Elves and Embezzlement, a Presley Thurman Mystery: Free First Chapter
Chapter 1
“As much as I can feel stifled by this town, you sure can’t beat it at Christmas,” I said to my fiancé, Cooper Sands, as we finally reached the edge of town and headed to Petal Pushers, my mom’s flower shop. I looked in the side mirror of our rental car and Bella, my mastiff, had her nose jammed in the one-inch crack in the window, sniffing the fresh country air of Hunter’s Hollow.
“I completely agree. That’s why, when we talk about settling down permanently—as much as I love Chicago and your condo—I’m just not sure that’s where I want to be long term. It’s not where I want to raise our kids.”
My heart warmed at the thought of kids. Ever since Cooper and I got engaged, we talked about what kind of family we wanted to have. He was right. There was a certain sense of comfort thinking about raising our kids in Hunter’s Hollow where we both grew up. Hunter’s Hollow was a tight-knit community where everyone knew everyone’s business. Both a good thing and a bad thing at times. However, it was a nice feeling to know people cared and were watching out for each other.
“Well, my parents would certainly love that, but let’s get the wedding over with first. If we mention grandkids now, my mom will never stop talking about it.”
We had come to town a little more than a week before Christmas to finish last-minute wedding plans so we could get married on Christmas Eve. That day had always been my favorite holiday and I couldn’t wait to make it our wedding anniversary.
“Frankly, I’m ready to get the wedding over with so you can be Mrs. Cooper Sands,” he said, looking over at me and winking.
“Why can’t you be Mr. Presley Thurman?” I teased.
“Hey, if that’s what you want, that’s totally fine.”
I reached over and patted his hand that was resting on the console, giving it a squeeze. That’s why I loved him. He was so easygoing and wanted me to be happy.
“I just hope I can make it through the week without strangling my mother. She’s been driving me insane with wedding planning.” I shifted in my seat, my back twinging a little after having been in the car a few hours.
“You’re her only daughter. Of course she’s going to want to make sure everything is perfect for your big day.”
“Perfect for whom? She seems to forget this is our wedding, not hers.”
“Oh, she’s not that bad.”
“Says you. You’re not the one she’s constantly arguing with about centerpieces and flower arrangements. And don’t even get me started on my dress.”
“I thought you loved your dress.”
“I do. She’s just so nitpicky.” My mom and I had had a contentious relationship when I was growing up because I felt she criticized my every move. It had taken me a long time to not get mad and take it in stride. She just couldn’t help it. She was a perfectionist. Me, not so much.
“You just have to get to the wedding and then we’ll be married and off on our honeymoon to sunny Belize and you won’t remember how crazy she made you.”
“You make it sound so easy.” I grimaced but knew he was right. I loved my mother, and she meant well.
Cooper turned down the alley so we could park behind Petal Pushers. My mom had owned the store since I was a kid and it had been my after-school job. I had even run it a few times when my parents went on vacation. It was then that I had gained a whole new appreciation for my mom and how hard she worked.
“I just can’t believe you left Silk this close to Christmas.”
Silk was the high-end boutique I owned in Chicago. “Me neither, but I can’t deny that it’s a little exciting not to be working like a dog the week before Christmas. And I know the store is in capable hands.” My manager and friend, Molly, was a rock star. And I was just a phone call away if she needed me.
“Are you ready? Once we walk into the flower shop, it’s going to be a wedding extravaganza for over a week.” Cooper looked at me and smiled, squeezing my hand.
“Anything that ends with marrying you is worth it.”
“Good answer.” Cooper leaned over to give me a quick kiss and we got out of the car. I hooked the leash to Bella’s collar and took her over to a small grassy patch to do her business, then we all went through the back door of Petal Pushers. Once inside, we went to the front where I could hear my mom talking to a customer.
While my mom drove me crazy sometimes, as I am sure most mothers did their daughters, watching her in her element made me so proud. I hadn’t realized until I was an adult myself how much time and energy my mom put into her flower shop. She had worked here since I was in high school after buying it from the previous owner when she’d retired. She went on to make it even more successful. People from neighboring towns even came here for my mom’s flower arrangements.
“Make sure she puts them in water the minute you give her the bouquet. She’ll be able to enjoy the tulips longer that way,” Mom said as she finished ringing the man up. As he walked away, she turned to us, reaching first to give me and then Cooper a hug before stooping down to pet Bella. “How’s grandma’s girl?” she said affectionately, scratching Bella under the chin. My mom loved Bella and luckily had been content so far to be just a pet grandma. Though I knew once Cooper and I were married, she would change her tune.
