Page 34 of Home for Christmas in July

“Yes, a note and a small ivory envelope labeledClue No. 4.The note asked me to hold the clue until someone came in asking about the pocket watch and combs. So I tucked it under the display for safekeeping.”

He strolls to the window in slow motion with Noelle tripping on his heels. I trail behind. He takes a small key from his pocket, unlocks the window, and freezes.

“Something wrong?” I ask.

He twists his neck to look at me with a confused expression. “This glass is smeared.”

I peer over his shoulder. He’s right. There’s a big, greasyhandprint on the glass. “Someone probably rested a sweaty hand there while they were checking out the display.”

He flattens his lips at the suggestion. “That’s highly unlikely. I personally clean this glass several times a day. I’m particular about it.” He gives a small shrug of acknowledgment, as if he realizes he’s fastidious, before he continues. “Aside from that, this is a window case. The display faces the street; there’s nothing to see from this side.”

“Hmm. That’s so weird,” Noelle murmurs sympathetically, giving me a wide-eyed look behind his back.

“It truly is.” Finally, he slides his hand under a stand that holds the pocket watch and hair combs, retrieves a small envelope, and holds it out to her.

She snatches it from his hand. “Thank you.”

“It’s my pleasure.” Then he turns to me. “Nick, I was sorry to hear you’re not going to be our Santa this weekend.”

I suppress a sigh. “I don’t have a lot of cheer this year. It wouldn’t be fair to the kids to have a sad Santa.”

He nods, thoughtful and understanding. “I mean no disrespect to Josh. He’ll do a great job, but I sure wish you’d reconsider. It won’t be the same without you. You’re an institution around here. YouareSummer Santa.”

I never realized I was an institution, but Enzo said the same thing. It makes me feel old. I vaguely mumble something about getting back in the Santa saddle next year and am saved from further conversation when the bell over his front door jingles and a clutch of women wearing red sequined Santa hats sweeps into the store in a cloud of perfume and chatter. We thank Xander and seize the opportunity to make our escape.

Noelle beelines for the courtyard behind the shop and plops down on an ornate iron bench. “Ready to open it?”

“Let’s do it.” I drop down next to her.

Just as she’s about to slit the envelope open, my phone chirps in my pocket. She pauses while I pull it out and check the display.

“It’s Ivy. Give me a minute?”

“Of course.”

I pick up the call. “Hi, honey. Everything okay?”

“Yeah, Dad, things are great here. The cousins have been ahugehelp. And they’re a lot of fun, too.”

“Glad to hear it.”

“We’re pretty much all set for the open house. Merry and Rosemary are cooking up a storm. Holly made a color-coded, timed checklist of everything we need to do.” She snorts at her oldest sister’s intensity before continuing. “Thyme put all the decorations up and I got the guest rooms ready while Sage set up special crafts for the kids. We have games. We have music. And we’re all set for the first check-ins this afternoon.”

“Sounds like you’re kicking butt and taking names.”

“Yeah, we are. I’m not just calling with an update, though. I’m sorry to bother you at the cabin, but I thought you should know.”

I don’t bother to correct her as to my whereabouts. “Know what?”

“Jamal just stopped by. He wanted to let you know that Mr. Morgenthal won’t be able to play Santa this weekend after all.”

“Why? Did something happen to Josh?”

Noelle looks up with concern at the question.

On the phone, Ivy hurries to reassure me. “He’s fine. But Ryan’s mother fell and broke her elbow and her knee. She’s going to be okay, but she lives alone, so she needs some help. Ryan’s flying out to California to give her a hand, and Josh doesn’t want him to have to go alone. They’re not sure how long they’re going to be. At least a week, probably longer. Jamal said Josh would’ve tracked you down himself but they’re already on their way to the airport. He’s really sorry, though.”

“He shouldn’t be. Family comes first. Thanks for letting me know.”

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