Dream a Little Dream

by K. J. Emrick

  Dream a Little Dream

  A Darcy Sweet Cozy Mystery Book 28

  K. J. Emrick

  First published in Australia by South Coast Publishing, June 2020.

  Copyright K.J. Emrick (2012-20)

  * * *

  This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and locations portrayed in this book and the names herein are fictitious. Any similarity to or identification with the locations, names, characters or history of any person, product or entity is entirely coincidental and unintentional.

  - From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  No responsibility or liability is assumed by the Publisher for any injury, damage or financial loss sustained to persons or property from the use of this information, personal or otherwise, either directly or indirectly. While every effort has been made to ensure reliability and accuracy of the information within, all liability, negligence or otherwise, from any use, misuse or abuse of the operation of any methods, strategies, instructions or ideas contained in the material herein, is the sole responsibility of the reader. Any copyrights not held by publisher are owned by their respective authors.

  All information is generalized, presented for informational purposes only and presented "as is" without warranty or guarantee of any kind.

  All trademarks and brands referred to in this book are for illustrative purposes only, are the property of their respective owners and not affiliated with this publication in any way. Any trademarks are being used without permission, and the publication of the trademark is not authorized by, associated with or sponsored by the trademark owner.

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  Contents

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  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  More Info

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

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  Chapter 1

  “Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way…oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh…hey!”

  Jon’s arms slid around Darcy’s waist from behind, tucking her into his chest with a sigh. She giggled as his warm breath tickled her ear. “If you don’t stop singing Christmas carols, my darling wife, I’m going to start going out of my mind. It’s the middle of February. Christmas is over.”

  “I know it is.” She leaned into her husband’s embrace, ignoring the sink full of dirty dishes from lunch. “I was just in a Christmassy kind of mood, is all. The holidays were good this year. We had fun. Even if we were snowed in for most of it.”

  “Yeah. Actually, I didn’t mind the snowed in part so much. I mean, there’s worse things than being trapped with you.” He kissed the side of her neck. “When there’s nowhere to go but our bedroom.”

  His hands felt really nice, pressed against her belly like they were, and the way his body contoured itself to her back…well. A girl could be forgiven for falling in love with this man all over again, every single day of her life. Maybe it was just how close they were to Valentine’s Day but what he’d said about being trapped in their bedroom together made her wonder if maybe they’d have enough time to sneak upstairs right now, before Colby or Zane noticed…

  “Mo-o-om! Zane won’t give me the television remote!”

  That was Colby, looking for her mother to intervene in an argument that had been going on all afternoon.

  Her little brother was quick to chime in with his own opinion.

  “’Cause it’s still my turn!”

  “Is not,” Colby argued.

  “Is so too!”

  “That’s not even how you say it!”

  “Is so too!”

  “No, you’re supposed to say, is too!”

  “Is not!” was her brother’s immediate response.

  “That’s what I said!”

  “No, I said it!”

  “Did not!”

  “Did too!”

  Darcy sighed, and let herself soak in the warmth and comfort of Jon’s body for just a second longer before pulling his hands away. So much for the children letting the adults have a little fun of their own. “I better go talk to them before this turns into World War Three, right in our own living room.”

  “Let me do it,” Jon offered. “Pretty sure it’s dad’s turn anyway.”

  With an impish grin, she crossed her arms and cocked a dramatic eyebrow at him. “Oh? You’re going to leave me with all these dishes to do instead?”

  “Well, which would you rather take care of? A sink full of dishes, or two kids with cabin fever?”

  “Hmm. Good point.”

  She gave him a lingering kiss on the cheek, then went back to scrubbing the casserole pan while he went to referee their kids. The warm water felt nice. The suds swirled in time to the motion of her hands. Her kids were happy, even if they were driving each other up a wall, and her husband was quite possibly the best man on Earth. As far as Darcy Sweet was concerned, life was good.

  Strands of her hair fell into her face when she was rinsing off the final plate to stack it in the strainer with the rest. For Pete’s sake, was that a new gray hair? Better not be. She had all of those she could stand. At forty-plus years of age she still liked to think she had the body of a woman half her age. Maybe a little thicker around the middle. That was all. Jon loved her just the way she was. He loved her hips, and he loved her heart-shaped face, and her green eyes, and the dimple that only he got to see. She had a feeling he’d love her when she went completely gray and wrinkled, too.

  She blew the hair away from her eyes. She’d been letting it grow out again, but maybe a trim wouldn’t be out of the question. Colby’s hair was getting a little too long as well. She could make an appointment for both of them at the hairdresser, kind of make a girl’s day out of it. The kids were both on midwinter break from school so it would be the perfect time. They could stop and get some ice cream after, maybe see a movie. It had been a while since she and Colby did anything together, just the two of them.

