A Solitude Noel

by Saundra McKee

  A Solitude Noel: 24th in the Amish Country Murder Mystery Series by Saundra McKee

  Smashwords Edition. Copyright 2013. Saundra McKee

  Smashwords Edition, License Notes

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with other people, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are the reader of this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  All characters and events in this story are fictional. Any resemblance to anyone living or dead is purely coincidental. While some of the places mentioned actually exist, they are used in an entirely fictional manner.

  Chapter 1

  Early December

  Dana tightened her red scarf and put on her green gloves as the winter winds swept by her and her Old Order Amish friend dressed in black, Fannie. There had been several inches of snow on the ground since Thanksgiving. They began unloading the wreaths and other holiday greens from Dana’s SUV.

  “I still can believe that Larry bought me a covered bridge,” laughed Dana. “I just love to stand here and look at it. And Eli and your boys have done a wonderful job restoring it. It’s going to be a wonderful stop for cookies and hot chocolate on the sleigh rides that Eli and Larry are giving this weekend. We should be able to raise some much needed funds for our garden club.”

  Fannie nodded. “I didn’t even realize the bridge was here. Does the road go anywhere?”

  “Not really. It went to a coal mine that has been closed for years. I almost forgot the bridge was here. It had fallen into serious disrepair. I’m still amazed that Larry talked old man Jenkins into selling it and the land around it. He’s such an old miser.”

  The women began hanging wreaths and wrapping greens around exposed parts of the bridge. “Larry said he’ll string some battery operated lights along the roof this afternoon. He’s got some kind of contraption that won’t require him to climb up on the roof. It’s going to look like a Christmas card. The newspaper is coming out tomorrow to take pictures.”

  “Eli said the bridge was built back in the early 1800s. I was doing some reading about covered bridges. I guess the main reason for the roof was to protect the wood and keep the snow and rain off. I also read that the bridges were made to look like barns so that animals wouldn’t be spooked when being herded over them. Someone even said the roofs leveled off the hay on the hay wagons. Seems like there are lots of stories and folklore surrounding these old bridges.”

  Dana smiled. “My mom always said they were called Kissing Bridges because young sweethearts could sneak a smooch while passing through them.”

  Fannie spotted Sharon pulling up in her red Mercedes convertible. “I can’t believe she took that fancy car out on these roads.”

  “She wanted to help us out since she and Bob are going out of town to visit their kids for the holidays and can’t help with the sleigh rides.”

  “Hey girls. It’s looking wonderful! I hadn’t thought about this old bridge for years. I used to love all the spooky old stories associated with it when I was a kid.”

  “What stories?” queried Fannie. “I didn’t know it was here. Of course now I’ve learned that it is one of Eli’s favorite fishing holes on Big Bass Creek.”

  Sharon tossed her blonde stylish hair back as she brushed falling snow from her cashmere coat. “Oh the usual ghost stories. I think one was that a runaway slave was hanged here. You can supposedly hear his screams on moonlit nights. Another is of the “cry baby” variety that most old bridges have. A mother tossed her unwanted child over the side and you can hear its cries in the night.”

  “I don’t imagine either is really true,” said Dana. “It’s the holiday season, so stop trying to scare us. It’s time to be merry. It’s true that the history of these bridges can be fascinating. My dad claimed that moonshiners hid their booze in some hollowed out beams during Prohibition. He also said that when two guys had it in for each other, they’d rope both ends of the bridge off and let them duke it off.”

  Sharon sighed, “My grandmother used to tell of church picnics and pie socials out here on warm summer days. Makes me kind of nostalgic”

  “Our pastor wants to have a skating party for the youth out here on New Year’s Day. And Larry thinks it will be a great spot for picnics and reunions in the summer.”

  “Who wants some hot coffee?” asked Sharon. “I stopped at the bakery on my way out. Figured you two would be ready for a snack.”

  The three childhood friends sat around a picnic table inside the bridge, enjoying the warm treat. “We’re going to have burn barrels with fires going when the sleigh rides stop by,” said Dana. “That way people can warm themselves while they enjoy some holiday food and drink. Hopefully they’ll also purchase a tray of our homemade cookies.”

  “I’m so sorry that I can’t be here,” said Sharon. “We’d made the plans to be out of town before this was planned. Do you have everything covered?”

  Fannie nodded. “Eli will drive the sleigh on Saturday and Dana and I will handle the refreshments. Larry will drive on Sunday. Thelma doesn’t have to be at the post office on Sunday and Doris’s quilt shop is closed on Sunday, so they’ll be here then.”

  “I just love it here. It’s so peaceful,” said Sharon. “I’ll drop my cookies off at one of your places before we leave town. I lost track of how many haystacks I’ve made. I guess we better get back to decorating. The snow shows no sign of letting up, and I’ve got to be at the cheese shop this afternoon. We have a big group of Japanese tourists coming by and I’m leading the tour.”

  That evening, Dana and Larry snuggled in front of their fireplace and snacked on buttered popcorn. Dana hugged her handsome husband. “I still can’t believe we own that covered bridge. It looks so beautiful! I can’t wait to share it with people.”

