Trouble Under the Tree (A Nina Quinn Mystery) Read Online Free PDF Page B

eyelashes at Kevin. “A hug would make me feel so
much better. It’s been a traumatic morning.”
    “Go ahead, Nina,” he said, nudging me. “Hug
her.”
    Before I could retort, Fairlane had thrown
herself into his arms.
    Ha! Had to love karma.
    Horrified, he stood there stiffly while her
hands roamed his back. “You’re so strong,” she cooed.
    I bit back a laugh as he patted her back
twice and pushed her away.
    She pulled the mistletoe out and waved it
above her head.
    “I’ve got to get back inside,” he said and
ran for the door, jingling all the way.
    Fairlane glanced at me, tucked the sprig back
into her pocket, and hurried off.
    I didn’t take it personally.
     
    ***
     
    Two hours later all the employees of
Christmastowne had gathered round the Christmas tree in the atrium.
The doors were set to open in fifteen minutes, and Jenny and Benny
were giving a last minute pep-talk.
    I stood off to the side with Kit and
Jean-Claude Reaux, another long-time employee, who had just
finished installing yew bushes in decorative planters around the
food court. With that, we were done with our work at
Christmastowne.
    “I think Riley is avoiding me,” Kit said.
    “That’s because you threatened to videotape
him and put it on You Tube.”
    Jean-Claude said, “Do you think they sell
those tights here? The red and green ones? With stripes?”
    Kit and I looked at him. He was serious.
    Pink filled his cheeks. “I’m just curious.”
He watched the elves for a few seconds and said, “Do they?”
    “What?” I asked.
    “Sell them here?”
    “Probably,” I said. I’d found myself a pair
of antlers and a red nose for my truck. I couldn’t wait to put them
on it.
    He nodded, his gaze hopping from one shop to
the next, as if trying to figure out which one would stock the
tights.
    To Kit, I said, “Should I ask him why he
wants them?”
    “No.”
    That was probably wise. With Jean-Claude,
sometimes denial was best. Like the time I found out he’d been
working as an exotic dancer under the name JC Rock.
    Kit squinted, blinked, then squinted again.
“Is that Kevin?”
    My ex lurked near a column, trying to blend
in. As if. “If you can get a video of him, I’ll give you a big
Christmas bonus.”
    Kit whipped out his smart phone and stalked
off. He stalked well for such a big guy. I was impressed.
    Benny shouted, “Everyone take your places,
it’s time!”
    Workers scattered to their shops and kiosks,
while the elves and a somewhat sober-looking Santa headed to greet
the guests.
    At exactly eleven o’clock, Jenny opened the
front doors. The elves launched into a rousing rendition of “We
Wish You a Merry Christmas” as shoppers streamed inside, ooh ing and ahh ing.
    Kit, I noticed, was still stalking Kevin, who
was doing his best to hide.
    I spotted Brickhouse Krauss and my neighbor
Flash Leonard come inside, as well as a brightly-dressed Mr.
Cabrera. Really, there was no missing him with his vivid red knit
cardigan with galloping reindeer stitched across the chest.
    Brickhouse and Flash found their way over to
me, and Flash said, “What a place!”
    Flash was one of my favorite people in the
neighborhood. At ninety, and wracked with arthritis, he always had
a smile and managed to stay active.
    Even grumpy Brickhouse agreed. “It makes me
want to buy something.”
    “And that’s saying something,” I said.
    She gave me an evil eye—not quite as good as
my mother’s but close. “What are you trying to say? Are you saying
I’m cheap?”
    “Yes.”
    Her pursed lips gave way to a smile. “I
prefer frugal.”
    “Are you feeling any better?” I asked.
    “Much,” she said. “I should be back to work
on Tuesday.”
    I’d given my crew Sunday and Monday off—they
deserved it. This had been a tough job. Brickhouse had started
working for me part-time as my office manager a couple of months
ago, sharing the job with Tam so that she could spend more time at
home with baby Niki. It was a solution that had