Solstice and Stitches: A paranormal cozy mystery (Serenity Island Witches Book 1) by Wendy Wang

Author:Wendy Wang [Wang, Wendy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-09-28T16:00:00+00:00

Maris changed her mind and returned to her quilt shop, still fuming that the chief questioned Ro. But she was even more perplexed after talking to Xavier. His haunted theory hung in her mind. Could Bella Starling have been haunted? And by what? Her adoption? Her estrangement from her family? Or was there a ghost haunting her?

Christine greeted Maris at the front door, and relief spread across her round face. “Oh goddess. I’m so glad you’re okay.”

“Thanks.” Maris tossed her canvas bag onto the counter.

Christine hugged her. “I was worried the chief was going to keep you in jail.”

“Nope.” Maris stared out the window at the boardwalk and the festival stalls.

Christine fidgeted with the reading glasses hanging from a chain around her neck. “What did the chief say?”

Maris painted on a smile but couldn’t meet her friend’s worried gaze. “Nothing to worry about. Really.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” Christine patted Maris’s arm and turned toward the empty quilt shop. “We’ve had a lot of traffic today. That starlight quilt in the window sure drew people in like a magnet. I lost count of how many patterns I sold for it.”

Maris rubbed her chin and glanced at the quilt. The appliqué quilt, with yellow moons and white stars splattered across a dark purple background over a patchwork mountain range, stared back at her. She’d spent a month designing and making the quilt just for the festival. “That’s great to hear.”

“So, last night of the festival, huh?” Christine raised her eyebrows. “What’s the plan? Do you want to stay open late?”

Maris tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and faced Christine. “I really appreciate you taking care of things for me here today. But we’re just going to close up as usual.”

“You sure?” Christine’s forehead wrinkled, and her jowls shook a little. “I don’t mind staying.”

“No. You go home.” Maris turned the Closed sign on the door and guided Christine to the back of the shop. “I’ll close out the register. Then I’m going to have some supper with Ro. I have one last official duty. The closing ceremony before the bonfire.”

“And another successful Solstice Festival is in the books.” Christine gathered her bag from beneath the counter.

The witch bells on the back of the door jingled.

Maris called, “We’re closed,” before she looked to see who’d come in.

“Even for me?” Mayor Vivian Hartley waved.

Her strawberry-blond hair hung to her shoulders, and she wore white linen shorts and a silky sleeveless magenta blouse. Her husband, Ken, followed her into the shop.

“Hi, Maris.” Ken raised a hand.

He wore his usual uniform of gray slacks, white oxford, and a colorful bowtie.

“Hi, Viv. Hi, Ken. Come on back.” Maris swept her fingers in a follow-me gesture. “I was just closing up shop for the day.”

“Well, I’m off.” Christine headed for the front door.

“Thanks for everything today,” Maris said.

Vivian strode up to the counter with Ken close behind. Her delicate features hardened into a serious expression. “I heard about your conversation with the chief.”

“Don’t remind me.” Maris stacked up the day’s receipts neatly and shoved them into the deposit bag.

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