Petunia narrowed her eyes at Pansy. “I’d appreciate it you’d stop referring to my boyfriend as a lughead.”
“I’m just expressing my opinion. Don’t get all worked up about it. Noah has his uses.”
He certainly does, including helping Petunia solve mysteries. At the moment she wasn’t certain she could call Lucy’s granddaughter truly missing at this point, but she promised Lucy she’d help.
Lights twinkled from Noah’s house as he struggled to steady the large Santa.
Petunia ran over and offered her help. “What do you need me to do?”
Noah’s eyes widened. “Under other circumstances I’d tell you I don’t need help, but at least I didn’t have to ask.”
“Of course not! I hope you know you might get thrown out of the man club if they hear about this.” Petunia laughed.
Petunia handed Noah the rods that slid through the back of the Santa’s head and then fit through a pipe and into the ground to secure the figure.
“You might want to attach wires to your roof to add more support,” Petunia suggested.
“Great idea. I have been huffing and puffing since I saw you earlier. Putting up Christmas lights was more work that I expected. I’m glad you came back to help me wrangle the Santa.”
“He looks great, and I bet he’s the largest one in all of Lake Forest. And antique looking to boot.”
“How did it go at the store? Were you able to take a look at the security tapes?”
“No. The cameras are dummies.”
“That’s too bad. What are you planning to do next?”
“I don’t know. I was hoping you’d have an idea.”
Noah picked up a caroler to set it in place. “So you haven’t established if the woman we saw was Lucy’s granddaughter?”
“That’s not what’s bothering me. I’m worried about Timmy.”
“As is Tiny Tim,” Pansy said.
Petunia’s nose twitched. “Would you stop talking to me right now, Pansy? I’m trying to concentrate.”
“Fine, but remember that the next time you need my help.”
“Duly noted.”
“Why are you worried about Timmy? He nearly squeezed the stuffing out of Pansy.”
“He’s not such a lughead after all,” Pansy said.
“I can’t stop thinking about him. Something strange is happening in Lake Forest.”
Noah shook his head. “You always think that. If Lucy’s granddaughter doesn’t have a child, that woman yesterday wasn’t her. You’ll have to look elsewhere.”
Petunia tapped her boot. “Meaning what?”
“Check with Lucy to find out if her granddaughter showed yet.” He changed the light bulb in the lady caroler and smiled when it lit up.
“And if she hasn’t?”
“You’ll have to question Lucy about her granddaughter.”
“I suppose you’re right. And you don’t think it’s strange that the woman from yesterday claimed that she was Lucy’s granddaughter? And Timmy certainly doesn’t tie in either.”
“Unless Mallory has a child that Lucy’s not aware of.”
“I never thought about that. But why would she keep a secret like that?”
“I suppose you won’t know unless you speak to Lucy again.”
Petunia glanced at the elves that hadn’t been put up yet. She kicked the bare dirt ground and said, “What your display needs is a good snow. The weatherman said we’re in for a snowstorm, a couple inches.”
“Since when is two inches a snowstorm? If it’s anything like last year it won’t stick around long.”
“It certainly feels cold enough today.”
Cora stopped to stare at Noah’s display. “How cute. Where did you get those old decorations?”
“In my aunt’s cellar.” Petunia said.
Cora’s eyes widened. “Well, they look dirty.”
“That’s what they looked like years ago. You of all people should know that, Cora.”
Cora’s face screwed up. “I don’t know why you’re insulting me! I just gave you my opinion.” Her hand covered her mouth. “That Santa is almost as tall as your house, Noah.”
Noah wiped the sweat from his brow. “I know. Have you put up your Santa and reindeer yet?”
“Steven the UPS driver has the day off, and he’s putting up my decorations today.”
“Since when does a UPS driver get a day off during the week around the holidays?” Petunia asked suspiciously.
“I put a bug in Chastity’s ear the last time I was at Nelson’s Bakery. She’s been dating Steven, and she closed the bakery for the day to help him.”
“What a bunch of turncoats,” Pansy sputtered.
“That was my thought,” Petunia said.
“I hope you’re at least paying for their lost wages,” Noah said.
“I don’t have to pay people off like you do,” Cora snarled. “But I suppose dating a witch has some perks. She should conjure you up better decorations.”
“Oh, so you want me to conjure something?” Petunia asked. “And here I thought you were anti-witchcraft.”
“I am. And while I have your attention, what sort of trick is that aunt of yours planning for the holidays?”
Petunia’s brow knitted. “What do you mean?”
“Word has it she has a Christmas tree with an angel tree-topper and ornaments.”
“Why would that concern you?” Noah asked as he untangled cords.
Petunia wanted to kiss him for sticking up for her aunt.
“I didn’t expect it.”
“What sort of ornaments did you think she’d put up?” Petunia asked. “She went to great pains to not use any ornaments that would be perceived as supernatural by ‘some people’ in town.”
“There’s no sense in doing that. It won’t change that store from being what it is: a witch’s den.”
“Nice to see you again, Cora,” Noah said dismissively. “But as you can see, we’re busy, and I think it’s time for a hot chocolate break.” Noah put his hand on Petunia’s lower back and guided her into his house.
Petunia walked through the door first. “Thank you, Noah.”
“Cora isn’t just a busybody, she’s just mean.” He leaned in and kissed Petunia’s pert nose. “I like your Aunt Maxine, even if she has us getting engaged, like, every day.”
“I’m sorry. She’s a little impulsive when it comes to me.”
“That’s because she loves you and I-I— better get into kitchen and make the hot chocolate.” Noah headed for the kitchen.
Petunia was shocked to silence. Was Noah going to say the L-word? Oh no, it was far too soon for that, and she didn’t know how she felt about Noah in that respect. She loved spending time with him and investigating alongside him, but emotions were much more complicated.
Petunia glanced down at Pansy and asked, “What?”
“I didn’t say anything.” Pansy’s eyes glowed. “Now where is that annoying pit bull Melvin?”
The brown dog walked around the corner, and his eyes widened when Pansy hissed at him. In a Scooby Doo sort of move, Melvin skated into the other room, his nails clattering on the wood floor as he attempted to get traction.
“Are you happy now?” Petunia asked Pansy.
Pansy licked a paw thoughtfully. “It was the highlight of my week.”
Petunia wandered into the kitchen, where Noah was putting mugs of hot chocolate on the table. She sat across from him and asked, “I hope you have marshmallows.”
“Of course! You can’t have hot chocolate without mini- marshmallows,” Noah said as he slid the bag to her.
Petunia breathed in the fragrance before she blew on the hot brew, taking a careful sip and smiling. “You make a mean hot chocolate.”
“I have talents that you have no idea about, but I’m not so sure putting Christmas decorations up is one of them.”
“I can’t believe Chastity and Steven are helping Cora. I thought they were our friends. I should stop at the ma
yor’s house and speak to Bonnie. I’d like to see what her Christmas tree looks like.”
“Are you planning to put one up?”
“You do know I have four cats, right?”
“So they bat off a few ornaments.”
“I lost the last of my glass ornaments last year,” Petunia said.
“Still, you have to put something up. Unless Cora is right about you witches. Could you really conjure up decorations for my display?” He laughed.
“That’s not funny.”
“I was only teasing. But could you?”
“I don’t know how to conjure anything, and even if I could I wouldn’t do that. Cora would call the cops.”
“I suppose you’re right. Do you want any company at the mayor’s house?”
“I’d like that, but don’t you have to finish decorating?”
“I can finish when we get back.”
Petunia hurried home and applied strawberry lip gloss and pursed her lips. She applied a sweet pea fragrance spray, one of her favorites. She also tore a brush through her auburn hair. She liked to look more put together whenever she visited Bonnie.
