CRIMINAL CHRISTMAS: A Set of 8 Holiday Suspense Stories, page 39
Hollie, Dr. Walters’ assistant, sat next to her on the designer couch, which was a relief. With Hollie’s in-your face manners and Goth clothing, she didn’t fit in any better than Maddy did.
Everybody was being really nice, but it was still hard not to be a bit overwhelmed by this shining silver and glass penthouse, with its fifteen-foot Christmas tree and panoramic view of downtown Seattle and Puget Sound.
Maddy had worn her only fancy dress, the one she had used to taunt Hunter before their last assignment. At least the black cocktail dress was appropriate for today’s holiday festivities in James’s swanky digs, which it hadn’t exactly been for a meeting at the FBI office.
And Maddy felt uncomfortable with Dr. Walters and James, too. Besides their evident wealth and sophistication, they had risked their lives searching for her when they’d believed she had gone missing on the streets of Seattle. How could she ever repay them for something that momentous?
Since her parents, no one until Hunter had cared about her. But maybe Dr. Walters and James did, too, in their own way. The thought of how Maddy’s fiancé loved her brought a rush of heat to her face that had nothing to do with the blazing fire.
Sitting directly across from Maddy on a matching leather couch, an observant Dr. Grayce Walters watched her closely. Maddy was trying to look sophisticated instead of like a kid in a magical toy store, but she had the feeling Dr. Walters understood every uncomfortable thought and feeling running around in her brain.
Hunter’s sister Angie, James, and Mitzi, the Standard French poodle, were busy in the restaurant-sized steel kitchen, which opened to the living room with an enormous fireplace that crackled and smelled of cedar and pine. The setting was something out of a Martha Stewart magazine, with bouquets of red roses and holiday greens, burning bayberry candles, and Bing Crosby singing “White Christmas.”
Mitzi, who belonged to Dr. Walters’s boyfriend, sat in front of James, her head cocked to one side, patiently anticipating a treat. Dressed in a red shirt that matched the holiday decor and black pants, the dashing James was the host of the ladies’ soiree. And from the way Angie giggled and smacked James on the shoulder, Angie had become closer to Dr. Walters’s high school friend while Maddy was undercover.
Angie didn’t seem at all uncomfortable with the lavish setting, but Maddy had to work not to goggle at the floor to ceiling view of Puget Sound, and the enormous Christmas tree flocked in silver, with poinsettia flowers tucked into the tree amid the silver and red balls. The tree looked like it belonged in a Nordstrom store window.
Angie emerged from the kitchen with a silver tray and crystal wineglasses. James followed with a bottle of sparkling champagne. He poured the pale liquid into each flute and added a raspberry from the bowl on Angie’s tray to each glass before he passed them to his guests.
Mitzi followed the black-clad young woman walking behind James and Angie carrying a tray of unrecognizable finger foods. Hollie popped one of the red concoctions into her mouth. “I’m sure James picked the food to match his shirt.”
Maddy smiled at the young woman who offered one of the gooey treats. “Goat cheese and roasted pepper.”
Mitzi, who was hovering next to the young woman, pleaded at Maddy with her soulful, dark eyes.
Dr. Walters patted her lips with a red napkin. “Davis is such an easy touch. Mitzi now believes she can work her charms on everyone.” Then in a soft but firm voice she said, “That’s enough, Mitzi.”
Mitzi trudged to Dr. Walters’ chair and gave a gusty, martyred sigh when she curled up at Dr. Walter’s feet.
James rolled his eyes. “Definitely a drama queen.”
Hollie snickered as she raised her glass in a mock toast to James. “This from the grandest queen of all.”
“You’re angling for more Christmas presents?” James tilted his glass to Hollie. “We’ll start the party since Aunt Aideen and Christine are coming late. They’re attending a holiday luncheon for one of their charities. Which one is it today, Grayce?”
“Treehouse Services. The program that supports children in foster care.”
The tops of Maddy’s ear burned. Everyone in the room knew about her past as a runaway from foster care and her drug-dealing boyfriend. She didn’t want these caring people to see her as a victim. She had taken control of her life when she’d joined the Marines, but it didn’t mean she knew how to fit into this world of Puget Sound penthouses, French champagne, and catered parties.
