Valise in the Attic Read Online Free PDF Page B

“But only after spending some time with whatever is in this basket. You have me trained. I practically drool whenever I see you carrying a basket my way.”
    Alice laughed. “This is drool-worthy stuff—zucchini and blueberry bread. I froze bags of blueberries and shredded zucchini last summer just so I could make this to remind me of summer in the dreary winter. It’s even healthy!”
    They walked back to the kitchen and settled down at the small table near the window with fresh mugs of coffee and thick slices of warm bread. “How has the attic organization been going?” Alice said.
    “It’s on hold again,” Annie said. “I need to bring down at least a few Christmas decorations. It’s hard to get excited about decorating without LeeAnn and the kids here. I keep putting it off.”
    “I always do a few things,” Alice said. “I like candles in the windows and wreaths. Then I put out the crèche on the fireplace mantel. I don’t always do a tree, though when I don’t, I usually wish I had. I love the smell of pine in the house. Every year I think I’m not going to do much, but then I add and add more decorations as Christmas gets closer.”
    “I thought I would pass on a tree this year,” Annie said. “It just gives Boots new ways to make mischief.” Then she paused and laughed a little. “Listen to me. I sound a little Scrooge-like.”
    “I don’t think you could be like Scrooge if you tried,” Alice said. “So should we poke around for Christmas decorations while we’re up there today?”
    Annie waved a hand. “No, no poking. We’re going to grab the suitcases and get out before a mystery tackles us. With the movie and Christmas gifts to find, I have enough to do. No mysteries.”
    Alice just shook her head smiling. “I think I’ve heard that before. Usually just before a really juicy plot unfolds.”
    Annie moaned, because she knew Alice was right about that. Surely the mysteries would give her time off for Christmas. Wouldn’t they?
    After chatting a bit about Christmas projects, Alice took a last gulp of her coffee and stood up. “I’m ready for the attic challenge,” she said. She took a dramatic stance. “To the attic!”
    Annie turned a longing glance at the rest of the warm loaf of bread on the counter, but decided her waistline would be better off if they went ahead and began the hunt. She laughed and echoed. “To the attic! Back off, mysteries; we’re on our way!”

4
    When the women reached the attic, Alice looked around approvingly. “Every time we come up here, it looks a little more organized,” she said. “Betsy would be so impressed.”
    Though the attic still held an amazing array of all sorts of things, many were now in boxes or plastic bins with clear labels. Even several of the large steamer trunks now had tags hanging from them with a general list of the contents.
    “I actually piled up a lot of small suitcases over here,” Annie said, slipping through the neat rows of trunks and boxes. “I saw this cute coffee table in a decorator magazine. It was made from old suitcases and small trunks with a top made from distressed wood. I thought it was wonderful. After Christmas, I’m going to show it to Wally to see if he could make one for me.” Annie stopped at a large stack of luggage. “As you can see, I probably have a few cases to spare.”
    “Are they all empty?” Alice asked.
    “I don’t know,” Annie said. “I haven’t opened all of them.”
    She looked over the pile and picked up a small leather-covered valise. The corners of the suitcase were capped with silver to protect them from bumps. Annie liked the different shades of brown in the leather. The large sides of the case were clad in a smooth milk chocolate-color leather while the edges were bound in caramel-color strips. Each of the short sides of the case was covered in leather the color of dark chocolate. The end result was almost mouthwatering.
    “That’s a nice one,” Alice said. “You