Miss Frost Saves The Sandman: A Nocturne Falls Mystery (Jayne Frost Book 3)

by Kristen Painter

  Did I mention that I’d invited the Tombstone? That was the local Nocturne Falls paper. I’d only gotten confirmation yesterday that they were sending a reporter and a photographer. No idea who, but Delaney said if it was Piper Hodge, I’d need to watch myself around her. Her parents own the Tombstone, so that meant she got dibs on whatever stories she liked and if she liked this one, it might not be the article I was hoping for.

  Delaney said Piper wasn’t always out to show the best side of things.

  Let me back up a tick. Delaney and I had been chatting a lot since she’d convinced Elenora that the Sandman’s visit was perfect reason to throw a party—secretly, I think Delaney was hoping to get some tips from him on how to get her new baby to sleep more.

  Anyway, Piper was apparently an ex-girlfriend of Delaney’s husband, Hugh Ellingham, so Delaney filled me in on everything she knew about the woman. And then I reminded Delaney that I was (in a roundabout way) the reason Piper had turned blue a few months back.

  We might have bonded a little more over that.

  Of course, Piper was human and didn’t really know what had caused all the chaos in Nocturne Falls this past August (an imp I had accidentally let out of a box), but there had been enough murmuring in town for word to get around that I might have been involved somehow.

  Kind of made calling the Tombstone about the book release seem like a two-edged sword now, but I’d been trying to do the best possible job I could on this launch. I wanted to impress my dad and uncle and I knew my dad read the Tombstone, so I figured if I could get a nice mention in there, that would be a great way to show him how hard I was working.

  But snowballs, what if Piper was the reporter the paper sent and she wrote something up about how the book was awful and the store was lousy and…? I took a deep breath.

  I was letting my head get the best of me. That wouldn’t happen. For one thing, the book was amazing. Sanders was charismatic and instantly likeable in person so if Piper met him, she’d be just as swayed as everyone else. And for another thing, the store was awesome. It was cheery and filled with toys and happiness and Christmas spirit.

  Unless she was Scrooge, everything would be fine.

  I still needed some sugar. The idea that Piper might come with the hopes of making us (or me) look bad had created an ache in me that could only be eased by something sweet. I looked in the employee breakroom for a chocolate truffle or a cookie. Nothing. It was like a herd of yetis had come through and cleaned us out. Minus the drool and lingering smell of wet socks.

  But I’m not a quitter. I knew where to get my fix. I slipped into the store and went behind the register. “I need something.”

  Juniper was ringing up a customer but answered me without looking, her voice soft. “You know where it is.”

  “Thanks.” I crouched down and reached into one of the cubbies under the counter for a metal cash box. I pulled it out. A handwritten label on a strip of duct tape across the top said feminine supplies. The supplies inside were indeed feminine—they were put there by Juni and Buttercup and now Holly—but they weren’t those kinds of feminine supplies.

  I opened the box and took out a Rocket bar and a Scooter patty, then slid the stash back to its spot and stood. I palmed the candy as best I could. “I’ll replace these as soon as I can.”

  “We’re chill,” Juniper said. “As many snacks and goodies as you’ve supplied us with in the breakroom, those are on Buttercup and me.”

  “Thanks.” I gave her a little hip bump and went back to my office. I downed the Rocket bar in record time, then took a breather as the sugar kicked in. I was starting to feel better. The time on my phone said one forty-three. I had an hour and seventeen minutes before the signing was underway. Maybe I could catch a quick twenty winks.

  I picked up the phone and hit the button for the register while I ate the Scooter patty.

  Juni picked up. “You need more?”

  “No, no. Just wanted to see if everything’s good?” I asked around the chocolatey mouthful of peanuts, caramel, and marshmallow.

  “Yep. Same as it was three minutes ago when you were in here. You’re kind of spinning yourself up, you know.”

  “I know. Which is why I was thinking maybe I should go upstairs and lay down for a little bit.”

  “Do it.”

  “Will you be my wake-up call? I’ll set my alarm, too, but just in case—”

  “I’m all over it like white on ice. Two fifteen?”

