3 Madness in Christmas River Read Online Free Page B

for me. Besides, I’ve got my friends here who’ve helped me pass the time.”
    “Well, you ready to head over now?” I asked.
    “You don’t want a drink first?” she said.
    “Aw, I’m trying to cut back,” I said, patting my gut. “That wedding dress isn’t going to zip itself up.”
    “Oh, you don’t need to worry about that hon,” she said. “C’mon, live a little .”
    She hailed Harold, and tapped the table, signaling two more.
    “Marie…” I started saying.
    “It’s the Thanksgiving holiday weekend for Chrissakes,” she said. “You’re supposed to enjoy yourself. And you, my dear, barely had any turkey dinner yesterday. You ought to treat yourself tonight.”
    My willpower quickly evaporated under her sound logic.
    “Well… make it a Wild Turkey for me, then,” I said, giving in.
    “That’s my girl,” she said, grinning.
    “You’re the devil, Marie, you know that?” I said, shaking my head.
    “Believe me, you’re not the first to say it, honey,” she said, laughing.
    Harold slid a neat whiskey my way, and a fresh rum and Coke hers. I had no choice but to take a seat next to her and drink what was in front of me. 
    She was right. It was the Thanksgiving holiday, and on top of that, it had been one of the longest days of the year at the pie shop. My feet were killing me, and the whiskey was promising a remedy.
    The first sip hit my taste buds hard, and I made a face.
    “Are you turning into a lightweight on me, Cin?” she said, knocking me lightly on the shoulder.
    I shrugged.
    “That’s the idea, isn’t it?” I said.
    She chuckled and took a long sip from her rum cocktail, which was disappearing rather rapidly.
    Marie was legendary for drinking just about anyone under the table while still being able to hold her liquor.
    “So I’ve been meaning to ask, does this wedding mean you’re gonna go by Cinnamon Brightman from now on?” she asked.
    “To be honest, I haven’t decided yet,” I said.  
    “ Cinnamon Brightman ,” she said, dragging each syllable out. “I think I like it. Sounds downright cheerful.”
    “Well, the name Peters hasn’t ever let me down,” I said.
    Marie’s straw hit air as she swallowed the last of her Coke. She cleared her throat and stared at the empty drink like she was contemplating whether or not to order another.
    “So, Marie, how’s life treating you these days?”
    In all the madness of Thanksgiving, Marie and I hadn’t really had a moment to talk about our lives. I was too busy cooking for what felt like all of Christmas River.  
    She rested her chin on her hand and sighed. 
    “Such a big question,” she said. “I’m not sure how to answer. Good, I guess? Maybe it’s not treating me as good as you. I don’t have a hunky Sheriff I’m getting hitched to or anything like that. But I do all right.”
    She smiled faintly.
    “Aw, don’t try and make me feel sorry for you now,” I said. “When I came in here, there were at least a dozen men listening to you talk. You’ve still got it Aunt Marie, and you know it.”
    “Yes,” she said, looking off into the distance. “But where are they now? Those types never stay long, and I’m too old to go chasing them around anymore.”
    She pushed her ice-filled glass across the counter.
    “Besides, Victor’s a hard act to follow.”
    She didn’t say anything for a long moment.
    Even though it felt like he’d been gone a long time, Victor really hadn’t died all that long ago. I’m sure that for Marie, his passing still felt very fresh.  
    I finished the rest of my whiskey.
    “C’mon,” she finally said. “It’s the holidays. I’m not going to mope around. Besides, there is one very special man in my life these days I haven’t told you about.”
    “Oh?” I said.  
    We started standing up. I pulled out some dollar bills and placed them under the glasses.
    “Yes,” she said. “He’s a little dangerous. Some might call him a rogue. And he’s got an affinity for