Mistletoe Cottage

by Debbie Mason

  Paige looked down her nose at him. Tall and well put together, she’d be attractive if she were a nicer person. “Obviously you haven’t been online. People are raising concerns for the town’s safety.” She waved her hand. “But it’s a moot point. My client has authorized me to make Colleen an offer she won’t be able to refuse.”

  Even though Liam wished that were true, he knew it wasn’t. He also felt the need to come to the manor’s defense for GG’s sake. He wouldn’t put it past Paige to start an online campaign against Greystone. “Paige—”

  “Well, would you look who’s come to call,” GG said, standing hunched over her cane at the entrance to the dining room. Her greeting as much as her toothy smile surprised Liam. Simon wasn’t as friendly. He sat beside GG’s feet, hissing at Hazel and Paige. “Should have known how fast good news travels in Harmony Harbor. Sophie girl, get over here so I can introduce you to the mayor.” She waved Sophie forward.

  Liam didn’t know what was going on, but from Sophie’s expression, it was anything but good news. Her face was pale, her movements jerky as she repeatedly twisted her hand around her wrist.

  “Hazel, meet our new manager. She ran a five-star hotel in LA.”

  Sophie stared at GG. “Colleen, I—”

  Kitty came up beside Sophie and whispered in her ear then patted her shoulder. GG kept talking as though Sophie hadn’t said a word. “Did I mention it was a two-star hotel before she got a hold of it? The plans she has for Greystone…took her three hours to lay everything out for us. We’re going to be bigger and better than ever, Hazel. And we’re kicking off the—”

  Liam shook his head. They’d been in there twenty minutes at most. His grandfather used to say no one had kissed the Blarney Stone more often than GG.

  “I’m sure Ms. DiRossi has good intentions, Colleen, but as they say, talk is cheap. Now”—Paige opened her purse and pulled out an envelope—“you can take this to the bank. My client has authorized me to make you a generous offer.”

  “Pog mo thoin,” GG muttered.

  Kitty pressed her fingers to her mouth. Not in horror, because GG told a lot of people to kiss her ass. More likely she was trying to hold back a laugh at the stunned expression on Paige’s face.

  “Now, Colleen, there’s no need to be—” Hazel began.

  “Put a sock in it. You’re both ruining my moment. We’re hosting one of the highest-profile weddings of the season. My great-grandson Michael and his fiancée, Bethany Adams, will be married at Greystone on Christmas Eve. Folks will know Greystone is back in the wedding business now.”

  If possible, Sophie looked paler than she had before. The only reason Liam could come up with to explain her reaction was that she was still in love with his cousin.

  “Oh yes, Sophie my girl, I know your secret,” Colleen murmured as she slowly made her way from the dining room to the elevator beside the atrium. She knew everyone’s secrets. There wasn’t a person in Harmony Harbor who didn’t have one. Along with the history of the town, she’d recorded them all in a leather-bound book. She’d called it The Secret Keeper of Harmony Harbor. Now, if she could only find the damn thing. Her memory wasn’t what it used to be. She didn’t mention it to Colin, but she was worried she’d been the one who turned on the fog machines and had forgotten that she did so.

  A dull ache under her ribs forced her to stop a moment to catch her breath. She leaned heavily on her cane. The pain was coming more frequently these days. The excitement probably didn’t help. Or maybe it was guilt that she’d meddled in her great-grandson and Sophie’s affairs. Colleen’s meddling had gotten her into trouble in the past. Truth be told, it nearly cost her the love of her son and husband. She thought back to that morning fifty years earlier. Had it really been that long? Bejaysus, she was old.

  She rubbed her chest. She’d stopped meddling from that morning on…mostly. No doubt there would be hell to pay before this sorted itself out too. But she’d known the moment she saw Sophie and Mia what she had to do. It was…kismet. Sophie had arrived in Harmony Harbor just when Colleen needed her most. She’d kept tabs on Sophie when she was in California and knew exactly what the girl was made of. Smart, resourceful, and hardworking, Sophie had what it would take to turn Greystone’s fortunes around.

