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your sister is about to marry my father and for that reason, and that reason alone, I’m going to be as cordial to you as possible, no matter how you act in return. However, people in this part of the country are polite to one another as a rule, and no one’s going to be willing to accept the kind of treatment your assistant does.”
    Paulette smiled a slow, deliberate smile. “But that’s exactly why I employ Willow. She’ll put up with anything, especially since I caught her …” She trailed off, straightened the fox head on her shoulder, and then said, “I’m weary, so do excuse me …” And without a thank-you or goodbye, the Diva of Dough strode into the inn as though she were the Queen of England.
    From the safety of his Bronco, James frowned as he watched her walk away. It was going to be a long two weeks with Paulette Martine in residence only a few scant miles down the road from the Henry home. Sighing over the certain loss of the harmonious existence he had enjoyed prior to the disappearance of Glowstar, the news of Murphy’s book release, and the arrival of the Diva of Dough, he turned the key in the ignition. As the Bronco eased back down the driveway, James glanced at the sky, which was thick with heavy pewter-colored clouds. The bank of clouds seemed to close in around the surrounding mountains and James was seized by an uneasy, claustrophobic feeling.
    “Pop was right. It is going to snow. This sky does not bode well for the Christmas Cavalcade tonight,” he murmured to himself as he headed north toward home.
    But if it snows really hard , he thought with a sudden surge of hopefulness, Paulette might be forced to stay inside the inn for a few days.
    “In that case,” he said with a sympathetic chuckle, “God help those innkeepers.”

At five o’clock that same Saturday, the supper club members gathered on the front porch of Gillian’s house. Every one of them was bundled up beneath layers of shirts, sweaters, and outerwear. An unpleasant wind had developed over the course of the afternoon, which seemed intent on forcing goose bumps to erupt on the back of everyone’s neck.
    “This is the bad part about living between two mountain chains,” James said with a shiver. “The wind just attacks you.”
    “I know. My lips are peeling off like pieces of old wallpaper. Still, I do hope we get some snow!” Lindy Perez, the cheerful high school art teacher, declared. “Everything’s so beautiful when it’s covered by a fresh layer of pure white.” She stretched her short arms out in front of her. “Reminds me of the feeling I get whenever I stare at a new canvas or a block of fresh clay. I get all tingly all over just thinking about the possibilities.”
    Gillian opened the front door of her large Victorian house and emerged onto the porch carrying a silver-plate tray loaded with a teapot and five pottery mugs. “Oh, it’s so dark already. The winter solstice is almost upon us, so I’ve made us some soul-warming herbal tea,” she announced, setting the heavy tray down on one of the wicker side tables. “Gather around and inhale this fragrance. While you sip, be grateful that we’re not looking at the winter as the famine months as our ancestors would have done.”
    “When it comes to your teas, I might prefer goin’ without.” Bennett took the top off the teapot and sniffed. “Lord help us! What are you tryin’ to sneak down our throats, woman? Fresh mulch tea? Ugh!” He grunted as Gillian lifted the teapot and placed it directly beneath his nose. “This stuff smells like my backyard.”
    “Excellent olfactory observation. I am so proud of you for activating your other senses!” Gillian replied. “This is pine needle tea. It’s very high in vitamin C and helps relieve congestion. You sound a bit stuffed up to me, Bennett. If you lack the confidence to experiment with a new taste, then I’ll give you some leaves to take home. You can take a nice pine needle tea bath and all