Mystery, Snow, and Mistletoe Read online

  Mystery, Snow, and Mistletoe

  Sweetfern Harbor Mystery #6

  Wendy Meadows

  Copyright © 2017 by Wendy Meadows

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, without prior written permission.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.

  Printed in the United States of America

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Thanks for reading

  Be the First to Know

  About the Author

  Also by Wendy Meadows

  Chapter One

  Wishes and Dreams

  Brenda Sheffield watched the plentiful snowflakes fall to the ground. The blanket of snow lay softly on the front lawn of Sheffield Bed and Breakfast in a pristine panorama. Early December was at last graced with beauty. Phyllis Lindsey stood beside Brenda, the owner of the bed and breakfast, and took in the beauty.

  “I hope the day of our weddings look like this, don’t you, Brenda?”

  “It would make a lovely day for sure.”

  The housekeeper and her boss planned to marry the loves of their lives in a double ceremony on Christmas Eve. Both anticipated the big day just like young brides-to-be would, even though they were both well past their twenties. Age didn’t mar their excitement. In fact, the entire atmosphere of the bed and breakfast was revved up and animated at the prospect of the upcoming celebrations.

  “I’m going to make some hot chocolate,” Brenda said. “If you will find Allie, the three of us can start sorting through the Christmas decorations. I’m glad we finally got the Thanksgiving and fall décor put away until next year. Now we just have to sort through the enormous amount of Christmas stuff.”

  Brenda left for the kitchen while Phyllis located Allie, the young reservationist. A short time later, the three of them settled comfortably in chairs in the sitting room, where a fire crackled in the fireplace and made the room seem cozy in contrast to the snow covered landscape outside. Brenda was reminded of the many times in the past when she and her mother sipped hot chocolate on cold winter days in Michigan. Her mother always made sure they greeted her truck-driver father with steaming hot chocolate when he came home in cold weather. Tim Sheffield always protested that he preferred coffee, but he willingly accepted the sweet, hot beverage without complaint, every time.

  “There are still the four large Christmas trees down in storage,” Allie said. “Do you want me to ask Michael to bring them up?”

  “I don’t think so. Allie, I’ve been thinking…there is something about those pre-lit, artificial trees that just doesn’t appeal to me. It doesn’t feel right. This year we are going to have the real thing.” Allie grinned happily to hear this and Phyllis smiled as she took another sip of her hot chocolate. Brenda had thought the plan through a little, and shared it with them. “We’ll take the truck and go to that huge tree farm at the edge of town and pick out perfect trees.”

  The other women agreed with excitement. “I love the smell of real evergreens,” Allie said. “My mother won’t have anything but the real thing at home, or even in her bakery, Sweet Treats.”

  “Just the mention of those delectable sweets of hers makes my mouth water,” Phyllis said. “Hope Williams is the best when it comes to baking.”

  Brenda hopped up and went back into the kitchen. Her mouth curved from ear to ear when she came back. “Hope just sent these muffins over. She’s testing special new Christmas recipes – that one is cranberry walnut, this one is gingerbread with candied oranges. And I think this one is eggnog spice! Try one.” No more encouragement was needed and everyone quickly selected a treat to try.

  “All right now,” Brenda said. “Let’s start digging into these boxes. This afternoon we will go tree-hunting.”

  After a couple of hours, the decorations were decided. They had unearthed some beautiful antique treasures that had been collected by her Uncle during his ownership of the bed and breakfast, as well as newer ones that had been gifts from guests, or bought at local craft fairs. Brenda refilled their cups of hot chocolate and then opened the door to the wide covered porch.

  She sighed. “I loved the snows in Michigan, but there is something really special about a New England snowfall.”

  Phyllis pulled her tweed sweater tighter. She had grown up in Sweetfern Harbor and she still thought the same about this part of the country. Every season displayed its own beauty and she savored nature – almost as much as she did William Pendleton, the man of her dreams. Brenda noticed her sudden pensive change. Phyllis’ eyes appeared far away. Brenda moved closer to her friend.

  “What is it, Phyllis? I can tell something is bothering you.”

  “My aunt who raised me often told me that when the first snowfall hit Sweetfern Harbor, it meant that all of my dreams and wishes of the season would come true.”

  “William is your dream come true,” Brenda said. She couldn’t imagine Phyllis having any doubts.

  “He is my stalwart,” she said with a fond smile. “I have no doubts about him at all. I love him so much.” She gazed at the still-whitening landscape. “But I do have one more wish for my wedding day. It’s my brother, Patrick. I wish I knew where he was so I could get him here.”

  “You’ve only spoken of him once that I recall, when you asked me if I had siblings. I always meant to ask you…what happened to Patrick? I mean, do you have any idea why he went off somewhere?”

  Phyllis shook her head. “He disappeared suddenly, five years ago. Edward Graham employed him as a clerk at his law office and Patrick seemed very happy with his job. He loved learning all he could about the justice system and Edward took him on as an apprentice of sorts. Patrick always wanted to get a law degree, though he was in his early fifties already.”

