Mistletoe and Mayhem Read online

  Mistletoe and Mayhem

  Port Danby Cozy Mystery #3

  London Lovett

  Mistletoe and Mayhem

  Copyright © 2017 by London Lovett

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Roses and Revenge

  Melt-in-your-mouth Chocolate Truffles

  Recipe Card

  About the Author

  Chapter 1

  Port Danby was a picturesque little town on any given day, but covered in snow, it was nothing short of idyllic. The shops along Harbor Lane, including my own, Pink's Flowers, reminded me of cakes that had been decked out in colorful fondant and frosted with dollops of sugary white whipped cream. The town council and mayor had spared no expense in decorating the downtown area with holiday festoons. Long chains of remarkably real looking evergreen garland had been strung between the street lights. Large gold and red bells dangled from the garland, lending a true holiday spirit and the occasional tinny clang to the festive ambience.

  The place felt magical during the day with the rainbow of colors and frenzied bustle of a town getting ready for Christmas, but at night, when the glittery lights on the rooftops, wharf and lighthouse reflected off the snow and the coastline, it felt as if Port Danby had been transported back in time to an old holiday classic like A Christmas Carol or The Nutcracker Ballet. It seemed at any moment the Sugarplum Fairies would emerge from the shadows and twirl along the sidewalks in candy pink tutus. The entire scene evoked a feeling of nostalgia and joy that was neatly wrapped by a ribbon of romance.

  The morning sun sparkled off the lush mounds of feathery ice crystals piled on the awnings and window ledges as I walked along the sidewalk to my flower shop. Yes, the fallen flakes brought with them the occasional icy puddle or slippery square of sidewalk, but it was nothing compared to the inconveniences of snow in the big city. I surely never missed those days of trudging through gray slushy ice to catch a bus or a changing street light.

  Ryder, my assistant, was leaning into the front bay window of the shop as I stepped inside. I began my ten minute un-layering ritual by removing my gloves and scarf.

  Ryder straightened to see who had entered. "I thought you were going to take the morning off, boss,” Ryder said. He had taken on the habit of calling me boss, and I found I didn't mind. It was all done with humor and respect. And it was my first time being a boss, so I was rather enjoying the sound of it.

  "I've just got too much to do. I need to place some orders for the holiday table centerpieces."

  Ryder pushed his long dark bangs away from his eyes, something he did a thousand times a day and yet he never considered changing his hairstyle. I couldn't blame him. The semi-edgy, semi-schoolboy haircut fit him perfectly. Ryder Kirkland was of average height and size, but there wasn't anything else average about him. He had just celebrated his twenty-fourth birthday, but was quite mature. He had been so perfect for my assistant florist position that sometimes it seemed I'd just dreamt him up and he popped off the job search website.

  Ryder, with his playful smile, big blue puppy dog eyes had already endeared himself to all the other shop owners. He was polite, smart and he had a great sense of humor. And, aside from playing many instruments, Ryder was a walking encyclopedia. He knew copious details on a wide range of subjects, most especially plants due to his horticulture degree. He had also minored in fine arts, which gave him an incredible eye for design and color. Ryder had moved back to his hometown of Chesterton after college. He was working at Pink's Flowers so he could save up and travel the world to study exotic plants. I was thrilled and lucky that my humble little shop had fit into his future plans.

  Ryder circled around the work island and grabbed a pair of scissors. "Where's Kingston?" To add to his list of perfect traits, Ryder was also a big fan of my pet crow, and the feeling was mutual. Kingston tended to always hang around the work station when Ryder was making arrangements or potting plants. Not everyone warmed up to having a big black crow standing watch while they worked, but Ryder thought it was cool.

  "It was too cold for Kingston this morning. I pulled the cover off his cage, and instead of his usual dance, he tucked his beak back under his wing like a little kid pulling the covers back over his head. Birds and winter just don't mix unless the bird is a penguin."

  Ryder clapped his hands together in one sharp smack. "Penguins! That's it. That's the color element I needed for the front window display."

  "I hardly think of penguins as a color element but then you're the fine arts major. And I have no doubt that the holiday window display you create will win first place. But I have to remind you that the judging is just a few days away."

  Port Danby was the final stop for the annual Harbor Holiday Lights Flotilla, a parade of festively decorated boats that made its way down the coastline every year. The town council had decided to hold a Port Danby window decorating contest to lend some spirit to the event. It was my first winter in my new town, and by all accounts, the floating light display was not to be missed. Apparently the yearly event attracted a huge crowd.

  Head councilwoman and non-stop dynamo, Yolanda Petri, had come up with the contest idea, hoping the added holiday decor would make Port Danby stand out amongst the other coastal towns. As far as I was concerned, it already did. Still, I thought the contest was a great idea. Especially since my assistant had decided to make it his project, relieving me of the stress of coming up with something awesome enough to compete with the adorable gingerbread village my baking neighbor and friend, Elsie, had been constructing since the official contest announcement.