  Once Michael saw her again and met his daughter, he’d spend more time in Harmony Harbor. Which meant Bethany would eventually get tired of playing second fiddle to Michael’s daughter and divorce him. Leaving Sophie to run the manor with Colleen’s great-grandson at her side. Michael loved Greystone as much as Colleen. He’d protect the Gallagher legacy.

  The door to the elevator slid open, and the black cat slunk inside. Colleen didn’t have the energy to shoo him away and followed. She leaned against the brass rail for support. The pain expanded in her chest, and she couldn’t breathe. She dropped her cane, frantically tugging at the top buttons on her blouse. They popped off, pinging against the walls of the elevator. She tried to call for help as she slid to the floor, but only a moan escaped from her mouth. Slumped against the wall, unable to lift her head from her shoulder, she watched the cat pad to her side. The animal’s blue eyes suddenly seemed familiar and arresting. He rubbed his head against her cheek, the rumble of his purr and the softness of his fur calming the panic that had all but overwhelmed her moments before. Then, with one last look at her, Simon leaped from the elevator just before the door slid shut.

  Chapter Seven

  So this is it, Colleen thought as her field of vision narrowed to pinpricks of light. Instead of pain, she was filled with a warm lethargy and acceptance. She was dying. She wasn’t afraid. At a hundred and four, she’d been living on borrowed time. She was at peace. Soon she’d be reunited with her husband and children and all those who’d gone before her. In some ways, living for so long had seemed more penance than gift.

  She made out the pounding of feet coming toward the elevator. Suddenly cool air and light filled the space, and she found herself cradled in strong arms before being gently laid on the floor. “You’re going to be all right, GG. I’ve got you. Stay with me.”

  Aw, Liam my boy, I would save you from this if I could. You’ll count me among those you couldn’t save, won’t you, child?

  The boy needed the love of a good woman to mend his broken heart. But after the loss of his mother and sister, he was afraid to love. Afraid to let anyone in. His brothers were the same.

  “The paramedics are on the way, Liam. Tell me what you need me to do.”

  She recognized that voice. Soft but with an underlying strength, compassionate and kind. It was Sophie. Now there was a woman…Once again Colleen was overcome with panic. She’d forgotten something. Something important. But before she could tease the answer from her unreliable memory, her vision cleared. Liam’s hands were pressed to her chest, Sophie kneeling at his side. Colleen frowned. She was floating above them. She heard a meow and looked down. Simon stared up at her.

  “So you can see me, can you?” she said, surprised to find she had a voice.

  No one below her reacted. They were focused on trying to revive her. A commotion outside the elevator drew her attention. Ava pushed her way through the crowd to kneel at Colleen’s side across from Liam and Sophie, her voice was calm and professional, reassuring. Liam’s shoulders relaxed. He was no longer in this battle alone.

  Oh, but of course the girl would know what to do, wouldn’t she? She’d left college only months before receiving her nursing degree. Ava’s secrets had stolen her joy, her life and love, Colleen thought sadly. I should have broken my vow before now. Meddled sooner. Told Griffin…Colleen felt jumpy and anxious again. What had she forgotten? Meddling, it had to do with meddling. She was sure of it and just as sure that somehow she’d made a hash of things. But her worries disappeared when a warm, shimmering light beckoned from outside the elevator. She floated through the doors to the atrium. The golden light glistened through the wall of windows facing Kismet Cove, the white-capped waves crashing against the rocks, t
he harbor in the distance, the deep blue ocean beyond.

  Colleen smiled. It was time to go home. Filled with joy and anticipation, she moved toward the welcoming light, anxious to be reunited with her loved ones. She turned for one last fond look at those she’d leave behind. Her grandson Colin had arrived with the paramedics. They were preparing to load her body onto the gurney, but Liam refused to give up and waved them off. Ava across from him worked just as diligently to save her.

  “It’s time for me to go,” Colleen whispered with a hint of regret. Worried how they’d fare without her, she asked the good Lord to bless her family by reciting an old Irish prayer: “May God give you…for every storm, a rainbow; for every tear, a smile; for every care, a promise; and a blessing in each trial. For every problem life sends, a faithful friend to share; for every sigh, a sweet song; and an answer for each prayer.”

