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“HOW COULD YOU THINK something is missing? Those scam artists are going to be locked away for good.”
“I know,” Dana said quietly, topping the tray of Holiday Cream cupcakes with little mistletoes.
A large beautiful Christmas Mistletoe hung from the door frame of the café. The café was closed for another twenty minutes until the Christmas crowd came in. It was going to be busy today as it was Christmas Eve.
Inga and the rest of the team were out back getting things ready. The scent of vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon permeated the air. The fire crackled in the large stone fireplace in the café’s dining area.
It was certainly cozy in there, but it just didn’t feel the same in Dana’s heart for some reason. Not yet.
Maybe she would feel different tomorrow. Grandma Rae used to love the holidays and she missed her like crazy.
“That’s what’s missing,” Dana said, almost to herself as she put the finishing touches to the Holiday Cream Cupcakes display.
“What’s missing?”
“Christmas is about love. Grandma Rae used to always say it was hard on those who were lonely. And for the first time, cuz. I feel...” Dana sighed deeply. “Alone.”
“I never thought about it like that.”
Even Katie was dating one of the supply delivery guys. He was a cute guy who was finishing up college and working in his family’s business part time.
Dana felt so happy for her cousin, Katie deserved happiness. She wished she hadn’t been so distant with Troy, he was probably trying to get close to her as Katie had observed, but Dana kept pushing him away emotionally.
Then there was Sarah the secretary who, even though her choice was all wrong, fell in love with that Carter scam artist guy. But she thought he was a nice guy—didn’t know he was a murderer.
“Grandma Rae used to always say there was magic in mistletoes. I don’t know if I believe it.”
“You should, cuz. I believe in the magic of the Christmas spirit. And the season of giving...and forgiving as Grandma Rae would say.”
“True. I’m so glad we’re all going to give Shags a nice memorial next weekend. I think it would be fitting and a way to move forward. We have to look at her good points, not her...well, her mischievous points.”
“That was Grandma Rae’s way, I guess.”
“It sure was...” Dana gasped.
A shadow moved near the café outside the window. It was early in the morning and still very dark and frosty outside.
“What it is? Should we call the police?” Katie asked.
Dana grinned. “I think that won’t be necessary.” Her heart leaped in her chest. She quickly opened the door lock and the chime sounded.
Troy had come in with a large red gift box in his hand. “I almost forgot to give you something.”
“Oh, Troy. That’s so sweet of you,” Dana gushed.
“That’s not all I forgot to do, Dana. Our date that night at the Mayor’s party had been interrupted, remember?” His voice was soft and smooth.
Her heartbeat leaped in her throat.
“Y-yes, I remember,” she whispered.
Detective Troy glanced up at the mistletoe hanging above them with a grin. He then inched closer to her. She could inhale the sweet scent of his aftershave. His scent was sweetly intoxicating.
He then brushed his lips gently against hers and kissed her in a way she’d never been kissed before. He held her around her waist and she melted into his warmth.
Whatever was missing, she had finally found.
If that wasn’t the holiday magic Grandma Rae spoke about, she didn’t know what was.