  “Did he live by himself, or was he married?”

  Phyllis’ laugh was a quick one. “He could have had anyone he wanted. His personality could win any woman over.” She paused, her warm memories coming to mind. “He really had a great sense of humor, too. He lived alone and had an apartment downtown.” Her hand flew to her mouth and her eyes widened. “Oh, dear. I vowed to never use the past tense when talking about him, or thinking about him. I am sure he is still alive and out there somewhere. I just wish he would contact me.”

  Brenda put a sympathetic arm around her dear friend’s shoulders. She couldn’t help but start thinking like a sleuth, however. “Did the police have any leads on his whereabouts?”

  “Both Chief Ingram and your Detective Mac Rivers spent a lot of time on the case after I reported him missing. But they always came up with dead ends. Someone must know where he is.” Phyllis’ eyes lit up. “You are good at detective work, Brenda. Maybe you could meet with Bob and Mac and see something they didn’t see. Nothing would make me happier than to have my brother at my wedding.”

  Brenda paused, touched by the intense feeling evident in her friend’s eyes. Decorating the bed and breakfast for the holidays, preparing for the double wedding and looking into a missing person case sounded like a crowded agenda, but Brenda knew she had no choice. She squeezed Phyllis’ hands and vowed to do everyth
ing she could to find Phyllis her most desired wedding present. “I’ll talk with the Chief and Mac. As soon as I can, Phyllis. But in the meantime, let’s grab some lunch and then head out to cut down a tree.”

  Phyllis wiped a tear of relief away at Brenda’s promise, but then laughed. “You don’t have to cut it down, you know. They’re all pre-cut, unless you want to find one out in the tree lot. Even then, they’ll go chop it down for you.” Phyllis’ demeanor lightened. Brenda was glad to see her friend in jovial spirits again.

  “That’s good,” Brenda said. “I’m not sure I’d cut the tree down without cutting off a piece of my body, with my luck.” They laughed and headed back into the bed and breakfast.

  In the front hall, they found Allie talking to a guest. She told the young woman that lunch was ready and offered to walk with them to the dining room.

  “We’ll all go together,” Brenda said.

  In the dining room, everyone was abuzz about the snowfall and more than one guest remarked about the exquisite views outside. “I don’t want to walk down to the seawall,” one said. “It will mess up the smooth blanket of snow.”

  It was unusual for them to still have this many guests at the bed and breakfast so close to Christmas. Most years, Sheffield Bed and Breakfast became quieter and quieter as the winter season closed in, and then closed down completely for Christmastime. But this year would be different. There were two sets of brides and grooms who planned to marry and then take off on their honeymoons. This year the bed and breakfast would close for almost two weeks to prepare and make everything as beautiful and festive as possible.

  After the lunch, they headed out to the truck. Brenda thought about how much she looked forward to spending her honeymoon with Mac in Italy. Phyllis and William planned to go to St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. They liked the warm temperatures and the deep blue ocean. Phyllis had told Brenda that William loved snorkeling and he wanted to teach her how to explore the life beneath the sea. Brenda had been surprised at first, but then realized her housekeeper really looked forward to any experience with William Pendleton.

  They soon arrived at the Christmas tree farm on their quest for the perfect trees.

  “I wonder how many acres there are here,” Brenda said in wonder as she stepped out of the truck and gazed around. “It will be hard to choose even one.” Across the tree farm, the snowy branches of beautiful, perfect evergreens were outlined with snow. A large log cabin building held the main offices of the farm, where visitors could stop by and warm up on their way in or out. Wood smoke rose invitingly into the chilly air from its stone chimney.

  A young man appeared behind them with a friendly greeting, having overheard Brenda. “Welcome! We have fifty acres total. If you can’t find a pre-cut one I’ll take you out and we’ll find one for you.”

  “We want four trees, maybe five.” Brenda caught herself before she got too carried away. She had to remember the wedding coming up. Things were expensive enough.

  Phyllis and Allie stared at her and then smiled. Phyllis knew she would have to rein in her boss, but not yet. “Let’s get started,” she said.

  “I think we shouldn’t waste time looking at pre-cut ones. Let’s go out and cut our own.” Allie’s eyes sparkled. “I mean he said he would cut it if we found ours.”

  The young man introduced himself as Jason, and he had worked there for a couple years and knew the trees well. He suggested a particular field that held a number of beautiful trees they might find just right. All agreed to ride out with Jason and pick their own.

  “There is no way I can choose,” Brenda repeated. The truck stopped so they could get out and start their search. Phyllis and Allie climbed out from the second-row seat behind Brenda and Jason.

  “Let’s start with the Frasier Firs,” Jason said. He pointed out the attributes of the fir and asked how tall of a tree they wanted.

