***
Rory came bursting through the door at ten, his cheeks red from the brisk wind, his short hair standing on end, and eyes full of excitement. “I guess you guys heard about the break-in?”
Ellie put down the crate of small poinsettias she was holding. “What are you talking about? Where?”
His eyes widened. “You haven’t heard? What, are you stuck in some sort of time warp? If it wasn’t for me, you and Willa would be clueless most of the time. It’s been on the radio all morning.”
“As a matter of fact, we’ve only been open five minutes. And, we’re listening to Christmas music, not the radio. So give us the news, Mr. Smarty Pants.”
“Was anyone hurt?” Willa asked, coming from the kitchen with a bowl full of cookie dough.
“Not that I know of,” he answered her. “It was at Doug and Judy Dart’s house. The guy came right inside the house through a back window while they were sleeping. The noise woke Judy, but Doug’s such a heavy sleeper that she couldn’t get him to wake up.
“You know how he is on Sunday nights, snoring up a storm and Judy elbowing him half the service.” He grinned. “She says the guy was there until right before the police came.”
“So that’s what all those sirens were about last night,” Ellie said, taking one of the poinsettias and positioning it among a display of red and green Christmas candles. The plants were small enough to arrange several together. Too bad she hadn’t ordered more of them. “What did they take?”
“Did Judy see him?” Willa interrupted, still stirring her dough.
“Nobody saw anything,” Rory said, shrugging off his jacket and heading to the back room. “And I haven’t heard if anything was actually stolen or not. Maybe the police scared them away before they could take anything.”
“Well for such a know-it-all, you didn’t have that much information. And now I’m behind on my cookies,” Willa complained, going back to the kitchen.
Ellie wove a garland of evergreen around the base of the plant and candles, attaching shiny gold balls at scattered intervals. When was the last time someone broke into a house while the occupants were home? And why Doug and Judy’s house? She’d heard something about them recently. But whatever it was, it escaped her memory.
The bell over the door jangled louder than usual, and she looked up to see a group of seven ladies entering. Middle-aged to senior age, and all were smiling. No doubt they had arrived in the church van that was parked across the street. She watched as they paused and breathed in the spicy smell of Willa’s apple pie cookies. Apple and cinnamon always added just the right scent for Christmas shopping. “Good morning, ladies. May I help you?”
Forty minutes later, she had sold five of the gift baskets she’d made, the Mr. and Mrs. Santa cookie jars, as well as the angel cookie jar, eight dozen cookies, and ten candles. The morning was off to a great start. “Thank you all so much,” she called after them as they departed. She headed back to see if Willa needed any help.
“Things are looking up. And giving out samples has really helped our sales,” Willa smiled, adding another batch of chocolate chip cookies to the bakery display cabinet. “I took an order for seven dozen from one of those women for a baby shower next month! I think we’re going to make it through this Christmas season,” she laughed.
Ellie reached and took a sample for herself. “I’ve never doubted that we would.”
Willa added a few more cookies to the sample tray, taking care to arrange them to their best advantage. “The woman that ordered the cookies asked if we do cupcakes.”
“Cupcakes?” Ellie licked the stray bit of frosting on her finger. “That’s not a bad idea, is it?”
Willa nodded with enthusiasm. “I’m thinking they would be easier to do than cookies on big orders. They wouldn’t need so many and they’re not hard to decorate.”
“I can see that all of this just popped into your mind, for the first time,” Ellie teased. Willa had so many good ideas for the shop. She was going to have to mention a partnership to her someday, or the girl was going to spread her wings and fly away to her own business. And she was more than capable of running one.
Willa blushed and laughed. “OK, I have been thinking about it. It just makes sense. You’ve got this great kitchen, here, Ellie. Why not expand and use it to its full potential? We could do breads, too,” she added.
“Not fair,” Ellie laughed. “You know my weakness for fresh baked bread.” She sighed. “I’m just not sure I can afford more help right now.”