Hollie leaned across the couch and touched her hand. “You know I met Dr. Walters at Teen Feed, right?” Hollie had holly leaves and berries intertwined with the twisted knot of thick, black hair at the back of her neck.
Maddy tried to mask the shock. “You volunteered there?”
Hollie laughed. Her crimson lips matched the bobbing berries.
“Do I look as if I volunteered there?”
Maddy took in Hollie’s 1960’s black lace dress, black tie-up boots, and short red gloves.
“Dr. Walters hired me right out of the program. She and her mother volunteer there. They’ve given a lot of money in honor of Dr. Walters’s sister. They try to help street kids.”
Maddy bent down to snag a napkin from the coffee table, away from Hollie’s perceptive scrutiny. Although she had been a kid on the street, she didn’t want anyone to think of her as someone who couldn’t take care of herself.
Hollie poked her with her elbow. “You’ll get used to it.”
“Used to what?”
“Being part of Dr. Walters’s family. After everything we’ve been through together, we’re bonded to you and Hunter.”
Returning from the kitchen, Angie sat and scooted next to Maddy on the couch. “What’s this about Hunter?”
Even with his back to the room, conferring with the caterer, James immediately turned at the mention of Hunter, his eyes wide. “Yes, do tell us how the handsome brute proposed.” He walked over to a sling-back, leather chair and sat down. “Come on, give Uncle Jamesie all the deets.”
Embarrassment spread from her chest to her burning face. “How do you know… about our engagement?”
Angie cleared her throat. “I spilled the beans. Everyone kept asking about you and Hunter. We were all worried.”
Maddy looked at everyone smiling back at her. “I really appreciate all your concern. And what you did for me when I was undercover.”
Dr. Walters leaned toward Maddy. “We all appreciate the work you do, and we were glad to help.”
James flicked his hand in a dramatic gesture. “Grayce loves to risk my life in these adventures. She gets bored just healing animals.”
“I’m never bored with my work. And you know you love being part of the drama.”
“Drama?” Hollie snickered. “James? No way.”
James crossed his legs, revealing his red-striped socks. “I want to talk weddings, since some people are stalling.” With one arched eyebrow raised, he looked directly at Dr. Walters.
“James, don’t get started. It’s the holiday…you know, peace, and love? And don’t you dare say a word about my engagement in my mother’s presence.”
“You need to put the poor man out of his misery.”
Dr. Walters’ bright green eyes danced. “Davis is in no way in misery.”
Whatever passed between the two friends, James tossed his head and rolled his eyes. “Okay, that’s a losing battle.”
Dr. Walters winked at Maddy. “Tell us about your and Hunter’s wedding plans.”
“Nothing fancy. We’re going to the courthouse with Angie and her mother. Then we’ll have dinner somewhere.”
“What?” James gaped. “You don’t plan to invite us?”
Dr. Walters sat up. “James.” Then she looked directly at Maddy. “You don’t have to invite anyone you don’t want.”
James continued to stare at Maddy with his dark eyes narrowed. “Of course you’re going to invite all of us. We’ve adopted you as family, and we’re not letting you pretend otherwise.”
An unfamiliar feeling of belonging stirred. She shifted on the couch, not knowing where to look or what to say. She hadn’t thought she had family outside of her Marine friends.
Hollie elbowed Maddy in the side. “I told you so.”
“I didn’t think you’d want to…” Maddy struggled to find words but was given a reprieve by doorbell.
The caterer opened the door for Davis’s Aunt Aideen and Christine, Dr. Walters’s mother, and James jumped up to greet the latecomers.
Maddy was grateful for the interruption and hoped it would be the end of the wedding discussion.
Aunt Aideen’s voice echoed in the high-ceiling space. “What have we missed? Anything more about Maddy and Hunter breaking up the ISIS cell?”
“No. We just started discussing Maddy and Hunter’s wedding plans,” James said.
