Mystery, Snow, and Mistletoe

by Wendy Meadows

  “I found him.” She went on to tell Jenny how it had happened.

  “I’m sure he is more than thankful for you, Brenda. He was very lucky that you were on the case. I really admire you for how you stick to things to the end.”

  Brenda smiled. “I just can’t let a case go unsolved if I can help it. Phyllis had only one gift request and it was that Patrick would be here to see her and William marry on Christmas Eve. She got her wish and that is my thanks. It’s all I need.”

  “I must see Molly very soon. She must be devastated.”

  “She is upset but I’m sure with support she will be fine.”

  “Aren’t you two supposed to be working?” Bryce walked toward them. He looked at Jenny and Brenda could tell his mood was uncharacteristically serious. “Jenny, I don’t know how you feel about that crazy idea Pete Graham came up with, but I don’t like it at all. I mean, Molly is a nice girl, but I told her I can’t do it. You mean everything to me. I want to get back with you the way we were. What do you think?”

  Jenny jumped up and hugged him tight. “I love only you, Bryce. I didn’t like the idea either. I went along with it in the hopes it would be temporary. Did you know about Pete?” She caught herself. “Of course you do. I sometimes forget you are in the middle of crime like my father is.”

  “I have to say it is still hard to process what he did. He was living a complete lie the whole time. I would never have believed he deceived Molly most of all.”

  They were wrapped in each others’ arms, discussing how they felt about Pete’s idea of switching partners and admitted each felt it was bizarre from the beginning. Brenda was ready to excuse herself and leave the two alone when Bryce stepped back and apologized to her for the way he had treated Jenny.

  “I’m meeting with Mac in half an hour. I owe Tim an apology too. Right now, I have a more important question for you, Jenny. Do you forgive me for treating you like I did?”

  “I forgive you. We all got caught up in Pete’s scheme.”

  “In that case, I have one more question to ask you.” He told Jenny to sit back down. He got down on one knee and took a small box out of his pocket. When Bryce opened it, a small ring glittered beautifully under the lights of the shop. He looked up at her with hope and love in his eyes. “Jenny Rivers, will you marry me?”

  “Yes,” she said. He slipped the ring onto her finger. Brenda clapped in appreciation as the two kissed to seal their engagement. Jenny’s employees had come out of the back room and cheered as well.

  “I really do have to go, but not before offering my congratulations to both of you.” She kissed Jenny and then Bryce on the cheek and waved to them over her shoulder as she exited.

  The snow had stopped. Carolers sang on corners and when she passed the pet store a family of six puppies frolicked in the window. Their mother watched from the corner of the display. Brenda stopped at the bridal shop next and caught the owner just before she closed. She was told her bridal gown would be ready for the final fitting the next day.

  When she reached the end of her driveway, Brenda took time to gaze at the Queen Anne mansion that was hers. Every window held a white candle with a bulb that flickered like a real flame. From each windowsill hung a delicate green wreath. The largest Christmas tree was decorated and on full exhibition with lights and sparkling ornaments in the front window of the sitting room. Two more trees lit up the front windows at the end of each passageway of the bed and breakfast. Soft white and red lights looped around the row of low evergreen bushes that lined the front of the building.

  “Everything is perfect,” Brenda breathed in happiness.

  She heard a car’s tires crunching on the top layer of crusted snow. Mac stopped his car and got out and joined her.

  “I’m ready for some hot chocolate,” he said. “Do you want a ride on up to the house?”

  Brenda shivered. She felt the warmth from the car heater through the open door. “I’ll take you up on both ideas. It’s cold out here.” They got into the car. “This feels good,” Brenda said.

  Inside the bed and breakfast, they went into the kitchen. It was past dinner time so everyone was gone from the area until the next day. The kitchen sparkled. Brenda put the teakettle on the stove and they stood together looking out at the backyard. The yard light towered over the wintery scene. When the kettle whistled, Brenda took two cups and some cocoa from the cabinet. She prepared the hot chocolate while Mac retrieved miniature marshmallows. They sat at the wooden table for four in the kitchen corner and sipped the hot beverage. Brenda offered him oatmeal raisin cookies and they enjoyed the refreshments in companionable silence.

