Chapter 25

 

Dad and Lola arrived home around six in the morning on Christmas Eve. He checked in with me first thing to make sure we were still celebrating that evening. I responded with a resounding yes. Aunt Vera was opening her home to the family as well as Jake, our chief of police, her fiancé, and a few others.

“I’m making Yorkshire pudding,” I said.

“You?”

“One of the easiest dishes in the world. I won’t fail.” At least I hoped I wouldn’t.

At seven that evening, Dad and Lola arrived carrying flowers for my aunt, two bottles of expensive wine, and tokens from their trip. My particular favorite was a kitchen magnet of the Danube.

Aunt Vera had decorated her living room to the hilt: a beautiful blue-themed tree, a crèche on a bed of angel hair, and numerous snow globes. A pair of old-fashioned stockings with my aunt and father’s knitted names hung from the mantel over the fireplace. An array of nutcrackers that she had collected over the years adorned the mantel, as well. On the coffee table sat a cheese display that was designed like a wreath. A basket of crackers accompanied it.

I was the official wine pourer.

After filling my father’s glass with chardonnay, he said, “How are you?”

Before I could reach him by telephone to tell him about the fracas with Adam Kittridge, Bailey had gotten hold of her mother. As a result, Dad had barraged me with emails: who, what, when, and was I all right?

“Cinnamon is giving me the cold shoulder.”

“She’ll thaw.”

I glanced at her standing across the living room, looking quite chic in a winter white sheath as she chatted with Deputy Appleby and her fiancé, Bucky. My comment that she looked nice had fallen on deaf ears. “In the next millennia,” I quipped.

My father scoffed. “You helped her solve the case.”

“She doesn’t want me to get involved in another investigation.” Four emails from her had echoed that refrain. “Between you and me, I think she’s worried I’m vying for her job.”

He roared with laughter.

Cinnamon turned and gave us a searing look, as if she knew what we were talking about. Dad, totally out of character, gave her the shaka sign—three middle fingers folded down against the palm, thumb and pinky extended. In Hawaii it meant Be cool.

“So fill me in.” My father slipped an arm around my waist and steered me to the French doors leading to the lanai. The night was chilly, so we weren’t eating outside, but the doors were slightly ajar to allow in fresh air. The sound of waves hitting the shore soothed me. “Give me a quick recap. How is Jake doing? He looks good.” He jerked his head to the right.

Jake was standing by the fireplace with his sister Olivia. He wore his standard leather jacket, white shirt, and jeans. His hair was combed, his smile relaxed. Olivia seemed at ease, too. She was wearing a cream silk blouse tucked into a red pencil skirt, and her hairdo was new and stylish. She was sipping a cup of tea and nodding at something Jake was saying.

“Jake is the ultimate Santa Claus,” I said. “He’s helping his sister get on her feet by paying rent on a shop in town where she can sell her wares. Also, he heard what happened to Emmett, and despite his dispute with the guy, has offered to loan him money so Emmett won’t be obligated to a private lender.”

Dad smiled. “Grandpa taught him well, didn’t he?”

I nodded. I hadn’t known my grandfather. He’d died before I was born, but the stories I’d heard from so many made him out to be a saint. “Jake reached out to his son,” I said, “but he hasn’t heard from him.”

“I imagine this past week has been quite a shock to the boy.”

“He’s not a boy. He’s in his fifties.”

“Even so, learning that the man who raised you was capable of murder and discovering you had a father you’d never known has to be shocking. He’ll come around.”

“Jake isn’t so sure.”

“Is Adam Kittridge in prison?”

“Pending bail. Needless to say, Gran was surprised beyond compare.”

Rhett strode through the front door and raised both hands, each holding a bottle of wine. “I come bearing gifts.”

My aunt, who was decked out in a green caftan and copious strands of red beads, took the wine. Rhett hung up his pea coat on a rack in the foyer, adjusted the hem and sleeves of his cable-knit sweater, and followed my aunt into the kitchen. He blew me a kiss over his shoulder before disappearing.

“Ahem,” my father said. “As for Rhett, there’s something you haven’t told me.”

“I’m sure Bailey has.”

“What did I do?” she said, stealing into our conversation. Tito had yet to arrive. She had been helping my aunt make biscuits. She wore a reindeer-themed apron over her red dress.

“Told my father about Rhett and me.”

“No, I didn’t.”

“Yeah, you did.” I shot a finger at her. “I can see you blushing even under a layer of flour dust.”

“I told my mother. She was supposed to keep it quiet.”

“Ha! I knew it.” I broke free of my father and glowered at my pal. “Did you also tell her you’re pregnant?”

“What?” Lola burst from the kitchen, wiping her hands on an apron that matched her daughter’s. “Bailey Bird Martinez, how could you not have told me?”

“I told Cary.” Bailey pointed at my father.

He grinned. “Apparently I can keep a secret when asked to.” He joined his beloved and gave her a peck on the cheek.

Lola pushed him away, looped her arm through her daughter’s, and drew her to one side. I overheard the initial questions: When is the due date? What’s the sex? Have you picked a name? Mom stuff. Soon, I hoped I would get the pertinent information, too. For a chatterbox, Bailey was keeping the details close to the vest.

Dad turned to me. “Back to you and Rhett.”

“Yes, we’re engaged. We have not set a date. We don’t know where we’re getting married. But we’re going to start looking for somewhere in town to live. That’s as much as I know.”

Rhett stole up behind me and kissed me on the neck. “I know a little bit more than that.”

I whirled around. “What are you talking about?”

His eyes gleamed with impishness. “I went looking with Z.Z. today and I found a house. It’s a one-story ranch house with a bit of a view. Easy access to the beach. I think it’s perfect, but you’re the boss, so I need your approval. We’ll go the day after Christmas to see it, okay? In the meantime, did you know Z.Z. found your brother-in-law a patent attorney to work with in Los Angeles? He’s the son of one of her college friends. Young guy. Eager for new clients.”

“That’s great.”

“Spencer is stoked.”

Clang, clang.

Katie appeared in the archway leading to the dining room carrying a cowbell and baton. She looked adorable in a pretty floral dress sans chef’s coat and toque. “Dinner is served!” She clanged the bell again.

Aunt Vera had closed the café for the night and had asked Katie and three of her staff plus her fiancé, Keller, to fix our dinner—other than the Yorkshire pudding—after which they’d all join us for the meal. One big happy family. I was looking forward to Keller’s eggnog ice cream with churro-style cookies.

After making my Yorkshire pudding—Katie said she’d set it in the oven at the appropriate time—I’d helped my aunt set the table. A trio of candles surrounded by green foliage glimmered as the centerpiece. Gold-rimmed charger plates, topped with red-and-gold napkins and bordered by my aunt’s favorite sterling silver, sat on a tablecloth featuring the Twelve Days of Christmas. Baccarat crystal wineglasses and water glasses finished each place setting.

As we were taking our places at the table, Tito appeared in the archway. “Ahem, excuse me. I have an announcement.”

“We know you’re pregnant,” Dad said wryly. “Come. Sit.”

“Sorry, sir. That isn’t my announcement. We have, um, a few extras guests.”

“The more the merrier,” my aunt said. “Bring them in.”

Tito motioned for the people to come in.

A gaunt middle-aged man in a tweed jacket, white shirt, and jeans moved into the archway alongside Tito. He was holding the hand of a little girl with eyes like Elizabeth Taylor’s.