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As Emma had expected, Charlotte's magic began to weave its way through Citrus Beach. By the end of the day, the town was buzzing about Midge Anderson's Christmas party and the surprise ornament to be displayed at the height of the event. The excitement grew, and combined with the assortment of Christmas activities planned around town, Citrus Beach was in a state of high Holiday.
Emma sat at the bar of Susie's diner the next morning. She had stopped in for a quick cup of hot cocoa to warm her cold hands after trying to navigate the shops. She had run out to get some last-minute gifts and was jostled by other shoppers on Main Street. It felt more like a big city than the small coastal town she loved.
"Susie, have I missed something? I always thought the holidays around here were a bit low-key, but this is a whole new level."
"It seems like every year it gets a little crazier. And this year Midge Anderson is having that big party of hers, so there's a lot of out-of-town guests we have to contend with as well. It's only for another week and then things will go back to normal." Susie reassured her as she refilled her cup of cocoa.
"How's that puppy adjusting?"
Emma grinned and then sighed as she remembered the pair of sneakers she had discovered this morning that had the canvassed toes chewed out of them.
"Overall, she fits in very well. She's got such a sweet disposition. I just need to break her of her chewing habit."
"Every puppy does that. But if it gets to be too much out of control, I got the name of a good obedience class for puppies if you need it."
"Thanks. The way it's going, I might have to take you up on that." Emma raised her cup to her lips and blew on the hot liquid before taking a tentative swallow.
"How do you do it, Susie? Every year you have the best hot chocolate. Although this year it's been so chilly it tastes even better."
Susie smiled her thanks and then focused her attention on the next customer. Emma sighed contently, thankful for a few moments of relaxation.
She was working tirelessly with Midge, making sure all the details of the party were in place. Then, when she wasn't working with Midge, she and Travis were conspiring with Oswald on his plan to bring the thief forward at Midge's party. As if her thoughts had conjured them up, the front door to the diner opened and the two men stepped inside. They were a visual contrast; Oswald was short and stocky and Travis was tall and well-built, but they got along, and Emma watched them laugh as Travis patted Oswald on his shoulders. They spotted her almost immediately and made their way through the diner to join her at the bar, each taking a stool on either side of her.
"The two of you look quite pleased with yourselves; what's going on?"
"I just got confirmation of three potential buyers who accepted Midge's invitation. Things are moving forward just as I hoped." Oswald lowered his voice so that only Emma and Travis could hear as he relayed his news. Emma was about to reply when she noticed the door open again and saw Sean, Kim, and Jake standing at the entrance.
"You know, I think we better take this to a booth. Those three look like they have something to say as well," Emma said to the other two and picked up her cup. Motioning to Susie that she was moving, Emma led the way to her usual back booth, and the three newcomers joined them. It was a tight squeeze as the six of them settled themselves in the booth, with Emma and Oswald in the middle on each side.
It was Sean who started the conversation, and although Kim and Jake had heard his news, they leaned forward eagerly to hear if he had anything to add.
"I just came from my office and thought I'd let you guys know right away about the newest development. Charlotte has gotten Nancy released from jail. That's some bulldog of a lawyer she's got on retainer. The sheriff fought tooth and nail, but in the end, he had to concede he didn't have significant evidence to hold her any longer."
"That's great. Mom will be pleased, and Nancy will be happy to get back to her cottage." Travis grinned at Sean.
But rather than share his smile, Sean held up his hand as if to make Travis stop his thought process.
"That's the last thing that we want. I'd rather Nancy kept away from your home and everyone there. I'd rather most people don't even know she's out. But it's a small town, and I'm not sure how to pull that off."
"She could stay at mom's house. It's empty, and I know my mom wouldn't mind," Emma offered.
But before Sean could agree to her suggestion, Kim shook her head and spoke up.
"You're going to be under such scrutiny before, during, and after the party. I don't think that would work at all; it's almost like putting Nancy right in the limelight. I have a better suggestion. Let her stay with me. My apartment has two bedrooms. And in all honesty, with everything that's going on, the guilty parties are going to avoid a news reporter."