  I hung up my coat and scarf on the hook next to the ribbon spools.

  "Don't worry, boss, I've got it all covered." Ryder moved his jaw side to side in thought. "I wonder if they have any black sunflower seeds at the feed store in Chesterton. They're cheaper and bigger than chia seeds."

  "Black sunflower seeds? For a holiday display?"

  "For the penguins."

  I reached down to lift up the box of mistletoe I'd purchased for a store freebie. I planned to tie up small clusters with red and blue ribbon and hand them to customers on their way out. "Sounds interesting but how will you keep a certain bird from eating the penguin made of seeds?"

  Ryder's shoulders slumped. I felt bad for erasing his enthusiasm, but it was better of me to bring it up now instead of after he'd spent hours creating a seed covered display only to have it devoured by my crow.

  "I'd forgotten all about Kingston. I guess black sunflower seeds would be too tempting. Let me give it so
me thought."

  "Or I could always leave Kingston home for a few days," I suggested. "Not sure how Nevermore would feel about it but then I've been reminding myself lately that I need to seize control of the house back from my cat. Yesterday, Nevermore decided he was tired of watching me work on my computer, and without warning, he just hopped up onto the keyboard and sat down. My spread sheets looked like a Picasso painting. I yelled at him, but he just stared back with those big amber eyes and started licking his paw."

  Ryder shook his head with a laugh. He began helping me pull apart the stems of mistletoe. "Sounds familiar. My mom rearranged all the living room furniture so that the couch was positioned to see out to the front yard and into the kitchen. She claimed her twenty pound tabby cat, Cooper, was sending her subliminal signals about furniture placement. Cooper likes to stretch out on the back of the couch. Now he can keep one eye on the birds playing on the lawn and the other eye on the can opener, the magical tool that somehow provides him with his food."

  I started cutting the red and blue ribbon to tie the sprigs together. "I'm glad I'm not the only person hearing subliminal cat messages." I lowered the scissors for a second. "You know what, Ryder? You go on with whatever your plans are for the window. Kingston can stay home for a few days. It's too cold for him anyhow, and the trees lining Harbor Lane are covered in ice instead of leaves. He doesn't have any good place to perch. Not only that, but most of the smaller song birds have left town for warmer climates, so he doesn't have anyone to harass."

  Ryder wore a permanent smile, but it grew bigger. "You're sure?"

  "Yes. Go for it."

  "Awesome." Ryder held up a stem of mistletoe. "Dung on a twig," he quipped. "That's what the word 'mistletoe' means. Birds and animals leave droppings nearby because they like to use the mistletoe for shelter."

  "I've never heard that. Sort of dulls the shine on the kissing tradition."

  "It's not just the name. It's kind of strange thinking that a parasitic plant like this became known for stealing kisses. Back in the early nineteenth century, they hung a type of mistletoe that had sticky white berries. They pulled a berry off with each kiss. Once the berries were gone, the kiss power was gone too. I noticed some of the bare ash trees behind the mayor's office had big basket shaped growths of mistletoe. They call them witches' brooms, although they hardly look like brooms. Is that where you got these?"

  I titled my head at him. "Those trees are thirty feet tall. It was much easier and less precarious, albeit less adventurous, to have a delivery man bring them to the door."

  Ryder pushed aside his bangs. "Makes sense. Besides, you might have upset a hawk's nest. I hear they like to use mistletoe to lay their eggs."

  "So that was a win-win. The hawks keep their eggs, and I keep all my bones in place." I swept the ribbon pieces into a pile. "I'm going to draw up a chalkboard sign letting customers know they get free mistletoe with a purchase. Maybe you can draw a nice set of lips with some pink chalk at the top."

  "I can do that. I studied lips a lot in college, both in art class and out," he added with a laugh. "Then I'd better get started on that window. Otherwise, it's going to be empty when the judge strolls by."

  Chapter 2

  The bell on the door rang. Lola burst into the shop swinging around a picture of something. "Clearly, I am not a multi-tasker," she claimed confidently.

  I continued with my chalkboard advertisement as she hopped up on the stool behind my work island.

  "I was sitting at my computer, where I had a glue stick for pasting together a new flyer for the store. I also had a Chap Stick next to my keyboard because this cold, dry weather is turning my lips into red hot flames. Guess which one I used on my mouth?" Before I could laugh out my answer, she continued. "I'll give you a clue. As I walked out of the shop, Kate Upton walked past in a cashmere sweater, and a few of the hairs blew off and stuck to my lips."

  A deep laugh rumbled from the bay window.

  Lola spun around and glanced briefly at Ryder. "Hey, Ryder, didn't see you there."

  "Morning, Lola," he called back energetically.