  “I talked with William about how much he knew about his wife’s deeds. He told me he had no idea at all what she was doing. It was only when he started cleaning out to get ready for Phyllis to move in that he found several manila envelopes of questionable paperwork that had belonged to Lady Pendleton. He was shocked to hear what she had been doing. He knew about her rent shenanigans and more than once told her he thought it was unfair. He had no idea she did that based on their private tax returns.”

  “Patrick assured Phyllis that William never had any part to any of it,” Brenda said. “When he discovered what was going on he was shocked at first but said that he really shouldn’t have been surprised. I’m so glad Patrick is alive. And glad that those two were caught. Who knows how long Patrick would have survived down in that terrible place?”

  “It’s too bad Lady Pendleton didn’t live long enough to go to trial,” Mac said. Brenda had to agree. “Let’s go into the sitting room and enjoy that fireplace and splendid tree,” he said.

  They refilled their cups and moved to the fireplace. The logs were becoming embers and Mac replenished the wood. They sat close on the loveseat in front of the soon roaring fire. They were content with one another and with listening to the crackling logs.

  “Just think, Brenda, in a short time we’ll be able to do this every evening.”

  “Don’t forget we’ll both be working and may not have leisure time like this. You’ll be called out on some crime and I’ll be dealing with a guest who demands something no matter the hour.”

  His soft chuckle soothed her. “Well, we can dream, can’t we?”

  “I’m good at doing that.”

  Chapter Ten

  Christmas Eve

  In two days Brenda would marry Mac Rivers. Her wedding dress fit perfectly and hung in her closet waiting for her to put it on. The entire staff seemed to be running everywhere. Instead of preparing for bed and breakfast guests they all prepared for the double wedding. The double wedding caught everyone up in the spirit of celebration. The chef directed her helpers to follow her recipes exactly. Sweet Treats added two more employees for the occasion to prepare delicacies for the wedding reception.

  Blossoms went all out, checking every flower that came in for the big day. Jenny visited the Congregational Church several times to measure and to detail the arrangement plans for each flower.

  Molly Lindsey carried in three large coffee urns through the back door of the bed and breakfast. The chef thanked her and they placed them in the extra pantry off the kitchen.

  “I have the specialty coffee still in my car,” Molly said.

  “Michael,” the chef called, “you go out and bring in the coffee for Molly.” The young man brought the two large bags in and asked what else needed to be done. “Count the folding chairs and scrub the two long tables. We’ll need them for the reception. Brenda doesn’t want the furniture rearranged any more than we have to. I think she wants it to look like a place to live in and not a hall of some kind.”

  Brenda met Phyllis in the second floor hallway. “I have no idea what to do,” Brenda said. “Every time I start to help out someone shoos me away. What are you doing?”

  “Nothing,” Phyllis said with a small smile. “They won’t let me do anything either.”

  “In that case, let’s just leave them and go downtown. Are you finished with your
Christmas shopping?”

  Phyllis said she wasn’t, and so the two women left the work to those who insisted on doing it. “I need to find something really special for Patrick. He’s the only one on my list that I haven’t bought for.”

  They window-shopped for a while. At the pet store they stopped and commented on the puppies. Brenda noticed that two more had found new homes for Christmas.

  “They are so cute,” Brenda said. “Why don’t you get one for Patrick? Does he like animals?”

  “He loves animals, especially dogs. He had two dogs while he was growing up and they were inseparable.” The more Phyllis thought about it, the more she liked the idea. “I’ll ask the shop owner if he can pick it up a few days after Christmas. He’ll have his own place by that time.”

  They went inside and an agreement was made that Patrick could pick up the black and white puppy after Christmas. Once outside, Phyllis stopped. “Let’s go back in and get one more.”

