He smiled. “That’s why I don’t eat lox.”
“You’re the one who’s missing out.” I took another bite and closed my eyes, savoring the taste. I sat back down. “I’ll have some questions for Ms. Clime at work on Monday.”
Finishing his bagel, Rob wiped his hands on a napkin. “What’s the plan for today?”
“I have my Christmas things stored up in the attic. I was hoping you’d help me bring them down. Then Jenny and I can decorate. How long can you stay?”
He smiled. “That depends.”
“Uh-oh. On what?”
“There are some college games on TV today. If you’re okay with me watching them here, I can stay till five. Then I’ll need to go back to my place to change for the party tonight.”
I kissed him. “You’re on, as long as you don’t mind us decorating around you.”
Jenny poked her head around the corner. “Is it safe to come in?”
I smacked her shoulder. “Fresh. Mr. Jenson brought bagels.”
“He’s my fav.” She gave him a one-armed hug and sliced a French toast bagel in half. She put it in the toaster. “Thanks for bringing these. I love a good sugar rush.” She took out a plate. “Did I hear you say we are decorating today?”
“Yes. I thought it was time we started looking a little festive around here.”
Jenny pulled the bagel from the toaster and buttered it. Taking a bite and looking blissful, her eyes lit on the lox. “Ugh. Mom, I’ll never understand how you can eat that.”
“You like salmon.”
She rolled her eyes. “Not the same thing. Not the same thing at all.”
I looked over at Rob for support. He shook his head. “Sorry, but I’m with Jenny on this one.”
“I guess I’m the only one here with cultured taste buds.” I wrapped the leftover lox and put it in the refrigerator. “No problem with that—just more for me to enjoy. Rob, are you done?”
Wiping his lips with his napkin, he slid out of his seat and put his dish in the sink. “Your muscle is all ready for work, ma’am.”
I punched his shoulder lightly. “Very funny. Let’s go up to the attic, and I’ll show you where everything is.”
Opening the door to the attic, I flipped on the light switch. Rob peered around my shoulder and whistled. “Merry, you are a closet hoarder.”
“Don’t even say that in jest. You saw Ben Ford’s house when Melissa and I were trying to clean it out.” I shuddered. “Now, he was a hoarder.”
“Uh-huh.” Rob scanned the piles around him. “Closet hoarder, definitely.”
“Whatever. The boxes I want are over here.” I led him to the left-hand corner of the attic where there were twenty large boxes and several smaller ones spread out, stacked from floor to ceiling.
His green eyes widened in shock. “How much Christmas stuff do you have?”
I stared at my shoes like a little kid who’s been found out. “I like to make Christmas special.” I looked into his beautiful eyes. “Maybe I got a little bit carried away over the last few years. I wanted Jenny to have fun memories, even if her dad wasn’t around.”
He hugged me fiercely. “That’s what I love about you. You’re always trying to make the world better for others.” He grabbed two large boxes and, whistling, made his way down the stairs. I followed with a smaller box.
I pointed to a space by the front door. “Let’s stack as many here as we can, and then we can spill into the dining room.”
He groaned. “I suppose once you empty them I’m going to have to take them all back upstairs.”
I smiled. “Yes sirree, Bob.”
He leaned over and kissed me. “The name’s Rob, not Bob, ma’am, and don’t you forget it.”
I kissed him back. “Got it, sir. Won’t make that mistake again.”
Jenny pranced in. “Gross. I thought we were decorating.”
Rob and I jumped apart. I said, “We are. Want to help us bring the boxes down?”
“If I have to.” She trudged up the stairs in front of me. “Why don’t we just hire someone to do it for us?”
I swatted her butt as she ran up the stairs. “Not nearly as much fun.”
Twenty minutes later, all the boxes were downstairs covering the front door and stacked carefully around the edges of the dining room. I looked around in satisfaction. “Now comes the fun part.”
Rob laughed. “I’ll be in the living room watching the game if you need me.” He kicked off his shoes and stretched out on the sectional.
