Random Acts of Scrooge: a Christmas novella (Holly Anna Paladin Book 4) Read online

  His eyes widened and he swallowed hard. “Of course, you mentioned it. How else would I have known?”

  “I almost missed it myself, but I made it a point not to tell Greg or Babette because I didn’t want to add any more stress for them,” I continued. “You went to the Mexican restaurant with your cousin and Babette that day. Only, after you dropped them off, you swung by the bazaar and stole the money.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous.”

  I wasn’t going to stop now. I was on a roll. “You tried to pin the theft on Larry Jenkins, figuring he was the perfect culprit. You obviously did some research on the man since you recognized him. Then at the bazaar, the opportunity to frame him was practically handed to you. And you were right—Larry was the perfect culprit. But this is one crime he was innocent of. You should be ashamed of yourself.”

  I almost added “young man,” but I stopped myself. We were about the same age, after all. It was too early in my life to have my mother emerge from me.

  “I know this looks bad, but I’m innocent.” He wasn’t giving up, was he? Maybe he figured if he denied it long enough, then we would have nothing to hold him on. He had no idea how persistent I could be.

  I frowned and paused from my pacing for long enough to tap my chin. “The only thing I can’t figure out is why you would do this. Why you would sell out your own family.”

  A gasp sounded behind us, and I turned in time to see Greg and Babette standing in the doorway.

  “Bryan?” Babette gasped. “It was you this whole time?”

  “I don’t know what they’re talking about.” His voice changed from defensive to whiny and victim-like.

  “We’re family, Bryan,” Greg said. “We trusted you. We let you into our home.”

  Bryan’s frown deepened. “I would never let down family. We’re there for each other.”

  “I thought the leather jacket the man wore in the security video looked like yours,” Babette said, her hand still over her mouth as if to stop it from gaping open in horror. “I just didn’t want to believe it.”

  At that moment, Bryan must have known he was caught because his face transformed from insistent victim to hostile culprit.

  “I don’t know why you look so outraged,” he said, bitterness creeping into his voice. “The two of you are the ones who are experts at conning people, right? You stole money from other people and got away with it. You stole money from me and from half of the community. And what did you get? A slap on the wrist.”

  Babette’s mouth opened wider. “You know we feel terrible about that. It was a terrible lapse in judgment, but we’ve paid for that crime . . . so you’re saying you are behind this?”

  Bryan scowled and shook his head. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Why? Would you at least tell us why?” Greg said. “We deserve that much, don’t we? Is it revenge for our past mistakes?”

  Bryan sighed. “It’s not just that. Now I’m supporting you. I know you depend on my contribution for the house payment every month. Since all of this happened, I can’t move out. I figured if you lost your home you’d move in with Babette’s mom, and then I’d be free.”

  “We could have just talked about these things.” Greg’s shoulders slumped. “You didn’t have to take it this far.”

  Bryan crossed his arms. “People should pay for their mistakes.”

  “We did,” Babette said. “I’m sorry you don’t see that.”

  “Justice wasn’t served.”

  “Bryan, we’re sorry,” Greg said. “We truly are.”

  “It’s more than that,” Bryan continued. “I keep trying to move out, but then I’m guilted into staying. I couldn’t leave you all, knowing you had all of these bills piling up. But I couldn’t stay either. I was never going to get away and never going to get ahead in my life if I kept living with you.”

  “All you had to do was tell us.” Greg rubbed his temples as hurt and betrayal stained his gaze. “We would have understood.”

  “Would you have? You would have told me it was okay, but I knew how much hurt it would cause.”

  “Do you realize how much hurt this has caused?” Babette asked quietly.

  “I never expected all this to happen.” Bryan sneered at me. “She was never supposed to get involved.”

  “Thank goodness Holly did,” Babette said. “You might have gotten away with this otherwise.”

  An officer appeared at the door and cuffed Bryan. He hauled him into the hallway and left us all standing in the office looking at each other for a moment.

  “Do you want to press charges?” Chase asked.

  Babette and Greg exchanged a look, and finally Greg shook his head. “I don’t know. After all the kindness and forgiveness shown to us, it seems unfair to press charges against Bryan. Besides, it’s not in the spirit of Christmas.”