The others thought over Kim's suggestion and quickly agreed with her it was an excellent plan. It would solve the need for Sean to keep an eye on Nancy. Kim's apartment was equipped with excellent security, thanks to her grandfather, and even if they left Nancy on her own, she would be safe.
"I've sworn Charlotte to secrecy as well. I think it would be better if we brought Nancy out in the open and at a more critical time when she can confront whoever is trying to frame her for the murders," Sean added.
They paused the conversation as Susie brought over fresh drinks for everyone and took their order. Once she had left, Oswald relayed his news about the potential buyers.
"Yes, my friends, our plan is coming together. Emma, when you meet Midge this afternoon, I want you to make sure as many people as possible know about the additional ornament," Oswald directed as he finished speaking.
"Good heavens, if everybody doesn't know about this ornament by now, they've got their head buried in the sand."
"You're probably right, but there's no sense in taking any chances. We want to make sure all the key players know about this and set them up for the easiest possibility of stealing it."
***
WHEN EMMA ARRIVED AT the Anderson home later that afternoon, she found it to be an organized but bustling atmosphere. Midge was like a drill sergeant, and for a moment, Emma almost felt sorry for Marianne as she hurried along behind Midge, taking notes, stress written across her forehead in her wrinkled brows as she tried to keep up with her employer. But Midge wasn't slowing down for anybody. She had plenty to do, and she knew as well as Emma how critical it was for the party to be a success. Not only was it to launch her new products for the company, it was also to catch a killer.
Emma had yet to see Travis, and as she walked around, ticking off her list of tasks that needed to be done prior to the party, she couldn't help noticing Wendy and Joe were awfully cozy. She watched the interactions between the two discretely. Joe was calculated about the way he treated Wendy, but the young girl was so infatuated she didn't notice. Emma felt her distaste for the man rise another notch.
"He's always there. Now he's got his sights on poor Wendy. That child isn't going to know what happened to her when he bolts after getting whatever it is he wants."
Emma hadn't heard Cook come up behind her, and she gave the woman a warm smile. She agreed with the older woman's assessment and felt sorry for Wendy.
"You're right, Cook. She's heading for a big reality check," Emma answered.
"Don't I know it. Midge tries to talk to Wendy, but she's just over the moon on that man and won't hear anything wrong about him. And that sly dog, why he's just lapping it up. All we can do is to be here to catch her when she falls. Because that poor child is going to fall hard."
Cook didn't wait around to see if Emma was going to answer her. She walked away, still muttering about the downfall of Joe. Emma frowned, wondering why Joe was still even at the house. It was obvious he had turned his affections to Wendy and didn't even seem upset that his friend Nancy wasn't around.
Was he so taken in by all the Anderson's riches that he would make the big play for Wendy? Emma thought. Sophie had told her that Joe and Cindy were an item for a while, and now it seemed he was interested in Wendy. Travis and Sophie both agreed that Joe wasn't romantically involved with Nancy. Instead, he was taking advantage of an old friendship from their high school days. Travis wasn't even sure Nancy knew all that much about Joe.
"Penny for your thoughts."
Emma turned, bumping into Travis.
"Unfortunately, my thoughts are not all that nice. I keep looking at the surrounding people, wondering which one of them had the motive to kill Cindy and steal the ornaments. I'm not sure I like being so judgmental."
"Just one more day, Emma. Tonight is the party, and hopefully, our plan will work." Without thinking, Travis reached up and pushed a strand of hair away from her eyes. His touch was gentle, and she looked up in surprise. His action seemed to take him by surprise as well, and he dropped his hand quickly.
"Travis, be a dear and help Marianne get these boxes into the dining room, please."
Midge's voice carried across the room, preventing Travis from saying anything further. He looked over at his mother and waved in acknowledgment and then gave Emma a lopsided grin.
"Duty calls. And I think I'm going to be busy here for most of the day. Text me if you need anything, and try to stay out of trouble." Reaching down, he squeezed her hand and then hurried off to grab the boxes from Marianne and follow his mother's direction for placement. Emma smiled at his back, and then made her way to Midge's office to go over a few last-minute items she wanted to change on the presentation.