Candy Canes, Corpses and the Gothic Haunt Page 8

  Now that Juniper was here, she wasn’t sure how to ask what she wanted to ask. Then Juniper spotted the infamous red poster in the trash can beside the cardboard box. It was covered with discarded cellophane wrappers, but the bright color stood out. Juniper pointed at the can. “I see you got one of those, too.”

  “I put it exactly where it belongs.” Star shook her head. “Such nonsense.”

  “Does that mean you’re not going to the meeting?”

  “I might have if I didn’t already have plans.”

  “Will you be able to make it to my place on Christmas? We’re going to toast Feliz.”

  “I’d like to, but I have a family dinner.” She made a face. “’Tis the season for holiday obligations and all that, right?”

  “Of course,” Juniper said. This was her opportunity. “I had one other question for you. Have you noticed any unusual activity around the Inn at night?”

  “What do you mean by unusual? Paranormal?”

  Juniper told her about some of the vandalism that had occurred. She didn’t mention Evan’s name though. She wasn’t going to make the same mistake she had with Ron Baron.

  Star tilted her head as she thought about it. “I can’t say that I have. I haven’t seen anyone in the neighborhood who doesn’t belong here. And I haven’t seen anyone paying particular attention to your place.”

  Juniper was disappointed, although she’d figured that’s what her answer would be. No one had seen anything. Juniper bought a couple of crystals that were supposed to be for protection and a packet of herbs.

  When Star finished ringing up her purchase, she said, “I just thought of something. I doubt it means anything though.”

  She’d take what she could get at this point.

  “It was a day last week when I was closing up. A guy was in front of the taproom. He tried the door, and when he found it was locked, he rattled it a few times. Then he looked in the window—I guess to be sure you were really closed, then he left.”

  She was right. It was nothing.

  “I didn’t think anything of it.”

  Juniper perked up a bit. “Was it Jack? Do you remember what he looked like?”

  Star shrugged. “He looked vaguely familiar, like I’d seen him in the neighborhood before, but definitely not Jack. I wouldn’t be able to pick him out of a lineup though.”

  “Do you remember what he was wearing?”

  “A red tweed coat and a black toque.”

  A wave of excitement went through Juniper. She’d seen that same coat on Evan Cross in the cafe.

  Nineteen

  _____________

  L IKE it or not, she was going to have to pay the Guitars and Cadillacs another visit. Juniper was itching to go now, but the rest of her day was booked. Plus, after the last incident, she wasn’t about to go alone. Wednesday was the night the alarm had gone off and someone had tampered with the Christmas tree and stolen the presents. It couldn’t be a coincidence that Evan had tried to get in that same week.

  When Juniper got back to the taproom, Jasmine was polishing the bar to a shine and the aroma of whatever Finn was cooking made her mouth water.

  “I hope you don’t mind,” Jasmine said. “I finished my other project and needed something else to do.”

  “Let me see. Do I mind that someone is cleaning besides me?” Juniper tapped a finger to her lips and pretended to think about it.

  Jasmine laughed. “I guess not.”

  “Seriously,” Juniper said. “It looks great. You don’t have to work so hard on your first day, though. There will be plenty for you to impress me with once we open.”

  “I don’t mind. I like keeping busy.”

  Juniper’s stomach growled just then. “Have you eaten lunch yet?” When Jasmine shook her head, Juniper suggested they go and see what Finn was up to.

  Finn stood over the stove and Juniper immediately recognized what he was making when she saw the seafood steaming. “Paella?”

  Finn grinned. “You guessed it. You ladies are just in time to taste some.” He wiped his hands on a towel, then lifted the cover from a pan that sat on the warmer. The aroma of shrimp and saffron filled the air.

  Jasmine closed her eyes and breathed deeply. “That looks like jambalaya or gumbo. I think I may never leave work again.”

  Finn heaped some of the Paella into two bowls, added spoons, and passed a bowl to each of them. “Enjoy.”

  Juniper took a spoonful of the rice, mixed with shrimp, tomatoes, chicken and garlic. The texture was perfect. And the taste? Juniper cleared her plate in record time. So did Jasmine.