  “The difference is that when people showed you kindness and forgiveness you also showed a repentant spirit. That seems to be lacking in Bryan,” I said softly.

  “I agree,” Chase said. “He doesn’t see anything wrong with what he did. Maybe facing some repercussions for his crime will help him see the light.”

  I stepped closer to Chase. “Don’t lose hope. If Scrooge can change—and the Grinch too, for that matter—then so can Bryan. Don’t give up on him.”

  “We won’t.” A small smile lit Babette’s face. “And there is good news. We just heard from the pastor about how much money was raised. It’s enough to catch us up on house payments. He also introduced us to a financial counselor who thinks she can help us reduce some of our bills. I think everything is going to work out.”

  “It will, Babette. I have faith.” I smiled, grateful that everything seemed to be working out. Maybe the Sullivans really would have a merry Christmas this year.

  Chapter 13

  Christmas morning dawned bright and early. I felt like a child as I hopped out of bed before six a.m. and made myself decent. I still wore my adorable snowflake pajamas, but I brushed my teeth, added a touch of makeup, and made sure my hair was pulled into a neat ponytail. Then I rushed downstairs, started some coffee, and stuck the coffeecake into the oven so it would be nice and warm by the time people arrived.

  Right on time, the doorbell rang at seven. My family flooded inside, along with Chase.

  “Merry Christmas,” Chase told me, pecking my lips with a quick kiss.

  His arms were loaded with gifts. I smiled when I saw the way the presents were wrapped. The edges weren’t even or neatly tucked, but making things beautiful wasn’t Chase’s area of expertise. The wrapping fit Chase, though, and I was grateful he was here with us.

  A few months ago, I’d wondered if I might get a ring for Christmas, but I knew that wasn’t happening. Chase and I both realized that we had some issues to work through first. I wasn’t going to focus on that today. Today, I was going to celebrate Jesus, my family, and all of the good things that had happened in my life.

  But there was a notable void in the fact that my dad wouldn’t be here again. I wasn’t sure when that would ever get easier.

  “Holly,” Chase called to me as the rest of the family disappeared into the living room.

  I paused. “Yes?”

  He held up a small brown bag with some crumpled red tissue paper sticking out from the top. “I want to give this to you in private.”

  I tilted my head, curious as to what could be inside. “Okay . . .”

  I stepped closer and took the bag from him. Carefully, I pulled the tissue paper out. Whatever was inside, it was lightweight. My throat felt tight as I unfolded the supple paper and the gift cocooned in the middle was revealed.

  Tears rushed to my eyes when I realized what it was. “It’s beautiful.”

  I held up a wooden ornament. It was made in the shape of a heart, whittled from a soft wood. The letters “CD + HP 4-ever” were carved in the middle.

  Chase squeezed my arm. “Do you like it?”

  I brushed away some moisture from my chee
ks. “It’s beautiful. You made this?”

  He nodded. “I don’t know much about woodwork. But I remembered how much your father’s ornaments meant to you, and I wanted to do something special. Believe it or not, that took me a couple of months. I threw several attempts away.”

  “It’s perfect, Chase. I love it.” I wrapped my arms around him, grateful for his thoughtfulness and the way he seemed to understand what made me tick.

  I didn’t want anything fancy or expensive. I cared more about people’s hearts. And Chase couldn’t have picked a more perfect present for me.

  “You know you’re special to me, Holly,” he whispered in my ear.

  I released my hold around his neck, settling back flat on my feet in order to see his eyes. My hand brushed his jaw. “I’m so glad God brought you into my life.”

  “I was wondering where you two went,” Mom said, pausing in the foyer. “Sorry to interrupt.”

  “You’re fine,” I told her. I held up the ornament. “Look what Chase made me.”

  Her hand went over her heart. “Chase, that’s gorgeous. Just perfect for Holly.”

  Chase grinned. “Good. I was a little nervous about it.”

  I squeezed his hand.

  “You two do realize where you’re standing, don’t you?” my mom said.

  I looked up and saw the mistletoe there.

