“This one was, out of this world,” Heather replied.
“You can say that again.” Amy sat beside Eva and gobbled chestnuts, freshly peeled and still warm from the oven.
Eve Schneider, for her part, enjoyed a tiny glass of eggnog and grinned at the people in her living room. Christmas music tinkled from an old CD player in the corner. The smooth sounds of Frankie S, of course.
“Now, it’s just the presents,” Eva said.
“What do you mean?” Heather asked.
“Well, have you done your Christmas shopping yet? Your time is almost up,” Eva said and slurped more of her eggnog. “You wouldn’t want to be the only ones without gifts under the tree.”
Lilly pulled the marshmallow out of the fire, then blew on it. “I’ve got my gifts for mom and dad already,” she said. “And for Cupcake and Dave too.”
“What? I haven’t even taken you shopping yet,” Heather said.
Lilly giggled and scooped warm, gooey marshmallow from her stick.
“I know what I’m getting Heather,” Ryan said and kissed her on the cheek.
“So do I,” Amy replied, and tapped the side of her nose.
“Boy, everyone’s so prepared. I’ve hardly had time to shop for anyone. I feel guilty now,” Heather said.
“Don’t worry. Your donuts are a gift to me every day, dear.” Eva put down her tiny glass on the coffee table and picked up a roasted chestnut instead. She slipped it into her mouth and bit down. “Lovely.”
“Speaking of donuts,” Amy said. “What are you going to do for the donut next week? I mean, it’s got to be amazing. Christmas is the best time of the year. Or so people say.” Amy still loved Halloween better.
Lilly ate her marshmallow and licked the remains off her fingers. “What about something with marshmallows?”
“No, we did marshmallow last week,” Heather said. “Amy’s right. This has to be something spectacular. No pressure or anything.” She leaned into her husband’s shoulder and squeezed her eyes shut. “Something that will delight even the most difficult customers.”
“What difficult customers?” Eva asked.
Heather chuckled but didn’t open her eyes. Already, images of donuts swirled through her mind. Decorations in red and green. Perhaps an icy, vanilla glaze beneath. And the flavor of the donut itself?
“So many options,” Heather muttered.
“What did she say?” Amy asked.
“Shush, I think she’s falling asleep,” Ryan replied.
Heather opened her mouth to argue, but a jaw-creaking yawn replaced the complaint. She drifted off into a light dream of donuts and Christmas and the gentle clink of bells in the sky over Hillside.
THE END
A letter from the Author
To each and every one of my Amazing readers: I hope you enjoyed this story as much as I enjoyed writing it. Let me know what you think by leaving a review!
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Stay Curious,
Susan Gillard
Peanut Butter Fudge Murder: A Donut Hole Cozy Mystery - Book 30 Page 7
