Mystery, Snow, and Mistletoe Read online

  Brenda and her father settled in her apartment. He poured himself a cup of coffee and she opted for a cup of hot raspberry tea. They talked of Christmases past and chuckled over their shared memories. There was a soft knock on her door and she opened it to find Mac leaning on the doorframe with a slow smile, only for her. There was never even one time that her heart didn’t do a flip-flop when she saw him. She invited him in and he accepted a cup of coffee.

  “I don’t want to interfere with your visit,” he said, waving hello to Tim.

  Tim waved Mac’s excuses away. “We see each other every day. I just made Brenda bring me up here to get out of all the work.” They laughed at his humor and settled in.

  “Well, you’re in luck, they’re mostly done. I think I only saw one tree downstairs that wasn’t finished,” Mac said. “I take it that’s not for Tim to decorate?” He laughed. “I already heard about your wild trip to the Christmas tree farm. You did a great job on choosing the right trees. I think Phyllis said the White Pine was your favorite? I believe they left that one for you, Brenda.”

  She smiled, touched. “I do love decorating…I guess I was bushed when we got back. Let’s go down and see what’s left to do.”

  All three went downstairs. “We left the tree in the dining room for you to do, Brenda. I know you really liked the White Pine.” Phyllis waited for her response.

  “I’m ready to get busy. I have help so we’ll start now. I want it finished by dinnertime tonight.”

  Brenda thanked the others for their hard work and told them all to take a break. The Sheffield Bed and Breakfast had transformed into a Christmas vision, with lights and decorations on the trees artfully posed in the windows of the main rooms.

  Mac, her father and Brenda all went into the large dining room. The tree was in the middle of the bay window that looked out onto the snowy side lawn, across which one could see the ocean. The bed and breakfast was on a slight promontory and so Brenda realized that perhaps ships passing in the night would get a glimpse of the lit tree. The tree had been carefully draped with lights, and a box of ornaments set to one side for her to select from. But she did not want to look in the box just yet. Instead, Brenda pulled a small ornament from her pocket and carefully hung it from a branch so it caught the light just so. It was a perfect, tiny replica of the bed and breakfast, painted exactly as in real life, down to the smallest detail.

  “Where did you get that?” Tim asked.

  “I made it,” Brenda said with pride. “I’ve been secretly taking craft classes downtown. I had to prove I can do something when I’m surrounded by so much talent.”

  Mac hugged her and admired the ornament for a moment, then pulled a box from his pocket. “I brought something you might like to add to the tree.” A crystal ornament glittered in the box, and it was engraved with their names. Brenda gasped. She told him it was beautiful and happily hung the first ornament they shared together.

  They decorated the rest of the pine until finished. “Let’s not forget the tree lighting ceremony downtown tonight,” Mac said. “Do you want to come with us, Tim?”

  “I’ll pass on that. I’ve got enough to enjoy right here and besides, you two should have some time together to enjoy the holiday.”

  He watched his forty-six year old daughter grin and blush like a schoolgirl as her fiancée held her tightly to his side. It seemed that was always her mood when she was with the detective. Tim thought about his deceased wife and wished she could be here now to see where their daughter’s life had taken her.

  “It’s much colder than it was earlier, Brenda. Bundle up.” Mac assisted her into her woolen coat. The sherpa lining ensured warmth as they walked toward the park through the chilly December evening. “We’re a little early…let’s stop at Molly’s for some hot coffee,” Mac suggested, seeing the inviting glow of the coffee shop’s windows ahead.

  Phyllis’ daughter Molly Lindsey had made a success of Morning Sun Coffee. She had even hired two more employees during the fall to help with the holiday season and they still kept busy enough. Brenda and Mac moved through the crowd and found a table in the corner of the shop. Most customers stood in line to order take-out beverages and sandwiches.

  Brenda shrugged her coat off her shoulders and Mac draped it over the empty chair next to her. He sat across from her. Brenda looked around and then her eyes stopped. She stared at something with such consternation that it caused Mac to turn around and try to see what it was.

  “Do you see the same thing I’m seeing?” she asked in an undertone.

