A Yuletide Wallop Page 10

  “There’s no curse!” Gideon shouted from his seat. He was starting to get riled up, he hated when people insisted on believing in foolish things. “It’s just bad people and bad timing. That’s all it is,” he shrugged.

  “I’ve got coffee for you,” Josie said setting down two coffees, one for Gideon and one for Abel. “Another for you.” She passed a mug to Lightening. “And hot chocolates for you two and me.” She sat down at the table with Verny and Cookie, passing them their hot chocolates. The Lucky Dill was closed, but she was always happy to have Gideon, Abel and Lightening visit after hours. That was when she felt most at home.

  “I know you don’t like snow, Verny, but it looks pretty magical out there to me,” Cookie said dreamily looking out the windows. It was a perfect snowfall, not too much where it became a blizzard, but enough where they could probably expect the schools to have a snow day.

  “I’m sure Cici will be happy,” Verny commented. It was the nicest thing she could say about the snowfall, and she wasn’t in the mood to be mean. Cici had wanted to spend every second with her mother since the incident...which didn't always happen much anymore so Verny would be happy for a snow day.

  “How long are they going to be put away?” Josie asked Gideon quietly. She didn’t want to bring the mood down, but she needed to know.

  “As long as possible. A lot longer for the girl, she might never get out.” He didn’t add that he hoped she wouldn’t. “The guy might only serve a few years or a decade since he wasn’t directly involved.”

  “That makes sense,” Josie said nodding. They were all happy that Crystal was going away for a long time, but Josie had mixed feelings about Dan. He hadn’t really known what was going on and was only doing what he thought he had to to protect his girlfriend. It didn’t make it right, but his intentions weren’t all bad.

  “How’s Dotty doing?” Verny asked no one in particular. She hadn’t been in to see her since they brought the pie. Seeing as they weren’t close, she felt like she’d be imposing, but she wasn’t sure if anyone else had stopped by.

  “She’s doing well,” Lightening answered, surprising everyone. “I’ve been checking in on her, making sure everything is taken care of. Before our falling out, I was the best man at Al’s wedding, and all that grudge holding feels wasteful now,” Lightening paused for a moment and collected himself. “Plus, Dotty isn’t too hard on the eyes,” he said winking.

  “Oh Lordy...I don't need to hear any more,” Cookie responded

  “Margie gave her that blanket Al was going to get her for Christmas,” Lightening said, ignoring Cookie. “Free of charge, as I understand it.”

  “That’s very sweet of her,” Josie said, her heart warming at the thought.

  “It was the right thing for her to do,” Gideon said nodding.

  “Speaking of gifts,” Cookie said as an interlude. “I think we have some exchanging to do?” She asked looking to everyone for confirmation.

  Every year they gave each other presents, but instead of everyone getting individual presents for each other or doing Secret Santa they all grouped together to get something nice for one another. For Lightening they banded together to get him a new cane, decorated with peppermint stripes to use when he’s playing Santa for the subsequent years to come. He pretended not to like it, but definitely did. Josie got a cookbook of unusual sandwiches and a real chef knife, which she wanted to use immediately by chopping up onions. Gideon was tough to buy for, he always had been but they ended up getting him a new coffee maker since his old one had died a few weeks back. He looked like he might cry when he opened it. Verny got a new set of calligraphy pens and a special pad of paper that was made specifically for lettering. Cookie received a new cookbook of baked goods and a set of bamboo kitchen utensils. Buttercup received a sparkly pink collar and a rawhide bone from Verny.

  “And this,” Cookie said picking up a rather large box and placing it in front of Abel. “Is for you.”

  “Really?” He asked surprised. Abel had helped get everyone else’s presents, but hadn’t really gotten a clear idea if he could expect anything in return. “For me?”

  “Yes, city boy,” Verny said slowly. “For you.” Abel smiled widely enough it even made Verny crack a smile. He tore through the wrapping paper as if he was a kid on Christmas morning. When he opened the box he started laughing.

  “A coat,” He said holding it up. It was a nice black coat, even warmer on the inside than the big white marshmallow he wore already. His laughter was contagious and everyone slowly fell into fits of giggles along with him.

