Kiki and Cara Mia Christmas Collection (Kiki Lowenstein Mystery Series) by Joanna Campbell Slan

Author:Joanna Campbell Slan [Slan, Joanna Campbell]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Spot On Publishing
Published: 2016-10-23T23:00:00+00:00

~ The End ~

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Kiki and the Rowan Tree Branch

Author’s Note: This story originally appeared in Happy Homicides 1: Thirteen Cozy Holiday Mysteries.

Chapter 1

Three weeks before Christmas

St. Louis, Missouri

Even though the leftover snow had turned gray and grubby, the outside air was frigid, and the cold made my nose run, I was in a good mood. A really, really good mood as I sat in the passenger seat of the white Crown Victoria being driven by my fiancé, Detective Chad Detweiler.

“At the risk of sounding insensitive, why are we taking a Jew to see Christmas lights?” Detweiler followed his question with a wink.

“Why do non-Catholics visit the Vatican? Or Germans celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Or Italians eat Chinese food?” I delivered my response with a gentle punch to his bicep. We love teasing each other, so I knew he was enjoying the chance to give me a hard time.

“Ah,” he said. “Why do they? Inquiring minds want to know.”

We both laughed. But immediately, I added, “We’re taking Horace Goldfader to look at lights because it was a tradition that he and Dodie had for years. Now that she’s dead, well, I’m doing everything I can to make her passing easier for Horace.”

“And for their daughter Rebekkah. I noticed you’ve added her to the schedule at your store.”

“She and I have had our ups and downs, but she’s a good worker, and I sure can use the help during the holidays. I know she misses her mother. I do, too. She was not only a good boss but a good friend.” My voice cracked, and I paused long enough to wipe my eyes. “I made Dodie three promises before she died. Promise #1 was to keep the store going.”

“And you have. Time in a Bottle has been doing just fine since you bought it,” said Detweiler.

I nodded. “Promise #2 was to pray that she went quickly and didn’t suffer much. Believe me, I said tons of prayers, and I guess they must have been heard because she left us pretty fast. But Promise #3 has been the hardest. I promised to look after Horace and Rebekkah. I thought I had it covered when she said she’d come work at the store.”

“You figured she’d be the one hardest hit by Dodie’s passing.” Detweiler squeezed my hand with his free one. He’s a careful driver, so he immediately returned to his two-handed grip on the steering wheel.

“I had no idea that Horace had fallen apart. None. He seemed fine when I went to their house to sit shiva.”

“Sitting shiva,” repeated Detweiler. “That’s when friends visit the mourners and pray with them, right? Goes on for seven days?”

“Right. He looked okay. He hit rock bottom shortly thereafter, and I’ve promised myself I’ll keep a closer eye on him so it doesn’t happen again. Tonight’s a part of that pledge. Sorry that we’re giving up our date night.”

“Don’t be. An adult-only evening going to dinner and looking at Christmas lights sounds like fun. I don’t mind one bit that Horace will be coming with us.

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