Holiday Spirits by Yasmine Galenorn

Author:Yasmine Galenorn [Galenorn, Yasmine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Nightqueen Enterprises LLC
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

JIMBO EXCUSED HIMSELF. He needed to go home and feed his animals. “Just call if you need me and I’ll be over.” He waved on his way out of the kitchen.

Randa was making waffles and bacon under Joe’s tutelage. Joe wheeled himself over to the espresso machine and made me a quad-shot for breakfast, adding enough creamer and cocoa to turn it into mocha. I gratefully cupped the mug, savoring the steam as the fragrance stirred my senses.

“And you have no idea what the spirit is?” Joe asked.

Randa shifted from one foot to another. She wasn’t comfortable with the psychic side of life, but she was slowly coming around. She had her own flashes, but she was grounded in science. The seeming solidity made her feel safe. Ghosts tended not to provide that same sense of security.

I shook my head. “I have one possible thought. Maybe we’re dealing with the ghost of a man who believed he was Santa Claus. Perhaps the delusion stuck around, even after death? He might have heard our conversation with Kip last night and put Kip on his ‘naughty’ list. I don’t know, but I’ll do some research today. I should go down to the shop given the holiday rush, but this is more important so Lana will have to fend for herself.”

Randa glanced over her shoulder. “I can help, Mom. I’ll head down there after breakfast and work the morning shift with her. I have study group this afternoon, but I can help until two o’clock.”

My heart surged. Miranda might be a handful on an intellectual level, but she had a heart of gold. I ducked my head, ostensibly tasting my mocha, but in reality, I blinked back tears. I was tired and worried, and all that it took to set me off was one nice gesture.

“Thanks, kiddo. You’re good to your mother.”

Kip let out a sniffle. “I’m not.”

Randa shoved a waffle and some bacon in front of him. “Mom loves you. You know it. You messed up. Now you have to dig yourself out.”

Kip twisted his lip, then shrugged. “Yeah, I do.” He turned around. “Mom, when do we find out what’s going to happen to me?”

“I told you. Monday, when we go to court. I’m going to call a lawyer today. I’ll try Todd Givens. He’s a friend of Murray’s.” Visions of hourly fees began to dance through my head, pushing all thoughts of sugarplums away. “There’s a lot to do today, so everybody needs to pull their weight. Kip, you have to stay home today. You’re grounded for longer than you want to think about. Expect it to be well past Valentine’s Day before you see the outside of this house or the school. You can help Joe. He’ll need someone to be his gopher, given he’s stuck in that chair.”

He gave me a frantic nod. “Sure. I’ll help however I can.” I could hear the hurt behind the words.

After accepting my waffle from Randa, I paused, propping my elbows on the table as I rested my chin on my hands.

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