A Tisket A Casket

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A Tisket A Casket Page 11

by Liliana Hart


  Ellie snickered beneath her breath. Her daddy thought she’d stopped. She’d just learned to be sneakier. They just didn’t understand why she did it.

  “I did stop playing with animals like the doctor told me too,” she lied. “I’m a good girl.”

  He sighed and the worried look didn’t go away. “You sure are trying, honey bunch. But you’ve got to stop hurting the other children.”

  She kicked out with her feet, tired of the conversation. It was always about what she couldn’t and shouldn’t do. Nobody let her have any fun.

  “But the kids aren’t animals,” she said. “They can run away if they don’t like it. They’re not helpless.”

  “Baby, you shouldn’t hurt anybody or anything. I know you don’t want to be a bad girl. You’re so smart, and we love you very much.”

  She grinned and hugged his neck. “I love you, daddy.”

  “Enough stalling, little girl,” her mom said. “Time for bed or no Santa.”

  Ellie narrowed her eyes at her mother and gave her an angry face, and she smiled when her mother backed up a step. She liked that she could scare them.

  “Honey, mommy is just excited to get Santa’s cookies and milk set out so we can go to bed too. We’re excited about Santa coming.”

  “Oh, daddy. You’re too big for Santa,” she said, giggling.

  “Santa has something special for everyone. Even grownups.”

  Ellie got ready for bed, put out the cookies and milk, and then hopped into bed. Her mommy tucked her in nice and tight, just how she liked.

  “I know Santa will love those special cookies,” he mother said. “He might even share with Rudolph. Now be a good girl and go nighty-night. We’ll see you in the morning.”

  Ellie snuggled under the covers, and despite her best intentions, was asleep in moments. But hours later she was stirred by a bump. Excitement filled her at the thought of Santa trying to get down their tiny chimney. She was going to catch him and keep him. There was no reason for the other kids to get all the toys.

  She slid out of bed, the wood floor cold beneath her feet, and she frowned as she her the soft murmur of voices. It didn’t sound like Santa Claus. She peered down the hall. The cramped living room was bathed by shimmering lights that cast a mystical glow. Her eyes were still foggy from the sleepy film of exhaustion, but she knew what she was seeing.

  “Santa,” she whispered, eyeing the man in the red suit with awe.

  Her eight-year-old heart fluttered in her chest, and she stayed still against the wall as he put presents under the tree. And then she heard another voice, and took the chance of peeking around the corner for a better look.

  “Mommy,” she said, her voice soft. And then she gasped and put her hand over her mouth so they wouldn’t hear her. Santa had hugged her mom and pulled her in for a kiss. A long kiss. Rage filled her from the tips of her toes to the top of her head, and she felt hot all over. Daddy was going to be so upset when she told him. So hurt. She had the best daddy in the world and he didn’t deserve that.

  “I hate Christmas,” she said. “And Santa.”

  Ellie crept back to her bed, her face wet with angry tears. She jerked the quilted afghan up to her chin, but there’d be no going to sleep. Her heart was broken. Were mommy and daddy going to divorce like Ronny’s parents had?

  She tried to sleep, but the voices in her head wouldn’t leave her alone. They were yelling at her, screaming at her to do something. She was the only one who could make things right.

  Ellie wasn’t sure how she got in the kitchen. She just opened her eyes and she was there. And then in a flash she was standing in her parent’s bedroom, holding the lighter fluid and the matches, and the voices in her head were telling her what to do.

  “I hate Christmas,” she said. And then she poured the lighter fluid on and around their bed and lit the match.

  She felt the whoosh of the fire as she turned around and went back to her room. Maybe now she could finally get some sleep.

  About Liliana Hart

  Liliana Hart is a New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author of more than fifty titles. After starting her first novel her freshman year of college, she immediately became addicted to writing and knew she’d found what she was meant to do with her life. She has no idea why she majored in music.

  Since publishing in June 2011, Liliana has sold more than five-million ebooks. All three of her series have made multiple appearances on the New York Times list. Liliana is a sought-after speaker, and she’s given keynote speeches and publishing workshops to standing-room-only crowds from California, to the Library of Congress, to London.

