tears prick her eyes.
    This was