Willa poured a coffee for both of them and motioned toward the small table in front of the counter. Settled in, the girl took a deep breath. “I’ve thought about that, too. I think the two of us could handle the cupcakes. They’re easy to make and fast to decorate. We could easily do dozens of them early in the evening.”
Ellie took a sip of her coffee and considered. “I think maybe you’re on to something. Except, we’d still need more help.”
Willa nodded. “I’ve thought about that, too. I was thinking, if it’s all right with you, that my cousin, Martha, could help out some. Just a few hours here and there. She’s twenty-five, married, and loves to bake. And she knows her way around the kitchen.”
It all sounded fantastic. But how could she swing it? The saying that it takes money to make money was never truer. “I think they are all good ideas. Let me think on it, and try to work things out. Maybe we can start up part of it in January.”
“Sounds great,” Willa grinned, taking the last swallow of her coffee. “I guess I’d better get busy. Once the lunch hour is over in town, we’re bound to have more customers.”
“Lunch?” Ellie looked at her watch and all but jumped from her seat. “I’d better go pick up Danny and your sisters. They’ve been at play practice with the Reverend and Gladys Ridge all morning. I’m sure they’re ready for all those kids to head home, by now.”
Willa picked up both coffee cups and headed to the kitchen. “I’ll have sandwiches ready when you get back with them.”
Chapter 8
She arrived back at the store with Danny and the girls the same moment as Madge Barker. Madge had been doing the accounting for the store since Ellie had opened. She usually dropped by three days a week to catch up on sales and bills. Madge, tall, thin, just past middle-age, and fighting it all the way, was in constant husband-hunting mode. Today, she was wearing tight jeans, a ruffled top, and high heels that would cause Ellie’s back to go out after a half-hour of walking.
Kenna and Kendra both dashed inside to their sister. Danny tugged Ellie’s hand to go, but she held tight.
“Good afternoon, Madge.”
“Oh, good afternoon to both of you,” Madge smiled widely at Danny. “My you are a growing boy.”
Madge went in a head of them. Ellie was glad of that when he spoke. “Why do old people always say things like that?”
She let the door swing shut without entering. “Now hush, Danny. That’s not a nice thing to say. And besides, Madge isn’t old.”
“Sure she is. She looks a lot like Mikey Sparks grandma.”
“Well, I suppose she is old enough to be a grandma, but don’t call her old. Women’s ages are not to be discussed in public.”
He shrugged and made a face. “That sounds silly to me, but OK. Should I tell her she looks pretty?”
Ellie considered his question. The fine art of compliments was not one that her son, at his young age, had managed to accomplish. He was liable to think the fact that she looked like Mikey Spark’s grandmother was a compliment. “I think it’s best you don’t comment on her looks, OK?”
He nodded and followed her inside.
Settling Danny at a table in the kitchen, along with Willa’s sisters, she grabbed a couple of cups of coffee and headed to her office.
“Looks like you’ve been busy,” Madge smiled, as she entered the room.
“Business has picked up the past few days,” Ellie agreed, taking a seat beside her friend. “I have some more sales slips i
n this envelope here,” she said, pulling a packet from one of the slots in the desk. “So, how have you been?”
“Just fine,” Madge nodded, dumping the contents onto the padded worktop. “I signed up at the Someone for Singles dating service last week. But so far, no dates.” A small cloud of disappointment crossed her face. Then she smiled. “Oh, and I’ve decided to make some of my Christmas presents this year, so I’ve been buying supplies and patterns,” she laughed, sorting through the slips of paper. “I figure that will keep me busy until Christmas Eve.”
Ellie folded her arms and leaned back in her chair. Madge’s need for another husband was a constant amazement to Ellie. The woman had been married four times, all ending in disaster for her. Still, the heart needed love. If only Madge would look for it in the right place. But it was best not to discuss the subject with her.
Ellie cleared her throat. “I wish I had time for that. My grandma always made such pretty things. I still have several of her quilts, as well as some embroidery, and crochet that she did.”