Jenny nodded toward Rob. “Can I watch the game with Mr. Jenson?”
“No. The sooner we get started, the sooner we’ll be done. Don’t you like how festive we make it?”
She smiled. “Yes, Mom, you know I love it. It’s just the process of getting there that’s a pain.”
I opened one of the boxes containing Santa Clauses and positioned several of the more delicate ones on the mantel, trying not to block too much of the television.
Rob chuckled. “It’s a good thing you’re so short. Your head barely reaches the bottom of the flat screen.”
I tossed a pillow at him. “Great things come in small packages!”
As I scooted past him, he pulled me onto his lap and nuzzled my neck. “I know, I know.”
Jenny said, “Mom, we’re never going to get this done if you keep stopping for smooch breaks.”
I stood. “You’re right. Let’s keep going.” Two hours later, we collapsed next to Rob. “That’s all we can do until we get the tree.”
He rose to stretch, and his eyes widened as he took in all of the decorations. “Are you sure you’re going to be able to fit one in here?”
“Yes, silly. It goes on the other side of the fireplace. We have to be careful that we don’t get one too full, or it’s a fire hazard.”
Rob smiled at me. “Everything looks wonderful, and it’s starting to get me in the mood. What do you want to do about lunch?” He looked at his watch. “No wonder I’m hungry.”
I tapped his arm. “Yes, I know. Lying on the couch and watching football is tough work. Since you’re now on the second game, I’ll make us sandwiches and bring them in here. Tuna okay?”
Receiving two distracted nods, I made my way into the kitchen and quickly whipped up some tuna salad. Putting it on rye bread, I grabbed a bag of chips and some drinks and deposited everything on a tray. I carried it into the living room. Rob jumped up to take it from me. I moved some of the Santas on the coffee table out of the way so he could put it down.
Jenny grabbed a sandwich and piled some chips on her plate. “Thanks, Mom.” She turned her attention back to the game.
Rob said something similar and moved his legs from the couch so I could sit. A commercial came on, and he gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. “Thanks, Merry. Once the game is over, I’ll take all the empty boxes back upstairs.”
The action on the screen resumed. The score was close, so the ending was exciting.
Jenny picked up the empty plates and what was left of the potato chips. She carried the tray back to the kitchen as Rob started bringing the boxes back upstairs. I took a few of the smaller ones up, and Jenny brought a few as well.
Jenny said, “Thanks, Mr. Jenson. It was a lot easier with you here.” She shut the door to her room.
Rob and I headed back to the kitchen. He said, “Now I really do need a shower. It’s a good thing I skipped working out this morning. I’m pretty sure I got all of my stairs in.”
I kissed him. “Thanks for the help. It was so much easier this year.”
“I’ll stop by at six, and we can go over to the party together.”
I wandered back into the living room, turned on the fire, and sank onto the sofa, admiring how festive everything looked. Then I picked up my iPad and logged in to Facebook to take a better look at the posts on Amanda’s wall. There was one from someone called Beatle Boy that read, “I’m glad you’re gone, witch!” I didn’t think you were allowed to put fake names on Facebook. I won
der who that is.
Putting the iPad down, I stood and wandered to the window. People felt strongly about Amanda. Could one of the people on Facebook be the person who killed her? Shuddering, I flipped the switch for the fire and went upstairs to shower and dress.
Rob came in just as I was putting green-and-red bows on the wine bottles we were bringing. I put them in a shopping bag, and he picked it up. Tucking my hand under his arm, we ambled along the path through my backyard to Andy and Ed’s house. Luminaries lined their back deck, and twinkling colored lights adorned their evergreens. We bundled through their back door.
I said, “Everything looks so lovely outside.”
Andy took my coat. “I hope you think it’s lovely inside as well.”
I grinned with delight at their Christmas town display, which took up a good deal of their living room. There had to be three hundred tiny people dotting the town, including ice skaters and children sledding down a hill. “How did you do the hill?”