“I’m so glad you made it. There is so much to do,” she said, wringing her hands.
“Now Mom, calm down. Katy is in town, and you know how awesome she is at organizing and getting things done.”
Her eyes lit up. “Katy’s in town early? I thought she and Dirt were out West somewhere. I didn’t expect to see her until the wedding.” Dirt, short for Derek, was Katy’s boyfriend. We had all been friends since high school, with Dirt and Katy realizing a while back they had more than friendly feelings toward one another.
“Colorado. Yep, they’re coming back here and staying at her parents’, who are in Florida all winter.”
“Lucky them,” she said.
“Who?” I asked, confused as to which lucky people she was talking about.
“Katy’s parents. I would love to be somewhere that wasn’t twenty degrees, with a wind chill of five and four inches of snow on the ground.”
I reared my head back and glanced over at Cooper. I had never heard my mom talk about wanting to live anywhere but Hunter’s Hollow. Not one time, ever. She was born and raised here and had an enormous circle of friends and family, not to mention the flower shop.
He shrugged, clearly not thinking the comment was a big deal.
“You always said you’d never leave home.”
“Never say never,” she said flippantly, and then changed the subject. “Now, I have a list of everything we need to finish here somewhere.” She flipped through some papers on the counter until she found the right one. “Here, I made two copies. It’s the same sheet I emailed you yesterday.”
Taking the copy she handed me, I looked at the list. Final dress fitting, give a final head count to the caterer, make sure the cake was ready, and check in with the venue. Then I saw something I swore hadn’t been on her emailed list.
“Wait a minute. What’s this? Pre-wedding tea? When did that happen?” I looked her directly in the eye. I had already had a wedding shower and a bachelorette party. Even though my friend Jared had thought my last hurrah as a single woman was way too tame. He didn’t think some drinks and appetizers with our small group of friends at Muldoon’s was the sendoff I deserved.
“Just go with it,” Cooper whispered to me.
“It’s just a small luncheon on the twenty-first with a few of my close friends. Of course, Katy and anyone else you wish to invite can come. I just need to know by tomorrow.”
I managed to shake my head a couple of times before Cooper’s look stopped me. “Mom, I don’t want—”
“All the arrangements have been made, and I even picked up a dress for you. You’re going to love it,” she interrupted me, bulldozing over what I was trying to say.
As she chattered on, I wanted to put my foot down and say no, but Cooper was right. It was not that big a deal. I knew I should just relax, give in, and allow her to spoil me. So, I decided I would.
“Sounds fun,” I said and was met with her beaming smile.
“If you three wanted to head home and freshen up, go ahead. There’s a bag from the pet store on the dining table; just a few early Christmas presents for Bella. I’m waiting for a flower delivery. In fact, he should have been here already. Then, Wendy will close up for me and I’ll be home for dinner. We’re having pot roast.”
“Sounds great, Mrs. Thurman,” Cooper said.
“Call me Sue, dear. You’re almost family. Now, you two run along and I’ll see you soon,” she said, shooing us out.
“That was nice of you to agree to her tea,” he whispered in my ear as we walked away.
“I don’t see why there needs to be yet another event, but if it makes her happy, so be it. I just hope I like this dress she picked out. I’m a little old to have my mother dressing me. I’m just shocked she finally said you could call her by her first name.”
“Me too. I wasn’t sure that would ever happen.”
Stepping out of the back door and holding on to Bella’s leash, I immediately noticed a big box truck with Rose Bloom Farm on the side.
“That must be her delivery.”
I cracked the back door open. “Hey, Mom, the delivery guy is here,” I yelled. Turning back to the truck, I looked around but didn’t see anyone. “Do you think he parked and then went to get a coffee or something?” I said to Cooper as I walked closer to the driver’s side of the truck. He headed to our car to open the door for me.
“Maybe. I’m sure he’ll be back. Now come on. Maybe we can get a nap in before dinner.”
I ignored him as I saw a trickle of red from the bottom of the driver’s door and slowly walked closer.
“Where’s Winston?” my mom said from the back door as I peeked into the driver’s window and gulped.
“Mom, call 911. If Winston is your delivery guy, then Winston is dead.”
Happy reading,
Laina