  The words comforted her, and she floated toward the light. But at an insistent meow, she looked back to see Mia clutching Simon to her chest. The little girl looked up at Colleen, and her heart that had stopped beating gave a panicked thump. And not because she realized that the child could see her. Oh no, it was like someone was hammering on Colleen’s brain, telling her to remember, telling her that she had indeed made a terrible mistake. Her meddling was going to hurt the ones she loved and put Greystone at risk. She couldn’t leave until she’d discovered what she’d done wrong and made it right.

  She floated to the gurney and tried to jump back into her body. She sailed through herself and ended up underneath the stretcher. She shook off the odd sensation to try again. But this time she backed farther away to get a running start…and once again whooshed through her body. As she sat beneath the gurney, she sensed someone watching her and turned. Crouching a few feet from the stretcher, Mia stared at her. The child glanced at the adults who were once again trying to revive Colleen and put Simon down.

  Mia crawled between the legs of the paramedics. Do it again, she mouthed, and pointed above her at the gurney.

  Colleen nodded and came to her feet. Her head and shoulders went through her stomach. “Clear,” a paramedic said, and pressed the paddles to Colleen’s chest. Her body jolted, and she ended up beneath the stretcher again.

  “Ah well, child. It appears my time here is truly up.”

  A small frown pleated Mia’s brow, her eyes focused on Colleen’s lips. She couldn’t hear her. With a fond smile, Colleen reached out to touch Mia’s cheek in farewell, and her hand went through the child’s face. Mia giggled. Colleen frowned. To her mind, if the child could laugh, she should be able to talk. She hadn’t gotten anywhere with Mia earlier. There was no sense trying again. She couldn’t hear her anyway. Sophie would have to sort it out.

  Colleen waved and floated back to the atrium in search of the light. It was no longer there. The welcome mat to heaven had been rolled up. She felt a pang of regret. Perhaps it was for the best. If she had unleashed a storm with her meddling, she’d have the chance to make things right before facing her maker…and her husband and son.

  She floated back to the gurney and stood behind Mia, who once again held Simon in her arms. “Time of death, fifteen hundred hours,” the paramedic pronounced.

  Colleen thought it rather ironic that she’d died on All Saints’ Day. She was hardly a saint. She had her secrets too. But if she wanted to be ready the next time heaven rolled out the welcome mat, she had work to do. She had to find her book.

  Sophie retrieved a tray of pizzelles and biscotti from the backseat of the Cadillac at the same time her grandmother picked up one piled high with zeppole and pignoli. Rosa had been baking for the past three days. From the amount of food piling up in the manor’s kitchen, so had half the town.

  Her grandmother hip-checked the passenger side door shut. “What do I know. I’ve only raised three children and you and your brothers.”

  Rosa was ticked at Sophie for refusing to bring Mia to the wake tonight. “She’s been traumatized enough in the past week, Nonna. She saw Colleen die. She doesn’t need to see her lying in an open casket.” Not to mention being terrified the first night they’d arrived. At this rate, Mia would never speak.

  Rosa rolled her eyes as Sophie joined her on the walkway. The wake was being held at Greystone as per Colleen’s wishes. “She wanted to come. It would have been good for her. It shows respect. Ah well, she’ll come to the funeral then.”

  Oddly enough, Mia had wanted to come. Her reaction to seeing Colleen die had been odd too. She hadn’t been as upset as Sophie had expected her to be, and that worried her. Mia had put up such a fuss when she found out Sophie planned to leave her behind with Marco, that she’d been tempted to give in. Neither her grandmother nor her daughter had any idea how hard it was for Sophie not to bring Mia with her. But she wanted to protect her daughter like she hadn’t been able to the day of the fire at their apartment and the day she got lost in Greystone’s tunnels. Mia was just beginning to get over her nightmares. She wouldn’t add another one to them.

  “We’ll see,” Sophie said, even as her stomach clenched, rebelling at the thought of bringing Mia to the funeral. Michael and his family would be there. It was bad enough she’d have to attend.

  Rosa adjusted the tray in her arms. “You baby the child.”

  Something her grandmother had told Sophie at least three times a day since they’d moved in. Now with her job at Greystone and the apartment that went with it in limbo, Sophie would have to continue biting her tongue.

