Christmas Tree Catastrophe (Lily Bloom Cozy Mystery Series Book 6) (11 page)

The sun was bright, the snow was white, and the sky was a gorgeous blue on Wednesday, Christmas Eve day. Lily relaxed in bed, not wanting to pull herself from the warm cocoon of her down comforter.

“Coffee’s ready,” she heard Ryan call to her.

She slid her feet around the cold oak floor before she felt her slippers and slid into the fuzzy softness. Pulling her fleece robe around herself, she padded quietly to her kitchen, sneaking up on Ryan. Her cold fingers found their way under his shirt and he flinched when they touched his warm skin.

“How was your night, sleepyhead?” Ryan asked as he turned around and wrapped his arms around her.

“Not bad, but tonight will be much better,” she answered while leaning on his strong body.

“Is sleeping on the agenda tonight?” he asked before kissing her.

“Hmm. Good question. Something smells good. What’s for breakfast?”

“Sit at the table and a surprise is almost ready.”

Ryan had already set the table with Lily’s special blueberry plates on her red placemats. Apricot jam and butter waited in the center of the table with one white lily in a bud vase. “What time did you get here?”

“About an hour ago. Rosie and I had a leisurely walk before I started breakfast.” Ryan opened the oven door and pulled out a cast iron pan of the puffiest popovers she’d ever seen.

“Wow. Where did you learn to make that tricky delicacy, Mr. Steele?”

“There’s a few things you don’t know about me yet, Ms. Bloom. I need to keep a few secrets up my sleeve.” He pulled out a chair and sat next to Lily.

“Delicious.” She mumbled with a mouthful of popover.

“Your mom called and wants us to come over to help get the house ready.”

Lily lifted her cast. “I won’t be much help except to tell everyone else what to do.”

“Take advantage of it while you can.”

They enjoyed their breakfast, cleaned up and headed to Iris’s house. Iris, Kari and Daisy were already bustling around, making the house sparkle.

“It doesn’t look like there’s anything left for us to do,” Lily said, noticing the beautiful flower arrangements and poinsettias placed on every available surface. She whistled her appreciation.

“How’s your arm today?” Iris asked.

“Not bad, I have to get used to doing everything with one hand though.”

“Or you could ask for help,” they all said at the same time and laughed.

“Yoo-hoo, where is everyone?” Tamara hollered before she walked into the living room. “Oh, dear, what happened Lily? Your arm is in a cast?”

“It’s nothing.” Lily smiled. “I can’t tell you how special it is to see you here.”

“You’re the best.” Tamara dwarfed Lily as she wrapped her arms around her. “I want to tell you all my plans for Candy. She was released too. Did you know that? She wants to find a new career and—”

“Can all that wait? I want to get comfortable and enjoy being here, if that’s alright with everyone. I’ll think about all that other stuff another day.”

Tamara patted her shoulder. “Of course, how thoughtless of me. This is
your
day. Any coffee in the kitchen?” she asked Iris.

“Help yourself.”

Lily put her head back and enjoyed the noises around her with Rosie’s head in her lap.

***

Jennifer played Here Comes the Bride as Lily stood at the top of the grand staircase. Her ivory silk dress caressed her skin and her hand rubbed the silver necklace her mother fastened around her neck after she was dressed. It was a necklace with special meaning, one that Iris’s mother gave her on the day Iris married Lily’s father. It made her think that her father was also with her as she walked down the stairs with Iris and Daisy. They led her to be with the man she loved, surrounded by the people she always wanted to be part of her life.

Tamara, as justice of the peace, stood in front of the fireplace waiting for Lily to join Ryan. The ceremony was short and simple, and as Ryan said to Lily, “I promise to love you, to cherish you and to keep you safe from murderers,” everyone laughed. He leaned close to Lily’s ear. “I’m glad we didn’t have to do this in a jail cell or at the hospital.”

She smiled her brilliant smile and squeezed his hand.

Apple Beignet

This delicious Dutch treat is normally served on New Year’s Eve. But in our family, we prepare the Apple Beignets whenever the whole family is together—Christmas Eve, Christmas morning or New Year’s Eve.

Ingredients: