Page 2 of A Christmas Mystery

Now I make more than enough money as an influencer to cover my modest monthly expenses, and I can still put some into savings. I’m no longer relying on my inheritance from Chris to live, and I see no reason I won’t be able to continue living and traveling in my tiny house for the foreseeable future.

I’m not as happy as I used to be, living in Green Valley and looking forward to a long life with Chris, but I’m content. At peace. I’m usually glad to wake up to each new day. And for a while that was something I never believed could be true for me again.

After I drink my coffee, I do a half hour of yoga and then get out my camera to capture some images of the lake in the morning light and the surrounding woods clinging to the last of the year’s green life.

Tee is expecting me by ten thirty, but I have time to put together one post, introducing my new location and highlighting the large lake, before I shower quickly and dress in a brown sweater, long plaid skirt, tights and boots. My dark brown hair is longer than it’s ever been—almost reaching my waist—and it’s currently threaded through with streaks of a rose-red color in various layers. The color changes fairly frequently whenever I get bored.

I French-braid the top layer of my hair around my crown, pleased with the effect and the way it brings attention to my dark eyes and high cheekbones, and leave the rest of my hair loose.

I’m never going to look like a fashion model. I never wear makeup, and my clothes are never in style. But I want to look as pretty as I can for some reason. I’ve been away for two years. I feel like a different person now. And I want the people who happen to see me to know I’m doing well.

When I’m satisfied with my appearance, I grab my big leather bag and head out the door, excited to see Tee and take her on errands and to lunch.

And hoping not to run into anyone too obnoxious while we’re out.

***

TEE’S HOUSE IS AN OLDfarmhouse that was already getting old by the time Green Valley started being developed as an exclusive gated community on the lake fifty years ago. The house is a large two-story with a wraparound porch, and it looks like a ramshackle anachronism among the newer, nicer houses that surround it.

It still has a large yard and an outbuilding that used to be a barn but that Tee has always used as studio space for our arts and crafts.

I love this house. My earliest memories are set here, even before my parents died and I moved in with Tee full time when I was ten. A warm swell of pleasure fills me as I pull into the driveway and park in my regular spot on the far right of the gravel parking area.

After unbuckling and grabbing my bag, I slide down the high step from my pickup truck seat. As anyone who’s ever met me would testify, I’m not a truck person, but I needed a heavy-duty vehicle to tow my tiny house around the country, so I ended up purchasing this one. I used to feel ridiculous—like some sort of impostor—driving it around, but I’m used to it now and don’t care that it’s not what anyone would expect of me.

Tee is opening the front door before I take my first step onto the paved walk. She’s basically an older version of me—five-nine, still slender, tan skin, long salt-and-pepper hair. She’s wearing a loose dress and a long hand-knit sweater. She grins and lifts her arms in welcome as I approach.

“Get over here,mija, and give your old Tee a hug!”

I pick up my speed, smiling as I run over to embrace her, overwhelmed with the familiar scent of her—cinnamon, paint, the lemon-based cleaner she’s always used. I’m oddly emotional as I pull away. I have to give my eyes a quick swipe.

She notices. Of course she does. But she doesn’t comment as she steps aside to let me in the house. “How does it feel to be back in Green Valley?”

“A little strange. But really okay. Not as hard as I expected.”

“That’s good.” Tee and her sister, my maternal grandmother, were born in Mexico but moved to the US when they were in their late teens. She still has a very slight accent that’s only noticeable occasionally. She eyes me up and down with a penetrating gaze I well remember. “I’ve missed you, but it looks like being away was the right thing for you. You’re beautiful. And more settled in yourself. The last year has been good for you.”

“I think so too. I feel more like myself. I’ll probably always miss Chris, but I can actually see the shape of a life without him now.”

Tee nods. “Daniela is in the studio. Give her a hug before we leave. I have a whole list of errands for today.”

I’m not concerned about her list of errands. They usually consist of going by the post office to ship packages of her art or jewelry that she’s sold online and visiting the art supply store and a few of her favorite boutiques downtown.

The post office I can tolerate, and the other stops will be as fun for me as they are for Tee.

My cousin, Daniela, is one year older than me. She’s the only daughter of my mother’s brother and his wife, who both died in the same accident that killed my parents. Daniela is built smaller than me and has more delicate features but the same mop of long dark hair. She’s wearing a gray tank top and old army trousers but still manages to be gorgeous. She’s tougher and more reserved than I’ve ever been, but we’ve always been close, and she’s genuinely happy to see me when she glances up from the large chunk of wood she’s chiseling.

After we hug and say a few words of greeting, she explains she’s deep into her work but that she hopes I’ll hang out with her this afternoon.

I promise to do so and then walk with Tee back to the house so she can use the bathroom and apply lipstick before we leave.

It’s an odd feeling. To be so completely at home. With family. And yet to feel like I’m not quite the same person I used to be when I was last here.

***

MY ERRANDS WITH TEEproceed as I expect. The post office takes forever since it’s almost Christmas, but we chat as we’re waiting in line, so it doesn’t feel like wasted time. After the onerous duty is done, we spend a long time in the art supply store, and I insist that Tee fill up a basket with anything she wants so I can buy it for her.

We have lunch at a little bistro downtown and then take our time browsing through some clothing stores. We mostly buy scarves and jewelry, but I do splurge on a wine-colored velvet jacket.

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