I sat in the SUV, mentally preparing myself for my first … whatever this was. Wrapping paper recovery? I wasn’t sure what to call it. Then my phone chimed, and I was saved by the bell. At least temporarily.
It was Birdie. “Hey, what’s up?”
“You know how I said we were reinterviewing all the folks that got broken into?”
“Right.”
“Well, the two houses that didn’t have the Christmas Magic paper actually did. Apparently the first time the deputies took statements, they only talked to the husbands. And the husbands were clueless about the paper, but according to the wives, they’d definitely bought some and had gifts under their trees wrapped in it.”
I sighed. “Okay, I guess we can safely say the break-ins have been about the Christmas Magic wrapping then.”
“Yes. I know it doesn’t make you feel any better, but I thought you’d want to know.”
“Thanks. I appreciate being kept up to speed. I’m on a little mission myself.” I told her what I was up to.
“How’s that going?”
“I’m not sure. I’m sitting outside my first house right now.”
“Who is it?”
“The Connollys. Do you know them?”
“Frank and Myrna?”
I checked the list. “Yep.”
“Nice people. He’s a veteran on disability, and she’s a seamstress who also makes the most amazing custom quilts. I mean amazing. One of her quilts sold at the local fair’s craft auction for two thousand dollars last year.”
“Wow. Two grand?”
“You should have seen it. A field of sunflowers with a sunrise as the background. You would have sworn it was a painting. The woman has talent. Anyway, they’re lovely people. I’m sure they’ll be accommodating.”
“Thanks, that makes me feel better. I better get to it.”
“All right. Good luck. Hey, let me know if you get weird vibes off anyone. You know what I mean?”
“I do, and I will.” I hung up, tucked a gift card in my pocket, then grabbed four rolls of the replacement paper from the back.
I walked up to the door, but it opened before I arrived.
An older woman with her gray hair twisted up in a knot greeted me. “Hello.”
She seemed a little unsure of my presence.
I put on my best royal smile, meant to reassure and calm. “Hi, there. You must be Mrs. Connolly. I’m Jayne Frost from the Santa’s Workshop toy store in town.”
She nodded, looking a little more at ease. “I bought presents for the grandkids there.”
“You also bought two rolls of our Christmas Magic wrapping paper.”
“That’s right.”
“That’s why I’m here.” I went into the little speech I’d prepared. “Unfortunately, some further testing of the paper has revealed it could be a potential fire hazard. We are very sorry for the inconvenience, but because of that, we’re recalling the paper. In exchange, I have these four rolls of our premium wrapping I’d like to give you as well as a hundred-dollar Santa’s Workshop gift card that you can use at any time. Also, once I check you off our list, your full purchase price will be refunded.”
She stared at me. “You want to give us our money back, plus four new rolls of paper and a hundred-dollar gift card?”
“Yes, ma’am, that’s right. In exchange for your two rolls.”
She shook her head. “That seems like a better deal for me than it is for you.”
I smiled. “It’s Christmas. Which is kind of our business. We just want everyone to be happy.”
“Good thing I haven’t started wrapping yet. You wait right here.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I exhaled as she shut the door. So far so good.
She returned with the two rolls of Christmas Magic and the tape. “Here you go. I used a little to show my husband how it worked, but I haven’t wrapped anything in it yet.”
“That’s great.” I took the two rolls from her, then pulled a gift card out of my pocket and handed it and the four rolls of wrapping over to her. Exchange made, I nodded. “Thank you so much. Sorry again for the inconvenience. Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas to you.”
I headed back to the car. That had gone remarkably well, but I wasn’t fooled. I knew that wasn’t going to be the case at every house. Although how nice would it be if it was?
By the time I was headed back to the shop to work my shift, I’d collected twenty-three rolls from six houses. I’d visited two others, but no one had been home.
Most of the interactions had been about as easy as the Connollys. The second house hadn’t been at first. Their dog had barked and snarled so much I thought I might get bitten, but the lady had stuck him in a bedroom, then come back to see what I wanted.
She’d been apologetic about Cujo’s threats and hadn’t put up any more fuss herself.
Even so, I was worn out. I hadn’t anticipated how stressful it was going to be to talk to people like that, hoping they understood and didn’t argue or make a scene.
I needed sugar and an easy shift at the shop this afternoon. At least I knew I’d get sugar.
I parked on the side street next to the stockroom, grabbed the rolls of paper I’d collected and went in. I shoved them all into the Santa’s Bag and sent them back to the North Pole, then went out to the retail floor to check in with Juniper.
She was at the register, wiping down the counter.
“How was it?” Juniper asked.
“All right. I collected twenty-three rolls, which I’ve already sent back to the NP.”
Her brows went up. “Twenty-three? You did great!”
“Thanks. It wore me out though.”
“I bet.” She gave me a little hug. “You want a Dr Pepper?”
“Yes. That is exactly what I need.”
“I’ll get it for you.” She ran back to the break room and snagged me one. “There you go.”
“Thanks.” I twisted the top off and took a long drink. Better already. “Has it been busy today?”
“About the usual.”
Rowley came through the employee-only doors. “Afternoon, all.”
“Hi, Rowley.”
Juniper gave him a little wave. “All right, Kip and I are off. I hope you have an easy night.”
“Me too.”
Easy was relative, I guess. Shortly after five, a very pretty, very curvy redhead walked in. Gracie. I’d kind of forgotten just how pretty she was. Until now. I smiled tentatively. “Welcome to Santa’s Workshop.”
She stopped and looked at me. “Jaynie? Sinclair’s girlfriend?”
“Jayne. And wife. Yes.”
“Oh my gosh, I did not realize you worked here.”
I nodded. “I do right now. I’m filling in for an employee that needed to go home for the holiday. My family owns the business.” Maybe it was petty to throw that in, but I couldn’t help myself.
I tried to make my smile a little brighter. Like it didn’t bother me at all to be waiting on her. “Are you looking for a gift?”
“No, actually. I came in to get some of that Christmas Magic paper I’ve been hearing about.”
That gave me a moment of pause. Wasn’t her brother a new deputy? Wouldn’t he have told her about all the trouble the wrapping paper had caused? “That paper has been discontinued.”
“Oh, that’s too bad. I heard it actually lit up.”
“It did, but the research and development team found a few flaws. We hope to have the new and improved version out soon.”
“Maybe you could call me when it arrives?”
“Sure.” Not a snowball’s chance in—
“And since I’m here, maybe I’ll shop a little. I still need gifts for my younger cousins.”
My cheeks were starting to ache from the forced smile. “Just let me know if you need any help.”
I watched her disappear down one of the aisles. I really didn’t know why the woman raised such ire in me. I was married to Sinclair, after all. He was unequivocally mine. But there was something about Gracie that just iced me.
And I really didn’t get why she’d come in here looking for Christmas Magic. Maybe I was making a mental leap, but her trip to the shop seemed like some kind of fishing expedition. What she was fishing for, I had no idea.