  It was only Monday. They’d had the weekend together, and now the rest of the week was theirs until school started up again in exactly seven days.

  Valentine’s Day was at the end of the week, too. It was going to be on Sunday this year, the day before school started up again. She wanted to plan something special for Jon. If she and Colby took a day for just themselves maybe they could come up with a few ideas. The more she thought about it, the more it sounded like a great plan. They could do it tomorrow. Yes, that would be perfect.

  As she was draining the water out of the sink, there was a knock on the front door.

  “I’ll get it,” she called out to Jon. She could hear him in the living room laughing with Colby and Zane. Obviously, whatever the disagreement between them had been, he’d made it right again.

  She dried her hands on the back of her jeans and took a quick peek out the kitchen window. There weren’t any cars in the driveway. Her street had just the two houses on it, and although it wouldn’t be a long way for anyone to get here from town, it was still in the tw
enties outside, and there was still snow on the ground. Not likely someone walked out here. They could have just called if they needed something.

  When she pulled the curtain aside from the front door’s window, she couldn’t help feeling a little surprised at who was actually standing there. She smiled, and waved, and then opened the door for him.

  Mark Franks shivered in his blue parka as he stepped inside, stomping the snow off his boots. “Heya, Darcy. Sorry to bother you like this without calling ahead. I was just down at the bookstore and it was closed. I was hoping I’d find you here.”

  “Mark! How on Earth did you get here? Did you walk all the way from town?”

  “What? Oh. No, I didn’t walk. I mean, it’s not that far and all, but no. I’ve been using skis to get around town ever since the snowstorm at Christmas.” He lifted a foot, showing off a ski boot. “I don’t know, it’s just kind of fun. Good exercise, too. I think I’ve lost around five pounds so far. The way things are warming up there won’t be much snow left soon. Might as well take advantage of it while I can, right?”

  Darcy chuckled in agreement. Mark was a good-natured guy, quick with a joke or one of his funny accents. His voice was pitched high for a man, making him a natural at comedy. He’d only been in town for a few months, but he was already starting to fit right in. Part of the church, part of the committee to beautify the park, and a frequent visitor to Darcy’s bookstore. Research, was how he explained that last one. He was a writer and every good writer needed to get his facts straight. Considering the wide range of books he’d bought so far, he should be an expert on any number of things.

  Darcy still didn’t understand why he didn’t just look on the internet for his facts and inspiration, but she couldn’t argue with him buying two or three books nearly every week. Then again, a lot of that, she suspected, had to do with the major crush he had developed for Izzy McIntosh, Darcy’s business partner and neighbor, and best friend.

  “I left the skis outside in the snow,” he told her. “Didn’t think you’d mind.”

  “Yeah, definitely. I just mopped the floor yesterday. But what are you doing here? You want some coffee?”

  Mark’s blocky cheeks were red from the cold. He shivered again. “Yes, please. Some hot coffee would be just great, but that’s not why I’m here. I don’t want to impose.”

  “You’re not an imposition, Mark. You’re welcome any time. So, if it wasn’t for some of my famously mediocre coffee, then what brings you by?”

  “Well,” he paused, and cleared his throat. “I was, uh, hoping you got in those books I ordered. I kind of need them for the story I’m writing.”

  Darcy took the tea kettle out of the cupboard and filled it with water from the sink. “Right, the books. Two out of print manuals on how to manufacture and defuse explosive devices of various types.”

  “Yup. That’s the kind of research you just can’t get off the internet, and unless I want to embed myself with ISIS or some New York City street gang, I’ll have to read about such things instead. And, for the record, I don’t want to become a member of ISIS. I’m not the type to become some crazy terrorist. My blood pressure wouldn’t stand it.”

  Darcy had to admit that made a kind of sense. She’d never been a writer herself, but Mark had explained to her that sometimes you had to research the most bizarre things just to get one detail in one sentence right, or the whole book fell apart. “What’s the current novel about?”

  “Uh, well, it’s a romance, if you can believe it.” Pushing his shoulders back, holding his hand up with his thumb and first finger pinched together, he slipped easily into a comically thick French accent. “We must give zee people what zey want, non?”

  She was laughing hard by the time she put the kettle on the burner. That was the kind of effect Mark had on everyone who knew him.

  “Honey, who was at the door?” Jon asked, poking his head through the entryway. “Oh, hey Mark. What brings you by?”

  “The bookstore was closed,” Darcy explained for him. “Mark ordered some books through my shop and he was looking to see if they came in. I’m sorry, Mark, we didn’t get any deliveries in today. Tomorrow, maybe.”

  “You could’ve stopped next door at Izzy’s,” Jon reminded him. “Or called her, even. You’ve got her cellphone number, don’t you…?”

  He trailed off when he saw Darcy giving him an imperceptible shake of her head, keeping her back to Mark so he wouldn’t see what she was doing. He lifted an eyebrow. She gave him a look that told him to shush.

