Deadly Deals Read Online Free PDF Page A

Whom will you choose, Charles, to be your best man?”
    â€œElias. You don’t think the boys will be upset, do you?”
    â€œNo more than the girls will be upset with my choosing Annie.”
    â€œI don’t have a ring for you, Myra.”
    Myra laughed. “The ring isn’t important. Just ask Elias for one of his cigar bands. That will do nicely.”
    Charles reached for his bride-to-be. “My life is now complete, Myra. I think we should go inside before we both freeze to death out here, and then there won’t be a wedding at all.”
    â€œI think you might be right. Come along, my darling. I’ll help you get started with your Thanksgiving dinner.”
    Charles pretended horror. “My dear, you are worthless in the kitchen. But you can watch me. Let’s have an early breakfast. You can brown the buns and make the coffee and squeeze the juice. We received a box of Baby Bell oranges with our food order yesterday. Wait till you see them. Each one is more perfect than the other. And to think you can get them only at this particular time of year. Amazing.”
    Myra linked her arm with Charles’s. “I’m going to learn to cook, Charles. I’ve been watching the Food Network.”
    Charles laughed all the way across the compound as he half dragged Myra through the deep snow.
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    Thanksgiving dinner was everything everyone had hoped it would be. Good friends breaking bread and giving thanks together. Chef Charles accepted the accolades heaped on him with a gracious smile. The conversation was light, at times bantering, but always in good taste. Even Murphy and Grady whooped their thanks at the heaping plates Charles set out for them, but instead of turkey, they had roast chicken.
    Jack passed on the pumpkin pie, saying he was allergic, and went with the pecan pie. The others hooted with laughter at the remembrance of the truckload of pumpkins back in Utah. One and all agreed that it seemed like a lifetime ago.
    Coffee and brandy were served in the living room, in front of a blazing fire, which Elias and Bert maintained. Outside, the snow continued to fall. Relaxing music, golden oldies that no one objected to, played softly.
    Even though there were football games on the big-screen via satellite, no one opted to watch them. All were content to sit and revel in the peaceful atmosphere with good friends.
    When Charles walked into the living room carrying a huge silver tray with two bottles of champagne, they all knew something interesting was about to happen. Myra, at his side, held an identical silver tray with exquisite cut-glass wine flutes.
    Nikki looked over at Jack and winked. The heirloom crystal flutes had appeared months ago, brought from Myra’s farmhouse to the mountain by Nellie. This, whatever this was, must really be important. Feeling a nudge to her shoulder, Nikki turned and wasn’t surprised when she heard a whisper in her ear.
    â€œThis is Mummie’s big day, Nik. She’s finally going to do it.”
    â€œAbout time,” Nikki said under her breath. She risked a glance around the room, but no one seemed to be paying attention to the fact that Barbara’s spirit was in attendance.
    Charles uncorked the first bottle of champagne. They all watched the cork sail upward, then spiral down to land at Myra’s feet. The second cork went upward, spiraled down, and settled at Charles’s feet. The little group clapped their hands.
    â€œNice going, Barb,” Nikki mumbled.
    â€œYou should see what I can do when I put my mind to it.” The spirit giggled. “Shhh, here it comes.”
    Charles cleared his throat. “I have an announcement to make. I’ve asked Myra to marry me, and she finally said yes. I asked her on bended knee in the snow at four thirty this morning on the front porch. I hope you’re all as happy for us as we are for ourselves. So, let’s drink a toast to this happy couple.”
    Nikki