A Cherry Cola Christmas by Ashton Lee Read Free Book Online Page A

we’re going to go with Angelica Grantham Brachle, since we just know she’ll be our little angel.”
    â€œSounds very original!” Then Maura Beth lowered her voice and leaned in, carefully balancing her plate on her knees. “And what’s the latest on the godmother thing, if you don’t mind?”
    Almost in a whisper, Becca said, “You’re still the frontrunner. Just keep it on the down low for now. I don’t want your competition to know that I’ve pretty much made up my mind.”
    At that point, Jeremy sauntered over with a plate piled high with shrimp. He had been known to tear through a dozen in no time at all. “And what are you two beautiful ladies whispering about? Something about Councilman Sparks, I’m willing to bet anything.”
    â€œYou’d lose that bet this time, sweetheart,” Maura Beth told him. “But please, have a seat.”
    â€œHave you spotted something suspicious around town then?” Jeremy continued, pulling up a nearby chair.
    â€œNot me,” Becca said. “I don’t get out much these days. Justin would be the one—I mean, the way he’s all over the place selling real estate to whomever comes down the pike. But I fully intend to pamper myself the bigger I get. You won’t see me straying far from the house.”
    Jeremy speared one of his shrimp and dipped it into the pool of pungent bright red sauce near the edge of his plate. “I’m pretty much like you, Becca. I’m out of the loop teaching all day out at the high school; so unless one of my students is the culprit and confesses, I’m not likely to be of much help.”
    â€œWell, I guess that leaves me, then, to help the police and the sheriff out,” Maura Beth added. “I think I might start taking little walks along Commerce Street on my lunch hour. Maybe I’ll just pop in and out of stores or do some window-shopping. Heaven knows, I always need a break from that dark, windowless office of mine. And who can tell? I could get lucky and see something as it happens. Why, I could even be part of the breaking news of the day.”
    â€œJust don’t go superhero on us, sweetie. We want you to stay safe and sound. By the way, how’s the new library coming along?” Becca said, changing the subject with a smile. “I haven’t gotten out to the lake to see it lately.”
    â€œIt’s taking shape quite nicely. Those tall concrete pillars are rising from the slab at last. It’s such an exciting time for me, I don’t know what to do with myself. Connie and Doug keep me posted on the latest developments, since they’re only a hop, skip, and a jump away at the lodge.”
    Maura Beth sat back for a moment and reflected once again upon the generosity of Jeremy’s aunt and uncle. The McShays had sped things up considerably by donating some of their lakefront property for the construction of the new library—thus preventing Councilman Sparks from keeping the project on that infernal backburner of his. She knew only too well that if there was any way he could scuttle the project even at this late stage, he would try his best.
    â€œWhat’s the actual timetable for getting into the building?” Becca continued. “I can hardly wait for my little one to get big enough to sign up for summer reading out there. I looked forward to it so when I was a little girl. Anyone can put a child in front of a television set, but taking a child to the library to learn how to read—now that’s some smart parenting and the gift of a lifetime.”
    Maura Beth paused to count up the months in her head. “My best estimate is next summer—that is, if we don’t get too much bad weather during the winter. Of course, once the roof ’s on, even that won’t matter. I’m thinking it would be ideal if we could have a grand opening on or around the Fourth of July. We could even