Cozy Christmas Murder Read online

  An internet search yielded a wealth of information, and mid-afternoon arrived in a flash, bringing with it a visitor. Avery heard the doorbell ring in some part of her subconscious, but never dreamed that it could have anything at all to do with her.

  “Avery,” her mother called from the bottom of the stairs. “Can you come down for a minute?”

  Avery sighed and closed her eyes for a moment before responding. “Can it wait? I’m in the middle of something,” she tried to sound as positive as possible.

  “Nope,” was the maddening non-response.

  Saving the link to the material that she was working on Avery snapped her laptop shut, put it on the charger, and headed downstairs.

  “Avery Sanders, you haven’t aged a day,” a familiar voice marveled.

  Shelly Rogers, a classmate from high school, stood beside her mother, beaming.

  “Shelly?” Avery smiled, surprised. “You look great. I didn’t know you were still in Champaign,” she hugged the woman, who wore a long flowing skirt and a thick, hand-knitted sweater, with lots of jangling bracelets.

  “Well, I’m in Urbana actually,” Shelly grinned.

  “I should’ve guessed,” Avery chuckled.

  Urbana was a sister town to Champaign where the food was organic, the clothes were comfortable, and the scent of patchouli lingered in the air. Hippies from all generations flocked to the town as a mecca of tolerance in an otherwise conservative Midwestern landscape.

  “Rosanne Nelson told me that she saw you at the Yoga Center this morning, and I couldn’t believe it, so I just had to come check it out for myself,” Shelly declared. “How are you? I can’t believe that one of my classmates is sort of famous. I’ve read some of your books. I really liked them.”

  “Thanks,” Avery blushed a bit. “I’m not actually famous. I’m just one of the lucky few that gets to make a living doing what I love. Wow, I’d forgotten how small this town really is. News travels fast.”

  “Some things never change. Hey, Rosanne and I and some of the other girls from school get together one Thursday a month, and tomorrow is our night. We’d love it if you would join us,” Shelly offered.

  Rosanne Nelson was not one of Avery’s favorite people in high school. She was snobby and cliquish and used to look down her nose at most of the other girls in their class. It was shocking that she now did yoga and would deign to hang out with the likes of Shelly Rogers.

  “Oh, that sounds fun,” she hedged. “I’ll have to see how far I get in my writing today. I have a ton of research to do.”

  “Oh honey, I’m sure that it won’t set your deadline back to spend a couple of hours with the girls,” Doris chimed in, missing the frustrated glance that Avery shot her way.

  “Just let me know sometime tomorrow, so I’ll know how big of a booth we’ll need. We meet at the Chamberlain in downtown Champaign. It’s really casual. Here hand me your phone and I’ll put my number in your contacts,” Shelly held out a hand, her bracelets clinking together.

  Once she’d put her information in, she handed Avery back the phone and hugged her again.

  “I’d love to stay and chat, but I have to pick up Connor from daycare. I hope you’ll join us tomorrow – I’d love to catch up,” Shelly gave a cheerful wave on her way out the door.

  “Great seeing you again,” Avery called out, just before the door shut. Then she turned to her mother, eyebrow raised.

  “Thanks for your help,” she made a face.

  “You need to get out,” Doris insisted. “It’ll be good for you to make friends and do fun things with women your own age. You can’t just hang around the garage watching your father do his woodworking.”

  “Sure I can, it’s relaxing. Besides, I have nothing in common with those women. They stayed here, I moved on. They probably all have families and have plugged into the community and I’m just this newly-divorced tumbling tumbleweed who moved back to town in disgrace because her life didn’t work out,” Avery complained, averting her eyes and hating how pathetic she sounded.

  “Well, you could look at it that way,” Doris pursed her lips. “Or, you could realize that you’re a successful professional who left her distractions behind so that she could come home, where she’s comfortable, to produce her best work yet,” her mother challenged. “It’s up to you to define how people see you, but it sounds to me like you have some soul searching to do first.”