  Lola's greeting ended. She turned back to me. Since I'd hired my new assistant, I'd learned something about my best friend, Lola. She was in constant pursuit of a steady relationship, and she was undeniably boy crazy. As long as that boy wasn't crazy about her. Lola had formed an instant crush on my new assistant before he'd even started working at the shop, but the second Ryder returned the interest, Lola's crush ended. Apparently Lola was more interested in the chase than the actual relationship. I felt bad for Ryder because he always looked a little lovelorn after seeing Lola. And I was a bit aggravated with my friend because she was passing up a prime opportunity. Of course, it was probably just as well that my best friend and shop assistant weren't involved. I'd be stuck in the middle and that was never a good position.

  I stepped back and admired my sign. It just needed a pair of lips to really draw attention from people passing by. I'd noticed that with the winter cold penetrating every corner of town, pedestrians tended to walk with their faces down and tucked halfway behind thick collars or deep hoods to avoid the glacial air. It took more effort to attract them into the store. I was sure free mistletoe and the promise of stolen kisses would be the perfect lure.

  "Why are you giving the mistletoe away for free?" Lola asked. "Tom and Gigi are charging a dollar a bag down at the Corner Market."

  My entire body deflated with disappointment. "They are? Why are they selling it at all? They are a food market."

  Ryder heard the turn in topic and climbed out of the window.

  "It's their most popular item this time of year," Lola said with a shrug. "The high school kids buy up the baggies faster than Gigi can package the stuff. And, except for the baggies, it's all profit. Tom climbs up into the ash trees behind the mayor's office and cuts the sprigs himself. Although, last year there was an incident with a nesting hawk, so his supply line got cut short."

  Ryder and I exchanged amused looks. "Well, your mistletoe is free," Ryder noted, looking for a bright spot.

  "Yes, with a purchase," I added. "And I don't want Gigi and Tom to be upset. Maybe I need to cancel the whole idea." I ran my palm over the pile of cellophane wrapped mistletoe. "But what on earth will I do with all this—what did you call it?" I asked Ryder. "Dung on a twig?"

  That comment earned a burst of laughter from Lola, but she quickly stifled it with her hand when she saw that I was truly in a bind. Ryder was just about to make a suggestion when Lola spoke past him.

  "I've got a brilliant idea!" She grabbed the picture she'd carried into the shop. "I was just on my way over here to ask you to make me a Victorian kissing bough for my window display. I was in the storeroom pulling out all the old Victorian toys and I found this."

  She pushed the picture into my hands, and Ryder circled around to look over my shoulder. The picture was a pencil drawing of a scene inside a tavern or some other public gathering place. A round bellied man in knee length breeches, buckled shoes and a John Bull topper was clutching a woman draped in a frilly fichu and flouncy mob cap. His mouth was pursed for a kiss, but the woman looked less than happy about the prospect. Hanging above them was a round ball decorated in holly leaves, ribbon and fruit. A cluster of mistletoe hung from the base of the sphere.

  I'd seen Victorian kissing boughs or balls in pictures, but I'd certainly never tried to create one. "I don't know, Lola. It looks complicated."

  "The English have been making these boughs since the medieval times. They became very popular in the nineteenth century." Ryder took hold of the picture to get a closer look. "All we need is some wire and the greenery to wrap around it. I don't think it would be too hard. We could even make a few for you to sell in the shop. You might even start a new tradition here in town."

  Lola nodded her approval at Ryder's suggestion. He had to tamp down his smile. I think Ryder was figuring out the game and was deciding to remain aloof when it came to Lola.

  Lo
la hopped off the stool. "So, it's settled. A kissing bough is the perfect finishing detail for my window. Not that I'll win. Have you seen Elsie's gingerbread town? When does that woman sleep or eat or live? When she isn't baking, she's running through town, and the snow hasn't slowed her at all. When I'm her age, I hope I have half of her energy. Heck, I wish I had it now." Lola stopped with her rant about Elsie and glanced toward the big front window. Ryder had stripped it bare. "Pink, you better get started on that window display. You're running out of time."

  "I've got it under control," Ryder said. "Prepare to be awestruck."

  Lola raised a brow at him. "If you say so." She didn't notice how her curt response crumpled his posture a bit. Sometimes, I just wanted to give her a little shake. "Well, I should get back to my own window. Not sure how I feel about this whole thing. I've got so much to do, yet I'm spending time pulling moth eaten toys out of the storeroom. Some of them are covered with spider webs, and I hate spiders." She headed to the door. "The boats are starting to roll into the harbor," she said as she opened the door. "Do you want to grab some lunch later and walk down to see them?"

  "Sure," I said. "Just as soon as I figure out how to construct a Victorian kissing bough."

  Chapter 3

  A gray mist was hovering over the ocean, but that hadn't stopped seemingly everyone in town from walking down to the wharf to watch the boats sail in. It was midday so there were no dazzling light displays yet, and most of the boats had secured or removed their decorations for the trip from Mayfield Bay to Port Danby. It was probably a wise precaution. The water along the marina looked particularly murky and restless this afternoon. Even the boats already moored in the slips were beating out a rhythmic tune as their hulls drummed against the pier.