Ed smiled and handed me a drink. “Papier-mâché. You didn’t know I was so talented, did you?”
Pat and Patty came in the front door. Pat quickly joined Rob on the floor, and they played with the train.
Ed took Patty’s coat, and Andy hugged her and gave her a drink. He looked down at Pat and Rob. “Do you think they want a drink?”
Patty laughed. “Maybe later, when they decide to be adults again.”
There was a tray with breadsticks wrapped in prosciutto, along with several different types of cheeses, figs, and olives. I picked up a breadstick and savored the salty bite of prosciutto. “This is so good.”
Andy said, “Thanks. Ed made the breadsticks.”
I raised my eyebrows as I turned to Ed. “You made these?”
“Yep. It’s not that hard. I’ll show you one day.”
The doorbell rang, and more neighbors piled in. Soon the living room and kitchen were quite crowded, especially with the Christmas village taking up so much floor space. It was hard to hear the playlist Ed crafted with the din from so many voices and conversations. I helped Andy load the buffet dinner onto the sideboards. Ed and he had outdone themselves with platters heaped with medium-rare roast beef, turkey, and a ziti dish brimming with sausage, peppers, and mushrooms. The salad was enormous and had radishes cut in the shape of roses.
Stunned, I asked, “How long did it take to do all this?”
Ed replied, “Squeezing it in with work and everything else, probably about a week.” He pulled a notebook off of the top of the refrigerator and opened it. He pointed to a spreadsheet, clipped inside. “I keep track of everything on this spreadsheet. That way I know what’s been done already and what needs to be done next.” There were rows upon rows of green check marks. He grinned. “I just love seeing all the green marks.”
Andy tapped his wineglass with a knife. “Food’s ready, folks. But before we eat, Ed and I want to thank everyone for coming.” He raised his glass. “To the best small town in America.” Everyone drank to that and formed into a sort of serpentine line.
I found Rob midway through and nodded to the people behind us. “Mind if I squeeze in?” They laughed and ushered me into the line. I looked up at Rob. “Great party! Wait till you see all the food.”
“It smells wonderful. I can’t wait to eat.”
As the line edged forward, I caught snippets of other conversations. John Little and his wife, Nancy, were two groups in front of us. His voice carried as he turned to her. “I can’t believe that Amanda wouldn’t let Ed open up a café using the shared alley behind their buildings. Look at this food. It was criminal for her to stop them.”
Rob gazed at me. “Wonder what that’s all about?”
“I don’t know, but I intend to find out. How could Amanda have stopped them? She wasn’t on the zoning board.”
“She owned the building next to them. Maybe they needed a variance approved by the owners on either side.”
Shuffling forward, we soon found ourselves in front of the buffet. After our plates were full, Rob nodded toward the stairs. “Let’s join Patrick and Patty. I think if we maneuver carefully, there’s just enough room.” We wove through the crowd, and Patrick and Patty moved their feet so that we could climb to the steps just above them.
Patty said, “Wow, it’s crowded in here.”
I smiled. “It really is. Nice work sussing out a place to sit. I hate it when I’m balancing plates and glasses. I always spill stuff.” I ate for a few moments. “Wow, this is so good.”
She nodded. “It is tasty. I always love their parties. They have the best playlists and food.”
“It’s hard for me to hear the music over everyone talking. That reminds me. Did you or Patrick ever hear anything about Amanda blocking a café Ed was trying to open?”
Her mouth widened in shock. She quickly closed it. “Where have you been? There was a big uproar about it a month ago.”
Rob and I exchanged glances and shrugged. I said, “Somehow we missed it. Fill us in.”
She leaned closer. “Ed wanted to open up a tea shop as an extension of Andy’s business. He’d researched antique shops that include food service and found that they drew more customers, which results in more sales.”
I nodded, anxious for her to continue.