Maddy found herself sliding down on the couch. Like a Marine on a mission, James wouldn’t give up until he reached his objective.
Aunt Aideen, with raven black hair and strong, angular features, was decked out in a bright red caftan with a dark green necklace and dangling earrings. Dr. Walters hugged her mom and then Aunt Aideen, who was inches above the two petite woman.
Angie, Hollie, and Maddy all stood when the women entered the room. “Sit down, girls. No need to act like Christine and I are visiting royalty.”
Hollie and Angie laughed and sat down again. Maddy followed their lead.
Christine sat next to her daughter, and Aunt Aideen sat in the other leather and steel chair. James, assisted by the caterer, handed a raspberry-garnished flute of champagne to each woman.
Aunt Aideen took a big gulp. “What are you thinking—giving me this girlie drink? Where’s my Scotch?”
“Well, you’re ruining one of my Christmas surprises.” He pointed to a brightly foiled package under the Christmas tree.
“Do I have to wait the two weeks until Christmas day to drink my Scotch?”
“No, of course not.”
James nodded to the caterer standing behind the well-polished kitchen island. She immediately brought out a glass filled with a rich, amber-colored liquid. James had anticipated and prepared for Aunt Aideen’s insistence on Scotch.
James sat back down in the chair and crossed his legs. “Maddy just announced that she and Hunter are going to be married at the courthouse.”
Maddy wanted to disappear between the couch cushions.
Aunt Aideen pointed her finger at Maddy. “Your marriage must be celebrated at my home. And my friend, Judge Jefferson, can marry you if you don’t have a military person available to do the service.”
Maddy had thought about asking Colonel Dawson, but it was the holidays, and she couldn’t ask him to fly up for the ceremony.
Aunt Aideen focused her steely gaze on Maddy. “I have a giant house with plenty of room for all the guests.”
Aunt Aideen’s commanding presence and forceful will reminded her of her Sergeant in basic training. Not someone to ignore. “But, ma’am, we don’t have any guests.”
Aunt Aideen guffawed. “I predict a real crowd.”
Angie had told Maddy that Aunt Aideen considered herself a psychic and read Tarot cards.
“You have all of us.” Aunt Aideen gestured with her long arm. “And then Hunter will want to invite his friends as well.”
Maddy felt like a ship off its mooring. She took a big swig of champagne. Hunter never said whether he’d like to invite his friends, only that he wanted to marry her.
Angie, the traitor, added, “It would be great to include our group from the VA hospital.”
And Maddy had wanted to include her PTSD group. They had formed a deep bond that was hard to explain to people who hadn’t served.
Dr. Walters leaned forward on the couch. “Maddy, don’t let them railroad you into anything you don’t want. They’re good at that.”
“So says the woman who is keeping everyone in nuptial limbo,” James said.
Dr. Walters closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her mother patted her hand.
“Grayce and Davis will decide when the time is right,” Christine said.
James shook his head. “I’ve been waiting for years to plan her wedding.”
“But now you can take over Maddy and Hunter’s,” Angie chimed in. “My brother and Maddy are Marines. They don’t know the first thing about planning weddings.”
Maddy was surprised by Angie’s response. Since she had never discussed her childhood with anyone, Angie had no way of knowing Maddy had always dreamed about her wedding. Just because she was a Marine didn’t mean she was different from any other red-blooded female. Did any girl ever forget her dreams of a perfect wedding?
“Hunter and I were planning to get married in Seattle so Angie can be with us. We have to report back to San Diego for reassignment after the New Year. Besides, no one can plan a wedding in two weeks.”
James puffed up. “Oh, ye of little faith. Listen, honey, I can do a wedding in two days if need be. And two weeks is hardly a challenge. But with the holiday.” His eyes shone with anticipation.
Aunt Aideen sat back in her chair. “Tut, tut. James will do the flowers and the wedding clothes. I’ve got a great caterer. Marcello can do anything. What kind of food would you like?”
Maddy couldn’t decide whether she needed to cry, hug someone, or escape the overwhelming feelings swamping her because everyone was treating her like family. “I’ll need to talk with Hunter.”