  Avery stared at her mother, mouth agape, blinking.

  “It’s up to you,” Doris shrugged. “The daughter I raised would walk into that bar with her head held high and hold her own with even the snootiest of town girls,” was her parting shot as she headed to the kitchen.

  Color flooded Avery’s cheeks as she realized that her mother was right. What had happened to her? Had her relationship been so dehumanizing that she’d lost all sense of who she was? Tears filled her eyes but she bit the insides of her cheeks, refusing to let them fall. She wasn’t going to hide away like a recluse, even if she wanted to. She would go out and have fun finding out what happened to her friends from high school, even if it killed her. Then she’d take out her anxieties on her latest book the next day.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  * * *

  Avery’s palms were damp as she stepped inside the Chamberlain, which looked and smelled exactly as she had remembered it. The iconic downtown bar still sported worn Naughahyde booths, and a slightly peeling vinyl floor covered in peanut shells. Kerry, another townie with whom she’d gone to school, was tending bar, and recognition flickered in his eyes when he saw her.

  “Avery Sanders? I never thought I’d see you in here,” he greeted her.

  Avery’s mouth fell open in surprise. “Kerry? I definitely never thought I’d see you here,” she grinned, happy to see a friendly face.

  Kerry was a pastor’s kid, and had grown up in the strictest of homes. To see him tending bar was a bit of a shock.

  “Yeah, don’t tell my mom, I’ll be grounded for life,” he joked. “What can I get for you?”

  “I don’t know. I’m meeting Shelly and Rosanne and the girls…do you think I should wait to get a drink?”

  A look that she couldn’t pinpoint passed over Kerry’s face.

  “They’re already here, at a table in the back,” he pointed. “And trust me, you want a drink. This one is on the house as a welcome home.”

  “Aww…thanks, Kerry. Is it that bad?” Avery leaned forward and lowered her voice.

  “Oh Avery, some things never change, that’s all this helpful bartender is gonna say about that. Now, what’s your poison?”

  “Vodka tonic, extra lime,” Avery bit her lip, now more nervous than when she came in.

  Kerry poured it strong and handed it to her with a cocktail napkin.

  “Don’t sweat it. If you get tired of girl talk, you can always come hang out with me,” he grinned.

  “Thanks Kerry, I may take you up on that,” Avery raised her glass, took a long sip through the tiny black straw, and headed in the direction that he’d pointed earlier.

  Winding her way through the dimly-lit bar, she sipped repeatedly at her drink, looking for the liquid courage that would hopefully get her through the evening. What was wrong with her? She’d always been an introvert, but the panic that she felt fluttering in her chest at the prospect of getting together with old friends and acquaintances was a bit over the top. Taking a deep breath and stiffening her spine, she pasted a smile on her face when she saw the table of five gals, most of them waving gaily at the sight of her.

  Deedee Benning was the first one to plonk down her beer and slide her chair out to greet the new arrival, and her appearance was shocking. The former cheerleader had put on quite a few pounds, but seemed to still be the same bubbly person whom Avery remembered. The plump mother of two hugged Avery ferociously, giggling all the while.

  Linda Brown was next, and Avery was surprised to see her in the group. She had been a quiet, bookish gal, whose pale, thin form had drifted through th
e halls, eyes downcast, without generally connecting to those around her.

  “So nice to see you,” Linda said in her soft voice as she gave Avery a shy hug, barely touching her.

  “You too, Linda,” Avery gave her a genuinely warm smile, thinking that it was wonderful that she’d come out of her shell a bit. It was also heartening to know that she wouldn’t be the only bookworm in the group.

  Shelly was next, with an excited, “so glad you could make it!” and then came Rosanne, who stayed seated and gave her a little wave and a smile that looked more like a smirk.

  Janet Halstead, the most athletic girl in their class, back in the day, rounded out the group, and came all the way from the other side of the table to give Avery an enthusiastic hug, seeming to study her curiously.

  “Here, sit here,” Deedee scooted her chair over and patted the seat of the chair next to her as the rest of the group settled back in with their drinks.

