Read Online Murder by Christmas (Edna Davies mysteries) by Suzanne Young - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Suzanne Young
Ads: Link
light fixture. As Laurel pinned ribbons along the wall in the hallway leading to the kitchen, she carried on a stream of conversation, mostly about the customers who had sent the cards. Realizing she needn’t reply to any of the woman’s comments, Edna sat on the stairs, absently playing with the kittens as she thought about how to open a delicate subject in which she had no business. She had nearly decided on a plan of action when she heard Laurel squeal.
“Quick, Mary. Jake just pulled up in his van. I want the mistletoe secure before he gets to the door.”
Glancing out the side window behind the coat rack, Edna could see that a white van was indeed parked in the driveway. Jake was sliding out of the driver’s side. Laurel, halfway down the hall, must have super sensitive ears, Edna thought. As she continued to watch the scene outside, someone in a Santa Claus suit climbed down from the passenger side. From that angle, Edna could only see his head and shoulders, topped by a red stocking cap and wrapped in a furry collar. The figure disappeared toward the rear of the van without turning her way.
Flapping her hands in agitation, Laurel urged Mary to restore the chair to its place against the wall and instructed Edna to leave the empty ornament box on the table in the living room. While they obeyed, Laurel plucked their coats from the rack, handed one to Mary and held the other out to Edna as she returned to the hall.
“Thanks so much for your help. I know you both must have a ton of things to do, and I’m going to be awfully busy with this photo shoot. I’m so sorry about tea, but maybe another time.” These last words were directed at Edna as Laurel practically pushed them out onto the porch.
Meeting Jake on the porch steps, Edna and Mary stopped for a few seconds to greet the veterinarian before crossing the lawn to the Jeep. Santa was leaning in the van’s open side door, rummaging through boxes. All Edna could see was a broad, red backside trimmed in fluffy white. Whoever was in the suit finally stood, turned and glowered at them as Mary maneuvered a U-turn in the road to head back toward town.
“I hope that man puts on a happier face for the pictures,” Edna said.
Santa’s beady eyes looked familiar, but with fake white eyebrows, mustache and beard, she couldn’t think of whom she was reminded. She twisted to look out the back window at the costumed figure, trying to place him. Behind the less-than-jolly elf, her eye caught another movement and she watched as Laurel pulled Jake into the hall where Mary had hung the mistletoe.
Chapter 7
While they had been inside CATS, the cloud cover had lifted, which raised Edna’s spirits as well, so it wasn’t with a great deal of regret that she said, “We never had a chance to talk to Laurel about Bethany’s job,”
“We sure got the bum’s rush, didn’t we,” Mary said, sliding her eyes toward Edna before refocusing on the road.
Edna chuckled. “More of her assertiveness training, I suppose.”
Traffic had picked up during the hour they’d spent at CATS, so Mary was keeping her eyes on the road. “Wanna go get a Christmas tree?”
“Yes, that’s a good idea. Laurel’s looked so pretty, I’m in the mood. Let’s go to Schartner Farms over in Exeter, shall we?” Edna felt like going to a place that was guaranteed to be filled with Christmas cheer. She certainly had a lot to do at home, but every item crossed off her list was another step forward. “Working on Laurel’s stairwell made me think about my own banister. Schartner’s has those evergreen ropes and a big selection of decorative wreaths. I can also pick up a couple of my favorite traditional poinsettias.”
Eventually, Edna found everything she was looking for, plus a few additional gift items she couldn’t resist. By the time they reached home, they had been gone a little more than four hours. Edna gasped as Mary pulled into the driveway, wondering
“Quick, Mary. Jake just pulled up in his van. I want the mistletoe secure before he gets to the door.”
Glancing out the side window behind the coat rack, Edna could see that a white van was indeed parked in the driveway. Jake was sliding out of the driver’s side. Laurel, halfway down the hall, must have super sensitive ears, Edna thought. As she continued to watch the scene outside, someone in a Santa Claus suit climbed down from the passenger side. From that angle, Edna could only see his head and shoulders, topped by a red stocking cap and wrapped in a furry collar. The figure disappeared toward the rear of the van without turning her way.
Flapping her hands in agitation, Laurel urged Mary to restore the chair to its place against the wall and instructed Edna to leave the empty ornament box on the table in the living room. While they obeyed, Laurel plucked their coats from the rack, handed one to Mary and held the other out to Edna as she returned to the hall.
“Thanks so much for your help. I know you both must have a ton of things to do, and I’m going to be awfully busy with this photo shoot. I’m so sorry about tea, but maybe another time.” These last words were directed at Edna as Laurel practically pushed them out onto the porch.
Meeting Jake on the porch steps, Edna and Mary stopped for a few seconds to greet the veterinarian before crossing the lawn to the Jeep. Santa was leaning in the van’s open side door, rummaging through boxes. All Edna could see was a broad, red backside trimmed in fluffy white. Whoever was in the suit finally stood, turned and glowered at them as Mary maneuvered a U-turn in the road to head back toward town.
“I hope that man puts on a happier face for the pictures,” Edna said.
Santa’s beady eyes looked familiar, but with fake white eyebrows, mustache and beard, she couldn’t think of whom she was reminded. She twisted to look out the back window at the costumed figure, trying to place him. Behind the less-than-jolly elf, her eye caught another movement and she watched as Laurel pulled Jake into the hall where Mary had hung the mistletoe.
Chapter 7
While they had been inside CATS, the cloud cover had lifted, which raised Edna’s spirits as well, so it wasn’t with a great deal of regret that she said, “We never had a chance to talk to Laurel about Bethany’s job,”
“We sure got the bum’s rush, didn’t we,” Mary said, sliding her eyes toward Edna before refocusing on the road.
Edna chuckled. “More of her assertiveness training, I suppose.”
Traffic had picked up during the hour they’d spent at CATS, so Mary was keeping her eyes on the road. “Wanna go get a Christmas tree?”
“Yes, that’s a good idea. Laurel’s looked so pretty, I’m in the mood. Let’s go to Schartner Farms over in Exeter, shall we?” Edna felt like going to a place that was guaranteed to be filled with Christmas cheer. She certainly had a lot to do at home, but every item crossed off her list was another step forward. “Working on Laurel’s stairwell made me think about my own banister. Schartner’s has those evergreen ropes and a big selection of decorative wreaths. I can also pick up a couple of my favorite traditional poinsettias.”
Eventually, Edna found everything she was looking for, plus a few additional gift items she couldn’t resist. By the time they reached home, they had been gone a little more than four hours. Edna gasped as Mary pulled into the driveway, wondering
Similar Books
