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It was Christmas Eve, and Emma was just putting the finishing touches on her holiday decorating for her party. As promised, she was hosting a small gathering of friends at her home, and she found herself looking forward to it. The last day or two was full of answering questions from the police, working with Midge to make final changes to the design campaign, and doing her Christmas shopping. Her small gathering of four to five friends had escalated to include several older friends from Citrus Beach and new friends she had met since her return. She had included Wendy in the invitation, and her plus-one was an old schoolmate of Emma's.
"Well, Dixie. I think that's about as much as I can do." Emma scooped the puppy up into her arms and danced around the room in time to the Christmas music. When the phone rang, she looked startled, as if they had caught her in an act she didn't want anybody to see. Putting the dog down in her bed, she raced over to answer her phone and was surprised to hear Travis on the other end of the line.
"Emma, I hate to ask, but would you mind giving me a lift to your party? I was going to go with Wendy, but she's been out with her friend all day. Besides, Mom said she wants to talk to you," he said, after saying hello.
"Sure. I can leave in about ten minutes. Will that work?"
"Perfect, see you then."
Emma hung up the phone and looked longingly at the sofa where she had planned on curling up for a few minutes with the dog, getting in a bit of reading.
"Oh well, there's plenty of time to read tomorrow. Do you want to go for a ride, Dixie?"
The puppy danced in her bed in response to Emma's question. She knew the word ride and was excited at the prospect. With a laugh, Emma grabbed her picnic basket, and Dixie jumped in. Within the promised ten minutes, she was on her way toward the Andersons.
When Emma arrived, it surprised her to see Charlotte's car there as well. But before she could think any further about it, the door was flung open by Midge, who welcomed Emma with a kiss.
"I'm so sorry to take you away from your Christmas Eve plans."
"It's okay. I was pretty much done. What's so important?"
Before she could answer, Charlotte appeared in the doorway as well, and a young woman slightly older than Emma was behind her.
"Oh good, you brought Dixie. That's perfect." Charlotte said after she gave Emma a warm hug. Without explanation, she took the dog from Emma's hand and handed Dixie to the woman behind her. Emma stood watching, open-mouthed, as a woman examined Dixie, talking to her gently. After a few moments, she looked up at Charlotte and gave a nod. "You're right, Charlotte, this puppy is perfect."
"I'm sorry. What's going on around here?" Emma asked, confused.
Charlotte laughed and took Dixie into her arms before making the introduction.
"Emma, I'd like you to meet Bonnie Hayward. She is going to be your next customer."
Emma burst out laughing. This was so like Charlotte. She shook hands with the other woman, who smiled back at her.
"Charlotte's at work, I see. I'm very happy to meet you and Dixie. But I think business can wait until after the holidays." With a smile, Bonnie handed her a business card. "Give me a call when the holidays are over."
Travis arrived and looked over at the group that was crowding the doorway, noting the dazed look on Emma's face.
"Okay ladies, we are leaving now. You all have a wonderful Christmas Eve."
He kissed his mother on the cheek, did the same to Charlotte, and then took Emma's hand, dragged her back out to her waiting car, grabbing Dixie as they left.
Once in the car, Emma and Travis looked at each other and burst out laughing. "Well, I guess my business is now going to be influenced by Charlotte and your mother," Emma said when she could catch her breath.
"Don't feel bad. Without knowing how it happened, I'm now in charge of the company. It looks like these two wonderful women will influence us, whether we want their help or not."
Travis reached over and brushed a stray strand of hair from Emma's cheek. He hesitated a moment, and then whispered, "Merry Christmas," before he leaned in and kissed her. His kiss held promises, just as Emma's future did.
What's next for Emma and Dixie?
Puppies and Paybacks: Return to Citrus Beach Mystery #2
Dive into the sun-soaked, sometimes silly, always surprising world of Citrus Beach, Florida, where graphic designer and part-time detective Emma Cassidy finds herself unraveling a mystery that's as tangled as a leash at a dog park.
The grand opening of "Paws and Relax," the latest and greatest doggy day spa, ends not with a bark, but a bang, when the beloved owner is found murdered. Known for her eye for design and her nose for clues, Emma can't resist sniffing out the truth, especially when her mischievous pocket beagle, Dixie, digs up the first puzzling piece of evidence.
From a spa rival who's more cutthroat than a pair of grooming shears to a fired employee with a bone to pick, the suspects are as plentiful as the sand on a Florida beach. With the help of her friends, the feisty reporter Kim Hart, and crime-solving whiz Jake, Emma wades through a swamp of red herrings and comic mishaps. And amidst all the sleuthing, there's a whiff of romance in the air with the dashing Travis Anderson, making things a tad more complicated, but a lot more fun.
As Emma untangles this hairy case, she discovers Citrus Beach is bursting with secrets, some as hidden as a lost ball in tall grass. Will she collar the culprit before they scamper away? Or is this mystery too ruff for even Emma to handle?
"Puppies and Paybacks" is a rollicking jaunt through the quirks and quibbles of Florida life, where humor, romance, and a good old-fashioned whodunit blend together like a tropical smoothie. Grab your sunhat and join Emma and her crew in this delightfully zany cozy mystery, where the laughs are abundant, and the paybacks are as satisfying as a belly rub.