  “Perfect. Thanks.”

  “Sweet dreams.” She hung up.

  I threw the candy wrappers away, turned off the light in my office and went upstairs. Spider was sprawled on the couch so I joined him, lying down carefully so my clothes and hair wouldn’t end up too mussed. I set my phone to go off in twenty minutes and closed my eyes.

  Sleep eluded me at first. My brain was too busy. I took a few deep breaths and petted Spider, who was now curled at my side. I focused on the silkiness of his fur and the way his little body vibrated as he purred.

  Finally the tug of sleep pulled me in.

  I woke a few minutes later in the same sort of panic I’d felt the night before, except this time I had no memory of what had caused my heart to pound and my nervous system to freak out.

  I sat up, my chest heaving, and tried to calm myself. It was easier in the light of day than in a pitch-black room. There were no lurking shadows or strange shapes. I checked the time on my phone.

  I’d been asleep twelve minutes.

  Son of a nutcracker. I was more wrecked now than before I laid down. I huffed out a breath and swung my feet onto the floor. Nothing to do but get on with it.

  “What’s wrong, Mama?” Spider butted his head against my side.

  I scratched it. “I’m a little stressed. But I’ll be fine.”

  He sat next to me. “What’s stressed?”

  “Something cats know nothing about.” I patted his head, slipped my shoes back on, and got up. “I have to go back downstairs now, but I’ll feed you first.” One of us might as well be happy.

  I gave him a can of Chicken Party, then grabbed another Dr Pepper and went to my office. I checked my reflection in the little mirror I kept in my desk drawer. The hairspray I’d shellacked my head with this morning seemed to be holding, so at least I had that going for me.

  I drank about half the Dr Pepper, said a little prayer I wouldn’t burp in Sanders face, and ran one final check of everything in the store.

  Juniper and Kip were on top of things, and Rowley, who was working the overlap shift, was already on the floor. The store was just as perfect as I’d left it. And people were already in the shop, buying the book and getting in line for the signing.

  All we needed now was Sanders. I stood by the register and thought about waiting in the warehouse, but that might be weird—just standing there, twiddling my thumbs. I could go back to my office, but then I’d have to make sure I listened for the elevator. Maybe I should just stay here and greet him when he walked in.

  But what if he needed something ahead of time? I suppose that’s what Olive was for, but—

  “Hey.”

  I looked over at Juniper. “What?”

  “You’re biting your lip and your forehead is all scrunched up. It’s going to be fine.”

  “I know.” I smiled weakly. Then made myself straighten up and repeated my words with more conviction. “I know. And you’re right.”

  A thin blond woman walked in, cutting straight through the gathering crowd, and came up to me. “You must be Jayne Frost.”

  She had one of those voices that sounded like she was speaking with her back teeth clenched. Very upper-crusty. “I am. What can I help you with?”

  She smiled, revealing even white teeth that went perfectly with her slim, tan ankle pants, lavender sweater set, and pearls. She stuck her hand out. “I’m Piper Hodge. From the Tombstone. I’m here to do a piece about the book signing.”

  I shook her hand, willing myself not to react with anythi
ng but the royal grace I’d had drilled into me as a child. I smiled back. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. We love the Tombstone. And we’re so glad to have you with us today for this special event.”

  “This is a lovely store you have here. The whole Christmas thing is so well done.”

  “Thank you.” I relaxed. Didn’t seem like she was out for blood after all. “Would you like to see the signing area before we get underway?”

  “That would be lovely.” She gestured behind her at the man who’d come in with her. “This is my photographer, Joe Simmons. He’ll be doing all the shots today.”

  Joe waved. I waved back. This was going to be okay.

  I showed Piper around, answered a few questions and then, at five minutes to three, excused myself to get Sanders. He had to be in the warehouse by now.

  The elevator door opened a few seconds after I exited the shop. I stood there, smiling at my perfect timing. I nodded to Sanders and Olive as they walked out. “Have a nice rest?”