“Hunter doesn’t strike me as the type to care about wedding planning…more like wedding nights. What a tasty…with all that muscle and menace.” James shook his head. “You and Grayce definitely like the dark, brooding types.”
Flashing on last night with an insatiable Hunter, her face flushed, and she mutely nodded at James. Aware of her champagne buzz and the instability of her high heels, Maddy stood carefully and headed to the bathroom. She needed a little breathing space, away from everyone’s close and interested inspection.
In the bathroom, Maddy splashed cold water on her bright cheeks, trying to cool her face and her agitated feelings. Everything in her life had changed in the last weeks. Her life had taken too many turns too quickly—first Hunter’s devotion, and now a group of caring friends. It took some getting used to for a woman who had been alone. She had no idea how to react to suddenly being surrounded by love and care.
When she exited the shiny, black bathroom with its fragrant candles and matching towels, Dr. Walters and Mitzi awaited her in the hall.
From her study of martial arts, Maddy was able to focus for calm, deadly force. Dr. Walters channeled her energy into an aura that surrounded her with calming reassurance.
Dr. Walters gently touched her arm. “Maddy, this is your wedding. You can have it any way you want. James means well, but you get who he is…”
What could Maddy say? James was Dr. Walters’s best friend. She had only met him once after Dr. Walters’s kidnapping.
“I like James. He’s interesting.”
“Everyone has the same response on meeting James. He always has his own vision.” Dr. Walters laughed, a laugh that was gentle and exuded kindness. “I sensed you need a break away from the group and their plans for your wedding. How about we go into James’s study for a few minutes?”
Maddy let out a breath she had been holding since preparing herself to face everyone again. “That would be great.”
Dr. Walters opened the door next to bathroom. Obviously comfortable here, Mitzi dashed in. The living room was edgy in black and metal; this room was sunny and warm, with lemony yellow walls. “This is James’s man cave.”
There was a large TV on one wall, and two soft leather loungers in a light, buttery color. Bright-colored art of all shapes and forms covered another wall. No sports posters on any wall for James’s man cave.
Dr. Walters spun one lounger toward Maddy and sat on the other. Mitzi approached and put her head on Maddy’s lap. Maddy didn’t have a lot of experience with dogs, but she ran her hand along the poodle’s head. Mitzi closed her eyes, content to be petted.
“Don’t feel obliged to pat Mitzi. She knows a softie when she sees one.” Why did Maddy feel as if Dr. Walters wasn’t only talking about Mitzi?
“What do you really want for your wedding, Maddy?
“Honestly, I haven’t had much time to think. Everything has happened so fast with our reassignment. We want to get married as quickly as possible to not be separated.”
“Then a fast wedding makes sense.” Dr. Walters smiled at Maddy. “Angie said you’re a Marine and not interested in weddings.”
Maddy smiled back. “I wasn’t always a Marine. I was like all girls—dolls, coloring, dress-up. My mother painted my toenails and fingernails. And my dad called me his ‘little princess.’”
“Your parents sound wonderful. I’m sure they would be proud of the man you’ve chosen. Of course I might be a little biased since Hunter rescued me from the kidnappers.”
Maddy nodded. “My parents would have loved Hunter.”
“Have you thought about what your parents would have wanted for your wedding?”
Maddy swallowed down the powerful emotions stuck in her throat. She had never shared any memories of her parents before. They had been all tucked inside her heart, never to be opened so they wouldn’t come tumbling out and crush her with grief. “I hadn’t really thought it through. It’s been so sudden.”
“I lost my sister when I was about the same age as when you lost your parents. My sister, Cassie, was my best friend and confidante. You remind me of her. All energetic and ready for a dare.”
“Hollie did tell me that you and your mother volunteer in honor of your sister. So generous of you.”
“Volunteering helps soften our loss. It’s healing for both of us. So would sharing your wedding.”
“But, but…” Her heart thumped against her chest while her stomach rolled. She shifted in the comfortable chair.
“I understand about rushing through the wedding and not making a big deal about it, because you won’t have to dwell doing it without having your parents there.”