  Larry grinned. “After all you went through with the Bennett brothers, I figured you could use some cheering up. It’s been fun for Eli and me too. It has turned out well. I didn’t realize that Pennsylvania has more covered bridges than any other state, although I guess there are only a couple hundred left. Come spring, we should take the RV and visit some of the others in the region.”

  Chapter 2

  The first Saturday of the sleigh rides went well. People lined up near the post office to take the two mile round trip through the scenic and festively decorated village of Solitude into the countryside. Dana and Fannie welcomed the riders with seasonal refreshments and answered questions about the covered bridge. Each sleigh brought eight to ten people, and by the end of the day, they’d sold over fifty trays of homemade cookies.

  By Sunday, both women were happy to attend their respective church services and relax, knowing that Thelma and Doris would do a great job at the bridge. The crowds were larger than the day before with several people coming from out of town.

  Dana was napping on the couch with her black scruffy mutt Shalom when Larry burst through the door shouting, “Dana, you need to come! Something terrible has happened.”

  Dana felt groggy as she tried to focus on what her disheveled looking spouse was saying.

  “Honey, what’s wrong?”

  Larry sat down at their oak kitchen table to collect himself. “Everything was going great. We were on the last ride of the day. Then we stopped at the bridge and everybody was enjoying the food and drink. Then suddenly our district attorney, Geoff Gruber, stumbles and falls face down in the snow. His wife and I helped him up and he assured us that he’d been fighting the flu and should be fine. Claimed he was probably dehydrated. I got everyone ba
ck on the sleigh and hoofed it back to town. Everyone scattered and Jeff still looked really sick. His wife and I insisted he get checked out at the hospital.” Dana reached to dry the tears streaming down Larry’s cheeks.

  “Sweetie, what happened?” urged Dana.

  “Geoff died shortly after we got there. I can’t believe it. He was a young man in the prime of life with two little kids.”

  Dana hugged her husband. “I don’t know what to say. How could this happen? I’m trying to absorb this. Geoff seemed larger than life to me. I knew him from the time he was an infant. This just makes no sense.”

  Chapter 3

  The next morning Dana and Fannie gathered with all the other locals who usually found themselves at Thelma’s post office/deli/general store. Somehow the gaily colored decorations that adorned the town and businesses had lost their luster and sheen. One of the town’s own had met a tragic death long before his time.

  Thelma, a string bean of a woman, was surprisingly tight lipped about the events surrounding Geoff’s death. She had lost her granddaughter in a heinous murder a few months before, and the stress was taking its toll on her. She planned to retire as soon as she could sell the business. Fannie and Dana waited until everyone left the building. Most of the locals appeared visibly frustrated with the lack of interesting gossip often dished out by Thelma.

  “I suppose you two have heard the latest,” said Thelma while pouring coffee in tall Styrofoam cups.

  Dana and Fannie shook their heads in unison.

  “Doris called this morning and heard that they’re saying that Geoff was poisoned, and the police have launched a murder investigation. I think they were out at the bridge this morning looking for evidence.”

  Dana looked surprised. “That’s news to me. Why would they go to the bridge?”

  “Seems they suspect the poison was in one of the Christmas cookies. A detective was here early this morning shortly after Doris called. He wanted to gather up any cookies that we had left. I told him he was out of luck. We were sold out of cookies.”

  Fannie sat down on a wooden bench and blew on her black coffee. Are you saying they suspect we put poison in our Christmas cookies?”

  Thelma shrugged. “I’m guessing they’re just checking out everything that poor man ingested yesterday. Since he’d been fighting the flu, I’m guessing he hadn’t eaten much. I do recall him eating a sugar cookie. I think they’re the ones that you made Fannie…so delicious.”

  “That’s ridiculous!” protested Fannie. “People ate dozens of them on Saturday!”

  Dana looked worried. “I wonder if anyone else has gotten sick? We could never track down all the cookies we gave away and sold.”

  “Well I told that detective that there are likely a huge number of people who could have a motive for killing Geoff, Doris and myself included.”

  Fannie looked taken aback. “How can you say such a thing?”

  “Well Geoff put Doris’s former husband in prison, with good reason mind you, but she does still love the man in her own way. And I’m convinced that if Geoff had paid more attention to what you guys were telling him about the death of Richard Moyo, my granddaughter Lucy would still be alive. Not that I’d harm him. I always liked Geoff.”

  Dana took a sip of coffee. “Do you recall who all was there with Geoff? Larry was so distraught, he wasn’t even sure.”

  Thelma looked thoughtful. “Let me think. There was Doris and me and Larry. Geoff was there with his wife and two kids, cute little buggers. Then Mandy, the school teacher, was there with her hubby Dave and their two children. I guess they’re close friends with the Grubers. The reverend and his missus were there and then there were these two reindeer.”

  Fannie and Dana looked at each other. “Reindeer? Come on, Thelma. What did you put in your coffee? Are you having visions of sugar plums too?”

  “I’m serious. There were two reindeer. One looked like a male with antlers and such and the other more like a female or doe. They were kind of cute prancin’ around. The kids seemed to love it. If I recall, they grabbed a plate of cookies and were passing them out. I’m pretty sure I saw one give Geoff that sugar cookie he was munching on before he got sick and went face down.”