“Your grandma could out quilt us all,” Madge laughed, pulling another sales slip from the envelope. “Her tiny stitches were the envy of the entire women’s quilting group at church. Only Elsa Markham’s stitches came close to a match.” She reached for a pen and marked one of the receipts. “And what about you? What has been going on here?”
Ellie chuckled. “You should have been here the last few days. Rory is really excited about the break-in at the Dart’s house. He thinks it’s going to be an epidemic of burglaries.”
“Oh, I hope not,” Madge sounded shocked. “It’s always been such a peaceful little place. Probably all those people coming in here to protest,” she suggested, shaking her head and adjusting her rhinestone bejeweled glasses frames.
“I’ve never thought about it like that,” Ellie answered. It would be a relief if that was the answer. Most of the protesters were strangers, except for the people from the Candle Cove Historical Society. “Even Rory thinks it might somehow be linked to the Sinclair House.”
“Well, that Rory’s got a big imagination,” Madge laughed, reaching for the cup of coffee that Ellie had brought to her. “Still, the old Sinclair place is steeped in a lot of legacy and mystery.”
“What sort of mystery? I don’t think I’ve ever heard of one.”
“Well, like when Rosa Sinclair died. A few days before she died and they found her body out by the pool, a lot of his nieces and nephews had been there and caused a huge ruckus. Mr. Sinclair had thrown them all out, telling them he was changing his will. One of the nephews smarted off and said it didn’t matter if he changed it; he knew where it was and would change it back. That’s when Mr. Sinclair told them that he was hiding the will where they would never find it. Lots of folks thought maybe some of those greedy relatives killed her, but the coroner ruled her death as natural causes.”
Ellie chewed her lip and sorted through her memories. “I don’t think I ever saw anyone coming or going from the house, other than that old Cadillac the chauffeur used to drive Mr. Sinclair around town. Brodie. Wasn’t that his name?”
Madge nodded and grimaced. “Nasty character, I always thought, but old Sinclair held a high opinion of him. And, there were a lot of people at the house, early on, but they weren’t allowed to come back, once Rosa died. I used to work up there, you know.”
Ellie’s eyes widened. Now the story might get interesting. “You did?”
Madge nodded and finished off her coffee. “I was Rosa Sinclair’s personal maid. After she died, the old man kept me on as part of the house staff. Believe me, it was not a happy family. Those nieces and nephews weren’t giving up. They called non-stop, sending the old man into fits. It’s a wonder their harassment didn’t do him in any sooner.”
Rory stuck his head through the doorway at that moment. “We’re getting pretty busy out here, Ellie.”
“I’m on my way,” she told him, standing and pushing her chair back. “See you after awhile,” she waved to Madge as she headed back to the store.
Chapter 9
“And remember to keep your receipt. If your daughter doesn’t like that wreath, she can exchange it for one that matches her decorating colors.” Ellie smiled.
“I will keep it, but I’m sure that she’ll love it,” the older woman nodded, as she picked up the large bag of purchases.
“Let me help you carry that out,” Ellie came around the counter.
“Oh no,” the woman shook her head, gripping the handle of the shopping. “I’m fine.”
Ellie nodded and smiled. Mrs. Sowder was getting older, but she wasn’t letting it slow her down. “See you Sunday,” she called after her.
The door opened as the woman reached for the handle. Gabe Chandler held the door open for her, offering to take the package for her.
Ellie bit her lip and willed her heart to stop the sudden gallop that it had developed whenever he walked into the store. Gabe wasn’t supposed to affect her heart anymore. She watched as Mrs. Sowder shook her head and rebuffed his offer of help. Slowly, the woman made her way across the store porch and down the stairs, all eyes in the store watching her progress.
“I haven’t seen her in years!” Gabe exclaimed, as he shut the door and walked toward the counter. “Had her for seventh grade algebra. And she was tough!” he added.
“I had her, too,” Ellie nodded. “She’s still teaching.”
Gabe laughed. “I imagine she’ll keep on going until she just can’t do it anymore.”
Ellie shrugged and smiled. “I think that’s what most of us intend to do.” And, hopefully, Gabe’s’ keep on going’ was not going to be in Candle Cove. She needed away from him if she was going to keep her feelings in check.
