Chapter Twenty-Seven
Small Business Saturday Grand Opening “I’m so in love with your store!” The young mother with a baby strapped to her chest smiles as I wrap the Japanese watercolor prints in red-and-green tissue paper before placing them in a paper gift bag with SHOP ’ROUND THE WORLD imprinted over an etched drawing of the shop. It’s two hours into the grand opening and the cash register tells me that we’ve already rung up fifty-three sales. If the touched made sounds like the antique English cash register I have for sale in the far corner, where I’ve begun a display of international collectibles that I’ve found locally, the ringing would be nonstop.
“I’m so glad! Please stop in again.” I hand her the bag, the handles tied together with a festive plaid bow. “Next!”
I’ve been standing here for the last twenty minutes as my main cashiers for today—Ava and Lily—needed a break and are in my office, where I’ve set out a smaller version of the food I’m offering out here. Crystal, Bryce, and Nico will stop by later, after closing their shops. We’re going to have a family party here in the retail space.
“I’ll take this one, and do you have any other sport Santas in the back?” Red plunks down one of the figures, and I can’t help but remember how a similar wooden carving stuck out of Frannie’s chest.
Nope. Not going there.
“I’ll have to check. Are there any other teams you’re interested in?”
“The Eagles, of course.” He nods, then stills. “You know, Angel, I sure am sorry if you got the impression anyone on the Stonebridge Buddies thought you were to blame for Frannie’s death. I’m so glad you’re safe and sound, and that Trinity caught the killer.” He shakes his head. “Jenna, the mouse of Main Street, who would have thought? Guess there’s no telling what lust can do.”
“You’re right, Red.” I call over to my Dad and have him check in the back for more sports Santas while I wrap the order.
“Here you go, Red.” Dad hands Red a Russian Santa painted in green and white.
“Fantastic! My kids will be happy.” He leans over the register. “Do you have anything my wife would like? She’s a nut about Christmas.”
I lead Red over to the German Christmas display and suggest either a carved nativity or a candle mobile. While he ponders his decision, I head back to the counter. After I ring up two more customers that include yet more local business owners, there’s a lull in the line as shoppers ooh and aah over the merchandise. Mom and Dad appear to be having the time of their lives. In fact, we’re all over-the-top happy, and why wouldn’t we be? The store is finally open, a crime has been solved and the criminal will face justice in county court.
Nate looks up from where he’s busy making mini-lattes for the crowd. He’s dispensed them into three-ounce cups, and sprinkles gold and silver sugar on the foam. He grins and I respond in kind.
“Mom, the apple strudel is to die for.” Ava speaks with food in her mouth, powdered sugar raining onto her green holiday sweater.
“Close your mouth, sis.” Lilly walks up next to her, hands her twin a paper napkin with tiny red poinsettias printed on it. “You look like a piggy.”
And that’s the cue. They explode into their trademark giggles, turning heads and stirring up random laughs from the crowd.
“How’s Ralph doing back there?”
Ava sobers. “He’s fine, Mom. It was a good call to keep him in your office.”
“Yeah, it’s way too busy out here.” Lily agrees.
I nod. “I’ll have him out here with me on regular business days. But not today!”
The sleigh bells on the door jingle and Trinity walks in, her family in tow. I rush around the counter and hug her before she can catch her breath.
“Thank you so much for stopping in!”
“You’re kidding, right? I’d never miss your big day.”
“I know you wouldn’t.” We smile at each other, and it’s right then that I know. Trinity and I are going to be good friends again. The best.
Nate must have judged the crowd and walks over to us, hands me my personal mug.
“Exactly what I need about now.” It’s only been a few hours since I had my last sip of coffee, but the last days have caught up with me. I don’t speak as I lift the mug to my lips. And halt, mug midair, after I glance at the latte art.
The outline of a large dog with a large bird on its head is surrounded by the sugar sprinkles. A laugh starts in the vicinity of my heart and rolls up, up and out of my mouth. Followed by another. And another. Until I’m laughing so hard I’m out of control.
The girls stare. Mom and Dad stop what they’re doing. They’re all probably thinking that it’s all finally gotten to me. This is my meltdown after so much angst.
Tears blur the store’s twinkle lights. Ever since Frannie’s murder was solved, Jenna arrested, and the girls have come home, I’ve been an emotional wreck. And certainly all that’s transpired would make anyone feel shaky, out of sorts. Not to mention launching a new business. But my sense of vulnerability isn’t from Shop ’Round the World, either.
My vulnerability isn’t scary or heavy. It’s joy-centered.
Stonebridge has embraced me, and my fellow citizens and business owners no longer think I’m a criminal. I have a guy who might become a steady part of my life. I have my family. I’ve mended fences with my high school BFF, and we’re picking up where we left off. It’s so good to have a best friend once more. Even though she may or may not have warned me off ever getting involved in her investigations again.
But how likely is another murder in Stonebridge, Pennsylvania?
The End.
About the Author:
Geri Krotow is the bestselling author of over 25 novels of romantic suspense, contemporary romance and women’s fiction. A US Naval Academy graduate and Navy veteran, Geri’s strong heroines are reader favorites. Geri’s Shop ’Round the World series with Tule is her cozy mystery debut.
For more from Geri, visit her website gerikrotow.com.