  Finn handed each of them a glass of wine. “Have a sip and let me know if it pairs well.”

  The wine was definitely a Rioja, a classic Spanish wine made primarily from Tempranillo grapes. “Perfect.”

  “Now have a bite and try this one.” He handed them another sampling of wine.

  “What is it?” Jasmine asked.

  Finn grinned. “Drink it and find out.”

  Juniper took another bite of the paella, getting some rabbit this time mixed with the seafood and rice, and then she took a sip. The flavor was familiar, a chilled dry rosé from Navarra.

  “Oh, wow. This is good too,” Jasmine said smacking her lips together.

  Juniper agreed. Both wines would pair well. “Finn, this is fantastic. You really know what you’re doing.”

  “I hoped you’d say that,” he said. “I’ll confess, Spanish cuisine wasn’t my forte, but I’m enjoying learning and experimenting with it.”

  They talked about how to add the new items to the menu without having to reprint everything and decided they’d put the new foods on a black board at the entrance. Instead of adding everything at once, they’d run specials and have different ones each day.

  Then Juniper went upstairs to see Jack, who was working on the attic. He was just finishing up when his phone, which he’d set on the floor, rang. “Can you see who that is?” he said. “My hands are messy.”

  Juniper peeked at the display. “Unlisted.”

  “Ignore it, then. There’s no one I want to talk to this late, anyway.”

  By the time he’d finished and dried his hands, the phone rang again and once again he didn’t answer. When it happened a third time, he snatched the phone off the floor and snapped, “Who the hell is this?”

  His fingers tightened on the phone and he jammed his other hand into the pocket of his pants. He wasn’t happy about whoever was calling him.

  “Sally. This isn’t a good time.”

  Definitely not a telemarketer. Juniper motioned to Jack that she’d be downstairs and left him to talk to his ex in peace. Not that Juniper wanted to. She’d rather have listened in on the whole conversation, but it really wasn’t any of her business. Jack had made it clear it was over with her. If he wanted Juniper to know why she was calling, he’d tell her.

  And Juniper didn’t believe a word of that. What if he still had feelings for his ex? She could have been calling to say she was sorry, and she wanted him back.

  Jack caught up to her on the stairs. “Sorry about that.”

  “That’s all right.”

  He pulled her into his arms. “That was Sally.”

  “I heard.”

  “She borrowed a friend’s phone since I wasn’t taking her calls. If I had known it was her, I wouldn’t have answered.”

  “You can’t avoid her forever.”

  “No, but I can try. So let’s get moving, shall we?”

  By the end of the day, Jack and Juniper had moved some of the furniture upstairs. Juniper had hired a waiter, and Finn had hired another cook. Things were progressing nicely.

  Twenty

  _____________

  C HRISTMAS Eve came in, suitably, with a storm and just in time for Jack’s family dinner. After picking up Pike and Finn, Juniper watched Jack as he steered his truck down the long, winding snow-covered road that led around the lake and into wine country. Lovely Christmas tunes blasted from the
radio, but Juniper’s mind was still focused on Sally and Evan, and whether or not she should have reported the incident to the police. Of course, there wasn’t much they could do about it. They would advise her to stay away from Evan and Sally and that wouldn’t help her find proof that Evan was responsible for the sabotage or for her friend’s death. Oh well, time to move on. She leaned her head back and stared out the window.

  Fat fluffy snowflakes fell faster now than when they’d first left, but what the heck, it only added to the charm.

  Half an hour later, Jack, Juniper, Pike and Finn pulled through the gates. The trees gave way and a beautiful snowcapped farmhouse appeared. The spruce trees on the front lawn were all decorated with oversized twinkling balls and multi-colored lights, and eight huge reindeer pulled Santa across the roof.

  “Here we are. Home sweet home,” Jack said.

  “Wow.” Finn exclaimed. This place still looks like a Christmas postcard.