  “Who’s up for another round?” Janet raised her glass.

  It seemed that everyone was up for another round, so even though Avery’s drink was only half gone, she ordered another. The gals, with the exception of Rosanne of course, peppered her with questions about her career, and she tried her best to give witty and funny answers, keeping them laughing. When the initial excitement of her arrival died down a bit, it was her turn to ask questions, thankfully switching the focus of the group elsewhere.

  “So, when did you all start meeting on Thursdays?” she asked, her head starting to feel the effects of the alcohol in her system already.

  “We all sat at the same table at the twentieth reunion, and decided that we shouldn’t wait another twenty years to see each other. I mean, it was ridiculous, we all stayed here in Champaign, or Urbana,” she glanced at Shelly with a grin. “And we somehow got busy with life and lost touch after graduation.”

  “Some of us were still plugged into the community,” Rosanne drawled, correcting her.

  “And the rest of us had to have real jobs for important things like food and housing,” Janet chimed in, giving Rosanne a look.

  “So, what brings you back home?” Linda interrupted, smiling at Avery and clearly hoping to defuse the situation.

  Avery decided to throw caution to the winds and be real with this group of strangers whom she’d once known. Maybe they’d see her vulnerability and find it endearing.

  “A really ugly divorce actually,” she shrugged, watching as Linda’s face paled.

  “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry, I had no idea,” Linda’s color went rapidly from white to blazing red.

  “It’s okay, how could you have known?” Avery reached over and squeezed Linda’s hand, while absorbing the chorus of sympathetic sounds from around the table.

  “You were out in the wild west somewhere, weren’t you?” Rosanne asked. “Colorado or somewhere remote like that?” she waved a hand, almost as though she was dismissing Avery’s feelings.

  “Idaho, actually. I was in Boise, so it was beautiful, but certainly not what I would call remote.”

  “Were there lots of ranchers out there? Men in those tight cowboy jeans just get me,” Deedee waggled her eyebrows and fanned herself.

  Avery giggled, thankful for the positive distraction, and for the vodka coursing through her veins at the moment.

  “There were quite a few outdoorsy types.”

  “What about your ex? Was he outdoorsy?” Janet asked, wiping the foam mustache from her beer away with the back of her hand.

  “No. The only time that he ever experienced the outdoors was the trip from his car to his office,” Avery smiled faintly.

  “He worked in an office?” Rosanne raised her eyebrows and the air was sucked out of the room.

  “Why does that surprise you?” Avery asked, a tickle of anger working its way up her spine.

  “I just figured you’d end up with a…musician, or artist or something,” she mused, sipping her drink, eyes locked with Avery’s, daring a confrontation.

  “We balanced each other. He was analytical, I was creative. It worked,” Avery drained her glass.

  “Well, clearly not,” Rosanne persisted, her eyes glittering like a cat toying with a mouse.

  “Are you actually trying to be rude, Rosie, or does it just come naturally to you?” Janet gave voice to everyone’s thoughts, and there were some nervous titters around the table as all eyes turned to Rosanne.

  “Don’t call me Rosie,” she turned on Janet. “It’s a dog’s name.”

  “Well, if the shoe fits…” Janet shot back, undaunted by Rosanne’s imperious manner.

  “Oh please, my little butch friend. You wouldn’t know a good shoe if it kicked you in the cargo shorts.” Rosanne rose, tossing a twenty on the table. “Unlike some of the rest of you,” she raised an eyebrow, glancing specifically at Janet and Avery. “I have things to accomplish. I can’t say when I’ve had more fun,” her voice dripped sarcasm and she sauntered to the door, the scent of expensive perfume drifting in her wake.

  “I’m sure she didn’t mean those awful things that she said,” Linda spoke up, trying to smooth things over.

  “Of course she did,” Shelly shrugged. “She is who she is. I don’t really understand why she still comes to our Thirsty Thursdays.”

  “Maybe because she has no other friends?” Janet guessed.

