Chapter 29

After church the next day, Martin picked Rory up for the long drive to his parents’ house. The closer they got to their destination, the more nervous she became.

“Do you think I’m dressed okay?” Rory asked as panic began to set in. She looked at the khakis and polo shirt he had on, wondering if she’d chosen the wrong outfit.

Martin glanced over at the sweater dress she was wearing. “You look beautiful.”

“What about presents? Were we supposed to bring any?”

“I’m doing that with them later.” He patted her hand. “Stop worrying. This is just a get-to-know-you dinner that happens to be around the holidays. Let’s talk about something else.”

They spent the rest of the drive discussing their favorite holiday movies and singing Christmas carols.

When they pulled into the driveway of the ranch-style home, they barely had time to get out of the car before the front door of the house opened and a woman wearing a green sweater and dress pants came out to welcome them. Martin handed his mother a bouquet of flowers they’d picked up along the way. His father appeared in the doorway and walked over to meet them. After shaking his father’s hand, Martin introduced Rory to his parents, Robert and Petula.

“Welcome to our home, Rory. So nice to finally meet you,” Petula said before giving her a big hug.

Rory felt a rush of warmth at the heartfelt greeting. Martin’s sister, Serena, studied her for a moment before introducing herself and her family, including her ten-year-old daughter, Portia.

“I brought an apple pie. I planned on making it myself, but things have been a bit hectic the last few days,” Rory said as she handed the pie to Martin’s mother.

“Don’t worry about it. From what I understand, you’ve had more than enough to deal with lately. Martin told us about your father. I heard he’s awake now. Just in time for Christmas too.”

“We’re very grateful.”

“Let me take this into the kitchen. You two go into the living room and make yourself comfortable.”

After a few minutes of small talk with Martin’s father and sister, Rory began to relax and soon felt right at home. Before long she had a family photo album on her lap with Serena sitting beside her, going over the photos with her.

Petula poked her head in the doorway. “Serena, could I see you in the kitchen?”

After Serena left, Martin and his father went off to look at a woodworking project while Portia told Rory about her doll collection. A short time later, Serena came back. “Rory, can I talk to you for a minute? Portia, why don’t you go help your grandmother in the kitchen? She has a special treat for you.”

The two settled down on opposite ends of the couch, their bodies angled so they faced each other. Rory braced herself for an interrogation.

“What did my brother tell you about me?” Serena asked.

“Not a whole lot. He showed me pictures of you two growing up. Said you took care of him when he was younger.”

“There’s one thing you need to know. I’m very protective of my brother. Always have been.”

Rory wondered where this conversation was going. “He may have mentioned something about that.”

“My mother thinks I’m a bit overprotective. Martin is a generous man, he’s special. I hope you know that.”

Rory nodded. “I do. He’s become very important to me. What are you worried about?”

“I don’t ever want my brother to be hurt. I saw what he was like when his wife died. For a while, he couldn’t even get out of bed. You seem to be good for him. This is the happiest I’ve seen him in a long time. I just wanted you to know how I’m feeling.” Serena grinned. “We’re all really glad you’re dating him. Now, let’s hug it out.”

When the two embraced, Rory felt a bit as if she’d gained a sister.

Portia walked into the room, eating the last remnants of a chocolate chip cookie. “Mommy, can Rory and I play before dinner?”

Serena consulted her watch. “You have about half an hour. As long as Rory says it’s okay, it’s fine with me.”

The ten-year-old grabbed Rory’s hand and led the way through French doors into a backyard surrounded by a seven-foot fence. She grabbed two squirt guns off a nearby table and handed one to Rory. Soon the two of them were running around the yard, hiding behind trees and laughing.

Rory peeked around a bush and spotted her quarry at the same time Portia saw her. Rory raised her green gun, took careful aim and was about to squeeze the trigger when someone grabbed the gun out of her hands and said, “What are you doing?” Moments later, water hit her square in the face.

While Portia did a happy dance and shouted “I won! I won!”, Rory wiped the water from her eyes and directed her attention to Martin who stood nearby scowling at the two of them, clutching the confiscated squirt gun in his hand.

She held out her hand. “Can I have that back?”

“Don’t ever, and I mean ever, point a gun at anyone.”

“It’s not real, it’s a toy. It only shoots water.”

“It doesn’t matter. Someone might mistake it for the real thing.”

“We were just playing a game. Why are you...? Oh.” Rory looked down at her shoes. “I’m sorry,” she said in a softer tone of voice. “I didn’t think.”

“No you didn’t.” He handed her the squirt gun and walked away.

“Uncle Martin?” Portia called after him uncertainly.

