Where's Hansel and Gretel's Gingerbread House?: A Gabby Grimm Fairy Tale Mystery #2
Page 12
“Okay, pervert. Make me happy. Show yourself,” I muttered as I followed the tracks to the water’s edge. That’s when I saw what looked like a peppermint in a cellophane wrapper, lying on the snow bank in plain sight. Leaning down, I scooped it up in my glove. My eye caught sight of another, about six feet away. “So, you’re a candy freak.”
I found myself collecting peppermints as I went along the meandering route. The western sky turned orange and gold as the sun began to fade. Soon it would be dark. I wanted to kick myself for not bringing my flashlight with me. I decided that I would spend another five minutes on the case before calling it a night. Unless Marge had another complaint from a lake resident, it seemed likely it was just a winter wanderer, looking for shelter. Or a hunter who wanted to “borrow” someone’s cabin for the holiday. Maybe he thought the Klarsfeld cabin was unoccupied. I kept going. That’s when I spotted a giant lollipop sticking out of the snow.
“What the....” Maybe it was someone’s idea of a joke. High school kids “redecorating” for the holiday. The trail of candy led deeper into the woods and daylight was fast disappearing, but I was intrigued.
I came around a clump of shrubs and caught sight of a white glow that seemed to come from under the snow. Sure enough, as I got closer, I could see it was a solar-powered LED spotlight tucked into a hole. Then there was another, and another, going even deeper into the woods. Talk about strange. I felt like I had stumbled on Santa’s secret workshop. What was next? Elves making toys? Reindeer having a moon dance?
Further on, I could see a break in the tree line. The night air was brightly illuminated with twinkling lights. Giant snowflakes danced in the trees. The roof of a red tent glistened with colorful lights draped over the top. I noticed the path was marked by large candy cane poles. As I stood in front of the two-person tent, I noticed there was even a sign. Welcome to the North Pole. Wipe your feet.
“Wow, someone’s been busy,” I said aloud. I spied the marzipan Christmas pig amongst the twinkling lights. Those chocolate pralines had to be somewhere around here.
“You think so?” asked a seductive male voice behind me. A pair of familiar hands slipped around my waist and grabbed me tightly, before slipping into my jeans. I giggled as those hungry lips nuzzled my neck.
“Absolutely. What kind of nut job would set up a tent in the woods on one of the coldest nights of the year in Latimer Falls?”
“Are you saying you don’t like my winter wonderland, Deputy Grimm?” Sam Hogan whirled me around and wiggled an eyebrow before giving me a very enthusiastic kiss on the mouth. I returned the favor.
“On the contrary,” I laughed, coming up for air. “It’s adorable. Cold, but adorable.”
“Ah, perhaps you would like to join me inside Santa’s hideaway.” There was the black jacket and the red cap Liz had described, complete with a white brim and pompom.
“Is that what you would recommend?”
“Oh, definitely. I’ll introduce you to my down sleeping bag for two.”
“Will that keep me warm?” I wondered. Naughty Santa. He wasn’t going to be on his own Christmas list this year. Then again, we could use all that coal in his stocking to stay warm, couldn’t we?
“It will certainly help.” Those eager, mischievous hands were occupied, unzipping my jacket even as he backed me up towards the tent.
“You seem to have thought of everything, Mr. Claus. But what are we going to do about dinner? We’re likely to work up an appetite.”
“Not to worry. I brought got candy,” he grinned, “lots and lots of candy.”
“Ooh, Santa Baby! Merry Christmas to me!” I shouted with glee as I flung myself into that tent with wild abandon. “And a Happy New Year, too!”
Sara Barton is the author of the Gabby Grimm Fairy Tale Mysteries, the Off-the-Books Mysteries, the Bard’s Bed and Breakfast Mysteries, the Dance with Danger Mysteries, the Practical Caregiver Capers, the Bodacious Baby Boomer Escapades, and the new Scarlet Wilson Mysteries. The books are available through digital retailers such as Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, B&T, Kobo Books, Smashwords, and Sony.
You can find her blogging about books at http://sarabartonmysteries.blogspot.com
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