Cozy Christmas Crimes - A Cozy Christmas Box Set

by Tonya Kappes

  “We really are fine,” Sandy said, feeling as if she had aged twenty years in a day.

  “You really are,” the doctor said, smiling as he listened to Coral’s heart. Satisfied, he took the stethoscope off and sat in his chair. He ran his fingers through his floppy blond hair. “Now, you girls have had quite the fright. You might have nightmares. Headaches. That kind of thing. Be sensible, and see your GP if that happens. Okay?”

  The girls nodded and Coral let out a yawn.

  The doctor nodded and let them leave, ready to move on to the next patient.

  They sat in the waiting area, unsure what to do next.

  “Shall we ring dad?” Coral asked.

  “There’s no point, he couldn’t get here,” Sandy said, “Let’s just call a taxi.”

  The cab arrived within minutes and they both sat in the back seat in silence.

  “Heard about what’s happened to Sharon Major?” the cabbie asked, peering at them through the mirror.

  “No,” Sandy said impulsively. “I don’t listen to the news.”

  The cabbie regaled them with the details that had been made public, and Sandy oohed and aahed at the appropriate points.

  “The lad, they’ve not released a name yet, but they say it were cos of her raising all the rents, forcing his family outta work. Can’t say I blame the lad, really. It had to stop somewhere. Just hope they learn from it, I do. People need jobs, don’t they, eh? Waterfell Tweed, you said? Don’t get many runs out there.”

  “Actually, can we make a stop?” Coral asked. She winked at Sandy.

  ***

  They finally opened the front door and called out for their dad, who appeared in the narrow hallway because of the smell as much as their voices.

  “What’s this?” he asked, with a nod towards the plastic bag in Coral’s hand.

  “We had some leftover money,” she said. “Thought we’d treat you to Chinese for once.”

  He grinned and took the bag from them. They followed him into the kitchen and watched as he got the plates out.

  “Eh, lasses, what a treat. You’ve enjoyed your big shopping day then? How were the lights?” he asked as he handed Coral her sweet and sour chicken, then began to take the lid off Sandy’s chow mein.

  “I’ll eat it out of the foil,” she said, and he handed the plate to her then dished up his own beef curry and rice. “You’ve not seen the news?”

  “Been busy,” he said with a flush, and Sandy noticed the strip of sellotape still hung across his hand.

  “Playing Santa?” she teased.

  “Never you mind!” he replied and the three of them settled down in the living room, plates balanced on their knees. “What have I missed?”

  Sandy and Coral looked at each other and shook their heads. “You wouldn’t believe us if we told you.”

  Their dad shrugged, learning not to pry when it came to his teenage daughters. It would be women’s issues, and he didn’t need to hear about that while he ate.

  “Shall we watch TV?” he asked, and the girls nodded. The Christmas specials were starting. He’d been looking forward to seeing the Only Fools and Horses one for weeks, ever since the Christmas TV guide came out. He’d spent a happy afternoon circling the programmes he wanted to see in black. Then Sandy had added hers in blue. Coral in red, always the rebel. Rude to write in a red pen, really, but he’d not said anything.

  He sat back and looked at his girls. “You’re really growing up, huh?”

  They descended into laughter as the TV clicked to life, partway through the Boots’ advert. Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas trundled through the shop aisles doing his festive shopping. Sandy loved the ad.

  “You’ve got no idea, daddy,” Sandy said with a grin.

  “Too grown up for stockings at the foot of your bed?” he asked.

  “Never!” Sandy and Coral exclaimed in unison.

  THE END

  Other books by Mona Marple

  https://www.amazon.com/Mona-Marple/e/B07BCM6G2W

  Copyright

  This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2018 by Mona Marple. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  A Charming Blend

  Crossover novella between The Magical Cures Mystery Series and A Killer Coffee Mystery Series

  USA TODAY Bestselling Series Written By Tonya Kappes

  A Charming Blend

  When Roxy Bloom and Patrick Cane got a gift card at the Full Moon Treesort in Whispering Falls, Kentucky, they figured it’d be a fantastic honeymoon.

  When June Heal heard from the Whispering Falls Newspaper report from editor Faith Mortimer that there was a nosy coffee barista coming to town and she needed an eye kept on her, June was quick to put Mr. Prince Charming on the tourist, Roxanne Bloom.

  When a dead body is discovered during the annual Whispering Fall tree lightening, Roxy Bloom just can’t seem to keep her nose out of it, even though she feels like something strange is going on in the cozy town.

  June Heal is using powers, she never thought she’d use, to keep tourist Roxy Bloom away from the crime scene.

  Will the two feisty sleuths come together to solve this murder before Roxy’s honeymoon is over or before June Heal uses all of her powers to keep Roxy away from their secrets of Whispering Falls?

  You won’t want to miss this crossover tale of two of your favorite cozy mystery sleuths, June Heal from the Magical Cures Mystery Series and Roxanne Bloom from the Killer Coffee Series.

  Dear Readers,

  Can you believe it? I’ve finally written a crossover that combines two of your favorite series, The Magical Cures Mystery Series and The Killer Coffee Mystery Series.