  He nodded. He’d changed into a new set of fancy pajamas that were deep marine blue. Very calming. His hourglass was on the cord at his waist, gleaming brightly. “I always sleep well.”

  I laughed. “I imagine you do. Ready to sign?”

  “Absolutely. I can’t wait.”

  “Good.” I glanced at Olive. Her messenger bag was slung across her body and bulging with supplies. What kind of supplies, I wasn’t sure, but Sanders wasn’t going to want for a thing. Still, I had to check. “Is there anything you need from me?”

  She looked at her notepad before answering, then patted her bag. “I have a supply of the gel pens we’ve chosen for the signing, hand sanitizer, several bottles of water, three kinds of mints, a box of chocolates, two sandwiches, a thermos of soup, and a roll of Signed by the Author stickers.” She hesitated. “There’s a pack of tissues in there too.”

  My eyes widened. “Wow. You’re really ready. We could get shipwrecked and be okay.”

  Sanders laughed. Olive didn’t. I felt the need to fix that, since I really had meant it as a compliment. “We should all be so lucky to have someone like you in our lives. I wish I was half as organized and prepared.”

  She didn’t quite smile, but something about her lightened.

  The door from the shop opened and Juniper stuck her head through. “We’re lined up and ready to go in here. And it’s packed. Kip’s going to be restocking before you know it.”

  “Awesome.” I gave her a thumbs up. “We’re on our way.”

  She closed the door and I looked at Sanders. “Let’s do this.”

  And we did. Sanders worked the crowd like the charmer he was. They were mesmerized by him. Kip stayed busy filling the front table with books, and by the top of the second hour I was on the globe to my dad again, getting another hundred books sent through.

  The store was organized madness in the most glorious way. People were happy and chatting and shopping. Buttercup and Juniper kept the lines moving, and the register never stopped cha-chinging. Piper talked with people in line and Joe snapped pics of the crowds inside and out. Holly and Olive handled the customers waiting for autographs like they’d been doing it for years.

  And every time I checked on Sanders, he was smiling and laughing along with everyone around him. He posed for pictures and selfies, and the mood in the store was more than just festive. It had become a party.

  We were a blizzard of activity. I wasn’t still more than thirty seconds. No one was. The adrenalin rush of it all had me high. This was beyond sugar. It was almost magical. And to think I’d been worried there wasn’t enough caffeine in my system.

  The time flew by and when the signing came to an end, there were two books in the display window, another five on the table by the door and one more Buttercup had stuck under the counter because of a torn page. I did a quick tally in my head. We’d sold four hundred ninety-two books.

  I almost fell over.

  I couldn’t wait to tell my dad and uncle. But I would have to. First, I needed to usher Sanders out of the store. The signing was over, but just like at the library, he was mobbed with people. I sidled up to Olive. “The cocktail party starts at eight thirty, but the car will be here at eight. Elenora wanted a few moments with Sanders all to herself.”

  She nodded. “That gives us about an hour to get ready. I’ll get him moving now or we’ll never make it in time.” Her eyes narrowed like she was thinking. “And he’ll need to talk about this, get it out of his system.”

  “Well, there will be plenty of people willing to listen at the party. It is in his honor.”

  “True.” Olive nodded. “Good job setting that up.”

  “I can’t take the credit. My friend Delaney was responsible. Her and her grandmother-in-law. It’s at her house, after all.”

  “Elenora.”

  “That’s the one.”

  Olive looked pensive. “I’ve never met a vampire before.”

  “You have nothing to worry about.” I smiled. “I promise.”

  “I believe you.” She tapped her watch. “All right, time to get the king moving.”

  I’d never heard her call him that before. I clasped my hands in front of me and gave my team a nod to let them know we were wrapping things up. With that prompt, they started herding people back to the main area of the store.

  Olive had Sanders out of the shop in less than ten minutes. On their way to the warehouse door, she glanced my way. “We’ll see you at the car.”

  “Very good.” That was my cue to get moving too. With Sanders gone, the excitement was returning to normal levels. Buttercup and Holly would handle the remaining hours of business, and Rowley would stay on another hour to work on setting up the signing area for tomorrow and restocking everywhere else. The store had gotten a bit disheveled with all the customers milling about, but thankfully books weren’t the only things they’d bought.

