Peppermint Fudge Killer: A Pumpkin Hollow Mystery, book 13 by Kathleen Suzette (reading list txt) 📕

behind that wooden backdrop they made for Santa’s chair and he told her that she had better shape up or he was going to find a new elf. Can you imagine that? Santa was arguing with his elf!” She chuckled. “I guess it isn’t funny since the elf ended up dead, but I just can’t believe that he would do that out in the open like that.”

Christy nodded. “Probably traumatized some of the kids.”

“You can say that again,” she said. “My Mom said things got pretty heated. But Suzanne stood up to him and told him he was an idiot and she wasn’t going to do whatever he wanted her to do, and then he told her she was going to be sorry.” She shrugged. “Maybe it was just an argument, but it sure makes you wonder.”

“It does make you wonder,” I said thoughtfully. “It sounds like they really got into it. I don’t know if Ethan has had a chance to talk to Santa yet, but I know he will.”

“Santa needs a change of attitude,” Christy said, folding her arms across her chest. “I mean, what was he thinking? Acting like that in front of all those kids?”

“Exactly. It’s unprofessional,” she said with a sigh. “Well, I just wanted to let you know about that. Is there anything I can help you with today?”

“We’re actually just looking around right now,” I explained. “We have no idea what to get our boyfriends.”

“I have the same problem with Jed. I think of all these things I could get him, but none of them seems right. If there’s anything that I can help you with, don’t hesitate to ask.”

We spent a few more minutes looking around the shop, but we left empty-handed. We were going to have to make up our minds soon or Christmas would come and go and we would be completely empty-handed come Christmas morning. And I still needed to talk to Santa.

Chapter Fourteen

“My goodness,” the customer at the front counter said. “These little reindeer are darling.” She held up one of the bags that held a white chocolate peppermint reindeer.

“Aren’t they cute? My mother came up with those. She is far more creative than I am,” I said, leaning on the front counter. Mom had piped tiny red and green holly leaves and berries around the reindeer’s neck. She had also come up with the idea of making tiny candy canes to put into the bag along with the reindeer.

“I love stopping in here,” she said, smiling. “I always make it a habit to come during the Halloween season, but I never miss the Christmas season, either. I love all the decorations around town, and I saw the carousel had been reopened.”

“Yes, the owner, Sam Connor, refurbished the entire thing. He sanded down all the horses and the benches and repainted them all by hand. I don’t know how he had the patience to do it all, but he had very little help from anyone else.” I left out the part where I wondered if he might have killed a local elf. People from outside of town didn’t need to know that.

“Really? They sure are beautiful,” she said and picked up one of the milk chocolate reindeers. “I can’t get enough of your town. I told my husband I wanted to move to Pumpkin Hollow, but he said he couldn’t afford to quit his job and move here.” She chuckled. “I guess he has a point, but I wish he didn’t.”

“It can be hard finding a job in a small town,” I said. “It helps if your parents own a business.” I shrugged. “But maybe you should check the online job directories. You never know when something might open up around here.”

“That’s a great idea,” she said with a chuckle. “I can just imagine getting to dress up in Halloween costumes for a couple of months during the year. Your mother isn’t hiring here, is she? But I better not even consider a job at the candy store. I’d eat your mother out of business.”

I laughed. “There are days when I think I’m going to do that, too,” I said.

She looked into the display case. “I had better get a half a pound each of your white peppermint fudge, and eggnog fudge. I won’t be able to get back until a couple of days before Christmas. How long will your mother sell the Christmas items?”

“She usually keeps making them until the beginning of the new year.”

She nodded. “That’s good then, if I can’t make it before Christmas, I can surely make it a day or two after and get some more.” She looked at me. “I told you I would put your mother out of business if I worked here. I shouldn’t eat so much sugar, but I can’t resist.”

I chuckled and got her fudge for her and then rang up her candy. “You have a Merry Christmas if I don’t see you before.”

She picked up the paper bag of candy and grinned. “You have a Merry Christmas, too,” she said and headed out the door.

One of the things that I enjoyed about the Christmas season was that everybody was in a good mood. Even people who normally weren’t friendly were usually happy.

I looked up as Lawrence Deal walked through the door. He had a Santa hat on and a handful of mail. “Good morning, Mia,” he said.

“Good morning, Lawrence,” I said. “How are you this lovely day?” The sun was shining on the snow-covered sidewalks and the sky was bright blue today.

“I’m doing great. I get to play Santa Claus by night, and I get to deliver mail and packages that make people happy by day. I couldn’t be anything other than great.”

I laughed. “It sounds like you’ve got the best of both worlds. Are you filling in