  “The ceilings of the bed and breakfast are ten feet tall, some higher.” Brenda looked at Phyllis for direction.

  “Let’s look at six or eight foot trees, then.” Jason had taken over decision-making. He confidently pointed out the pros and cons of several trees they were drawn to. Allie skipped ahead of them in her snow boots and pointed to a magnificent fir tree. There were no bare spots to be seen.

  “This is our first one,” she said.

  Jason tested the Frasier Fir that Allie had picked out for any dryness. The seven-foot tree was healthy. They agreed he could bring it down and he made quick work of it with a chainsaw. Allie helped him load it onto the open-bed trailer. By this time, Brenda had a better idea of what to look for. She remembered that back in Michigan, her father always picked out pine trees for Christmas.

  “Do you have any pines?” she asked, looking around. Jason grinned and nodded.

  They all climbed back into the truck and headed for the White Pines. After another hour, everyone was satisfied with the two Frasier Firs and two White Pines they had cut fresh. When they got back to the parking lot, Jason directed them to the large log building, telling them to go inside and sip some hot cider or chocolate while he prepared their trees for transportation and tied them securely to the bed of their truck.

  Once inside, Brenda couldn’t get enough of the evergreen scent that permeated the air. They all seemed to carry it with them on their coats like a perfume after walking through the fields of trees. The hot chocolate not only tasted good, but warmed them up.

  “I think we should get some evergreen branches, too. You could make some beautiful wreaths, Allie, with your artistic talent,” Brenda commented. She was looking at the fireplace nearby, which held a few fir swags and festive ribbon, picturing what that might look like at the Sheffield.

  Phyllis was tempted to remind Brenda of the budget. She knew Brenda stuck by it no matter what. She knew Brenda was still paying off the mortgage on the bed and breakfast, which she had inherited from her uncle. Phyllis could not help but enjoy the expression of contentment on her friend’s face, so she decided against spoiling things. After all, everything Brenda picked out would also serve as decor for the double wedding reception, which would take place at Sheffield Bed and Breakfast following the double wedding ceremony at the Congregational Church. It was a mark of their deep and lasting friendship that Phyllis and Brenda were so committed to the idea of everything coming together for their perfect double wedding on Christmas Eve.

  When they finished their hot cocoa and headed back outside, Jason had loaded the trees into Brenda’s truck. She handed him a generous tip for his work and they all climbed in. They sang Christmas carols all the way home and waved to everyone they knew as they passed the specialty shops along the main street, each one more festive than the last. The town was decorated to the point where it truly looked like a Christmas wonderland.

  Happiness soared through Brenda’s heart as they pulled up to Sheffield House and once again she thanked her uncle, Randolph Sheffield, for his generosity to her in his will. Without him, she would not be the owner of the bed and breakfast, which meant she wouldn’t be riding down the street with four Christmas trees in the back of a truck with two good friends, looking ahead to marrying the man of her dreams.

  Never in her wildest dreams did she think she would ever live in a place like Sweetfern Harbor. In all of New England, Brenda couldn’t imagine there was a happier, more perfect place for the Christmas season ahead.

  Chapter Two

  Keeping Promises

  Tim Sheffield looked out his window from the second floor of the 1890 Queen Anne Victorian mansion. He shook his head and laughed softly when he saw his daughter Brenda alight from the well-worn pickup truck. He would have gone with the women to find the perfect tree but he had business that morning with his accountant back in Michigan. The phone call had taken even longer than he first hoped for, but at last he was satisfied everything was in order. He took a second look at the truck in the driveway. Brenda had gone a little wild, he thought. He hurried into his winter jacket and pulled his thick
woolen cap onto his head and went downstairs and out the door.

  “What all did you buy at that tree farm?” he asked. “It looks like you didn’t leave anything for other people who may want a tree or two.”

  Brenda took his teasing in stride. She was more than happy her father had decided to stay through the holidays. More than that, she was grateful they had mended the rift between them that had seemed so impossibly wide when he first arrived at Thanksgiving. After all they had been through, there was no animosity left between them.

  “Come on and land a hand,” she told her dad. “We could use some help here.”

  Several employees hurried out to help. They were eager to get started on the decorating and had the tree stands ready for each tree that came off the truck. It took two or three people to carry each tree inside and set them up throughout the bed and breakfast. Brenda stood next to her father when they finished.

  “Have you ever seen such tall trees?” she asked him.

  “I haven’t, unless you are counting what’s out in the forests.” He gave a grunt of satisfaction looking up at the tallest tree, posed in the window. “You three did a good job picking these out.” Brenda hid a smile. Tim Sheffield was a man of few words, so this was high praise.

  She and Tim left the group to their tasks. Allie had already started carrying armfuls of fir branches from the truck to the large utility shed in back of the bed and breakfast. William had helped set up a long work table and donated a box of supplies for wreath making, saying that Allie Williams needed the right tools if she was to developing her creative talents. The teenager was elated and immediately set to work.