Jingle Bells and Empty Shells by Joanna Campbell Slan

Author:Joanna Campbell Slan [Slan, Joanna Campbell]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Spot On Publishing
Published: 2021-12-20T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 4

The next day at work, we received a replacement shipment of flowers. The temperatures had warmed just slightly, and those few degrees Fahrenheit made everyone’s lives much easier. It wasn’t swimsuit weather by any means, but it was just above freezing. And that meant all of my flowers arrived healthy and happy.

Vanessa Brown had dropped off her brownies in cute metal tins printed with Christmas trees and ornaments. We made small bouquets in colors matching each tin, and K.C. happily set out to deliver them. Once the orders for the day were complete, Daphne and I started work on wedding centerpieces.

That afternoon, K.C. returned. Daphne and I waited eagerly to hear what awful things had been written on the cards for the dessert contestants.

“Well?” I asked.

K.C. took her time taking off her coat, her white, fluffy scarf and the matching knit hat with the fluffy, white faux fur edge and drawstring pompoms.

“C’mon, K.C.,” Daphne said, “what did those cards say?”

“Hmm?” She pretended not to know we were waiting on her response. “Oh, are you talking to me?”

“Very funny,” I said. “All right already, what did those cards say?”

“Nothing,” she said straight-faced.

“No, really,” Daphne said.

“That’s the truth. Nothing but boring old well wishes for the competition.” She pulled a chair up to the design table and sat down. She placed her elbows on the table and rested her chin in one hand. “Not a nasty word for any one of them. All my hopes were dashed.”

“I’m sorry, K.C.” Daphne said, while placing a hand on her shoulder.

“You know what?” I said. “We should’ve known not to get our hopes up. It was just too obvious. Maybe Vanessa is a bad winner who likes to brag about her winnings, but she did a nice thing for her fellow competitors. We should learn from her example.”

K.C. rolled her eyes.

“What?” I asked.

“Something—is—up.” K.C. popped the last “p” like she was smacking her gum. “Can’t put my finger on it, but there’s something going on.”

I grabbed a towel and wiped some leaves off the design table. “Let’s say something is up. Whatever it is, we can’t worry about it anymore. We’ve got weddings to prepare, and you’ve got a killer Jell-O salad to get ready for competition. I’m sure I’ll be running errands for my mom so she can get her entry just right. And then there’s Alex’s mom to contend with. We’re too busy to worry about what Vanessa is up to.”

K.C. exhaled a loud sigh. “As usual, I suppose you’re right. Hey, you missed a spot over here.” She pointed to a sparkling clean area on the table. I threw the towel at her.

“Quincy, where’s your ring?” Daphne said.

There was that sinking feeling again. I told both of them how I couldn’t find it.

“I’m sure it’ll turn up somewhere,” Daphne said reassuringly. “Have you looked all around here for it?”

“I have, but I think I remember wearing it on Christmas Eve, after I left the shop. I’ve tried to think back so many times.

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