Christmas Can Be Murder: A Chaplain Merriman Christian Cozy Mystery (Chaplain Merriman Christian Cozy Mysteries Book 1)
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Later that day, I learned that Tiffany and her drug dealer boyfriend had also been arrested, charged with possession of drugs and with extortion, because they were actually trying to blackmail Gavin Hawley, threatening to turn him in if he didn't cough up more money. He beat them to the punch, putting all of his assets into a trust fund, and then turning himself in to the sheriff and confessing to fraud on some of his construction jobs, and his confession about money laundering would be taking down a few well known Arkansas politicians.
That morning, though, since Colton was all taken care of, all I cared about was the parade. With a little help, I managed to get into the Santa Suit in the back room of the fire department, and climb up onto the big sleigh that was actually sitting on a flatbed trailer. Maisy got up there beside me, smiling widely. There were some huge bags of candy on the floor, and we began tossing it out to the children of Alpena and the surrounding towns, who were lining the street with their parents.
As we passed the Citgo Station, I spotted Colton, sitting up on Keith Brodrick's shoulders, and motioned for Keith to bring him to me. The boy hadn’t seen me in the suit before, and was overwhelmed that Santa actually knew his name, but he went into happy fits when he realized he got to ride with us for the rest of the parade. He laughed like mad as he helped us throw candy, and was having a wonderful time, but as the parade drew to a close, I could tell the sadness was setting in. I pulled him onto my lap and asked him what was wrong, wondering what he would say, and praying that God would give me the right words to say in response.
He sat there for a long moment, and then he looked up into my eyes. “If I tell you a wish, will it come true?” he asked.
“Sometimes,” I said.
He stared into my eyes for another moment, and then he said, “I wish my Mommy was here.”
I pulled him close to me and held him tight, then I pointed up at the sky. “Do you know who lives up there?” I asked him, and he nodded.
“God lives up there,” he said, “cause that's Heaven.”
“That's right,” I said, “but someone else lives up there now, too.”
He looked at me for a moment, then looked up at the sky again. “Mommy?” he asked.
“Yes,” I said, “so even though your Mommy isn’t here right now, she’s watching you, and I'm sure she's very, very proud of you!”
The little boy looked back at me once more, and then raised his eyes to Heaven. He sat there for a moment before lifting his hand in a slight wave and whispering, “Hi, Mommy. I love you.” Turning to me he added, “I love you too, Santa…and God as well.”
Then I was so choked up I could hardly get the words out. “God loves you right back, Colton, and so do I. Merry, merry Christmas little man.”
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By Liz Dodwell:
Doggone Christmas: A Polly Parrett Cozy Mystery
Coming late November:
Captain Finn Treasure Mysteries:
The Mystery of the One-Armed Man (Book 1)
Black Bart is Dead (Book 2)
The Gold Doubloon Mystery (Book 3)
The Game’s a Foot (Book 4)
Captain Finn Boxed Set (Books 1-3)
For you coloring enthusiasts, take a look at Liz’s publication Christmas Mandalas and Messages Adult Coloring Book.
Liz Dodwell devotes her time to writing and publishing from the home she shares with husband, Alex and a host of rescued dogs and cats, collectively known as "the kids." She will tell you, "I gladly suffer the luxury of working from home where I'm with my "kids," can toss in a load of laundry in between radio interviews, writing, editing, general office work or baking pupcakes (dog treats) while still in my PJs. I love what I do and know how lucky I am to be able to do it. Oh, and if you asked me what my hobbies are, I'd probably say reading murder mysteries, drinking champagne, romantic dinners with my husband and yodeling (just joking about that last one)."
Jacob Lee joins Liz in their first collaboration of the Chaplain Merriman series.