  When Brenda asked who the second one was for, Phyllis said, “I remember my father bought two for Patrick long ago. The reason was so one would have the company of the other when Patrick was in school all day long. I think he really meant our mother or he wouldn’t have to entertain one dog when Patrick wasn’t home.” She smiled at the memory.

  After purchasing the golden-brown one as a companion for the first one, they walked to Morning Sun Coffee. Molly parked her car and got out as they neared the shop.

  “It looks like you two are free as birds,” she said merrily. “Come on in for something hot to drink.”

  Both ordered lattes and enjoyed drinking them as they observed everyone shopping from the window. Some carried large parcels and others were still looking at windows trying to decide.

  “I hate to see my father leave for Michigan again. He’s been here since Thanksgiving and we’ve grown closer.” Brenda really wanted her father to relocate to Sweetfern Harbor.

  “Maybe he’s waiting for you to ask him to move here.”

  “I hadn’t thought of that, but maybe you’re right. I’ll talk with him tonight.”

  The rest of the day was leisurely but moved slower for Brenda than she wanted. She was accustomed to going hard all day long. She toyed with the idea of asking Mac if there were any unsolved cases she could look at and decided against it. Mac may be at home getting ready for their celebration. She went into her office and looked at bookings for New Year’s and after. Allie had booked the entire month of January, beginning the second week. The exceptions were a few nights here and there.

  That evening after dinner when everyone returned to their own homes, Brenda invited the few employees still there into the sitting room.

  “Everything is so beautiful. All of you did a great job making this place shine for Christmas. I want you to slow down the next day or two. I can’t think of anything that hasn’t been done for the weddings already. It’s a good time to relax and enjoy the season.”

  “I think everything is about ready,” Allie said. “Of course, there will be last minute things the day of your weddings but things are shaping up. Can you believe you’ll be married in less than two days?”

  “I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to find someone like Mac Rivers.”

  They enjoyed hot beverages in front of the stone fireplace and told stories of Christmases of their pasts. Allie excused herself and reminded Brenda she wouldn’t be in until close to noon. She promised her mother to help with the baking at Sweet Treats. The rest took their cups to the kitchen and told everyone good-night. Brenda and Phyllis were the only two left.

  “I hope we don’t have insomnia the next two nights,” Phyllis said.

  “Maybe a hot cup of tea will help us sleep tonight.” Brenda gathered the rest of the remnants of the get-together and they washed and put everything away in the kitchen. Once upstairs, Brenda handed Phyllis a hot cup of lemon verbena tea and they parted for the night. Halfway through the beverage, Brenda’s eyes grew heavy and she got ready for bed. That night she slept soundly.

  The evening before Christmas Eve, Mac and William came by to pick up Brenda and Phyllis. They were to meet one last time with Reverend Walker at the church.

  “We’ll all go out and eat someplace afterwards, so dress up,” Mac said. “William, this is our last night as bachelors. Maybe you and I should go celebrate.”

  “No one is going to celebrate too much tonight,” Brenda said. “Both of you need to be in top form for tomorrow.”

  They all bantered back and forth but grew solemn when Mac rang the doorbell to the Parsonage. Reverend Walker welcomed them inside and then they went to the church. He showed them where they were to stand and the general procedure of the ceremonies.

  “Let your attendants know which side you will be on,” he said to the women.

  “We have the same bridesmaids,” Brenda said.

  The Pastor thought for a few seconds. “Then tell them to separate on either side so the four of you will be centered.”

  Once finished, they walked outside to find light snowflakes coming down. William commented on the more than usual snow in recent days. Phyllis said she was happy they were going to have a white Christmas. Then they drove to the outskirts of Sweetfern Harbor and pulled into a restaurant that overlooked the ocean. The elevator was glassed in and they had a view of the beautiful snow-covered scenery until they reached the top. Mac and William had reserved the dining room for the four of them so they could celebrate in style. The women understood why Mac told them to dress up. Everything was elegant.

  By the time they returned to the bed and breakfast that night, only the candles in the windows lit the place. Allie or perhaps the chef had left the foyer light on. William accompanied Phyllis to her apartment and Mac stepped inside with Brenda. He leaned down and kissed her. Without words, but with a huge smile, he caressed her hand before he turned and left for the night.