  June Heal is the fun-loving spiritualist who lives in the magical town of Whispering Falls. Roxy Bloom is the hyped-up-on-caffeine coffeehouse owner who lives in the tourist town of Honey Springs.

  It seemed natural for Roxy and Patrick to take a quick honeymoon in Whispering Falls where there just happens to be a murder that brings these two nosy, amateur sleuths together.

  I alternate telling the story from Roxy’s point of view and from June’s point of view and start a new chapter each time the point of view changes.

  I hope you keep in mind that this is a short story. The mystery isn’t as in depth as a full-length novel from either of the series. But I’m sure you’re going to love two of our favorite heroines joining forces.

  Enjoy!

  Tonya

  Contents for A Charming Blend

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Also by Tonya Kappes

  Copyright

  Chapter One

  Roxy Bloom

  “We are getting closer.” Patrick’s big brown eyes looked at me; a tender smile crossed his lips, softening his chiseled jaw. He returned his eyes to the road just as we entered a new small town on our now five hour car ride. “We are in Locust Grove, the town next to Whispering Falls.”

  “I was hoping to see some snow.” I wasn’t complaining, but I’d had my heart set on having our honeymoon in what I had heard was a magical place.

  What could be more magical than a nice snowfall during the Christmas season, especially when we were going to be there for the Whispering Falls tree lighting? The thought of it made my heart flip flop with delight.

  “If we can’t have snow, then maybe we can have some Christmas music.” I reached across the dashboard and flipped on th
e radio. I wasn’t going to let anything ruin our honeymoon.

  “Is Mike there?” the DJ asked a caller.

  “This might be interesting.” I shrugged, taking my finger off the scan button and sitting back into the passenger seat. I couldn’t wait to see what Whispering Falls looked like, and the anticipation was getting to me.

  I had looked it up online and googled it, but there were literally no pictures to be found of the town. I had found a list of shops, but that was it. It was like it wasn’t even real. I’d even questioned the person who gave us his honeymoon package as a wedding present and she assured me it was a real place. She described it as something she couldn’t put her finger on. She said it was … magical.

  “Mike, this is Bob and Brenda from the Bob and Brenda Morning Show on WLOC. We have a mutual friend that we’d like to ask you about.” Bob sounded like he was on a mission to get an answer to this burning question.

  “Is this one of those second date updates?” Mike questioned, his voice cracked through the speakers of the car. His nervousness was apparent.

  “So you’ve heard of us?” Bob asked Mike. “We are calling about Debbie.”

  “Listen, man,” Mike continued to talk to Bob while I gazed out the window. “It’s the holidays. Some of my buddies came home to celebrate and we were out having a good time. I had a little too much to drink. I hate to say it, but I don’t remember that night at all. I remember waking up next to a girl, but I bolted. I’m engaged, and I can’t talk about this anymore.”

  “You piece of crap!” The voice of woman, who must’ve been Debbie, screeched through the radio speakers. “You seemed to remember a whole lot for the more than eight hours we spent together. Are you saying you were drunk the entire time?”

  “Mike, I guess we should’ve told you Debbie was on the line.” The radio host sounded like he was really enjoying this. “And I’m thinking you aren’t going to go on a second date? I mean, we’d pay for it.”

  “Mike, you didn’t act like you were engaged! You are a snake!” Debbie screamed.

  “This is awful. Trapping a man like that,” Patrick said and reached out to turn the channel. “Besides, he’s engaged. He cheated on his fiancée.”

  “Wait.” I put my hand on top of his and pulled it away. “I’m interested to see what happens.”

  “There’s something wrong if a woman doesn’t get asked to go on a second date and she calls a radio station to call him and get answers when he won’t call her back.” Patrick was right on all accounts and I understood his point. ”On top of that, he’s engaged.”

  “What else do we have to listen to?” I asked.

  He gave me a side eye and shook his head. I leaned across the seats to kiss him on the cheek, barely getting my lips on his skin because Sassy, his black Standard Poodle, shoved her nose in between us.

  “Sassy.” I gave her a sweet pat on the head. Pepper, my salt and pepper Schnauzer, darted up to get his rub. “Okay, you two. Go back and lay down. We can’t be that far away.”

  “Not far at all.” Patrick pointed out the window at the road sign.

  “Whispering Falls, a Magical Village.” I shivered and rubbed my hands up and down my arms. “Snow,” I gasped and looked at the clear line between Locust Grove and Whispering Falls. “How on earth is there no snow right there and a ton of snow here?” I asked and twirled around in my seat to look out the back window.

  Patrick shrugged off the strange phenomenon.

  “Look at the trees. They are different too. I bet there’s a big temperature change now that we are at the foot of those mountains.”

  “We are in Whispering Falls, our destination.” Patrick reached over and shut off the radio.

  “Patrick, doesn’t that sound just perfect for our honeymoon? Whispering Falls,” I sighed, my shoulders tugged up around my ears.