  I reached up and planted a soft kiss on Chase’s lips.

  Scrooge hadn’t ruined our Christmas. No, gratitude had won.

  About the Author

  USA Today has called Christy Barritt’s books “scary, funny, passionate, and quirky.”

  Christy writes both mystery and romantic suspense novels that are clean with underlying messages of faith. Her books have won the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Suspense and Mystery, have been twice nominated for the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, and have finaled for both a Carol Award and Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year.

  Christy is married to her Prince Charming, a man who thinks she's hilarious—but only when she’s not trying to be. She is a self-proclaimed klutz, an avid music lover who’s known for spontaneously bursting into song, and a road-trip aficionado.

  When she’s not working or spending time with her family, she enjoys singing, playing the guitar, and exploring small, unsuspecting towns where people have no idea how accident-prone she is.

  Find Christy online at:

  www.christybarritt.com

  www.facebook.com/christybarritt

  www.twitter.com/cbarritt

  Sign up for Christy’s newsletter to get information on all of her latest releases here: www.christybarritt.com/newsletter-sign-up/

  If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review.

  @cbarritt

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  Also by Christy Barritt

  If you enjoyed this book, you also may enjoy these Holly Anna Paladin Mysteries:

  Random Acts of Murder (Book 1)

  When Holly Anna Paladin is given a year to live, she embraces her final days doing what she loves most—random acts of kindness. But one of her extreme good deeds goes horribly wrong, implicating her in a string of murders. Holly is suddenly thrust into a different kind of fight for her life. Could it also be random that the detective assigned to the case is her old high school crush and present-day nemesis? Will Holly find the killer before he ruins what is left of her life? Or will she spend her final days alone and behind bars?

  Random Acts of Deceit (Book 2)

  “Break up with Chase Dexter, or I’ll kill him.” Holly Anna Paladin never expected such a gut-wrenching ultimatum. With home invasions, hidden cameras, and bomb threats, Holly must make some serious choices. Whatever she decides, the consequences will either break her heart or break her soul. She tries to match wits with the Shadow Man, but the more she fights, the deeper she’s drawn into the perilous situation. With her sister’s wedding problems and the riots in the city, Holly has nearly reached breaking point. She must stop this mystery man before someone she loves dies. But the deceit is threatening to pull her under . . . six feet under.

  Random Acts of Malice (Book 3)

  When Holly Anna Paladin’s boyfriend, police detective Chase Dexter, says he’s leaving for two weeks and can’t give any details, she wants to trust him. But when she discovers Chase may be involved in some unwise and dangerous pursuits, she’s compelled to intervene.

  Holly gets a run for her money as she’s swept into the world of horseracing. The stakes turn deadly when a dead body surfaces and suspicion is cast on Chase. At every turn, more trouble emerges, making Holly question what she holds true about her relationship and her future.

  Just when she thinks she’s on the homestretch, a dark horse arises. Holly might lose everything in a nail-biting fight to the finish.

  Squeaky Clean Mysteries:

  Hazardous Duty (Book 1)

  On her way to completing a degree in forensic science, Gabby St. Claire drops out of school and starts her own crime-scene cleaning business. When a routine cleaning job uncovers a murder weapon the police overlooked, she realizes that the wrong person is in jail. But the owner of the weapon is a powerful foe . . . and willing to do anything to keep Gabby quiet. With the help of her new neighbor, Riley Thomas, a man whose life and faith fascinate her, Gabby seeks to find the killer before another murder occurs.

  Suspicious Minds (Book 2)

  In this smart and suspenseful sequel to Hazardous Duty, crime-scene cleaner Gabby St. Claire finds herself stuck doing mold remediation to pay the bills. Her first day on the job, she uncovers a surprise in the crawlspace of a dilapidated home: Elvis, dead as a doornail and still wearing his blue-suede shoes. How could she possibly keep her nose out of a case like this?

  It Came Upon a Midnight Crime (Book 2.5, a Novella)

  Someone is intent on destroying the true meaning of Christmas—at least, destroying anything that hints of it. All around crime-scene cleaner Gabby St. Claire’s hometown, anything pointing to Jesus as “the reason for the season” is being sabotaged. The crimes become more twisted as dismembered body parts are found at the vandalisms. Someone is determined to destroy Christmas . . . but Gabby is just as determined to find the Grinch and let peace on earth and goodwill prevail.

