Page 26 of Promise Me This Christmas
Amy didn’t bother listing all the things that had gone wrong.She knew Chet would tell her they were all trifles not worth bothering about.But the problem was that all the small things were happening in the same week, and a bunch of unhappy guests and bad reviews would be a terrible way to end the year.
As she checked on Robin, fast asleep in his sleep sack, clutching his favorite fuzzy sloth, she could hear Chet running the water for her bath.She stroked the soft hair off Robin’s forehead, then followed the aroma of lavender into the bathroom.
“That smells heavenly.”
He kissed the top of her head.“Enjoy.”
And she tried.But while her body appreciated the relaxing soak, her mind would not turn off.Half an hour later, as she climbed into bed with her husband, she couldn’t help but bring up the subject again.
“Do you think it’s a coincidence that all the bad things seem to happen when Gibson is around?”
Chet pulled her close beside him.“What do you know about the man?”
“Not a lot.Usually I chat with my guests when they’re checking in.I ask questions like, ‘What brings you to Marietta?’and that sort of thing.But Gibson would not be drawn out.”Amy shifted, so her head was resting on Chet’s chest.
“Mmm…your hair smells nice.He must have given a home address?”
“He’s from New York City.Which I thought would give us something to talk about.But when I told him I was born and raised there, all he did was raise his eyebrows and look bored.”
“He’s very good at looking bored.”
“Isn’t he?”She snuggled closer, feeling comforted by this contact with her husband.“There must be a reason he left his home to spend the week leading up to Christmas—including Christmas Eve and morning—in Marietta.All by himself I might add.”
“It does seem peculiar.Do you know where he’s going after he checks out?”
“Flying back to New York.”
“Does he know anyone in Marietta?”
“Not as far as I can tell.He’s spending most of his time at the library or walking our winter hiking trails.Though he did go to Sage’s chocolate-making event tonight.”
“I wonder what he’ll find to criticize there?”
“Nothing, I’m sure.Sage’s classes are always so great.But usually, so are we.I just can’t figure out why so many weird things have been happening lately.I did have a bad feeling at the beginning of the week…”
“Moving on to potentially happier topics—what do you think of your brother and Larkin?”
“It seems pretty obvious that Larkin is the real reason he wanted to spend Christmas with us.”
His chest rumbled as he gave a short laugh.“No doubt about that.But how did he know she had booked into Bramble House?”
“I wondered the same thing.Then I remembered that Larkin called with questions about the Mable Bramble room on the Thanksgiving weekend.”
“When we were at Whispering Pines…”
“Yes.Carson must have heard me say Larkin’s name or seen her name on my phone screen.”
“They clearly have some sort of past.Do you know details?”
“Uh-uh.I could phone Mary Beth and ask her.But that seems underhanded.I guess I could try talking to Carson again.But he’s been pretty cagey when I’ve tried to raise the subject.”
Chet sighed.“I always look forward to getting our house to ourselves after our Christmas guests leave.This year more than ever.”
“I hear you.I just hope we survive until then.”
*
Carson let goof Larkin’s hand in order to open the door and let her in.The spacious loft above the Bramble House garage had been cordoned off into a sitting area and a bedroom, with only a low shelving unit dividing the two.With the flick of a switch, Carson turned on the cozy gas fireplace.