  Young Detective Bryce Jones, Mac’s colleague and the boyfriend of Mac’s daughter Jenny, leaned toward Molly at the front counter. Molly laughed and tried to brush him off while she took orders. Something told Brenda that Molly’s efforts were not sincere. As she watched, it seemed as if Molly was enjoying the attention. Bryce was known to be a terrible flirt but Brenda thought that Jenny Rivers cured him of that habit long ago.

  “What’s there to see? Bryce is still a big flirt,” Mac said. “I do worry about Jenny sometimes.”

  Brenda knew Mac cherished his daughter and hovered over her like a mother hen at times, but this time she thought he may have a real reason to worry. She watched the pair closely. Just then, Molly called an employee to take her place. She and Bryce moved to the end of the counter to talk. Their conversation couldn’t be heard by Brenda and Mac but their mannerisms clearly indicated that something was going on between the two of them. Molly turned when someone gave her the tray of hot drinks. She said something to Bryce and headed toward Brenda and Mac.

  “I think you ordered the peppermint coffee, Brenda, and the eggnog coffee for you, Mac.” She asked if they planned to go to the tree lighting. Brenda was flustered and did not reply, looking down at her coffee and taking a big sip. When Mac replied yes, Molly glanced back at Bryce, who stood in the same spot. “Bryce and I are going too, as soon as I can get away from here.”

  Mac frowned. “Is Jenny sick? I don’t see her in here and it looked like she may have closed Blossoms already.”

  Molly’s eyes opened wide. “I guess you haven’t heard. As far as I know, Jenny is fine. She and Pete Graham are meeting us here.”

  “What is it that we haven’t heard?” Brenda asked in confusion.

  At that moment, Jenny’s melodious laugh could be heard above the sounds of the café, and they turned to see Jenny and Pete walking toward their table.

  “What’s going on here?” Mac asked, his brow furrowed with concern as his daughter arrived.

  “We’ll get some coffee and join you soon. Don’t leave,” Jenny said, ducking his question. She and Pete went back to the counter and got in line.

  “I’m sorry, Mac, I thought Jenny would have told you…Bryce started paying a lot more attention to me than Pete ever has. He is hard to resist. It turned out that Pete has liked Jenny for a long time and we had a long talk. We decided to allow me to date Bryce and Pete is free to date Jenny. It’s worked out very well and we’re all happy. We’re giving it all a try, anyway.”

  The news was startling. Flashbacks of the summer that an acting troupe arrived in Sweetfern Harbor to perform “The Rich Game” sent waves of bad memories through Brenda. The play was a comedy about couples who switched partners, but the outcome in real life had not been pleasant. The star of the show was found dead in the Sheffield Bed and Breakfast. She hoped this would end better.

  Mac simmered inside. His face had flushed, listening to Molly’s explanation. He was aware that the young detective felt a compulsion to flirt with a different girl every month or so. He had warned his daughter about Bryce’s wayward eyes and she had laughed at him, assuring him she knew how to keep him in line. They had dated for months without any incident, in fact. Mac thought about Pete Graham, the mailman. Pete was the son of the town lawyer. He gossiped along his route to the point where everyone eagerly awaited the latest news from him when he brought their mail. Mac wasn’t sure what to think about Jenny dating Pete.


  Jenny returned just then and set her coffee down, and Pete took the second empty chair.

  “I’m ready to tell you what’s going on,” Jenny started to explain.

  “Never mind,” Mac said, “Molly already told us.” He locked eyes with his daughter. Mixed feelings churned through him – relief that Bryce was no longer a worry, but also concern about Pete dating his daughter. It all caused Mac to push away his half-empty cup of eggnog coffee. Pete was all right, but not the one for his Jenny. There was a short, uncomfortable silence as everyone sipped their coffee. Mac cleared his throat and tried again. “We’ll talk later at home, Jenny. We haven’t had a lot of time to talk about anything lately, what with all the holiday festivities.”

  Brenda took over for Mac and commented that they were going down to the park for the tree lighting. Mac was silent, but Jenny would not let him retreat, and said she would see him there. Her crystal blue eyes danced in the soft glow of the lamps in the coffee shop.

