Chapter Two
Malcolm floated next to Joy along the street of Deervale, his conscience getting the better of him. If he’d known they’d be set up to fail, he would never have chosen Joy. He still wanted to show her that the world wasn’t as rosy and hopeful as she thought it to be, but he didn’t want the responsibility, and guilt, of having been the one to cause her dismissal as a spirit guide, orworse, her disintegration all together. One woman on his conscience was enough.
He’d bet his cape that the higher-ups knew he’d choose Joy, though how could they when he’d never mentioned his goal to disillusion her to anyone? For all he knew, they invaded his head when he slept.
“Oh, look. Holly’s entering the bakery. I wonder why? Usually Mrs. Bell bakes her a clootie dumpling for Christmas.Maybe Holly is having a party and needs more food.”
Malcolm looked at the clear blue sky as if its soothing color could give him the willpower to stop from making fun of Joy. How important could Mrs. Bell be to Holly? “Why don’t we follow her inside and find out what she’s about?”
Joy nodded and headed into the building through the front window.
He preferred to scout out his assignment alone,but his gut told him their fates were now tied together, so he wanted to be sure they both remained cognizant of each other’s findings. In life, he had rarely worked with a partner, but he’d found it was always smart to get another point of view, even if it was eventually dismissed.
The bakery was packed with people ordering sweets and breads for Christmas dinner. Though the holiday was stilla week away, the happiness in the air was palpable. He tamped down his usual cynical comment. He would make allowances for the time of year. Even the Glasgow underbelly ramped up at the end of the year for Hogmanay.
“Oh look. She’s placing an order. That must mean she’s planning to go to Brody and Sarah’s for their annual Christmas Eve party.” Joy looked back at him. “Brody and Ethan were Cameron’sbest friends. Brody is the one just like him. Ethan is far more cautious.”
“Aye. I viewed the file.”
Joy’s cheeks flushed. “I’m sorry. I’m not used to having a partner.”
She turned back to watch, and he swallowed his response.
Holly made it to the low counter. Cameron’s wife had a bit more meat on her bones than Joy with thick dark brown hair. When she smiled at the young woman behind thecounter, her round face lit up and a dimple appeared on her right cheek. “Good afternoon, Miss Bryden. Could I order two mince pies please?”
The young woman with her wavy chestnut hair clipped on top of her head winked. “Two? Does that mean you have a couple parties to go to?”
Holly shook her head. “No, just one, Brody and Sarah’s. But there will be a lot of people there. Are you going to anyparties?”
Milly Bryden grinned. “I have five the week of Christmas.”
“Oh wow, you’re very popular.”
The young woman finished punching the order into the register. “Not really. Just family and friends.”
Holly handed her a credit card then returned it to her purse. “Thank you. I’ll be by on the twenty-third to pick them up.” As she made her way through the crowd, a number of people chattedwith her.
Malcolm didn’t have to observe Holly Douglas very long to conclude that she and Joy would be kindred spirits. Her easy-going ways and quick smile told him that. Then again, with both of them liking Christmas and being from America, it would make it even harder for him.
Joy floated over. “She seems to have re-engaged in her community thanks to Coco and Ian.”
He nodded to be polite,but his thoughts weren’t on Holly. He wanted to discover what Cameron’s bosses were hoping to achieve and then thwart them. If they planned to be rid of him and Joy like they were rid of Ian and Coco, he needed to focus more on that.
“Even Holly hiring an employee so she isn’t stuck at the shop all day shows a willingness to change. Maybe our task won’t be that hard after all.” Joy smiled.
He rubbed his forehead at Joy’s optimistic attitude to keep from snapping at her. “I believe the kind of change Cameron is referring to is more like a major life change, such as selling her Christmas Shop or adopting a child, or something of that magnitude.”
Joy’s happy smile fell. “I know that. I was simply pointing out that she has already made a small change, and I’ll bet there are more thatwe can use to build on.”
His partner didn’t wait for a response, but floated out of the bakery to follow Holly. He was glad to see she had a little backbone. It meant he wouldn’t have to tread too lightly. He wanted to change her attitude, not crush her.
He was about to leave the bakery as well when he noticed someone watching Holly leave through the window. He started to float in that directionwhen a loud crash caught his attention near the counter.
A young boy had knocked over the donut tree. He had a feeling the boy had attempted to steal a few donuts. That’s how it all started. From donuts to grand theft. Turning back toward the window, he found the person gone.
His senses immediately went into alert mode. There was more afoot than normal with this case. He sped through time toHolly and Cameron’s One of a Kind Christmas Shop where Joy was already observing.
Holly spoke to a customer near the fifteen-foot Christmas tree in the middle of the shop. “Did you have something in mind, Luca?”