“So he and Andy went to the zoning board. They were told they would need to get a sign-off from the property owners on either side of them. Lauren Stamper loved the idea because she figured it would bring more traffic to her real estate business. Amanda, however, refused to sign. She told them that she was worried cooking smells would infiltrate her building and make her clothes smell.”
“Wouldn’t they have installed some kind of exhaust system?”
“Of course, and they met with her a month ago to go over the specs for it. It was top of the line and should have lessened any concerns she had. They also showed her the increase in foot traffic they expected, which would have helped her business. She still refused. I think she was just being ornery. Her death ended up breaking the stalemate. I heard that Caroline’s already signed the variance.”
“That was quick. I wonder how they got it in front of her that fast.” I bit back a laugh. “What did they say? Sorry for your loss. Please sign this variance.”
Patty gave me a dirty look. “You know Ed and Andy aren’t that crass. Caroline was conducting an inventory of Amanda’s clothes, and Andy brought her over some tea and some of Ed’s famous scones. She signed that day.”
Rob sighed. “I’d probably sign just about anything for Ed’s scones. Now, if you’ll excuse me, the line is dwindling, and I need to get just a bit more of the ziti. And maybe another piece of beef. Merry, would you like anything?”
“I shouldn’t, but if they have any of those prosciutto-wrapped breadsticks left, I’d love one.” I turned to Patrick. “I’m surprised you’re not getting more.”
“I heard that Ed made several of his cranberry-and-apple-topped cheesecakes. Patty and I are holding out for that.”
I smiled. “I’m glad I just opted for another breadstick. I don’t want to be too full for dessert.”
Later on, the crowd dwindled. Helping Ed and Andy put the first load of dishes in the dishwasher, we vied for places to stow the leftovers in the refrigerator. Soon Rob and I were the only guests left.
Andy held up a bottle of champagne. “Celebrate with us?” We nodded, and he poured four glasses.
Sinking onto the sofa, I tapped my foot along to the Christmas carol that was playing. I held up my glass. “Are we celebrating something other than the terrific party you just hosted?”
Ed smiled. “Yes. We are celebrating getting our new venture, Tempting Treasures and Tasty Treats, off the ground.”
Reaching behind the sofa, Andy brought out a rendering of the new sign. “Isn’t it great?”
It used the elaborate script of the current sign with many of the same soft-blue hues. Dainty teapots had been added, along with lace-covered plates piled high with scrumptious-
looking confections.
“It’s lovely,” I said. “I can’t wait for it to open.”
Chapter 14
My phone dinged far too early the next morning. Whose bright idea was the champagne last night? I grabbed it from the side table and pulled it under the covers. It was a text from Rob: “Good morning, sunshine. Nine o’clock Mass?”
“What’s wrong with ten thirty?”
“Early bird gets the worm.” He appended a smiley face.
I groaned. He didn’t get much more sleep than me. How can he be so perky? “All right. Nine it is. But you owe me coffee.”
Showered and dressed, I felt marginally better. By the second cup of coffee, I was almost human, and my brain had started to process. How desperate were Ed and Andy to expand their shop? They didn’t waste any time getting Caroline to sign the variance.
I went upstairs to Jenny’s room and poked my head in the door. “I’m leaving for church. Are you getting up?”
Indistinct mumbling came from under the covers that sounded like, “I’ll go to the noon Mass.”
Striding into the room, I picked up her phone and set the alarm for ten thirty. “I love you.” I shut the door and made my way back downstairs.
In front of the church, Rob hopped from foot to foot while rubbing his hands. I smiled at him. “You could’ve waited inside.”
“No chance. I love to see your beautiful face get closer and closer.” He leaned down for a kiss. I brushed his lips briefly and backed up. His eyes widened. “Are you in a bad mood this morning?”
“No. Just tired. I’m also not a big fan of public displays of affection in front of the church with lots of people around.”
He laughed because we were the only ones on the steps. “It’s the nine o’clock Mass. Anyone going to this one is already inside.”
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