Jolly Dead St. Nicholas by Carol A. Guy Read Free Book Online Page A

She’d only moved to Crescent Falls when she opened her gift shop. Although she was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Adelaide didn’t think she attended regularly.
    “How is your father doing now? I know it couldn’t have been easy for him to be laid up with a broken ankle. He’s such an active man.”
    “He’s doing great. Physical therapy has really helped. He’s determined to be back on the golf course by spring.”
    “Come on, Gayle, we’ll miss all the good stuff,” Brie urged. She waved goodbye to Adelaide.
    Adelaide watched the women disappear into the first classroom.
     

Chapter Seven
     
     
    Now that Adelaide was satisfied that everything was more or less under control in the basement, she headed upstairs to look for Reverend Underwood. She was hoping to spend a few moments alone with him so they could discuss their church’s portion of the community food pantry funding for the coming year.
    Several years ago the local churches had combined their efforts into a coalition. It had been Adelaide’s idea, really. She’d noticed that although each church in town had a food pantry to help its poorer members, there were times when one or the other’s resources ran low. Plus, she didn’t feel a person or family should be forced to have a church affiliation to get needed help. With support from their former pastor she’d been able to get a committee together, two members from each church, to investigate the possibility of forming a cooperative effort that would combine resources, therefore making it easier to serve the needy. It had been Ethel’s idea to start the thrift store in conjunction with the food pantry. Now, the Methodists, Presbyterians, Baptists, Lutherans and Catholics worked together for the good of the community.
    With giving somewhat down, however, the church budget was stretched thin. Adelaide’s suggestion was simple—an old fashioned ice cream social held on the Crescent Falls UMC lawn during the July fourth weekend. Not only would the proceeds help finance the second half of next year’s required allotment for the food pantry, but it would be a great way to bring the townspeople together in fellowship. Also, it would be right in the middle of camping and fishing season, so visitors would attend, bringing more money into the coffers.
    Her mind was so occupied with the ideas she wanted to present to the minister, she didn’t quite take in the raised voices in the upstairs hallway until she was almost at the top of the stairs.
    She lifted her gaze to find the main hallway empty. The office door was closed. She finally realized that the argument was taking place in the small corridor leading to the pastor’s study.
    Adelaide stopped in mid-stride just before she reached the top step.
    “You took advantage of my wife! You used your position to seduce her. I know all about what you did. Your days here are numbered!”
    I know that voice. It’s Jerry Hatfield! Ethel was right. That argument she heard between the Hatfields was about an affair!
    Reverend Underwood’s voice was conciliatory. “Please, Jerry, step into my study so we can talk in private.”
    “Get your hands off of me, you jerk. I’ll see that you’re out of here, one way or another.”
    Reverend Underwood’s voice took on a steely quality. “Don’t threaten me, Jerry. It wouldn’t be wise. You need to calm down.”
    “Don’t tell me what I need! You need to keep your hands off other men’s wives. You’ve done this before, I’d bet on it. I’ll find out. I’ll call the District Superintendent and the Bishop if I have to. Oh, I see that got your attention. I thought so. This isn’t your first fling with a parishioner, is it?”
    There was a pause. For a moment Adelaide thought perhaps the minister had left Jerry standing alone in the hallway.
    “Maybe you should talk to Susan,” Reverend Underwood said. His voice was strained.
    “Oh, I’ll talk to her all right. You can bet on that. Take my