Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street (9780698193017) by White Karen

Author:White, Karen [White, Karen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin USA
Published: 2019-10-22T00:00:00+00:00

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We dropped Jayne off at her house, then drove the short distance home, fighting over the radio station, more out of habit than out of any desire to listen to music. I didn’t recognize the car parked at the curb in front of our house as Jack pulled into our driveway. “Is Lindsey or Alston driving already?” I asked as we walked around the house to the piazza.

“Not that I know of. They all just have their permits.” Jack walked toward the unassuming sedan, stopping behind it to read the bumper sticker. His lips pressed together in a firm line. “Citadel,” he said curtly.

I knew to tread lightly. Alston’s older brother, Cooper, now a senior at the Citadel, was a frequent visitor to our house, but always with his sister or a group of friends. His visits had been less frequent over the last year due in part, I was sure, to Jack’s frostiness. I actually liked Cooper. He was tall and good-looking, and he was also polite, smart, and nice to his sister and his mother. I’d always thought the latter was an indicator of good-husband material, my opinion solidified by watching Jack with his mother. Not that Nola was looking for a husband, or that Jack would allow her to date before she was thirty, but I was fairly confident that Nola was safe with Cooper. The craziest thing they’d ever done together was binge-watch all eight episodes of the Star Wars franchise over a weekend in our upstairs TV room. Jack had insisted on leaving the door open and then brought up fresh popcorn and drinks at regular intervals to make sure they weren’t sitting too close.

“Cooper probably drove Alston and Lindsey—he’s a good brother, you know.”

“Humph.” Jack stomped up the piazza steps. “He’s a guy. That’s all I need to know.”

I rolled my eyes, waiting until he unlocked the front door and held it open for me. As we stood in the foyer, taking off our coats, we heard Nola’s laughter from upstairs, followed by a male voice. We waited for another moment, anticipating hearing the sound of other female voices. When we didn’t, Jack took the stairs two at a time while I followed at a more sedate pace.

I passed the three dogs at the top of the stairs, staring at a corner of the hallway. Stopping short, I followed their gaze, hoping I wouldn’t see anything, and then worrying because I didn’t. General Lee let out a low growl to let the unseen intruder know who was boss, then immediately ran behind me, quickly followed by Porgy and Bess. It was a good thing they were cute, because they were complete failures as protectors.

I continued to stare at the corner, willing myself to see whatever it was, aware suddenly of the scent of roses. I relaxed slightly, knowing that whatever was there, Louisa was there, too, protecting us. “Thank you,” I whispered, backing away slowly toward Nola’s room and Jack’s raised voice.

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