The Christmas Letter Read online

  The Christmas Letter

  by

  Kathi Daley

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2017 by Katherine Daley

  Version 1.0

  All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

  Table of Contents

  Books by Kathi Daley

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Coming 12/15/2017 from Kathi Daley Books

  Out Now From Dianne Harman

  Sneak Peek – Reindeer Roundup

  Recipes

  Gingerbread

  Scottish Shortbread

  Cranberry Jell-O Salad

  Christmas Sugar Cookies

  Books by Kathi Daley

  Giveaway:

  I want to thank the very talented Jessica Fischer for the cover art.

  I so appreciate Bruce Curran, who is always ready and willing to answer my cyber questions, Jayme Maness, who helps out with my book clubs and special events, and Peggy Hyndman, for helping sleuth out those pesky typos.

  Thank you to Pam Curran, Vivian Shane, Nancy Farris, and Darla Taylor for submitting recipes.

  And, of course, thanks to the readers and bloggers in my life, who make doing what I do possible.

  Thank you to Randy Ladenheim-Gil for the editing.

  And finally I want to thank my sister Christy for always lending an ear and my husband Ken for allowing me time to write by taking care of everything else.

  Books by Kathi Daley

  Come for the murder, stay for the romance.

  Zoe Donovan Cozy Mystery:

  Halloween Hijinks

  The Trouble With Turkeys

  Christmas Crazy

  Cupid’s Curse

  Big Bunny Bump-off

  Beach Blanket Barbie

  Maui Madness

  Derby Divas

  Haunted Hamlet

  Turkeys, Tuxes, and Tabbies

  Christmas Cozy

  Alaskan Alliance

  Matrimony Meltdown

  Soul Surrender

  Heavenly Honeymoon

  Hopscotch Homicide

  Ghostly Graveyard

  Santa Sleuth

  Shamrock Shenanigans

  Kitten Kaboodle

  Costume Catastrophe

  Candy Cane Caper

  Holiday Hangover

  Easter Escapade

  Camp Carter

  Trick or Treason

  Reindeer Roundup

  Zimmerman Academy The New Normal

  Ashton Falls Cozy Cookbook

  Tj Jensen Paradise Lake Mysteries by Henery Press:

  Pumpkins in Paradise

  Snowmen in Paradise

  Bikinis in Paradise

  Christmas in Paradise

  Puppies in Paradise

  Halloween in Paradise

  Treasure in Paradise

  Fireworks in Paradise

  Beaches in Paradise – June 2018

  Whales and Tails Cozy Mystery:

  Romeow and Juliet

  The Mad Catter

  Grimm’s Furry Tail

  Much Ado About Felines

  Legend of Tabby Hollow

  Cat of Christmas Past

  A Tale of Two Tabbies

  The Great Catsby

  Count Catula

  The Cat of Christmas Present

  A Winter’s Tail

  The Taming of the Tabby

  Frankencat

  The Cat of Christmas Future

  The Cat of New Orleans – February 2018

  Seacliff High Mystery:

  The Secret

  The Curse

  The Relic

  The Conspiracy

  The Grudge

  The Shadow

  The Haunting

  Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery:

  Murder at Dolphin Bay

  Murder at Sunrise Beach

  Murder at the Witching Hour

  Murder at Christmas

  Murder at Turtle Cove

  Murder at Water’s Edge

  Murder at Midnight

  Writers’ Retreat Southern Seashore Mystery:

  First Case

  Second Look

  Third Strike

  Fourth Victim

  Fifth Night – January 2018

  Rescue Alaska Paranormal Mystery:

  Finding Justice

  A Tess and Tilly Mystery:

  The Christmas Letter

  Road to Christmas Romance:

  Road to Christmas Past

  Chapter 1

  Wednesday, December 6

  My name is Tess Thomas. I live with my dog, Tilly, in White Eagle, Montana, a small town with a big heart nestled in the arms of the Northern Rocky Mountains. I work for the United States Postal Service, delivering mail to the residents of this close-knit community where, more often than not, the folks you grow up with are the same ones you’re destined to grow old with.

  “Morning, Tess; morning, Tilly,” Hap Hollister greeted us as we delivered not only his mail, but the muffins Hattie Johnson had asked me to drop off when Tilly and I had stopped by Grandma Hattie’s Bakeshop earlier that morning.

  “Morning, Hap.” I handed the tall, thin man with snow-white hair a stack of envelopes, as well as the brown paper bag in which Hattie had packed the muffins.

  “Pumpkin?” Hap asked.

  “Cranberry. Hattie wanted me to assure you they’re fresh.”

  I watched as Hap peeked in the bag. “How’s Hattie’s arthritis this morning?”

  “She seems to be having a good day. You can go by later and ask her yourself.” Odd fact about Hap and Hattie: They used to be married, but they separated a few years ago and moved into separate residences, but now they date.

  “I’ll do that. Hattie and I are planning to take in a movie at the cinema in Kalispell this evening if the snow holds off. Guess I should firm up a time for us to meet.”

  “You might want to have a backup plan. With those dark clouds overhead, I have a feeling the storm’s going to roll in before nightfall. The Community Church has bingo on Wednesdays, if you can’t make it to Kalispell.”