  The next morning, Brenda awoke to soft carols coming from downstairs. There were no guests left at the bed and breakfast and she presumed her employees were in the Christmas spirit. When she came down, carolers stood in the foyer and broke into louder singing as she came down. They were all invited to the dining room for hot drinks and a light breakfast. When they left, Brenda told the few employees there to go home and enjoy Christmas Eve with their families.

  “We’ll celebrate tomorrow at our house,” said one. The young girl was in her early twenties and had two children. “My kids don’t open presents until Christmas morning anyway.”

  Everyone else had similar comments. The chef told her group to let Phyllis and Brenda do whatever they wanted today.

  “If they want to pitch in, stand back and let them. They’ll need to keep busy.” Chef Morgan didn’t miss the fact that just because they were going to be older brides didn’t mean they weren’t a little nervous.

  By early afternoon, tables were set up and Brenda helped set things on the buffet and the sliders were set for hot dishes. The dining room was perfect. Phyllis was busy in the sitting room directing helpers to shift the furniture back a little to make walking room for guests later that night. The day passed quickly and it was time to get ready for the weddings.

  Jenny, Hope, Molly and Allie went upstairs to an extra guest room where they would get ready for their parts in the wedding. Once dressed, Hope and Molly assisted Phyllis and Jenny and Allie helped Brenda get ready. When they all met in the hallway, the bridesmaids exclaimed over and over at how beautiful they looked. Their dresses fit perfectly and matched the Christmas theme nicely. Both brides beamed as they came downstairs. They were met with someone dressed as an old fashioned footman. He bowed to them all and told them their carriages waited for them.

  All gasped with surprise when they saw three carriages lined up in front of Sheffield Bed and Breakfast.

  “This looks like something Mac and William would think of,” Brenda said to Phyllis.

  “Without a doubt. Let’s go, Cinderella,” she said.

  As they drew close
r to the church, Sweetfern Harbor was alive with people along the street waving to them. When they arrived, the women were escorted into the side vestibule to give everyone time to settle in for the wedding. Jenny walked down the aisle first, to the beautiful sounds of the high school choir and the church organ. She was followed by Allie. They met the groomsmen and stood on the left side. Hope and Molly did the same and stood on the right side. Brenda was first to walk down the aisle on the arm of her father. Tim Sheffield beamed and whispered to his daughter how beautiful she looked. Brenda’s heart was beating fast. She felt beautiful and blessed and everything looked perfect.

  Phyllis, on the arm of her brother Patrick, followed her. Both met their husbands-to-be and fought to hold back tears of happiness.

  The pink and red Poinsettias that lined the front of the church blended with the festive greenery. On the altar was a huge bouquet of calla lilies, Phyllis’ favorite flower. Brenda had asked for poinsettias, her favorite Christmas flower. In the middle of the bouquets was set a candelabrum with candles that cascaded down in a sweeping motion. The ornate vase of calla lilies was on one side of it and the largest poinsettia Brenda had ever seen was on the other side. Jenny had outdone herself.

  Brenda and Mac exchanged vows first and then Phyllis and William. Both of the couples kissed their mates and turned around to be introduced as Mr. and Mrs. Rivers, and Mr. and Mrs. Pendleton. Everyone applauded and as they walked back down the aisle, smiles spread across the congregation. Brenda looked up at Mac and thought how handsome he was. He looked at her and thought, how lucky could he get. She was beautiful in his mind and in truth, she was.

  The carriages waited to take them to Sheffield Bed and Breakfast for the reception. The bridesmaids and groomsmen piled into the eight-seated carriage and followed. At the bed and breakfast, the entire structure was lit up. Christmas tree lights blazed and once inside they were all met with perfection in the way the bed and breakfast was set up. Every detail had been attended to. The wedding couples were escorted into the dining room. Brenda couldn’t have imagined how it was transformed into this beauty, even though she had initially helped set things up just that morning. She held onto Mac and felt herself filled with happiness.