  “Or maybe because it makes her feel good to look down upon us mere mortals,” Deedee chuckled.

  “Well, whatever the reason,” Linda, the peacemaker, interjected, “we probably should realize that she may be dealing with something difficult in her life that makes her like this.”

  “Avery is dealing with rough stuff, and she’s not being a…” Janet began, only to be interrupted by Deedee, before she could finish.

  “Well ladies, as much as I hate to say it, I’ve gotta run too,” the former cheerleader grabbed a handbag the size of a small piece of luggage and stood. “Avery, girl, I’m a representative for Beauty Babe cosmetics. If you’re ever feeling down, honey, you just call me and we’ll do a complete makeover. It can be life transforming,” she handed Avery a card.

  “Thanks, Deedee,” Avery stood and gave her chubby friend a hug. “It was great to see you.”

  One by one, the others took their leave, until at last, Avery sat at the table alone, not really knowing why. She hadn’t wanted to come in the first place, but was now glad that she had, even though Rosanne had been predictably unpleasant. Kerry came over, wielding a bar towel, and cleared the other ladies’ glasses.

  “Last holdout?” he grinned, expertly stacking the glasses to take back to the kitchen.

  “Looks that way,” Avery smiled wanly.

  “My shift is ending, so I’m done after I clear this table. Wanna go get a bite to eat or something?” he offered.

  “Yes, I want something that’s really bad for me. Something that I might regret for days,” Avery nodded with a good natured grimace.

  “I know just the place,” Kerry chuckled. “If you want to hang out here for a few minutes, I need to clock out and grab my jacket.”

  “I’ll be here,” Avery smiled, thinking how crazy it was that she felt immediately comfortable with a classmate that she hadn’t seen in years. When she thought about it, it had been a very long time since she’d been entirely at ease with her own husband. Refusing to beat herself up about not having seen the handwriting on the wall, she gathered her coat and slipped her arms into the sleeves. Fall was turning into winter, and she wasn’t looking forward to the associated chill.

  “Ready?” Kerry was back moments later.

  “Sure, where are we going?” Avery stood and followed him outside.

  “Ginger’s Diner. It’s walking distance, just a couple of blocks, if you’re up to it.”

  “I think I could use some fresh air. Lead the way.”

  “So are you here for a visit?” Kerry asked as they both walked along, hands in pockets.

  They could see their breath in the air, but just barely.
/>   “No, I came back to make a life here.”

  “It’s none of my business, but I’m guessing that there was a traumatic life event involved,” Kerry said lightly.

  “Yeah, there definitely was. Hence my need to drown my sorrows in pancake syrup. What about you? I nearly fainted when I saw Reverend Sawyer’s baby boy tending bar at the Chamberlain.”

  “Yeah, we had kind of a rough time after high school. I wanted to go to college out of state, they said they’d only pay for half my tuition if I stayed in town and went to school, so I tried it, but they were so strict that I just had to get out of there. I finished my degree online, paid off my student loans, and have been on my own ever since. I make enough money here to travel for about three months of the year, so I spend my down time exploring other countries. Who knew there was a whole big world out there?”

  “Wow, that’s great,” Avery nodded, thinking how brave he must’ve been to venture out into the unknown with no support at home. “Couldn’t deal with a nine o’clock curfew after you graduated?” she teased.

  “You laugh, but it really was like that. No drinking, even when I was of age, lights out by ten, even on the weekend. It was ridiculous for me to be sneaking out of the basement window when I was twenty-one,” Kerry shook his head. “It also made dating rather difficult.”

  “I can’t even imagine. That’s something I’m definitely terrified about,” Avery bit her lip and shivered, not from cold, but from the tingle of fear that shot through her at the prospect of dating again.

  “Meh, you’ll get the hang of it after a couple of disasters,” he nudged her playfully with his elbow. “But first, we need to fatten you up a little bit with some of Ginger’s best,” he opened the door of the little diner that was furnished with a nod to fifties style.