  Liliana can almost always be found at her computer writing, or working with her husband, Scott Silverii, on their marriage ministry at Marriage Matters. Scott and Liliana believe in happily-ever-afters and want to help as many marriages succeed as possible, which is one of the reasons Liliana loves writing stories about couples overcoming all obstacles.

  If you enjoyed reading this, I would appreciate it if you would help others enjoy this book, too.

  Lend it. This e-book is lending-enabled, so please, share it with a friend.

  Recommend it. Please help other readers find this book by recommending it to friends, readers’ groups and discussion boards.

  Review it. Please tell other readers why you liked this book by reviewing. If you do write a review, please send me an email at [email protected] so I can thank you with a personal email. Or visit me at http://www.lilianahart.com.

  Connect with me online:

  www.lilianahart.com

  [email protected]

  About Scott Silverii

  Liliana Hart’s writing partner and husband, Scott Silverii blends over 25 years of heart-stopping policing Special Operations experience.

  From deep in the heart of south Louisiana’s Cajun Country, his action-packed writing style is seasoned by the Mardi Gras, hurricanes and crawfish étouffée.

  Don’t let the easy Creole smile fool you. The author served most of a highly decorated career in SOG buying dope, banging down doors, and busting bad guys.

  Bringing characters to life based on those amazing experiences, Scott writes it like he lived it.

  Lock and Load – Let’s Roll.

  Also by Liliana Hart

  JJ Graves Mystery Series

  Dirty Little Secrets

  A Dirty Shame

  Dirty Rotten Scoundrel

  Down and Dirty

  Dirty Deeds

  Dirty Laundry

  Addison Holmes Mystery Series

  Whiskey Rebellion

  Whiskey Sour

  Whiskey For Breakfast

  Whiskey, You’re The Devil

  Whiskey on the Rocks

  Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

  Whiskey and Gunpowder

  The Gravediggers

  The Darkest Corner

  Gone to Dust

  Say No More

  The MacKenzies of Montana

  Dane

  A Christmas Wish: Dane

  Thomas

  To Catch A Cupid: Thomas

  Riley

  Cooper

  A MacKenzie Christmas

  Riley: Fireworks

  Cooper: The Ties that Bind

  MacKenzie Security Series

  Cade

  Shadows and Silk

  Secrets and Satin

  Sins and Scarlet Lace

  Sizzle

  Crave

  Trouble Maker

  Scorch

  Lawmen of Surrender (MacKenzies-1001 Dark Nights)

  1001 Dark Nights: Captured in Surrender

  1001 Dark Nights: The Promise of Surrender

  Sweet Surrender

  Dawn of Surrender

  The MacKenzie World (read in any order)

  Trouble Maker

  Bullet Proof

  Deep Trouble

  Delta Rescue

  Desire and Ice

  Rush />
  Spies and Stilettos

  Wicked Hot

  Hot Witness

  Avenged

  Never Surrender

  Stand Alone Titles

  Breath of Fire

  Kill Shot

  Catch Me If You Can

  All About Eve

  Paradise Disguised

  Island Home

  The Witching Hour

  Fortune’s Treasure (Second Chances Anthology)

  Books by Liliana Hart and Scott Silverii

  The Harley and Davidson Mystery Series

  The Farmer’s Slaughter

  A Tisket a Casket

  I Saw Mommy Killing Santa Claus

  Get Your Murder Running

  Deceased and Desist

  Also by Scott Silverii

  The Harley and Davidson Mystery Series

  The Farmer’s Slaughter

  A Tisket a Casket

  I Saw Mommy Killing Santa Claus

  Get Your Murder Running

  Deceased and Desist

  Sergeant Joe Boxer Series

  Call Of Duty

  FAST

  Rapid Fire

  End Of Watch

  A DEA Undercover Thriller series

  SAINT

  JUSTICE

  SINNER

  Cajun Murder Mystery Short-Story Series

  By The Numbers (#1)

  The Shepherd (#2)

  Geaux Tiger (#3)

  Cajun Cooking (#4)

  Crooked Cross (#5)

  Cracked Cross (#6)

  Double Cross (#7)

  Creole Crossroads (#8)

  Bayou Backslide: Special Novella Edition

  Bayou Roux: The Complete First Season

  The Shadow Ops Series

  Danger’s Desire

  Danger’s Heat

  Danger’s Passion

 

 

 


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