Read A Crafty Christmas for Free Online Page A

Halloween. So I’m unveiling my new Bloody Bash Halloween papers, inspired by the song ‘Monster Mash.’”
    Much laughter from the crowd as “Monster Mash” blared through the intercom.
    â€œLadies and gentlemen, it’s Halloween in December time! Woo-hoo!”
    Servers came out dressed in costumes: vampires, mummies, and Frankenstein’s monsters. They handed out packs of paper tied with a blood red ribbon.
    â€œWell, now,” said Vera, reaching for her bourbon. “Isn’t this just in keeping with the day?”
    â€œCheers!” Sheila said, holding up her glass of champagne. As she did, the ship rocked and swerved a bit, causing the champagne to spill all over her pretty new paper.

Chapter 9
    â€œWe made these apple and cherry turnovers without any lard,” Hannah said, pulling out a tray for Annie to look over. The golden brown semicircle desserts looked nearly perfect. “They are kosher.”
    That’s one definition of kosher , Annie thought.
    â€œI’ll take six of each,” Annie said. “Thanks for the card.”
    â€œOh,” Hannah said. “You got it already?”
    Hannah was pale and freckled and blushed easily.
    â€œYes,” Annie said, digging in her purse for cash. “Are you about due a break? We can have a coffee. How’s that sound?”
    Hannah warmed. “Sounds lovely.” She gave Annie back her change and handed her the box of turnovers.
    Annie walked over to the corner table, where it was at least semiprivate. Hannah followed her with a coffee tray and some gingerbread muffins.
    â€œI hear Sheila won a design competition,” Hannah said. “How exciting to go on a cruise!”
    â€œYes,” Annie said, keeping the murder to herself. She didn’t want to freak Hannah out. She’d been in therapy—after much cajoling. The Mennonites preferred to keep to themselves, even with their health issues. But Hannah had been so affected by the murders that she had become uncommunicative. Her family tried to work through the church, but nobody was able to help her. So she went outside the Old Order Mennonite system and found another Mennonite who was a qualified psychotherapist.
    â€œWe’re all very proud of her,” Annie said.
    â€œHow are your boys?” Hannah asked. She stirred three packs of sugar into her coffee.
    â€œGood, but very excited about Hanukkah,” Annie said, and then took a sip of her black coffee. “So, how are you, Hannah? Are things getting better for you?”
    She looked away briefly, but nodded positive. “I guess,” she said. “Every once in a while, I still dream about the murders.”
    â€œI do, too. In fact, I dream about every murder case I’ve been involved in. I think that’s a normal kind of processing,” Annie said, taking one of the muffins. “These smell delicious. Gingerbread?”
    â€œYes. I’m so glad to see you. I’m leaving in a few weeks.”
    Annie’s mouth almost dropped open—it probably would have if the muffin wasn’t so good. She chewed hurriedly. “What?”
    Hannah laughed. “I’m going on something similar to an Amish Rumspringa. I’ll be gone for a year.”
    Annie had no idea that the Mennonites practiced something so similar. “Your parents are going to let you do that?” She felt her eyes widen and her pulse race. What were they thinking?
    The young woman beamed. “Yes. I’m going with a group of women my age. There will be a chaperone, of a sort,” she said, and quieted. “I hope that by going away I’ll be able to forget.... It’s sort of unusual for the women of my family, but my parents thought it would be good for me to get away.”
    Annie’s heart sank. Loss was never easy, but for young people it cut deeper. She didn’t think Hannah would ever quite get over the murder of her two best friends.