  Later, Brenda curled her arm through Mac’s as they set off down the sidewalk toward the park. He was still upset. “This is the kind of thing Jenny needs her mother for,” Mac said. The cold wind whipped their faces. “I had no idea this was going on.”

  “I don’t think anyone could guide her right now, Mac. It seems this all just started. It will probably blow over when they realize who is really meant for whom.” She picked up her pace to match his and hoped the mood of the evening would change.

  Mac pulled her closer to his side, grateful for her softness and her optimism, even when his own heart was clouded with worry.

  They heard the Christmas carols when they were still a block away from the park. Large crowds had begun to gather and they saw Hope Williams’ bakery truck pull up. David and Hope got out and carried large trays of sweets to a long table set up near the carolers. As they drew closer, Brenda noticed a variety of cookies, each tray a particular flavor decorated to match the holiday spirit. They greeted the owner of Sweet Treats. Allie arrived and also helped her parents unload the last of the goodies.

  “I hope this is enough,” Hope said, stepping back to admire her handiwork. The icing on some of the cookies practically sparkled.

  “If you run out, it will make even more people want to come in Sweet Treats and buy some,” David joked. “Mac, Brenda, help yourself.”

  His words and buoyant spirit were a godsend and lifted Mac and Brenda’s moods. They each took a cookie and then found a spot to wait for the tree lighting.

  “That spruce is beautiful,” Brenda said. “Look how tall it is.”

  “I’d say it has to be close to twenty feet,” Mac said. “The town outdid itself this year.”

  “I’m sure William Pendleton had something to do with it.”

  Brenda was happy for Phyllis. Marrying William would complete her life. Having her brother Patrick home again would be the icing on the cake for Phyllis. They listened to the singers as more people gathered. Molly closed her shop earlier than expected since her workers also wanted to enjoy the lighting. She, Bryce, Jenny and Pete joined Brenda and Mac. For now, Mac chose to ignore the foursome’s strange new configuration. Instead, he greeted them and simply commented on the tree and the carolers.

  It wasn’t long before the music director, Mr. Hale, finished conducting the carolers’ song and turned to the crowd. He invited everyone to sing along for the remaining songs.

  Brenda and Mac sang along and Mac’s baritone voice captured Brenda more than the carols did. When the singing stopped, Mr. Hale held up his hand and introduced William.

  “William Pendleton, who graciously sponsored this wonderful event, will give the signal for the tree lighting shortly. In the meantime, enjoy the refreshments and company around you. We will sing more carols after the lighting.”

  Everyone clapped and cheered loudly. Brenda had an idea.

  “I think we should have the high school choir sing at our wedding. They are really good.”

  Mac agreed. “Let’s find Reverend Walker. I saw him a while ago. I don’t think he would mind.”

  When they saw the minister who would be marrying them, they waved at him. He smiled back and greeted them. Brenda asked him about the idea of the choir singing at the wedding. He agreed right away.

  “It’s your wedding. If you and the other couple want the choir to sing, it is fine with me. It would sound beautiful to have them sing along with the organ. They can sing from the choir loft.”

  Snow began falling again. William stood at the podium a few yards from the tree and announced it was time for the lighting. Everything was dark. Even the streetlights had been turned off around the park for the occasion. Then the tree lit up everything with its soft, bright glow and the crowd clapped and cheered again. The choir sang “O, Little Town of Bethlehem” followed by “Jingle Bells.” The snowflakes that fell softly were now large enough that they could see each perfect shape as it fell, and Mac bent and kissed Brenda’s soft lips.

  Chapter Three

  Mysterious Disappearance

  When Brenda got out of bed the next morning, the feelings of the night before awakened within her. Christmastime in Sweetfern Harbor was magical. The sparkling expanse of the snowy lawn outside greeted her when she looked out the window. Meanwhile, the busy Sheffield Bed and Breakfast began to wind down for the season. This was the time for Brenda and all her employees to enjoy the season.