  “Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind. It’s been hard to find date-night activities since the cinema in town decided to shut down during the winter.”

  I slipped my mailbag off my shoulder, being careful not to catch my long, curly brown hair in the strap. “I heard there’s a group who want to use the space for community events during the winter, though it seems like a lot of folks in the area have an abundance of ideas but are short on follow-through.”

  “Sounds about right.”

  I picked up a stack of Christmas CDs Hap had displayed at the front of the home and hardware store Hap owned and operated and began to sort through them. I know that in the age of iTunes, iPods, and smartphones, CDs are a bit outdated, but if you knew the folks of White Eagle, you’d know a lot of them were pretty outdated as well.

  “If nothing works out for tonight you could postpone date night until Friday,” I suggested. “We have the tree lighting and there’s a holiday special at the diner.”

  “Nope.” Hap shook his head. “That won’t do at all. Our agreement clearly states that Hattie is to cook dinner for me every Sunday after church, as well as on the seven major holidays, and in return, I’m to take her
out on a proper date I plan and pay for every Wednesday as well as every other Saturday.”

  I paused and looked at Hap. “Has it ever occurred to you and Hattie to set aside this experiment you’re engaged in and get back together full time, like everyone knows you should?”

  “Sure.” Hap nodded but didn’t elaborate.

  I wanted to say more, but it really wasn’t any of my business, so I set the CDs back in the bin and prepared to leave. “Tilly and I should get going if we want to stay ahead of the storm. Got anything outgoing?”

  “Actually, I do.” Hap set the muffin he’d been nibbling on on the napkin Hattie had provided. “Just give me a minute to fetch it.”

  Tilly and I wandered over to the potbellied stove to warm up a spell while we waited for Hap. It wasn’t easy being a mail carrier in White Eagle, with subzero temperatures and seasonal snow to contend with. But White Eagle was our home, and as far as Tilly and I were concerned, we wouldn’t trade it for all the tropical breezes or big-city amenities in the world.

  “Here you go.” Hap placed a stack of white envelopes on the counter next to a small pile of fishing supplies.

  “You planning on doing some fishing?” I asked as I picked up the envelopes.

  “A group of us are fixing to enter the old-timers’ ice fishing competition at the Winter Carnival.” The Winter Carnival in White Eagle was held every year between Christmas and New Year’s. “I haven’t been fishing since last year’s carnival, so I figured I’d better go through my supplies.”

  “I know the teams are made up of four men. Harley Newsome passed away this year. Have you found a replacement?”

  “I spoke to Pike and he said he’d be happy to fill in.”

  Pike Porter was White Eagle’s oldest resident at ninety-two.

  “Are you sure that’s a good idea?” I asked.

  “Man’s old, not dead. He said he wanted to do it and I’m inclined to let him.”

  I supposed Hap had a point, but I worried about Pike walking around on the ice. Once again, however, what he did was none of my business, so I slipped Hap’s outgoing mail into my bag without a word. “I really should get a move on. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

  “Have you been by Rita’s place?” Hap asked as I turned to the door.

  “No, not yet.” Rita Carson was the local florist.

  “I want to send Hattie a rose. Rita said she’d be getting in a shipment today.” Hap handed me a twenty-dollar bill. “If you don’t mind passing this along, I’d greatly appreciate it.”

  “No problem.” I slid the currency into my pocket.

  “Tell Rita to pick out a good one.”

  “I will, and I’ll make sure she delivers it today.”

  “Thanks, Tess. See you tomorrow.”

  I pulled the collar of my jacket around my neck as Tilly and I left Hap’s store. There were snow flurries in the air, which I knew would precede the storm that approached from the far side of the mountain.

  I looked at the red envelope at the top of the pile. “Looks like Pike has a letter today.”

  Tilly barked once in reply. Pike Porter wasn’t only one of Tilly’s favorite people, he was one of my favorite people as well.

  “Let’s finish the rest of the route and circle around toward Pike’s last so we can sit and chat for a spell. I want to hear all about his plans for the ice fishing tournament.”

  Tilly must have figured that was a fine idea because she continued down Main Street, passing the alley that led to Pike’s tiny cabin, which shared a lot with Pike’s Place, the local saloon, which Pike had once owned but had sold.

  The next stop on our journey was Sisters’ Diner, the café my mom, Lucy Thomas, owned with my aunt, Ruthie Turner. My mom and Aunt Ruthie had decided to buy the diner after my dad passed away and Mom realized she would need to find a way to support herself. Ruthie had worked as a cook for the diner’s previous owner, who’d expressed a desire to retire to a warmer climate, so the two sisters had pooled their savings and been making a go of the restaurant ever since.

  The wreath someone had hung on the door shifted to the side as Tilly and I entered the entryway of the warm, friendly building. I had to smile as a decorative Rudolph with a flashing nose welcomed diners while “Frosty the Snowman” played in the background.

  “I’ve got Christmas cards.” I held up several colorful envelopes as I entered the main dining area.