  I walked with Juniper and Kip to the elevator. “What a day, huh?”

  “I’ll say.” Juniper wiggled her fingers. “The last time we were that busy was Christmas Eve.”

  Kip nodded. “And that will be here before you know it.”

  I smiled. “Let’s get through tomorrow before we think about that. One more signing, then we can start prepping for Christmas madness.”

  The elevator doors opened and we all got on.

  Juniper pushed the buttons for two and three. “I can’t believe we have to do that all over again tomorrow.”

  “I know.” I leaned back for a moment. “I can’t decide if we’ll be busier because of word of mouth or dead because everyone who wanted a book already got one. Regardless, we have to be prepared to get slammed again.”

  The elevator stopped on the second floor and Juniper and I got out. “Have a good night, Kip. Be ready to keep us stocked up again tomorrow.”

  “I will be. Enjoy your party.”

  “Thanks.” I waved as the doors shut.

  “Speaking of the party,” Juniper said, “you need help getting ready?”

  We walked toward our apartments. “I wouldn’t mind the company.”

  She grinned. “Cool. Lemme go put my comfy clothes on and I’ll be right over.”

  “I’ll leave it unlocked.” I went in and was immediately rushed by Spider.

  “Hungry! So hungry!” He wove through my legs. “Hungry hungry—”

  “I get it, you’re hungry.” I scooped him up and kissed his velvet nose. “Let’s go feed you before someone calls animal control and reports me as a bad cat mother.”

  Purring, he butted his head against my chin. “Spider love Mama.”

  “And Mama loves Spider.” I set him back on the floor, put his dirty dish in the sink and filled a clean one with the required can of Chicken Party.

  Juniper came in wearing sweats and a Hello Kitty T-shirt. “Okay, what’s first?”

  “Me. In the shower. Then I need to fix my make-up, put my dress on, do my hair, and add the accessories.” My stomach rumbled. “Um, actually
, would you mind making me a PB&J? I thought I’d be okay after my big lunch, but I must have burned it all off running around the shop.”

  “Sure thing.” She picked up one of Spider’s favorite toys, a fishing pole with a feather lure at the end. “Then I’ll wear your cat out while you shower.”

  I glanced at him wolfing down his food. “Maybe wait on that. I don’t want to clean up puke in an evening gown.”

  Her brows lifted and she put the toy down. “Good call. I’ll stick to just making the sandwich.”

  I headed for the shower. “I won’t be long. Help yourself to whatever.” When I popped out of the shower a few minutes later, I could hear the TV, and Juni talking to Spider. He was not, however, talking back. I wondered if he’d ever start talking in front of other people.

  I added more eyeliner and shadow and another coat of mascara, then freshened my blush and set everything with powder. Lipstick could wait until the dress was on. I went to my bedroom and into the walk-in closet.

  My mom had sent a selection of my formalwear, but there was only one dress I was really interested in: my gown from last year’s Yule Ball. The shape and color were simple. Narrow straps gave way to a body-hugging column of black stretch jersey. But this was magical fae fabric, a gift from my parents. It had been woven to reproduce the aurora borealis with every movement.

  I slipped the dress on and turned in front of the mirror. Shimmers of green and blue iridescence shot down from my hip. I turned again and a wave of magenta danced across the bodice. No one else would have a dress like this, which was great, but what I really loved about it was that it had been a gift from my parents.

  I retrieved the jewelry case my mother had sent along with the dresses and went back to the bathroom to fix my hair.

  “You need help yet?” Juni called out.

  “Not yet.”

  “Okay. Your sandwich is ready.”

  “Be out in a sec.”

  The updo was easy, something my mom had taught me as soon as I was old enough to attend royal functions. A high ponytail, a couple of twists, a few pins and done. The perfect backdrop for the rest of what I’d be wearing this evening.

  Satisfied, I added a slick of gloss instead of lipstick, then took the jewelry case and walked into the living room. “What do you think?”