  Jack’s parents lived in an eighteenth-century farmhouse on the vineyard just outside Bohemian Lake, not too far from Caravan Manor. His brother also had a house on the property, which was nice because it meant there was always plenty of room for everyone. It didn’t matter the occasion or the time of the year—rain, heat, or snow. The Youngs were firm believers in the build a longer table way of life and everyone in Bohemian Lake was welcome in their home.

  They’d just gotten out of the truck when Jack Sr. trotted out the front door.

  “It’s about time you arrived,” he said. “Here, let me take this, my dear,” he said, unloading the basket of presents from Juniper’s arms.

  Juniper walked back over to the car and retrieved some of the sweet treats Pike had baked while Jack grabbed a large box containing four growlers of winter-spiced IPA brewed with ginger and pine needles that they’d nabbed from one of their friends at the local brewery.

  Finn held the front door for Jack, since he was carrying the beer, and they stopped in the front hallway to undress. Jack cut through the dining room on the right and out the French doors to the patio, where Juniper was sure a cooler would be ready for the beer. Opposite the dining room was the living room, and just beyond that was a stairway to the second floor. The hallway continued past the staircase to the kitchen at the back of the house, which was where Juniper headed.

  Jacks mom, Ginger was at the sink rinsing some dishes and watching her granddaughters build a snowman through the picture window. She jumped when Juniper came up behind her and gave her a hug.

  Ginger was beautiful and one of the only things that gave away her age was her silvering hair. She refused to color it—she said it gave her character. “You really shouldn’t sneak up on an old girl like that,” she said with a smile. She dried her hands and pulled Juniper in for another hug.

  “Well if I see an old girl then I’ll try to remember that.” Juniper put the pan of brownies on the counter.

  “Oh, Junie,” she said when they finished. “I am so sorry.”

  They sat across from each other with a box of tissues between them. “I still can’t quite believe it,” Juniper said.

  “You’ve had quite the month. Just the thought of what Kaden told me…” She shuddered and reached for Juniper’s hand. “Such a tragic accident.”

  So Kaden hadn’t mentioned Juniper’s suspicions to her. Either he’d completely dismissed them or he just didn’t want her to worry.

  Juniper snatched up another tissue and passed the box to Ginger. She took one and patted it under her eyes.

  “Now, what can I help with?”

  “Not a thing. The turkey’s in the oven with all the trimmings and I already have all of the sides made.” Ginger folded the towel she’d been holding and placed it on the counter. “I am so glad you came today. How are you?”

  Juniper thought she was done with tears, but there was something about Ginger asking her how she was that made her swallow hard before answering. “I’m fine.”

  “Are you sure about that?”

  Juniper nodded. “I won’t say it’s been easy, but it’s getting better.”

  Ginger opened a package of lettuce. “If I know you, you’ll be just fine. I’ve never yet seen you fail at anything.”

  “I hope so,” Juniper mumbled.

  “What does that mean, sweetie?”

  “I just feel a little distant from Jack lately. Sally’s been calling him—”

  “She has?” Ginger stopped shredding the lettuce. “Well, he loves you. Always has!”

  “Yes. Maybe. It’s just I saw Sally yesterday, and she told me that she was still seeing Jack.”

  “Did you ask him?”

  “Not yet. I’m sure she’s lying. She’s always been the vindictive type but it just messes with my head. Especially since I was already wondering about us.”

  “Wondering about what?”

  “Whether or not he’ll ever have the courage to ask me to marry him again.”

  “Of course he will. He’s just a little gun-shy now. Can you pass me the bacon and croutons, dear?”

  Juniper did as she was told.

  “Have you told him that you want to get married—that might help.”

  “I’ve hinted.”

  Ginger began chopping the bacon. “Well, we do live in a modern era now, my dear. You could always ask him.”

  That hadn’t even crossed her mind. “That’s true.”

  “Of course he’s kind of old fashioned so I’m not sure he’d appreciate my advice.” Ginger smiled. “But who cares what he likes, right?”

  “Who cares what who likes?” Kaden crossed the kitchen and put his arm around Ginger and pecked her on the cheek.

  “Never you mind, nephew, this is not official police business,” Ginger said.

  “Isn’t it about time you two get hitched?” Kaden surprised her with his answer.