  “Did you tell the police about the reindeer?” asked Dana. “If it was poison, the reindeer sound like pretty good suspects.”

  “I imagine I did,” said Thelma. “But to be honest, I have more faith in you two when it comes to solving crimes. The police are over twenty miles away from Solitude and never have any presence until there’s a crime. You wouldn’t believe how many times the business owners have asked the county sheriff’s office and state police to spend more time here in Solitude. There’s a lot to be said for preventative measures. A lot of cars have been broken into and gifts and such stolen since Thanksgiving. That drives shoppers away.”

  “So do you have any idea who the reindeer might have been?” asked Fannie.

  Thelma shrugged. “Not a clue. They seemed to be using fake voices…kind of high and squeaky and just acting silly. I never dreamed they were up to anything sinister, and maybe they weren’t. Most of this is pure speculation. They kind of reminded me of when all those Furries descend on Pittsburgh for a convention every summer.”

  Fannie looked perplexed. “Furries? I’m afraid you’re losing me, Thelma.”

  A customer came in and Thelma said, “You tell her Dana. I better go sell some chipped ham. I swear that’s all this guy eats. He probably even has it for Christmas dinner, and I hear he’s rich!”

  Dana smiled at the customer that she didn’t recognize and lowered her voice. “The Furries are kind of a subculture of people who are interested in fictional animal characters. Some of them like to dress up in fur suits. It all seems like harmless fun to me, but some suggest it gets kinky for a few of them.”

  Fannie started to say something, but seemed to change her mind and just rolled her eyes like she often did at the antics of some English.

  Dana continued. “These reindeer could have been anyone. You’ve got to admit it would be a good cover.”

  “You’re not planning to investigate this are you, Dana? I’m weary of all our sleuthing. Besides, it’s the holidays, a time to focus on family and faith.”

  “I agree. I have no doubt that the police will figure this all out. I just feel so heartbroken over losing Geoff. He could be stubborn, but he was a good man. I still miss his mother.”

  Thelma overhead the conversation and poured more coffee before speaking. “Who are you two kidding? You two will be no more able to leave this alone than I can eat one potato chip. Let me know how I can help.”

  Chapter 4

  By the time Dana got home, the media was carrying the story of Geoff’s death and confirming that foul play was suspected. Anyone who had contact with the two reindeer were asked to call an 800 number provided by the state police.

  Dana decided to wrap some gifts to take her mind off the unfortunate series of events. She had vegetable soup cooking in the crock pot and fresh bread baking in the oven for when Larry got home. She noticed that his snowmobile was gone and assumed he was out at the bridge talking to the police.

  A couple hours later, Dana felt restless and bundled up and took Shalom out for a walk along Big Bass Creek. She had been so looking forward to a carefree holiday, but now wondered if she’d be able to enjoy it with yet another death of a person she cared greatly about. Before she knew it, she found herself at Lynn Gruber’s gravesite. She wasn’t surprised when Fannie pulled up in her horse and buggy. They both shook their heads. “It’s spooky how much we think alike,” said Dana. “I hope Lynn and Geoff are together and at peace. Somehow, I just know that Lynn would want us to do all we can to help bring Geoff’s killer to justice.”

  Fannie nodded. “She’d also want us to do all we can to help out his widow and kids. I don’t know his wife well. Does she have family in the area?”

  Dana shook her head. “I think her parents are in Florida. She has
a sister in Pittsburgh. I don’t know her well either, even though they attend our church. You’re right, we’ll do all we can.”

  “I’d never admit this to anyone but you Dana, but when we aren’t solving a case, I sometimes actually miss the excitement. Sometimes day to day life can get a little boring.”

  Dana nodded, “Me too, but I just thought that was because my dad was an alcoholic. A shrink once told me that adult children of alcoholics need fear and excitement in their lives. We somehow want to replay the stress that existed in our lives as children.”

  Fannie looked curiously at Dana. “You never mentioned that your father was an alcoholic before.”

  Dana wrinkled her face. “Really? I can’t imagine it hasn’t come up. I think it helps explain some of my foibles. I attended meetings for awhile when I live in Florida, but kind of fell away. I guess I still carry a lot of hurt about it. My dad could be abusive with my mother and brother Phil at times when he drank, but it was a family secret that we never revealed. I think I feel worse about giving Loren up for adoption than I do about my dad’s drinking. But maybe coming from a dysfunctional family had something to do with not wanting to raise a child. Who knows?”

  Fannie said something so softly that Dana couldn’t hear it.

  “What? I think I’m losing my hearing.”

  Dana noticed a tear streaming down Fannie’s cheek. “Dana, I never told anyone this before, but my father started drinking after my mother passed away. Sometimes he would get mean, especially with my brothers. We could never say anything. I’ve never even told Eli. It’s just something we don’t talk about. Alcohol is pretty taboo among the Amish, especially drinking to excess.”

  Dana gave her friend a hug. “We really are kindred spirits. I’ve often seen a sadness in your eyes. I just figured it came from losing your mother when you were so young.”