All's Fair in Love and Arson

By Sharon McGregor

Bella is back at her childhood home. When her mother took a fall in the Nuisance Grounds (garbage dump) and broke her leg, Bella came back to help her and run her shop, Izzie's. Soon Bella discovers she's also been handed Izzie's role in the town's Christmas theatre production, a musical version of a well-known mystery that threatens to become more bizarre each day. A serial arsonist is frightening the townspeople, a family feud threatens young romance, and intrigue and rumors are the order of the day. On top of everything, Bella's high school sweetheart Jake, who dumped her for a cheerleader, is now Chief of Police. Poor Bella! Christmas in St. Christopher's is not what it used to be.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Prism CW
• Release date: Dec 1, 2015
• ISBN: 9781943104253

Sharon McGregor

Sharon McGregor is a prairie author who has recently transplanted to the west coast. She has written many humor, romance and mystery stories for magazines. She has several romance novellas in the process of publication but mystery is her genre of choice. When not fighting with her cat Zoey for control of the computer keyboard, she is working at her ice cream shop.

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All’s Fair in Love and Arson

Sharon McGregor

Copyright 2015 Sharon McGregor

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Cover Art by Joan Alley

Editing by Jacqueline Hopper

This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are the product of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Published by Prism Book Group

ISBN-10: 1943104255

ISBN-13: 978-1-943104-25-3

First Edition, 2015

Published in the United States of America

Contact info: [e-mail]

http://www.prismbookgroup.com

CHAPTER ONE

Bella sat next to the window, three rows behind the driver. The bus was nearly empty as St. Christopher was close to the end of the line. It had been full when she’d boarded with noisy, hyper travelers.

Now they were rounding the last bend, coming in from the west, catching a glimpse of the tiny lake that sat on the southwest side of town. Bella began to pick out familiar spots—the side lanes she and her friends had ridden their bikes along and the fruit trees on the Kosmaniuk farm where they would swipe crabapples then throw them away because they were so sour. One old haunt was gone, she realized with a start. They’d once used the old derelict Matthews barn as a clubhouse, in spite of parental cautions it was a safety hazard. Now, only a black ruin marked where the barn had once stood.

It was still afternoon, but the sky was beginning to darken. She would have to get used to it. There was still nearly a month until the shortest day of the year.

They pulled up in front of a car dealership. The door to the little office at the end of the building marked Bus Stop opened, and a man in a logoed work jacket and cap trundled a cart behind him to load up the boxes that remained. Strands of tinsel lined the bus stop door, and a garland swung along the front rail of the cart.

She clambered down and retrieved her two suitcases from the driver as he pulled them from the underbelly of the bus.

Christmas lights and decorations hung from the lamp standards along the street, and she could hear dim strains of O Little Town of Bethlehem coming from a nearby business, probably the car dealership. The dealership was lit up to the nines, and a super-sized tree in the display window was hung with twinkling lights and colored balls, and flanked by two new trucks. St. Christopher was ready for Christmas, with only a month to go till the actual date. Bella hoped a little of the Christmas spirit would rub off on her during her stay.

She looked around as the first snowflake fell on her cheek. It was not that cold, and there was no wind, so she decided against calling a taxi. It was only a few blocks to her mother’s house, and she could manage the two cases as long as no snow piles impeded her way which didn’t appear to be an issue. The sidewalks looked freshly cleared.

As she pulled out the tow-handles on her suitcases, she felt a presence behind her shoulder. She turned quickly, nearly bumping into the silver-haired man who smiled broadly at her.

I’m sorry, he said. I didn’t mean to startle you. I was on my way to Izzie’s and knew the bus was about to arrive, so I thought I’d walk with you. He must have noticed her confusion and added, You remember me, don’t you? Barton Gainsborough?

Of course, said Bella. Sorry I jumped. I wasn’t expecting anyone to meet me. It’s nice of you to help. He took the larger of the cases and set out, Bella grabbing the smaller one to follow. She didn’t want to admit to Barton, but she was confused. She had never been a close friend of the owner of St. Christopher Florists and could see no reason for him to meet her. Then a light came on as she digested the reference to Izzie. Her mother had been hinting at a new relationship in their conversations, and Barton must be the new man in her life.

The sidewalk wasn’t wide enough for them to walk two abreast with the suitcases, so she followed in his wake, glad she didn’t have to make conversation. She didn't want to put her foot in her mouth by saying something inappropriate before clarifying his relationship with her mother.

When they arrived at the front door, Barton gave a couple of quick knocks and, without waiting for a reply, pushed open the door and announced, Brought you an early present, Izzie! The wreath on the door bounced and teetered precariously but held its place as Barton ushered Bella into her old home.

CHAPTER TWO

They left the two cases just inside the door before pulling off boots and coats. Barton hung back, apparently waiting for Bella to enter the living room first.

She crossed to the woman sitting in a wheelchair with her left leg stretched out in front of her, sporting a bright pink cast. She gave her a hug as she said, Hello, Mom. It’s nice to be back. How is the leg?

Her answer was a pained look, and Bella quickly realized it wasn’t because of the leg. Bella, how many times do I have to ask you? It’s Izzie. Please.

It had always been a sore point. From the moment Bella had entered puberty, her mother had insisted on being called Izzie rather than Mom or Mother. They shared the name Isabella and had split it into the two diminutive versions. Bella tried, but she referred to her as Mom when talking about her to everyone else, so she had to relearn each time she came home.

Sorry, Izzie. Now, how is the leg?

The leg is fine, but I’m bored, impatient, and grouchy, aren’t I, Barton?

Bored and impatient, maybe, but never grouchy, darling. He bent to kiss her cheek. I’m not going to stay. I brought your mail and thought I’d pick up Bella on the way. I’m going to leave you two to get caught up. I’ll see you later. Another peck on the cheek, and he was gone.

Bella sat on the velvety upholstered blue chair opposite her mother. Okay, give. What is all this with Barton?

Izzie gave her a smug smile. I’m not too old to have romance in my life, you know. I’m a single woman and quite presentable, if I do say so myself.

Bella didn’t quibble with the presentable part. Izzie was still an attractive woman at the age of fifty. She was a little rounded, perhaps, as a result of enjoying the finer things in life, but her complexion was clear, her eyes as blue and full of mischief as ever, her blonde hair artfully cut, and her face relatively unlined.

I didn’t say you shouldn’t have a romance, Mo-er, Izzie. I just never thought of you dating Barton, somehow.

Why not? Izzie asked. He’s quite presentable, you know. He has his own business and he’s intelligent, not to mention good-looking.

Oh, it’s not that, protested Bella, It’s just…