“You smell nice, Red,” Pansy said as they went out the door.
“Watch it. I might interpret that as a compliment.”
“Now don’t get all mushy, it was just a comment.”
“A very nice one. Thank you, Pansy. You must have been working on your fur; it looks nice.”
“Let’s stop this. I’m feeling a little sick.”
Petunia could agree with that. She was more used to Pansy’s verbal jabs.
4
Noah held the iron gate open for Petunia and Pansy, and they followed the cobblestone walkway to the double front door of the mayor’s house to ring the doorbell. A maid nodded in greeting and led them into the foyer. Petunia wandered into the front room while the maid left the room, presumably to tell Bonnie she had company.
Petunia sighed as she glided to a nine-foot-tall evergreen Christmas tree. She gently touched a glass star and smiled. The tree was decorated in silver and pink, with a large bow of the same colors for a tree-topper.
Bonnie had all the money, inherited from her father, and the mayor knew his place in that respect. He enjoyed being mayor and was agreeable and friendly for the most part.
Bonnie’s blond curls bounced as she entered the room, smiling. “How nice of you to drop by, Petunia! And it’s a special treat that you brought Noah along with you.”
“How about me?” Pansy asked as he tugged the leash out of Petunia’s hand.
“I think Pansy wants you to say hello to him too,” Petunia said.
“Oh, and I suppose he told you that?”
“I have four cats, so you might say I could almost tell you what they’re thinking.”
“I could say the same of my Dobermans whenever Pansy comes to visit.”
“I hope they’re contained,” Petunia said nervously.
“They’re not here. The mayor took them for a walk.”
“Really? I had no idea he walked them.”
“He wanted to take a sneak peek at the decorations in town. The light poles are being decorated with blue snowman and garland. It would look so much better if we’d get a good snowfall. I hope we get more than two inches of snow tonight.”
“Noah is decorating for the contest.”
“That’s wonderful. I hope Cora doesn’t sabotage you. The sheriff has budgeted for extra patrols. She’s just the one to do something rash so that her competition doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in Hades of winning.”
“I hope she wouldn’t go to that extreme.” Petunia pulled out a small silver container and said, “I brought you more of my salve.”
Bonnie snatched it up and held it against her as though it was a priceless diamond. “Oh, thank you so much. My knees are thanking you.”
“So it helps with the pain?” Noah asked.
“It would be a miracle cure if it worked longer, but I’m not complaining because I only need to use it once a week.”
“I’m happy that you’ve listened to my directions. Lucy certainly never has.”
“I swear you gave Lucy a special concoction, but I’m not complaining.” She smiled. “So is there another reason you’re here?”
“Can’t I pay you a visit without you thinking I have motives?”
“Petunia always has motives,” Noah agreed.
“That’s not fair. Nothing is really going on other than Lucy’s granddaughter not arriving at her house as planned.”
Bonnie’s brow shot up. “I can’t believe Lucy didn’t tell me.”
“Do you know Mallory?”
“No, but Lucy has mentioned in the past that she has grandchildren. I’m glad one finally made it to Lake Forest for a visit.” Bonnie pursed her lips. “I hope Mallory isn’t missing.”
“Do you know if she has any children?” Petunia fished.
“I couldn’t tell you.”
“We met someone at Ornaments Plus who told us she was Lucy’s granddaughter, but we haven’t been able to confirm it,” Noah said. “She had a son who nearly squished the stuffing out of Pansy.” He laughed.
“At least someone can laugh about that,” Pansy said as he batted an ornament.
“That was scary. I really didn’t know what to do,” Petunia said.
“I understand. Some parents just don’t like anyone to tell them that they’re not reining in the kids.”
“She wasn’t like that. I can’t help but wonder about Timmy.”
“Timmy?”
“The boy’s name.”
“Perhaps Mallory does have a son.”
“I suppose we won’t know unless we find her.”
“Has Sheriff Pinkerton been informed?”
