Detective Garrison.” Elizabeth was very straightforward.
“ I like you too, Elizabeth Landry.”
“ Would you like to eat Christmas dinner with a bunch of witches?” She pulled no punches.
“ I’d be delighted. What time shall I arrive?”
“ Be here at eleven in the morning and enjoy the day with us.”
“ I fully intend to do that, Miss Elizabeth—more than you know.”
“ Oh, I know everything, Detective. I even know what color underwear you’re wearing.”
“ Well, damn.”
* * * *
Arabella had made potato salad, baked ten dozen sugar cookies and stuffed a stocking for everyone—including Detective Garrison—since she knew how her mother felt about him. She felt so torn. Ignoring the fact that it was Christmas Eve, she had finally broken down and phoned the home of Jade’s fiancée, but a housekeeper had explained to her they were all on a ski trip and she didn’t a have a lot of information on Mr. Landale. The only thing she found out from the woman was the news that Jade was still alive, but very badly injured. Arabella’s heart hurt, but she had pushed for more information. The housekeeper said she did not know what hospital he was in, or maybe she just wouldn’t tell Arabella. One startling revelation had come out—the housekeeper had let one important fact slip that changed everything—Kate Thompson was no longer engaged to Mr. Landale.
Jade was no longer engaged to another woman! Arabella wanted to shout it from the rooftops. She couldn’t wait to tell Evangeline. She soon got the chance, the day was winding down and Angelique gathered them all to have some of the fragrant jambalaya and bread. When everyone had taken their seat, she made the announcement, “I called Kate Thompson’s house and I found out a couple of things.”
“ What did you find out?” Evangeline asked between bites of French bread.
“ Jade is alive, but badly injured, and Kate Thompson is no longer his fiancée.”
“ Do you think that woman broke up with him because of his injury?” Angelique asked.
“ Yes, I do. And I hate he had to go through such a betrayal, but I am also happy he is not involved with anyone else, either.” Arabella realized her feelings were very tender and conflicted. “Tonight, I intend to find out what Tranquility means.”
“ You will,” Nanette assured her. “This is meant to be.”
Arabella wished she felt as confident as her grandmother did. “Speaking of good looking men, what happened with Detective Garrison?”
“ He’s coming for dinner tomorrow,” Elizabeth happily reported. “As for what happened at Rachel’s, Tyler had agreed to begin an extensive excavation the day after tomorrow.”
“ I will be glad for those poor souls to find some comfort. Now, if we can only find the killer.” Angelique looked pointedly at Nanette.
Nanette picked up on her train of thought. “Let’s follow last night’s routine. Double-check the windows and doors and everyone wear their red flannel bags. Tomorrow is Christmas Day, so let‘s all get a good night’s sleep.”
Chapter Six
Arabella was so tired all she did was tuck the dream pillow underneath her own, hold on to the small shape as if it were a direct link to Jade, and before long fell, easily, asleep. Exhaustion forced her into a dreamless state for a few hours, but soon her heart overrode her tired body.
She became aware of a celestial wind, which blew the stars across the sky. Enchanted Rock glowed with a strange light and, as always, a hawk cried in the distance. She stared out over the rock and saw him coming from the farthest side of the dome. Her heart dancing with joy, she ran to meet him. She leapt into his arms and he caught her easily. Their lips met with passion and relief. Kissing him deeply was not enough. She wanted all of him. Tearing her mouth from his, she showered his face and neck with kisses. “You’re real—it’s all true! I found your picture on the Internet. Then, I found your
“ I like you too, Elizabeth Landry.”
“ Would you like to eat Christmas dinner with a bunch of witches?” She pulled no punches.
“ I’d be delighted. What time shall I arrive?”
“ Be here at eleven in the morning and enjoy the day with us.”
“ I fully intend to do that, Miss Elizabeth—more than you know.”
“ Oh, I know everything, Detective. I even know what color underwear you’re wearing.”
“ Well, damn.”
* * * *
Arabella had made potato salad, baked ten dozen sugar cookies and stuffed a stocking for everyone—including Detective Garrison—since she knew how her mother felt about him. She felt so torn. Ignoring the fact that it was Christmas Eve, she had finally broken down and phoned the home of Jade’s fiancée, but a housekeeper had explained to her they were all on a ski trip and she didn’t a have a lot of information on Mr. Landale. The only thing she found out from the woman was the news that Jade was still alive, but very badly injured. Arabella’s heart hurt, but she had pushed for more information. The housekeeper said she did not know what hospital he was in, or maybe she just wouldn’t tell Arabella. One startling revelation had come out—the housekeeper had let one important fact slip that changed everything—Kate Thompson was no longer engaged to Mr. Landale.
Jade was no longer engaged to another woman! Arabella wanted to shout it from the rooftops. She couldn’t wait to tell Evangeline. She soon got the chance, the day was winding down and Angelique gathered them all to have some of the fragrant jambalaya and bread. When everyone had taken their seat, she made the announcement, “I called Kate Thompson’s house and I found out a couple of things.”
“ What did you find out?” Evangeline asked between bites of French bread.
“ Jade is alive, but badly injured, and Kate Thompson is no longer his fiancée.”
“ Do you think that woman broke up with him because of his injury?” Angelique asked.
“ Yes, I do. And I hate he had to go through such a betrayal, but I am also happy he is not involved with anyone else, either.” Arabella realized her feelings were very tender and conflicted. “Tonight, I intend to find out what Tranquility means.”
“ You will,” Nanette assured her. “This is meant to be.”
Arabella wished she felt as confident as her grandmother did. “Speaking of good looking men, what happened with Detective Garrison?”
“ He’s coming for dinner tomorrow,” Elizabeth happily reported. “As for what happened at Rachel’s, Tyler had agreed to begin an extensive excavation the day after tomorrow.”
“ I will be glad for those poor souls to find some comfort. Now, if we can only find the killer.” Angelique looked pointedly at Nanette.
Nanette picked up on her train of thought. “Let’s follow last night’s routine. Double-check the windows and doors and everyone wear their red flannel bags. Tomorrow is Christmas Day, so let‘s all get a good night’s sleep.”
Chapter Six
Arabella was so tired all she did was tuck the dream pillow underneath her own, hold on to the small shape as if it were a direct link to Jade, and before long fell, easily, asleep. Exhaustion forced her into a dreamless state for a few hours, but soon her heart overrode her tired body.
She became aware of a celestial wind, which blew the stars across the sky. Enchanted Rock glowed with a strange light and, as always, a hawk cried in the distance. She stared out over the rock and saw him coming from the farthest side of the dome. Her heart dancing with joy, she ran to meet him. She leapt into his arms and he caught her easily. Their lips met with passion and relief. Kissing him deeply was not enough. She wanted all of him. Tearing her mouth from his, she showered his face and neck with kisses. “You’re real—it’s all true! I found your picture on the Internet. Then, I found your
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