  “Anywhere with you is perfect.” Patrick has always had a way with words, even when we met at the ripe old age of sixteen when I spent summers in Honey Springs, Kentucky, with my Great Aunt, Maxine Bloom.

  “Seriously, look at this place.” The small town of Whispering Falls appeared out of nowhere, as if carved out of the wooded mountainous area. “It’s just like we heard … magical,” I whispered as if there was some sort of real magic and something would happen if I said the word too loud.

  “You and I both know magic.” Patrick’s words were as soft as his kisses . “What is magical is that somehow I convinced you to marry me.”

  “I’m the one who rushed you to the altar.” My heart warmed with how the surprise Halloween wedding went off without a hitch during our Neewollah Festival back home.

  It had been a spur of the moment decision on my part. After I had endured hours of my mother and Great Aunt Maxi, who didn’t get really get along, going head to head during a meeting with our wedding planner, I had had enough of the two of them fighting over what I wanted. When I had to pick out costumes for the annual party, I figured why not wear a wedding dress, get Patrick a tux, grab the preacher, and get hitched right there at the festival.

  I glanced at our fur babies in the back seat before I slid my eyes past Patrick to check out all the adorable shops along the main street of Whispering Falls.

  “Look how cute these shops are.” I pointed out how each shop was a little cottage surrounded by a fence with an ornamental gate. “Look!” I couldn’t help myself. “Wicked Good Bakery and The Gathering Grove Tea Shoppe,” I squealed with delight.

  “I think I’m in trouble.” Patrick had pulled the car over and was looking at the directions on his phone. “I can’t find the hotel.”

  I picked up the honeymoon gift certificate we’d received for the adventure and scanned down the page for an address. I handed it back to him and pointed to the phone number.

  “While you call for directions, I’ll run into the bakery.” I grabbed my purse off the floor.

  “Get me something.” He winked at me and it made my heart flutter just like the first time he’d winked at me from the top rung of the ladder that summer so long ago when he was working with his dad repairing something at my Aunt Maxi’s house.

  I jumped out of the car and opened the back door, grabbing Sassy and Pepper’s leashes after seeing the sign on the glass door that said Pets Welcome.

  The crisp breeze made its way down the mountains and into the little village, snapping the edges of the pink and green awning attached to the front of the bakery.

  “Cute little ones,” said a little gray-headed woman who came out of nowhere. “Are they twins?” she asked.

  “Twins?” asked another gray-headed woman, similar to the other, as she saddled up next to the dogs.

  “We are twins.” The first one wiggled her pointer finger between Sassy and Pepper.

  “Mmmhmm, twins,” the other mimicked as if I hadn’t heard it the first time.

  They were exactly the same, down to their housedresses and glasses.

  “Let me guess.” I hesitated and tapped my chin. I pointed to the first one who had approached me. “You’re the older one.”

  “You’re good.” She grinned. “Just by a few seconds, though.”

  I swear there was a real twinkling star in her eye, but more than likely it was a reflection of the Christmas lights dangling across the front of the Wicked Good Bakery in her glasses.

  “I’m Constance Karima and this is Patience Karima.” Her face beamed with pride as her cheeks balled when she smiled. “Are you from one of the west villages?” She asked as the other one got a little too close and inhaled loudly as she dragged her nose up along my arm before stopping just shy of my face.

  “Are you smelling me?” I jerked back, tugging the dogs away too.

  ”Mmmhmm.” She hummed and dramatically nodded slowly to her sister before jerking her head to the side as if she were telling her to move along.

  “Good day! Stay warm.” They rushed off down the street with their heads together, turning one last time to glance back at me.

  �
�Come on,” I said to the dogs as I opened the bakery door.

  The smells of cinnamon, sugar, pumpkin spice, and chocolate swirled around my nose as soon as I stepped in. It was the cutest little bakery I’d ever seen and I made a mental note to take a few pictures to show Emily Rich. Emily owned the Bees’ Knees Bakery a couple of shops down from The Bean Hive, my coffee shop. Emily would love the old timey feel of the bakery and its black and white checkered floor. The color theme was pink and lime green, which actually went really well together. There was a side room filled with café tables. Customers were sitting at a couple of the tables and a white cat was sitting on top of one of another one.

  “Good morning. That’s Mr. Prince Charming. He’s a very friendly cat,” the black-haired woman behind the counter greeted me. “Welcome to Whispering Falls. I have just the pastry for you.”

  She wiped her hands down her pink apron and swept a long strand of her black hair behind her shoulder. She picked up something and held it out for me.

  “To start your honeymoon off right.” Her black eyes did that twinkle thing like the old lady I had just encountered outside.

  “How did you know I was on my honeymoon?” I asked and kept the dogs’ leashes tugged tight. They were both trying to get closer to that cat in the other room. But I had my eye on the heart-shaped pastry in her hand.

  “Oh, that look in your eye.” She winked. “You can let them go. They won’t bother Mr. Prince Charming. He’s used to other animals.” She glanced over at the cat.

  “Mr. Prince Charming?” I asked. “Sounds as enchanting as your town.”

  “Yes.” She held the item out in front of me again. “A heart for the love you will always have with Patrick.”