  “Eavesdropper.” Ginger accused.

  “How is it working out with Finn?” Kaden asked.

  The kitchen door opened and Finn burst in.

  “Uh-oh. I think I just heard my name. That can’t be good.”

  Ginger and Juniper laughed. “I was just about to tell everyone what a horrible employee you are,” Juniper said.

  “Oh no. They’d never believe you. I’m like a surrogate son,” Finn said.

  Ginger chuckled. “Yes, the son I never wanted. Can I get you something, Finn?”

  “I just came to get a hug,” he said.

  Ginger grinned and held her arms out. “Always the little charmer. How about you save some of that charm for that sweet girl who came in with you?”

  “Who, Pike?”

  Ginger smirked at me. “When are you two gonna stop playing coy and just get together already?”

  “How do you know we’re not together?” He said on the sly, and walked away.

  “Finn,” Juniper shouted.

  “Finnegan. You get back here and spill it, young man.” Ginger exclaimed.

  ***

  After dinner—they all sat in front of the fire with glasses of the vineyard’s red label that Jack’s brother had brought and opened presents. They chatted about lots of things including a trip Jack’s brother had taken his parents on in September to a beautiful moated manor in England. It had the largest surviving series of priest holes in the country and a rare collection of original Elizabethan wall paintings. They only touched on Feliz Merlot’s death when Kaden said he’d be joining them for the toast to Feliz the following evening. It was a peaceful afternoon and just what Juniper needed. Surrounded by the cocoon of Jack’s family, she could almost forget the events of the past week.

  At one point, she looked over at Finn, and for a second Juniper thought she caught him exchanging a look with Pike, but he turned his head so fast Juniper wasn’t sure. She’d have to grill Pike later.

  Jack and Juniper were the last ones to leave that evening. Pike and Finn had caught an earlier ride with Kaden. Juniper helped Ginger in the kitchen while Jack chopped firewood in the yard. When everything was
spic-and-span, Jack loaded up the truck with the overindulgent presents, and the leftovers Ginger insisted they take.

  “That was fun,” Juniper said as they headed home.

  Jack nodded. “It was. It’s been a long time since Christmas dinner was that enjoyable.”

  “You mean you didn’t enjoy taking Sally?”

  There was an awkward silence, then he said, “About the other night… there’s something I need to talk to you about,”

  Juniper swallowed, her pulse picking up speed like the little drummer boy.

  “First of all, I should apologize. It was supposed to be a special night and that phone call from my ex ruined it.”

  “You don’t have to apologize. It was a nice dinner. Besides, I was the spoilsport. So, did your mom tell you what I told her?”

  “She did and thank goodness. Why didn’t you just talk to me, Junie?”

  “I don’t know. I guess I didn’t want to give her the satisfaction. If I questioned you then it meant on some level that I believed her.”

  “And do you?”

  “I’ll reserve judgement until I hear your side of things.”

  Jack laughed. “You’ve been anyone’s fool. Sally hasn’t taken our breakup well and yes, she calls me and occasionally shows up at my jobsite. That’s obviously what she meant by she still sees me. Nothing has happened between us, in case you were wondering, and I did finally have to threaten to get a restraining order. That’s probably what made her so mad that day she lashed out at you.”

  Juniper nodded. “So, you don’t have any feelings left for her?”

  Jack smiled. “How can you even ask me that? I broke it off with Sally because I was still in love with you and that’s a hard pill for her to swallow. But there’s something else we need to talk about.”

  “What?”

  “All of this vandalism and murder. I wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt, but the truth is I’m a little worried that she’s unbalanced and maybe she is the one coming after you… and anyone she associates with me and the Inn.”

  “Are you serious? I can’t believe Sally would kill anyone—even after the vicious arm grab.”

  “I didn’t want to believe it at first, either,” Jack said. “I thought she was moving on. She said she’d started dating someone new but now that I look back on it, I think she was just trying to make me jealous.” Juniper put her hand on Jack’s leg as they pulled onto their street. “There have been signs that she’s breaking down mentally. I just didn’t see them. Or maybe I didn’t want to see them.”