Yuletide Peril Read online

  “What do you do at a housewarming?”

  “I’m not sure, but I’ve heard about them.”

  Lance shuffled his feet, closed the office window loudly and moved into the hall. He ignored the guilty expressions on the girls’ faces, because he approved of Taylor’s plan and he intended to help it along. Once she had the idea, he knew Taylor wouldn’t waste any time putting her plans in motion. He figured she would broach the subject to her mother that evening.

  Chapter Twelve

  Although he left his sister and niece to their privacy most of the time, Lance did share dinner with them. He prepared his own breakfast, and ate lunch at school, but he reserved the dinner hour for his family.

  “Brooke and Janice are moving this week,” Taylor said as soon as Lance had said grace and the serving dishes were being passed. “They intend to stay at Mountjoy this weekend.”

  “Does Brooke like their home any better now?” Lance asked.

  “Oh, yes. She thinks it’s cool.”

  “I’ll have to stop by and visit,” Linda said.

  “That would be really nice, Mom. Why can’t we have a housewarming for them?” Taylor said, her eyes sparkling as if she’d suddenly had the inspiration.

  “Well, I don’t know…” Linda hesitated. “I suppose it would be a nice gesture. What do you think, Lance?”

  “I think my niece has come up with a super idea. If they’re going to move in this weekend, why don’t we have it on Saturday night?”

  “But who would we ask?” Linda asked.

  “Why not the members of our Sunday school class?” Lance said, for he’d been planning in advance, too. “Taylor can invite a few of Brooke’s friends from school.”

  “That could number up to fifty people,” Linda said, a frown on her face.

  “If it’s an open house, everyone wouldn’t be there at once,” Lance said. “But even if they were, there’s a lot of space at Mountjoy. It’s unbelievable the changes Janice has made in that house.”

  “I didn’t know you’d been keeping up with the renovations,” Linda said, casting an oblique glance at her brother.

  Lance felt his face coloring. Linda was apparently unaware of how much time he had spent at Mountjoy. “Yes, I’ve helped Janice and Cecil with some decisions. The four downstairs rooms and the wide hallway look lovely and will accommodate a lot of people. She hasn’t done anything to the upstairs except sweep the floors and dust the furniture.”

  “Is this going to be a secret?” Taylor asked, squirming restlessly in her chair.

  “I think not,” Linda said. “Surprises often backfire. Isn’t it better to tell them, Lance?”

  “Yes. Why not call a few people and ask them to pass the word.”

  “Presents?”

  “Janice won’t want them,” Lance said, and Linda stared at her brother, a speculative gleam in her eyes. “Just ask everyone to bring something to eat.”

  Lance was proud of his manipulation, for he’d dreaded what might happen on Janice’s first night in the house. It did disturb him when Brooke invited Taylor to spend the night with her, and Linda agreed. But perhaps the presence of another person, even a child, would intimidate any would-be harassers.

  When Linda first mentioned the party to Janice, she hesitated. “It’s nice of you, but I don’t want anyone to go to so much trouble for me,” she said.

  “But your friends want to see what you’ve done with the house,” Linda insisted. “We’ll have a good time visiting and eating.”

  “Then Brooke and I will be happy to have you.”

  “We’ll bring refreshments with us, so don’t worry about it.”

  Janice was relieved that they wouldn’t be alone in the house the first night. She wondered how much Lance had to do with the party. It didn’t enter her mind that Brooke and Taylor were still scheming to bring them together.

  Thirty or more guests filtered in and out of the house during a three-hour period, and Janice’s plan to renovate the house was vindicated by the many compliments she received from guests who came to the housewarming.

  By ten o’clock, everyone was gone except Lance, who stayed for an extra cup of coffee. He could hardly bear to leave Janice and the two girls. While Janice helped Brooke and Taylor settle in for the night, he tried to think of some way to watch over them. He finally realized that his prayers were all the protection he could furnish.

  Reluctantly, he left at midnight, cautioning, “Please don’t take any risks. Keep your phone close beside you, and if anything happens, call me immediately.”