  “She wasn’t home,” Mark said, oblivious to the exchange between them. “I tried her phone and she didn’t answer so I just skied over here. You don’t know where she is, do you?”

  Darcy gave Jon another look before turning around with a disarming smile for Mark. “Izzy went out of town on some errands, Mark. She’ll be back later today. You want me to tell her you’re looking for her?”

  “Um. Actually, I would. Thanks. Let her know I was wondering what her plans were for Valentine’s Day. It’s coming up, you know.”

  “Oh, yes,” Jon said. “We’re probably just going to stay in and spend the day with the kids, ourselves.”

  Darcy tried not to frown. This was the first time she’d heard that plan. Although, to be fair, she hadn’t planned anything majorly romantic for Jon, either. At least not yet. She’d think of something before Sunday.

  Mark was obviously upset that Izzy wasn’t around, and probably more so that she wasn’t answering his calls. Whatever he was thinking, he didn’t say. “Okay. Well, I won’t stay long then, I promise.”

  “Nonsense,” Jon told him. “Come on in. Take those boots off and get warm. I heard something about coffee, but we’ve got tea as well if you prefer.”

  “The coffee will be just fine,” Mark said gratefully. “I actually do need to get back into town, I suppose. The town’s SpringFest is coming up next month and guess who volunteered to be on the committee?”

  “Misty Hollow’s newest resident?” Darcy guessed, giving Mark a thumbs up.

  “Yup, me. I’m just a glutton for punishment. There’s going to be games and vendors and a whole scavenger hunt thing, and we have to coordinate all of it. Actually, it’s been a lot of fun so far. I love the fact that Misty Hollow celebrates the first day of Spring like this. I have to say, the best thing I ever did was move here. I really love this town.”

  “Aw, we love you, too.” Darcy had the instant coffee out already, and started scooping it into a big ceramic mug. The water was just starting to boil. “Take a seat, Mark. We’ll get you warmed up before we send you on your way.”

  They sat and talked for a while about this and that, the upcoming SpringFest and Valentine’s Day—which only made Mark shrug and mutter something about some unfinished plans. He obviously had it bad for Izzy. Her not answering his calls was throwing him for a loop. Darcy felt for the guy, but it wasn’t her place to give advice.

  It wasn’t much longer before Mark was strapping on his ski boots and heading back into the winter weather with a wink and a fairly decent imitation of Olaf the Snowman from those Frozen movies.

  “I’ll be a…happy snowman!”

  Darcy laughed at the way he could turn a bad day around for himself. He was never one to stay depressed for long. He was actually kind of amazing like that. For the longest time, Mark Franks had reminded her of someone else. It had nagged at her for weeks until she finally realized she must be mistaken. It was his uniqueness that she was sensing. Mark was just himself. Loveable, and fun to be around.

  And obviously hung up on the wrong girl.

  When they were watching him ski away through the window, Jon bumped his hip into Darcy’s. “Why didn’t you want me to ask him about Izzy? I thought those two were becoming a thing?”

  She slipped her arms around his waist and smiled up at his bright blue eyes. “Because, my loving husband, Izzy is actually out with Kyle right now. It’s one of the reasons why we closed the store early I just didn’t
want to tell Mark that and break his heart.”

  “So she’s with Kyle? You mean…Kyle her boyfriend? That Kyle?”

  “Yes. He’s taking her on an overnight trip upstate somewhere. Somewhere that has a fireplace and great takeout menus, is what she told me. Kind of romantic.”

  “But I thought those two had broken it off.”

  “Um. Not exactly. I think ‘on again, off again’ is the correct term.” Darcy shrugged, wishing her friend could just find a man worthy of her and find real love. “Kyle keeps telling her they need time to rediscover themselves, and then Izzy keeps telling him he just needs to be more sure of himself, and on and on.”

  Jon nodded. “So, it’s a whole thing.”

  “Yeah. Mark’s got a major crush on her, but Kyle’s still in love with her. I mean, in his own way. It’s complicated.”

  “Sounds like it. What about Izzy?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, what does she want?”

  “She’s torn between the two.”

  “Ah. So you’re being a good friend and covering for her until she can make up her mind.”

  Darcy wasn’t comfortable about the role she was playing as Izzy’s friend, but there it was. “Yeah, kind of. I just don’t want it to turn into some sort of sticky love triangle, you know? That wouldn’t be good for any of them. Especially not this close to Valentine’s Day.”

  “Izzy could just pick one,” he said, in typical guy fashion.

  “Jon, it’s not that easy. She has to go with her heart. Right now, Kyle’s sort of the devil she knows, and…”

  “Mark’s the new kid in town.” He scratched at his short, dark hair. “Okay. I can follow that. I guess. I mean, it sounds like somebody’s in for a heartache.”