“True,” he agreed. He glanced across the room. “Is your bakery closed for the day?”
“No, I just let Willa go home a little early. She’s been putting in a lot of hours, and I thought she could use the rest. Plus, she has to help Kenna with a school project.”
“I’d like some chocolate pecan cookies, if you have them. Mom says they’re the best.” He followed her to the bakery counter, positioning himself just under the Cookie Corner sign.
“They are good,” Ellie agreed. “And it looks like we have two dozen of them. How many do you want?”
“I’ll take all of them.”
“All of them?” Her eyebrows shot up. That was a lot of cookies for Gabe and his mother.
“Sure. She said to get at least a couple dozen. She’s having some friends over tomorrow, and then she can freeze whatever is left of them. Which probably won’t be any of them,” he grinned.
Ellie smiled and scooped them into a brown and red Cookie Corner sack, securing the top with a sticker. She had special ordered the sacks and boxes for the bakery and loved the way they gave the business a professional appearance. One customer had commented that she would buy the goods just for the bags. “Anything else?”
He shook his head. “Those ought to do it. So how has business been,” he asked, watching as she printed out the price and stuck it on the front of the bag.
“We’ve had a very good day today,” she smiled. “And—”
“Mom, can I have another cookie?”
She turned to see Danny standing just inside the kitchen doorway. He had been napping on the small couch that was tucked into one of the kitchen corners. His brown hair was standing on end and his big eyes were still puffy with sleep. “Not right now, sweetheart.”
“Hello Danny,” Gabe grinned. “Did you wake up hungry?”
Danny nodded. “I did.” He gave a hopeful glance at his mother.
“You may have an apple, if you’re hungry,” she said. “There is a big bowl of them on the counter by the sink.”
Danny squeezed his eyes almost shut, and grimaced. “I’m not that hungry.”
Gabe hid his laughter with a smile. “Those apples are good for you, Danny.”
Danny shrugged and looked at the sack his mother h
anded to Gabe. “Looks like you’re getting some cookies.”
Gabe nodded as he took the bag. “Well, these are for my mother and her guests. I’ll be lucky if I get even one of them,” he teased.
“Bye Madge,” Ellie called from behind the counter. Danny and Gabe turned and looked at the accountant.
Madge stopped and started walking toward them. “Why Gabe Chandler! I haven’t seen you in a long time. How are you?”
“Just fine, ma’am. And you?”
“Oh, I’m fine, too. Tell your mother I said hello,” she said. “And Ellie, tell Rory that some girl named. . . Pam.” She rubbed her temples with her fingers. “I think it was Pam. Anyway, she came by to see him. You were busy and I couldn’t find him.”
“I sent him to pick up a load of rockers and chairs. I’ll tell him about Pam,” Ellie said, shaking her head. “Thanks for remembering, Madge,” she said, as the older woman headed out the front door of the store.
“Probably one of those pretty protesters he met across the square. He’s been spending his lunch hour over there. Well, at least when there are some young women,” she explained to Gabe, pulling her apron off and hanging it on the peg beside the doorway that led to the kitchen.
“Seems like the number of protesters is growing, since I’ve arrived. They had a good crowd out there this afternoon.”
Danny had wandered back to the kitchen, and Ellie and Gabe headed to the front counter. She rang up the purchase and took the money from him, handing the change to his waiting hand.
“I think several from the university have heard about the poor old house’s dilemma and have come to help.”
“So I take it Rory’s not that sympathetic to the house, itself?” he smiled, putting the coins in his jeans pocket.
Ellie leaned forward on the counter resting her weight on her elbows, and let her eye sight drift through the front windows and to the band of sign carriers across the square. “Oh, he’s pretty interested in the whole thing. He thinks the robbery in town was related to it, somehow. And now he’s thrilled to find out that Madge used to work as a maid up at the house. He’s planning on ‘grilling’ her on Monday,” she laughed.
Christmas in Candle Cove Page 4