“He told Lucy it’s too early to file a missing person report.”
“We’ll have to go over there and check on her. She must be going out of her mind.”
“That’s my thought.”
“But that will have to wait until after a glass of eggnog. It’s a tradition, Noah.”
“Sounds great if you have nutmeg.”
“It wouldn’t be eggnog without it.”
Petunia touched the garland over the mantel of the fireplace where two angel figures were set on each end. She jumped when she heard a crash and turned to find Pansy laid out on the floor. She rushed to him and cradled the cat in her arms. “Pansy, are you okay? Speak to me!” Petunia said frantically. Pansy remained limp and tears leaked from Petunia’s eyes.
“Oh, Pansy speak to me please!”
Pansy shook his head and snuggled into Petunia’s arms. “That was a c-close one. I think I used up a life on that one. I was almost at the top of the tree when I fell.”
Petunia hugged Pansy. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”
“What happened?” Bonnie asked as she followed the maid, who carried a tray into the room.
“Pansy was climbing the tree and fell. I about had a heart attack when I saw him there not moving. I should have known to watch him better.”
“He seems fine now. You really love that cat.”
“I didn’t realize how much until I found him like that. I thought he’d broken his back.”
“Cats manage to survive falls much better than many other animals.”
The eggnog was passed around and they enjoyed the thick drink. Petunia smiled when she spotted Bonnie pouring rum into hers.
“It’s a little early for rum, isn’t it?” Petunia asked with a grin.
“Would you care for some?”
“No thank you.” Petunia handed her phone with the photo of Mallory to Bonnie. “This is a picture of Mallory.”
Bonnie pursed her lips as she examined the photos. “Oh, I think I might have seen a woman who looked like this yesterday. At first I thought she was a woman from church, but when I tapped her shoulder I realized I was mistaken.”
“Did she have a boy with her?”
“I really don’t know. Afte
r I realized my mistake I made a hasty retreat. It was embarrassing.”
“Where did this happen?” Noah asked. “Petunia won’t stop asking questions if she doesn’t get the entire story.”
“Norm’s Meat Market. But before you go in there asking questions, remember to leave Pansy home. That cashier Sharon has it out for you, Petunia.”
“Believe me, I know. It’s not like at Ornaments Plus, where nobody said a word about me bringing Pansy in. You should have seen Cora there.”
Bonnie leaned forward. “Now that’s a story I’d love to hear some time, when you’re not so busy.”
Petunia handed the leash off to Noah outside the meat market. “I’m trusting you to not lose Pansy.”
“When have I ever done anything that made you think you couldn’t trust me?”
Petunia smiled. “I know. What was I thinking?”
“Oh give me a break, Red. Get in there and ask your questions. It’s cold out here,” Pansy complained.
“With a coat of fur, you should be much warmer than any of us.”
“It looks like Mr. Thompson had a bench installed out here, so that’s where we’ll wait for you,” Noah said.
The bell over the door rang when Petunia entered the store. She put her head down and hurried toward the meat counter. Not many customers were waiting, and Petunia wandered along the counter, reviewing the offerings. All the meat sold here was local and fresh.
“I see you’re eyeing the steaks,” Kenneth said. He was the oldest meat cutter, and his white apron shockingly was crystal clean.
Petunia smiled up at him. “They look delicious, but way too thick for my liking.”
“I could cut them smaller.”
“That would be great, but actually I’m only browsing today.”
Kenneth clucked his tongue at her. “I hope there’s not a crime wave at hand and so near Christmas.”
“No, and I’m hoping it stays that way. By the way, Lucy mentioned that her granddaughter hasn’t arrived in town yet.”
“She didn’t mention that when she was in earlier.”
“She was here today?”
“Lucy? Yes. She was even cheerier than normal.”
Cheerier? “I’ve been looking for Mallory Winters, Lucy’s daughter, and word is that she might have been spotted here earlier.”
Meows, Magic & Elves Page 3