  Brenda remembered that today was the day that she and Allie planned to go Christmas shopping together. Last night when they had spoken about it, Allie told her mother Hope that she needed to go shopping with Brenda just for one day, since she wanted to find the perfect gift for her mother without spoiling the surprise. Hope had smiled and made her promise to finish shopping with her later, as was their custom. Brenda smiled to remember how David Williams sighed audibly, hefting another tray of delectable sweets onto the table at the tree lighting, as his wife and daughter laughed at him. David knew the ritual and had stopped chiding them for bringing home “everything from every store.”

  Brenda downed the last sip of her coffee and joined Allie, who was already in the front hall. Together, bundled up in their warmest jackets, they walked past the frozen pond and waved to the children and a few adults skating on it.

  “I’d like to start with gift-buying for my bridesmaids,” Brenda said. She had chosen Jenny, Molly, Allie and Hope for that role. “I hope you have some good ideas for me, Allie. Just remember, each gift has to be different.”

  There was something Allie knew how to do better than anyone and that was to shop. She grinned fiercely at Brenda, ready for the challenge. “Have you picked out your wedding cake?” Allie asked as their footsteps crunched along in the snow.

  “I haven’t forgotten that. Today is as good a day as ever. Let’s stop at your mother’s shop and indulge in some tasting before we hit the stores.” Allie was delighted and they quickly reached Sweet Treats.

  As they entered, their mouths watered at the scent of freshly-baked bagels of every flavor that Hope slid into glass display case. “Brenda, Allie, what a surprise. How can I help you?” Allie told her mother that Brenda wanted to pick out her wedding cake.

  “I know I didn’t make an appointment,” Brenda said apologetically, “so if this isn’t a good time, I’ll come back later.”

  Hope waved her words aside and called for an employee to take her place at the front counter. She led Allie and Brenda to the back. “You have good timing. I made up a few samples earlier this morning and was going to call you in for tasting.” It seemed everyone in town was a step ahead of Brenda when it came to wedding planning. “I have a sample of a white butter cake and several others, including a spice flavor, if you want something more like gingerbread for the season.” Brenda and Allie happily sat down with Hope at the baking table in the kitchen and each tried bites of the miniature frosted cakes. Each was delectable in its own way.

  “They’re all so delicious, Hope! It’s impossible to decide. Let me try the second one
again…” Brenda took another delicate forkful of the red velvet cake, which seemed to melt on her tongue. She remembered that Mac had mentioned liking red velvet cake, too. She smiled and nodded. “This is the one.”

  Hope said, “I hoped you would pick that one. If you want me to, I’ll decorate it with holly leaves – edible, of course. A few red berries will complete the festive look and it will be shaped like a traditional wedding cake.” She sketched a picture for her, showing the five tiers of the cake with the decorations, and Brenda agreed readily. “Will Phyllis have a separate cake?” Hope asked.

  “Phyllis and I decided to share the cake the way we are sharing our wedding day. She and I agreed on two flavors and one was red velvet, actually. I’ll let her know it’s in the works.”

  Brenda noticed Hope’s hesitation as they stood up to go and asked her if she needed more from her. “I know you and Allie planned to go shopping, but we’re swamped in here. Can you spare her for a couple of hours?”

  “That will be fine, if Allie is agreeable. We don’t have a full house at the bed and breakfast anyway. We can shop together later this evening or tomorrow.” Allie agreed and gave her several suggestions for her bridesmaids’ gifts.

  Brenda thanked her and left them discussing imminent orders to be filled at Sweet Treats. It sounded like Allie and her mother had a full schedule of baking ahead of them. She had other things on her mind aside from shopping, however, and her steps headed for the Parsonage.

  She hadn’t forgotten about Phyllis’ brother who mysteriously disappeared. Reverend Walker had lived and pastored in Sweetfern Harbor for the past twenty-five years. He surely knew Patrick Lindsey. Although she knew she needed to check in with Mac and the Police Chief about their cold case file on Phyllis’ brother too, something made her want to get the human side of the story, first. When she rang the doorbell outside the beautifully carved front door of the Parsonage, Reverend Walker greeted her and invited her inside.