Rory squeezed the girl’s shoulders. “Don’t worry, you didn’t do anything wrong. I’ll talk to him. Go and play.”

After putting the squirt gun on the table near the French doors, Rory went in search of Martin. She found him on the other side of the yard sitting in a lawn chair with his eyes closed. From where she stood, she could hear his family chatting in the living room while preparations for the meal continued in the kitchen.

She sat down in the chair beside him. “I’m sorry. I should have realized.”

He opened his eyes and turned his head toward her. “I overreacted. How’s Portia?”

“She’s okay. A little puzzled by your response and a little worried she did something wrong.”

He groaned. “I didn’t want her to think that.”

Rory touched his arm. “Don’t worry. I told her it wasn’t her fault.” She cocked her head and listened to the sounds coming from inside the house. “I think I hear her laughing.”

Martin listened and his posture relaxed. “Good.”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

Rory chose her words carefully. “Has your niece never played with a squirt gun in front of you before this?”

“I’ve seen her, but as long as she stays in the yard or inside the house, I don’t worry about it. This time, though, seeing the squirt gun pointed at you...”

“Flashbacks to your wife?” she asked softly.

“It’s not something I’ll ever forget.”

“Do you miss her?”

“Of course. She was a big part of my life.” He turned in his chair to face her. “Don’t worry, I’ve moved on. She was my past. You’re my present. I don’t tell you often enough how important you are to me. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“I’ll be careful.” She smiled softly at him. “I know what I want for Christmas, if it’s not too late.”

“What?”

“You can donate to the scholarship fund my dad’s putting together in Ricky’s name. It doesn’t have to be much. Every bit helps.”

He nodded. “Consider it done.”

“Thanks.” She leaned over and kissed him.

Someone cleared their throat behind them. “Dinner’s ready. Come on in, you love birds,” Serena said.

Hand in hand, Rory and Martin walked into the house.

  

By the time Christmas Eve rolled around, Rory’s father was out of the hospital and settled in at home. He was feeling well enough that they’d made plans to celebrate that evening.

Rory sat on the couch in her house with Sekhmet beside her while she waited for Martin to pick her up for the short drive to her parents’ home.

“I’m sorry I can’t take you along,” she said to the cat. “But I’ve got a present for you.” She went over to her desk and took a catnip mouse out of one of the drawers. She set it down on the couch and kissed the top of the cat’s head. “Merry Christmas from Martin and me. Or should I say Meowy Christmas?”

Sekhmet touched the mouse with her paw and sniffed it. The next thing Rory knew, the cat was racing across the wood floor, batting the toy between her paws as she ran.

“I guess that was a success,” Rory said to herself.

Moments later, she heard a knock on the front door. She opened it to let Martin in. “I just need to get the presents and I’ll be ready to go.”

Martin watched Sekhmet disappear into the hallway, still playing with her new toy. “I see she got her gift.”

“I told her it was from the both of us.”

When they arrived at their destination less than fifteen minutes later, they walked inside to find Swan sitting in a recliner in the living room facing the Christmas tree, an afghan covering his lap.

Rory put the presents under the tree and kissed her father on the forehead. “Merry Christmas, Dad.”

“Merry Christmas to you too.” Swan nodded at Martin. “Glad you both could make it.”

“I have something for you.” Martin took a check out of his wallet and handed it to Rory’s father. “It’s for the scholarship fund in honor of Ricky.”

Swan glanced at it and put it on the table next to him. “Thank you. That’s very generous of you.”

Arika entered the living room, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel. “Dinner shouldn’t be too long. Does anyone want anything to drink? I made iced tea.”

Rory had no sooner served the tea than a knock sounded on the front door and Arika went to answer it. Liz breezed into the room moments later, her arms filled with gifts. “I just stopped by to drop these off.” She placed the stack under the tree.

“Would you like to stay for dinner, Elizabeth?” Arika asked. “There’s plenty of food. And apple pie.”

At the mention of the pie, Liz’s eyes lit up. “Count me in.”

“You’re not celebrating with your family tonight?” Rory asked.

“We’re doing Christmas tomorrow. I’m free as a bird tonight.” Liz plopped down on a nearby chair.

Swan directed his attention at his daughter and Liz. “Now that you’re both here, tell me all about what happened with Simon. I’ve read the report on Vista Beach Confidential, but I want to hear it from you two.”

Taking turns, Rory and Liz explained how they’d figured out Simon was to blame for both Ricky’s and Mindy’s deaths and what had transpired when they went looking for evidence.

“He really didn’t know his father had buried Ricky’s body in their yard?” Swan shook his head in disbelief. “I can’t believe I lived across from it all those years.”