  “I’ll be alert,” Janice promised. “I doubt if Brooke and Taylor will sleep at all tonight, so I’ll probably be awake, too. Thanks for helping with such a nice party. I’ve never been the guest of honor before, and I liked it.”

  The first night, and the next week, passed peacefully. Now that she was in her own house, Janice started working four days a week at SuperMart. Because of her experience, she was put to work on the register, and she worked enough hours to continue her health insurance, to which she added Brooke. She earned enough for their weekly expenses and was relieved that she could save her inheritance. She’d made many friends through the church, and Brooke was happy at school. If it wasn’t for the mysterious cloud hanging over Mountjoy, Janice would have been happy.

  Hungry adapted to his new home quite well. At night, or when Janice was gone, she kept him in the doghouse on the front porch on a long leash, so he wasn’t too confined. The rest of the time she let him roam at will.

  A week after she started working, a state trooper approached Janice as she left the store.

  “Are you Janice Reid?” he asked.

  She gave him a brief nod.

  “I’m Sergeant Baxter, WV state police. Do you mind if I do some checking around your property? We’re not satisfied that the fire a few weeks ago was accidental, but the sheriff isn’t eager to share any of his findings with us. I’d like to look over the site.”

  “Certainly,” Janice said, and when he followed her home, she wondered if he wanted to see the site of the fire or if he was looking for something else at Mountjoy. Since she didn’t know how long the cop would stay, Janice called Lance and asked him if he would bring Brooke home.

  She watched Sgt. Baxter as he walked slowly around the property for almost an hour. She figured that Baxter was in his early forties. He was a tall, rawboned, clean shaven man. A handsome square face surrounded his intelligent hazel eyes. Janice had immediately sensed the strength and determination of the man, and it pleased her that he was taking an interest in Mountjoy’s mystery.

  When Lance brought Brooke home, she invited him in for a cup of coffee. While Janice prepared the coffee, Lance watched the policeman from the window. Brooke took a glass of milk and some cookies and went across the hall to watch television.

  “I’m glad the state police are taking an interest in what’s going on at Mountjoy,” Lance said quietly. “Did you tell Baxter about the harassment you’ve had?”

  “No, but I’m tempted to.”

  “Good idea. Goodman hasn’t done anything to help you.”

  When Baxter came to the door to thank her, Janice asked him to come in. She introduced him to Lance, who shook hands, saying, “You must be the new man who joined the local detachment a few weeks ago.”

  “Sit down and have some coffee with us,” Janice invited. Baxter accepted, walked to the sink and washed his hands.

  Janice stuck some donuts in the microwave to heat while she poured his coffee. When the three of them were seated at the table, she asked, “Have you heard about the strange things that have been happening here?”

  “What kind of things?” he asked, and she couldn’t tell from his expression how much he knew.

  Janice explained about the threatening notes, the mutilation of her tires, the strange sounds and the items that had been shifted in her home.

  He frowned. “Why hasn’t this been reported to us?”

  “I didn’t say a
nything at first because I didn’t want my sister to be scared to live in the house. After the fire, I did report the harassment to the chief of police.”

  Sergeant Baxter grinned slightly. “The chief resents us, I think, and he’s tight-lipped about what goes on in Stanton. If you have any more problems, feel free to telephone us. We’re doing a lot of investigating in and around Stanton right now.”

  “Sheriff Goodman says that Mountjoy is within the city limits and this is his jurisdiction,” she said. “That’s one reason I didn’t consider contacting you.”

  “The parameter of the town isn’t too well-defined,” Baxter said with a smile. “If you have anymore trouble, call me.”

  He accepted a warm roll, but before he ate it, he took a large swallow of coffee. “Just the way I like it,” he said. He scanned Janice with piercing hazel eyes that seemed to search her thoughts.

  “Do you have any idea who or why anyone would want to drive you away from Stanton?”

  “Away from Stanton or only Mountjoy?” Lance asked.

  The sergeant threw him a startled glance. “You think if she left here, the harassment would stop?”

  “I don’t know, but it’s my opinion that Mountjoy is very valuable to someone.”

  “You haven’t answered my question, miss.”

  “You asked more than one question.”

  “Then answer all of them.”