  “She’s only sev…six. She’s been through a lot.”

  “Ah, Michael. Stupido. I forgot. Better she didn’t come tonight.”

  It still surprised Sophie every time her grandmother did that. Brought up Mia’s father without asking anything more. It was just accepted. Something they’d deal with together. “Kitty says they’re not coming tonight. They had a prior commitment. They’ll be here in the morning.” There would be another brief visitation before the funeral at noon tomorrow.

  “You can’t avoid him forever, bella. If they have their wedding here—”

  “I don’t even know if I still have the job, Nonna.” She prayed that she did. Though in light of Colleen dying, she felt guilty for thinking about herself. “No one will know what’s going to happen to Greystone until after the funeral. The Gallaghers are meeting with the lawyer then. And despite what Colleen told Hazel and Paige, Michael didn’t agree to have the wedding here until he cleared it with his fiancée.” Which was the only reason Sophie hadn’t run from the office that day. But with the threat of Children’s Services’ impending visit hanging over her head, it was something she’d have to deal with. The job was too good to pass up.

  “Colleen, she was a smart old lady. She will have made arrangements to protect Greystone.” She glanced at Sophie. “You be sure they pay you for the time you put in.”

  Sophie had come to Greystone the morning after Colleen had died as though she had the job. Kitty had seemed glad to have her help organizing the upcoming wake and funeral. “I’m sure they will,” she said as they reached the heavy, dark wood doors. Sophie noticed the black ribbons tied to the iron knockers and sighed. She understood Greystone was in mourning, but Colin and Kitty had agreed that Colleen wouldn’t want the guests to feel uncomfortable and leave.

  “I’ll make sure they do. I’ll talk to that old bag of bones,” Rosa said, referring, Sophie knew, to Jasper.

  Balancing the tray against the door frame, Sophie opened it. “No, you won’t. Behave, Nonna. Kitty and Jasper are having a difficult time.” Sophie reminded herself of the same thing every time Jasper countermanded one of her requests to the staff or vetoed her suggestions. He’d been with the Gallaghers for decades, so obviously he was feeling Colleen’s loss. Even though Sophie suspected he’d treat her exactly the same way if she actually got the job. Something else to look forward to.

  “What? You don’t think I know that?” Rosa asked as she sashayed through the doors. Her grandmother had bought a new black dress for the o
ccasion and spent the last hour in the bathroom doing her hair and makeup. In Harmony Harbor, wakes and funerals counted as a social event. Sophie hadn’t spent much time on herself, but her grandmother had bought her a new dress too. Black, of course. Sophie loved the long-sleeved, wraparound knit dress just the same. She hadn’t had a new dress in years.

  “Ladies.” Jasper nodded from where he stood in front of the elaborate spray of white roses intertwined with sprigs of shamrocks on the round table. As soon as Sophie stepped inside, she was hit by warm air dripping with the heavy scent of flowers, notably lilies. She’d be surprised if In Bloom, the flower shop in town, hadn’t run out of stock. There wasn’t a flat surface in the manor that didn’t hold a floral arrangement.

  Rosa thrust the tray at Jasper. “Sorry for your loss. She was a good, good woman. She will be missed.”

  “She will. Thank you,” Jasper said as he accepted the tray.

  “I will miss her myself, you know. She was good to me.” Rosa opened her oversized purse and pulled out a handful of tissues to dab under her eyes. She sniffed. “Good for our town and for—”

  Sophie heard the warble rising in her grandmother’s voice and cut her off. “You should join your friends and Kitty in the sitting room, Nonna.” There was a private viewing for the Widow’s Club for one hour prior to the wake opening to the public.

  Jasper sent Sophie what appeared to be a relieved glance. Since his default facial expression was disapproval, at least where she was concerned, he’d obviously seen Rosa in her position as official keener before. Although from the sounds echoing off the lobby’s cathedral ceiling, she had some competition.

  “Sí. Sí,” her grandmother said, talking to herself in Italian as she made her way down the steps. Jasper’s gaze followed Rosa across the lobby to the sitting room, and he gave his head an almost imperceptible shake.