A Cracked Crime: A Thrift Shop Cozy Mystery (Secondhand Sleuth Mysteries Book 11) by Mel Morgan

Author:Mel Morgan [Morgan, Mel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Stonefire Press
Published: 2023-10-01T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

WEDNESDAY

I WAS startled and not at all sure what to think when I entered my downtown thrift shop that morning.

It was like I’d made a wrong turn and ended up at the North Pole.

Christmas decorations were on full display everywhere, from fully assembled plastic trees decked out in colorful glass ornaments to strings of lights shining everywhere. I simply couldn’t believe my eyes, and as I struggled to take it all in, the perpetrator of the holiday mess came forward.

“Hello, Jess!” Violet was proud of herself. I wasn’t sure what to do. “What do you think? I went ahead with what we agreed on about the holiday gifting idea, and this is what I ended up with.”

Sure, this bizarre situation bore a slight resemblance to the concept we’d discussed earlier. However, it was far from what I’d had in mind.

“You don’t like it, do you?” Violet frowned. Maybe my lack of words had said enough to her.

I finally croaked out something that wasn’t an insult. “You must have worked really hard on this, Violet. I’m sure it took you a lot of time.” Time I would undoubtedly end up paying her by the hour for, but who was counting? I should still probably just be grateful she showed up to work on time.

“I can take it down if you want. I know it’s a bit much, but when I get started on a project, I really get going at it.”

That was the understatement of the week. My shop was the evidence that this girl knew how to get something accomplished when she put her mind to hit. Heck, if I only had that kind of perseverance and determination in my personal life, maybe I would learn to eat a decent breakfast. That, and not being so rude to someone who had clearly put in an enormous effort.

“Thank you. I mean that, Vi. You are one special girl.” I gave one last look at the holiday wonderland that surrounded us, giving real consideration to what it would be like to keep it.

“But I do think we should back this all off just a bit, don’t you? After all, it’s not even Halloween yet. I don’t want people to think we’re just some kind of specialty shop, but believe me, it’s beautiful.”

Violet seemed happy enough with my words about her work. I was only mildly put-off by the animated elves at work behind her. That reminded me of my other situation.

“Say, Violet, what do you know about Danny Peters?” That was the one person involved who was her age.

She nodded. I thought she might just be glad for the shift of conversation topic. That was fine. I wasn’t really ready to talk so much about Christmas yet either.

“My grandmother says those Peters boys are nothing but trouble.” Violet crossed her arms across her chest and stuck her chin out. I thought she did a very good job of looking like Dorothy, as well as sounding like her.

What was it with small

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.