  “I suspect who might be trying to drive me away, but I have absolutely no proof and I won’t name them. No, I don’t know why my presence here is a threat to anyone.”

  “Well, be careful, Miss Reid and please contact us if you need us.”

  The townspeople lost interest in Janice’s affairs when they started gearing up for Christmas. City workers had decorated the town in October. Bethesda Church was planning elaborate Christmas activities, including a cantata. The choir director insisted that Janice should participate in the cantata, but she refused because she couldn’t leave Brooke for evening rehearsals. However, Henrietta, who constantly fretted because Janice didn’t have any life of her own, insisted that Brooke could stay with her during cantata practice. Janice was hesitant to leave Mountjoy and return after dark, but she knew she couldn’t live in fear all of her life, so she agreed to sing in the musical.

  Her life was busier than it had ever been, and Janice realized that she was happier than she’d ever been also. How much Lance had to do with that she wasn’t sure. They saw each other often, but he still seemed to be playing the role of a big brother, rather than showing any romantic tendencies toward her. Of course, they seldom saw each other alone.

  Her emotions about Lance were so confused that Janice wished she had a confidant in Stanton. During her years at VOH, she’d had Maddie, and she could confide anything to her. But because Maddie’s college schedule and Janice’s working hours often conflicted, she’d only talked by phone to Maddie a few times since the move to Stanton. And most of those conversations were made with Brooke in the room. She could talk to Henrietta about most things, but not her feelings for Lance.

  Linda was the nearest friend she’d made, but lately she’d sensed that Linda wasn’t as friendly as she had been at first. Besides, she couldn’t talk about Lance to his sister. So when Janice answered her phone two days before Thanksgiving and she heard her Maddie’s voice, she said, “Oh, I’m so glad to hear from you. I’d love to see you.”

  “Then you won’t mind having me visit you on Thanksgiving Day?” Maddie said in her quiet, lilting voice.

  “Mind!” Janice shouted. “That’s the best news I’ve heard for weeks. What time will you get here?”

  “A college friend is driving to Virginia to spend Thanksgiving with her grandmother. Her route takes her near Stanton, and she’s offered to leave me at your house about noon on Thursday and pick me up the next day. She has to be back in Morgantown to work on Saturday, and so do I.”

  “Oh, yes, yes,” Janice said, and gave Maddie directions to Mountjoy. “Don’t expect to get any sleep Thursday night. I have so many things to tell you that we’ll talk all night.”

  “I have some news, too,” Maddie said mysteriously. “I can’t wait to see you and your home.”

  Henrietta had already invited Janice and Brooke for Thanksgiving dinner, so Janice called immediately to see if they could bring another guest.

  “Of course, your friend is welcome. And I’ll hold dinner off until one o’clock, so she’ll have time to get here.”

  Looking forward to Maddie’s visit lifted Janice’s spirits, and she hummed as she went about her work. As she dusted the furniture in her bedroom, she picked up the picture of Maddie that had been taken when she graduated from high school at VOH. Thick, curling black lashes framed light blue eyes with an iris of a darker blue. Dark blond, wavy hair swung around her graceful shoulders. Her lips were full and rounded over even white teeth. A dainty, exquisite nose was the focal point of a delicate face with a complexion blend of gold and ivory.

  Maddie had a petite, slender, perfectly proportioned body. Because she looked fragile and appealing, many people mistook the tenderness and peace in her eyes to be innocence, so that Maddie was often thought to be much younger than she was. In spite of the death of her parents, Maddie had blossomed into a young woman who looked upon the world with optimism.

  When Lance heard that Maddie was coming, he said, “Will I get to meet her?”

  “I want you to meet her. We’re going to Henrietta’s for the noon meal, but maybe you can come to my house for a snack about six o’clock. I warn you though that you can’t stay long. Maddie and I have a lot to talk about.”

  Maddie and her friend arrived in Stanton by eleven o’clock, and Maddie had time to look over Mountjoy before they went to Henrietta’s.

  “I can’t believe you really own this place,” Maddie said, as they walked through the comfortably equipped downstairs rooms. Tears formed in Maddie’s eyes. “I’m so happy for you,” she said and hugged Janice again. “You look happier than I’ve ever seen you.”