  “I guess we will need to call you something other than marshmallow now,” Cookie said with tears from laughter in her eyes. This made everyone fall into fits of laughter again.

  They'd been through an ordeal, but now, being together with snow gently falling outside...it finally felt like Christmas.

  Thanks for Reading

  I hope you enjoyed the book and it would mean so much to me if you could leave a review. Reviews help authors gain more exposure and keep us writing your favorite stories.

  YOU CAN FIND ALL OF my books by visiting my Author Page.

  SIGN UP FOR CONSTANCE Barker’s New Releases Newsletter where you can find out when my next book is coming out and for special discounted pricing.

  I NEVER SHARE OR SELL your email.

  Visit me on Facebook and give me feedback on the characters and their stories.

  Catalog of Books

  Triplet Witch Sisters Mystery Series

  Two’s Company, Three’s a Coven

  Resting Witch Face

  THE WITCH SISTERS OF Stillwater

  Hoodoo and Just Desserts

  A Shade of Murder

  That Ol’ Black Magic

  A Whole Lotta Witchin Goin On

  Secrets and Sorcery

  The Sinister Case Series

  The Sinister Secrets of the Snake Mirror

  The Sinister Secrets of the Deadly Summoner

  The Sinister Secrets of the Enchanting Blaze

  THE GRUMPY CHICKEN Irish Pub Series

  A Frosty Mug of Murder

  Treachery on Tap

  A Highball and a Low Blow

  Cursed With a Twist

  A Whiskey Sour Wipeout

  THE CHRONICLES OF AGNES Astor Smith

  The Peculiar Case of Agnes Astor Smith

  The Peculiar Case of the Red Tide

  The Peculiar Case of the Lost Colony

  OLD SCHOOL DINER COZY Mysteries

  Murder at Stake

  Murder Well Done

  A Side Order of Deception

  Murder, Basted and Barbecued

  Murder Ala Mode

  The Curiosity Shop Cozy Mysteries

  The Curious Case of the Cursed Spectacles

  The Curious Case of the Cursed Dice

  The Curious Case of the Cursed Dagger

  The Curious Case of the Cursed Looking Glass

  The Curious Case of the Cursed Crucible

  THE WE’RE NOT DEAD Yet Club

  Fetch a Pail of Murder

  Wedding Bells and Death Knells

  Murder or Bust

  Pinched, Pilfered and a Pitchfork

  A Hot Spot of Murder

  WITCHY WOMEN OF COVEN Grove Series

  THE WITCHING ON THE Wall

  A Witching Well of Magic

  Witching the Night Away

  Witching There’s Another Way

  Witching Your Life Away

  Witching You Wouldn’t Go

  Witching for a Miracle

  TEASEN & PLEASEN HAIR Salon Series

  A Hair Raising Blowout

  Wash, Rinse, Die

  Holiday Hooligans

  Color Me Dead

  False Nails & Tall Tales

  CAESAR’S CREEK SERIES

  A FROZEN SCOOP OF MURDER

  Death by Chocolate Sundae

  Soft Serve Secrets

  Ice Cream You Scream

  Double Dip Dilemma
>
  Melted Memories

  Triple Dip Debacle

  Whipped Wedding Woes

  A Sprinkle of Tropical Trouble

  A Drizzle of Deception

  Sweet Home Mystery Series

  Creamed at the Coffee Cabana

  A Caffeinated Crunch

  A Frothy Fiasco

  Punked by the Pumpkin

  Peppermint Pandemonium

  Expresso Messo

  A Cuppa Cruise Conundrum

  The Brewing Bride

  Whispering Pines Mystery Series

  A Sinister Slice of Murder

  Sanctum of Shadows

  Curse of the Bloodstone Arrow

  Fright Night at the Haunted Inn

  MAD RIVER MYSTERY SERIES

  A Wicked Whack

  A Prickly Predicament

  A Malevolent Menace

  The Monkey’s Eyebrow Tea Room Series

  A Tiny Bite of Murder

  Murder on the Ghost Walk