A Hairy Scary Christmas by Amber Crewes

Author:Amber Crewes [Crewes, Amber]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pen-n-a-Pad Publishing
Published: 2024-12-21T00:00:00+00:00

“I’m so glad you like them. If they can bring joy to one person, then I’ve done my job.”

Angela Robbins had a short brown bob tucked under her winter hat. Her cheeks were red from the cold, but she had a warm smile that Summer was quickly drawn to.

“I love looking out my window to see them,” Summer assured her. “I don’t have much space of my own, so it’s nice to have so much Christmas cheer right nearby.”

“Oh, but what you’ve done to your balcony is just darling.”

“That’s all Evan’s doing,” she smiled, nudging Evan with her shoulder. “I don’t usually decorate, but it seemed like a fitting tribute. I know many people are decorating in honor of Margaret.”

Tears instantly filled Angela’s eyes.

“She would be so happy to see what a positive impact she had on the town. I only wish it didn’t take her death for it to happen.”

“Were you friendly with her?” Evan asked.

Summer watched closely for any signs of guilt or dishonesty, but the woman in front of her seemed genuinely hurt and full of love for her departed friend.

“We were great friends.”

Angela looked off, lost in thought. The sound of the whirring motor, as it kept the reindeer inflated, was the only sound they heard for a solid minute.

“When was the last time you saw her?” Summer asked gently.

“It was the night before…the night before they…”

“Found her?”

Angela nodded, looking grateful that she didn’t have to say the words. Meanwhile, Summer had to hide her excitement. If Angela had been with Margaret the night before she was found, they may have just confirmed an important piece of her timeline.

“Can you tell me about that? Where were you?”

“It was a meeting for those of us participating in the decorating contest. They’re held bi-weekly starting in November. It’s a time for the participants to ask questions and receive support from the town council. Though a lot of times they’re not so innocent.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve never cared much about medals and accolades, but some of the women in this competition were quite competitive. Some people use the meetings to make complaints about neighbors or accuse them of breaking the rules.”

“Are there rules for decorating?” Evan asked.

Angela nodded.

“Many of them. But they’re hard to enforce. There are easy things, like all decorations need to relate to Christmas or the Christmas season. But then there are rules about putting lights up yourself versus hiring a company. And other rules about the appropriate height for a Santa Claus.”

“That sounds intense.”

“Yes, it was for some.”

“Is that how Margaret saw it?”

She knew Angela didn’t want to speak badly of her friend, but Angela’s honesty won out, and she nodded.

“Yes, she took it very seriously. I often had to remind her it was a silly competition. Otherwise, she would throw her whole life into the contest.”

“What time was the meeting?” Summer asked.

“Seven o’clock. We do it after dinner, and everyone brings something for dessert. That meeting ran a bit long. I remember being anxious to leave because I needed to get my kids to bed.

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