  “Oh, good.” Mom clapped her hands in delight. Mom and Aunt Ruthie had come up with the idea of soliciting Christmas cards from customers who had dined with them throughout the year. They planned to hang the cards on the back wall after sorting them by general geographic location. It was a cute idea that would not only brighten the place but would demonstrate the fact that customers who stopped by Sisters’ Diner represented visitors from every state, as well as many countries around the world.

  “Oh, look,” Mom said, waving her arms in the air so her red curls bounced up and down. “We have two from Nevada, one from Florida, four from Utah, and one from Florence, Italy.”

  “Today was a good haul,” I agreed. “And the wall is looking really nice. If this idea continues to catch on, you may need to dedicate two walls to the project next year.”

  “I’ve been thinking the same thing.” Mom grinned. “In fact, with the abundance of international cards that have arrived in the past week, I’m considering changing the theme of this year’s tree from Homespun Christmas to Christmas Around the World.”

  “That would be fun. Maybe you could find ornaments representing all the countries you get cards from, like the Eiffel Tower and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.”

  “Exactly. Did you notice whether Millie had her novelty ornaments out yet?” Millie Martin owned a home and decorating store at the other end of the row of mom-and-pop shops lining the town’s main thoroughfare.

  “I didn’t notice them when I stopped by to deliver her mail, but I wasn’t looking for them either. I guess you can call to ask her. If nothing else, she may be able to special order the kinds of ornaments you’re looking for.”

  “That’s a good idea.”

  “So, what are we talking about?” Aunt Ruthie asked after she finished ringing up the customer she’d been dealing with and joined us.

  “Ornaments from around the world,” Mom answered.

  “Did you ask Tess if Millie has her specialty ornaments out?” Ruthie asked.

  “She did and I hadn’t noticed,” I answered in my mom’s stead. “She did have baby’s first Christmas ornaments displayed near the counter if you want to send something to Johnny.”

  “The baby won’t be born until January, so baby’s first Christmas would technically be next year,” Aunt Ruthie pointed out. “Still, I’d like to send something special because they’re having a girl. I’m hoping they’ll name her after me. She’s my first granddaughter, you know.”

  “I’m sure Johnny will take your request into consideration when it comes time to name his daughter.” I paused and glanced out the window. “Storm is coming; I’d best be on my way.” I turned and looked at my mom. “Dinner on Sunday?”

  “Of course, dear. I’ll make a pot roast.”

  Tilly and I left the diner, but not before Aunt Ruthie slipped Tilly a bite of something she’d smuggled from the kitchen. I tried to dissuade Ruthie from feeding Tilly table scraps, but she liked to be sure those who came into the diner were well fed whether they be the customers she served or the four-legged visitors, like Tilly, who were only passing by.

  The flurries that had been lingering throughout the day were beginning to intensify by the time Tilly and I made our way to the far end of town and crossed the street to start back toward the gazebo, where I’d left my Jeep. I usually liked to say hi to those I served, but given the weather, I realized I might want to speed things up a bit if I didn’t want to get caught in a whiteout.

  I managed to stick with the plan while delivering mail to Pete’s Pets, Sue’s Sewing Nook, the Moosehead Bar and
Grill, Mel’s Meat Locker, and even Rita’s shop, Coming Up Daisies, but the moment I entered the Book Boutique, my best friend Bree Price’s bookstore, I knew I’d lose my momentum.

  “Please tell me you’re coming to book club tonight,” Bree said the moment Tilly and I entered the cheerily decorated store.

  “Tilly and I will be there,” I confirmed over the sound of Christmas carols.

  “Good.” Bree nervously ran her hands down the sides of her dark green angora sweater dress in a gesture I had come to recognize as the prelude to her relaying information she knew I might not want to hear.

  “Is there something on your mind?” I asked.

  “No.” Bree shook her head, but I noticed she was trying hard not to look me in the eye.

  “Are you sure?” I asked persuasively.

  “Nothing’s wrong, but there are some new members joining us tonight. I figured I should let you know so you could wear something nice.”

  I frowned. “Nice?”

  Bree tucked a lock of her perfectly straight, waist-length blond hair behind one ear. “I just figured you might want to make a good first impression because both new members are male, single, and gorgeous. Based on what I know of them, either would make a good match for you.”

  I lifted one brow. “We’ve discussed this. I don’t do blind dates. Not for anyone and not for any reason.”

  “It’s not a blind date,” Bree insisted. “It’s just book club, but it seems silly not to put forth a little effort with your appearance. You’re going to be twenty-eight on your next birthday. Don’t you think it’s time to settle down?”

  “If by settle down you mean get married, no. Tilly and I are quite happy living on our own. You promised you’d stop with all the matchmaking and I expect you to keep your promise.”

  “I know,” Bree replied. “I just want you to be as happy as Donny and me.”

  Donny Dunlap was my ex, who I’d dumped after I realized he paid a lot more attention to Bree than he ever paid to me. I know Bree felt bad about basically stealing my guy, but the truth of the matter was, I was never really in to Donny all that much, and I was fine with the way things had worked out. Still, Bree, being Bree, wasn’t going to fully enjoy her relationship with Donny until I met and fell in love with someone she felt was perfect for me.