  Organized Grime (Book 3)

  Gabby St. Claire knows her best friend, Sierra, isn’t guilty of killing three people in what appears to be an eco-terrorist attack. But Sierra has disappeared, her only contact a frantic phone call to Gabby proclaiming she’s being hunted. Gabby is determined to prove her friend is innocent and to keep Sierra alive. While trying to track down the real perpetrator, Gabby notices a disturbing trend at the crime scenes she’s cleaning, one that ties random crimes together—and points to Sierra as the guilty party. Just what has her friend gotten herself involved in?

  Dirty Deeds (Book 4)

  “Promise me one thing. No snooping. Just for one week.” Gabby St. Claire knows that her fiancé’s request is a simple one she should be able to honor. After all, Riley’s law school reunion and attorneys’ conference at a posh resort is a chance for them to get away from the mysteries Gabby often finds herself involved in as a crime-scene cleaner. Then an old friend of Riley’s goes missing. Gabby suspects one of Riley’s buddies might be behind the disappearance. When the missing woman’s mom asks Gabby for help, how can she say no?

  The Scum of All Fears (Book 5)

  Gabby St. Claire is back to crime-scene cleaning and needs help after a weekend killing spree fills her work docket. A serial killer her fiancé put behind bars has escaped. His last words to Riley were: I’ll get out, and I’ll get even. Pictures of Gabby are found in the man’s prison cell, messages are left for Gabby at crime scenes, someone keeps slipping in and out of her apartment, and her temporary assistant disappears. The search for answers becomes darker when Gabby realizes she’s dealing with a criminal who is truly t
he scum of the earth. He will do anything to make Gabby and Riley’s lives a living nightmare.

  To Love, Honor, and Perish (Book 6)

  Just when Gabby St. Claire’s life is on the right track, the unthinkable happens. Her fiancé, Riley Thomas, is shot and in life-threatening condition only a week before their wedding. Gabby is determined to figure out who pulled the trigger, even if investigating puts her own life at risk. As she digs deeper into the case, she discovers secrets better left alone. Doubts arise in her mind, and the one man with answers lies on death’s doorstep. Then an old foe returns and tests everything Gabby is made of—physically, mentally, and spiritually. Will all she’s worked for be destroyed?

  Mucky Streak (Book 7)

  Gabby St. Claire feels her life is smeared with the stain of tragedy. She takes a short-term gig as a private investigator—a cold case that’s eluded detectives for ten years. The mass murder of a wealthy family seems impossible to solve, but Gabby brings more clues to light. Add to the mix a flirtatious client, travels to an exciting new city, and some quirky—albeit temporary—new sidekicks, and things get complicated. With every new development, Gabby prays that her “mucky streak” will end and the future will become clear. Yet every answer she uncovers leads her closer to danger—both for her life and for her heart.

  Foul Play (Book 8)

  Gabby St. Claire is crying “foul play” in every sense of the phrase. When the crime-scene cleaner agrees to go undercover at a local community theater, she discovers more than backstage bickering, atrocious acting, and rotten writing. The female lead is dead, and an old classmate who’s staked everything on the musical production’s success is about to go under. In her dual role of investigator and star of the show, Gabby finds the stakes rising faster than the opening-night curtain. She must face her past and make monumental decisions, not just about the play but also concerning her future relationships and career. Will Gabby find the killer before the curtain goes down—not only on the play, but also on life as she knows it?

  Broom and Gloom (Book 9) Gabby St. Claire is determined to get back in the saddle again. While in Oklahoma for a forensic conference, she meets her soon-to-be stepbrother, Trace Ryan, an up-and-coming country singer. A woman he was dating has disappeared, and he suspects a crazy fan may be behind it. Gabby agrees to investigate, as she tries to juggle her conference, navigate being alone in a new place, and locate a woman who may not want to be found. She discovers that sometimes taking life by the horns means staring danger in the face, no matter the consequences.