  They were overjoyed to be together again and the hours flew by fast—too fast, Janice thought as they sat at Henrietta’s table enjoying the bountiful meal that could have fed twenty people instead of four. When they started home, Henrietta insisted that they take some leftovers, which included a pumpkin pie. Janice didn’t argue because she knew the pie would be better than anything she could provide for their evening snack.

  In the company of Brooke and Henrietta, Janice and Maddie didn’t have an opportunity for confidences, although Maddie’s questioning eyes caused Janice to blush when she mentioned that a friend was coming to meet her. She was a little fearful, too, that when Lance saw how unbelievably lovely Maddie was, he might not have eyes for Janice Reid any longer.

  She needn’t have worried. Lance conceded that Madison Horton was a beautiful young woman, but he noticed that Janice was more lovely than ever as she glowed in the presence of her dearest friend.

  Soon after they’d eaten a light meal of sandwiches, fruit and pumpkin pie, Lance said his goodbyes. Brooke had agreed to sleep in the living room and leave the twin beds to Maddie and Janice. As she unfolded Brooke’s bed, Janice said, “Even if you don’t have school tomorrow, don’t stay up later than eleven o’clock.”

  Brooke cuddled down in the blankets. “I’m sleepy now, but I have another show to watch. ’Night.”

  As soon as they changed into their pajamas and got into their beds, Janice said, “You, first. What’s your big news?”

  Maddie’s blue eyes sparkled with excitement. “I’m going to Hawaii for Christmas.”

  “That’s wonderful. On a guided tour?”

  Maddie shook her head. “You remember Linc Carey, don’t you?”

  “How could I forget Linc Carey?” Janice asked in a teasing tone. “Morning, noon and night, I had to look at his photograph stuck up on the mirror of our dorm dresser. Now I remember—he lives in Hawaii.”

  Maddie’s face flushed. “Because he was my fa
ther’s friend, and several years older than I am, I suppose I was a silly teenager to idolize him so much. But after he accompanied Daddy’s body home from Hawaii, he kept in touch with Mother and me, and he became my hero.”

  “And wrote to you, didn’t he?”

  “Mostly he just sent cards to Mother for Christmas and Easter. After Mother died, I had a few notes from him. Anyway, I’ve always been interested in Hawaii since Daddy was killed there. I’m doing a history paper on Hawaii’s role in World War Two. I hadn’t heard from Linc for over a year, but I wrote to him asking if he could send me some research material. I explained why I wanted it. He sent me an invitation to spend Christmas in Hawaii at his expense and do my research on site.”

  “How long will you be gone?”

  “About six weeks. I’ll be back for the second semester. He has a live-in housekeeper, so we’ll be properly chaperoned. If he’s anything like he used to be, I’ll have a joyous Christmas.”

  The rest of the night, Janice talked about the three months she’d spent at Stanton, and after assuring herself that Brooke was sleeping, she told Maddie about the efforts to scare her away from Mountjoy. Her friend couldn’t enlighten her about the mystery, but it helped Janice to talk to her about it.

  And just before they settled for the night, Maddie teased, “And what about Lance? Am I right in assuming that Miss Independent has finally given her heart away?”

  “Not yet, but I like him more than anyone else I’ve ever known. What’s it like to be in love, girlfriend?”

  “I’ve been more or less in love with Linc Carey since I was a kid. I only saw him that one time, when he stayed with us for a week. I suppose I’m in love with a memory. But I know that isn’t what real love is like. So you tell me—how do you feel about Lance? Is he in love with you?”

  “I think so, but before I came, he’d decided that he was a confirmed bachelor, so he’s a little afraid of what he feels for me. Afraid of giving up his freedom, I think. I felt that way at first, but I’ve learned that being Miss Independent is a lonely way to live. Lance has been so helpful and understanding of the things that have been happening to me. I appreciate that, but that doesn’t have anything to do with my deep feelings for him. I want to be with him all the time. I feel as if part of me is missing when we’re away from each other, but I feel complete when we’re together.” Janice blushed and lifted timid eyes to her friend. “Does that make any sense?”