“Just think about Loretta. It must have been devastating for her to find out,” Rory said.

“Any idea what’s going to happen with Simon’s Surfwear?” Liz asked. “It can’t be going public now.”

“That’s off. Loretta’s going to run the company for as long as she can with the help of some employees until she can find a more permanent solution.” Arika took a sip of her tea before continuing. “I’m going to help her a bit as well.”

“But you’ve got your own store, Mom.”

“It practically runs itself. I don’t think helping her out will take that much time. I’ll just make sure no one’s trying to take advantage of Loretta given her memory issues.”

“I heard that witness came back into town,” Swan said. “The one that Simon paid to lie.”

“He came back as soon as he saw Simon had been arrested,” Martin said. “He brought a present with him. A bag of shredded paper he saw Simon toss in a trash can.”

“Why did he take it?” Rory asked. “Why would he even think it was important?”

“He found it odd that Simon had dumped it blocks away from his store. So he picked it up and hid it with his things. Thought it might come in handy one day.”

“What was in it?” Liz asked.

“Financial papers for the store and the note from Mindy. The one that asked him to meet her at her storage place.”

“I’m glad the note was found, but does it make any difference now? Simon already confessed,” Rory said.

“Always good to have confirmation in case he tries to backpedal.”

“What about Ottomar?” Swan asked. “What was in that note he left? Did you ever see it?”

“There wasn’t one. He made that up when he realized things weren’t going as he’d planned. He was hoping it would stop Simon from hurting him.”

“Didn’t really work, did it?”

A beep sounded from the direction of the kitchen. “That’s my cue.” Arika got up from her chair.

“Do you need any help, Mrs. A?”

“Thank you, Elizabeth, I’d appreciate that.”

When Rory stood up to follow them into the kitchen, Arika held up her hand. “You two stay here. Swan can help me with the turkey.”

Rory’s father got up from the recliner, more slowly than usual. “No one’s touching that bird but me.”

Once Rory and Martin were alone in the living room, Rory said, “I have a present for you.” She selected a box from under the tree and handed it to him.

“I wonder what this could be.”

Rory watched anxiously as he unwrapped the gift.

He held up a Hawaiian shirt and a pair of shorts. “Perfect. Just what I needed. How did you know?”

“I saw you looking at the clothes in Simon’s Surfwear. You should be able to exchange them if they don’t fit. At least, I hope that’s still true.”

“I won’t need to do that. They’re perfect. Now for your present.” He brought a jewelry box out of his pocket and handed it to her.

Rory opened it to discover a small silver cross set with diamonds. “It’s beautiful. I love it.”

“Your mother told me you’d lost yours.”

“Help me put it on.”

He took the cross out of its box and placed the delicate chain around her neck. “There you go.”

Rory leaned over to kiss him.

“Got it,” Liz said from across the room. “That’ll be a great picture.”

Rory looked over at her friend who was standing in the doorway, cell phone in hand.

“I’m putting together a photo essay of my own. I’ve already got some action shots of dinner.” Liz looked around. “Why don’t you two come over here. I’ll take your picture.”

She exchanged places with the couple.

“Back up, back up.” Liz gestured to them.

“What’s the matter?” Rory asked, puzzled by her friend’s actions.

“Nothing. I just need more room. Keep going.”

Rory and Martin stared at each other. They both shrugged and backed up until Liz gestured for them to stop. “Well, what do you know? Look where you are.”

They looked around, but neither of them noticed anything particularly interesting.

“Up! Look up!” Liz pointed at the ceiling above them. She put her hands on her hips and shook her head. “Don’t you see it? Mistletoe!”

They both looked up. A cluster of mistletoe hung from a hook in the ceiling directly above where they stood.

Martin looked at Rory and grinned.

“Come on, you know what to do. Honestly.” Liz turned around and walked away, saying over her shoulder, “Dinner’s ready when you are.”

“Merry Christmas,” Martin said softly.

“Merry Christmas to you too,” Rory replied in the same tone of voice.

They both looked up at the mistletoe one more time before leaning in for a kiss.

  

Sybil Johnson’s love affair with reading began in kindergarten with “The Three Little Pigs.” Visits to the library introduced her to Encyclopedia Brown, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle and a host of other characters. Fast forward to college where she continued reading while studying Computer Science. After a rewarding career in the computer industry, Sybil decided to try her hand at writing mysteries. Her short fiction has appeared in Mysterical-E and Spinetingler Magazine, among others. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in Southern California where she enjoys tole painting, studying ancient languages and spending time with friends and family.