Not a Corpse Was Stirring: Cedar Wells Mysteries, #2

By Sherry S. Hall

Christmas in Cedar Wells is a sight to behold!

 

Historical Rendezvouses, Christmas on Main Street, good cheer all around…

 

...and a corpse.

For the first time since her husband's death, artist and shop owner Sarah Stone feels like celebrating Christmas again. That is, until the historical Winter Rendezvous turns deadly, and Sarah finds herself smackdab in the middle of a murder investigation again.

Sheriff Jake Ramsey is back on the scene with a stern warning for Sarah to leave the investigation to him.
Sure. Maybe.

Really? How can she let an innocent person take the blame for murder?

Now to figure out who is innocent…

Get the second book in the Cedar Wells Mysteries series and help Sarah solve the case!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sherry S. Hall
• Release date: Jul 8, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201568177

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

SARAH STONE DIPPED another sweet potato fry into her ketchup as she watched the scene unfolding at her back. The large mirrors under the carved oak arches of Miss Stella’s gave her the perfect view from her seat at the antique counter.

Her friend Jewel McLane, known to the world as Miss Stella, leaned in close to the large, bearded man seated at a table near the wall. Stella’s assistant manager stood behind her boss, arms crossed and a scowl on her face.

Sarah couldn’t hear the conversation, but by the looks of things her friend wasn't wishing the customer good tidings. The feather on Stella’s emerald hat bobbed as she hissed at him. Here it was the kickoff of Cedar Wells' biggest event—Christmas in Old Towne—and Stella was already hot.

The man, Herman Burnett, was the son of a wealthy ranching family whose property lay within a mere twenty miles of Sarah’s family’s ranch.

Sarah tried to remember a time she’d seen the man when he wasn’t causing problems. No memories of that. Even her husband had gotten crosswise with Herman on several occasions, and Sarah’s husband had been about as laid back as anyone she knew.

Her thoughts drifted to Christmas at the old fort grounds about five years ago. Herman had thrown his hands in the air and whooped right in the middle of the cavalry demonstration. Horses and riders had balked in all directions. Her husband’s horse took a hoof to the chest from a high-strung mare and dumped him in the dirt. Thankfully, the fall hurt Tanner’s pride more than his body, and the blow to his horse turned out to be minor.

Tanner. Sarah looked down at the burger in her hands and choked back tears. How long had it been now? Twenty-one months since her husband’s death, and her throat still tightened and burned at the thought of him. When would the ache finally stop? She had to admit it happened less often these days, but it still cut deep when it washed over her.

The scene in the mirror pulled her back to the present. She swiveled the barstool around in time to see her friend plant both hands on her hips. The buzz of the crowd faded as Stella’s voice rose. You’re going to pay your tab with a nice tip for the lady, and you’re going to get your drunk butt out of my restaurant before I have you hauled out.

Herman pushed back from the table, struggling to gain his balance as he stood.

His voice bellowed. I don’t need this from some loudmouthed broad. He looked around the crowded dining area. What are y’all looking at? He tried glaring at the restaurant guests but hung his foot on the chair and stumbled. I’m not paying for nothing, and she sure ain’t gettin’ a tip. Bunch of prudes.

Stella lowered her voice and hissed just inches from the man who stooped over her. Your family may own half the county, but you don’t impress me. In fact, if I were your parents, I would have run you off a long time ago. I’m telling you one last time you’ll pay the bill with a tip for all the trouble, or you’ll be carried out of here in cuffs or on a stretcher. Take your pick.

Sarah smiled, knowing Mr. Burnett would definitely be paying for the meal. The crowd, unlike Sarah, tried to continue lunch without staring outright at the scene.

A fifty-dollar bill dropped to the table before Burnett staggered past. Stella gave her assistant, Viv, a single nod and made her way toward Sarah, stopping to chat with customers as if nothing out of the ordinary had just happened.

Lively conversations over the melody of Jingle Bells again filled the dining room. No one seemed to pay much attention to Herman Burnett teetering out onto the century-old, plank boardwalk that lined the storefronts on Main Street.

Stella gathered her skirts and hoisted herself onto the tall stool next to Sarah. Sue, could you bring us a couple of cookies?

The waitress, also in full period attire, left her post from behind the old bar that now served as an additional lunch counter to retrieve cookies.

Stella shook her head. That man can’t come into town without getting drunk and making a complete fool of himself. Smelled like a brewery to boot.

Sarah pointed to the mirror. I guess I missed whatever started all of it. All I could tell was he’d ruffled your feathers, and they don’t ruffle easily. I knew he couldn’t hold his own against you, so I wasn’t too worried.

Came in here with an attitude from the get-go then had a couple of beers. Not the first he’d had today, I’m sure. I could deal with his obnoxious comments, but the second he slapped Viv on the backside, he bought himself a ticket out the door. Stella’s buxom chest heaved with her sigh, threatening to break loose from the low-cut bodice.

It’s a wonder Viv didn’t grab him by the ear herself.

And slice it off. She’s likely as not to have a blade in her garter belt. Stella winked and chuckled.

The waitress returned with a plate of iced gingerbread cookies on a holly-trimmed saucer. Thanks for taking care of my sister, Stella. Her dark eyes narrowed. You probably saved my job.

Stella bit the head off a cookie and waved the body. Like I say—the customer’s always right until he crosses me.

Sue refilled Sarah’s tea glass and leaned in toward them. Burnett will be a dead man when Viv’s husband finds out about it.

CHAPTER TWO

OUT ON THE BOARDWALK, Sarah listened to tourists and shoppers bubbling with excitement as they weaved in and out of shops along Main Street. The Cedar Wells Old Towne Women’s Historical Society had done an outstanding job on the Christmas decorations. Greenery wrapped each streetlamp, and poinsettias dotted the boardwalk as far as the eye could see. Keeping with the character of the nineteenth-century buildings and the history of the town, each shop owner had decorated accordingly for the season. The West Texas weather was a chilly fifty-two degrees—cold compared to temperatures well above one hundred just a few months earlier.

She pulled the front of her denim jacket closed and walked next door to the Brush and Plume, stopping at her shop window one last time to critique the Christmas display where Santa sat reading a book in a hundred-year-old wingback chair. He wore a burgundy and cream-colored nightcap and matching socks with a vintage robe. She laughed at the mystery book Santa was reading today—Dasher, Dancer, and Death.

Sarah and her assistant manager, Maddie Hart, had pooled their skills, along with Maddie’s college friend Ariel to create the life-sized St. Nick. Sarah was a sucker for antique ornaments and had amassed quite a collection over the years, which the two younger women had used to decorate a six-foot tree to add to the window scene.

Sarah had even found the perfect century-old lantern at Uncle Bob’s Trading Post and Antiques. She’d given their Santa his own little side table complete with cookies. They’d had to switch the artificial snacks for real ones after three different kids had tried to snag a plastic one for a treat. The girls now changed out Santa’s book on a daily basis. The little extra marketing had paid off, too. Sarah had sold at least ten copies from the different mysteries Santa clutched in his hands. This was going to be a great Christmas.

Something hit Sarah hard in the back, dissolving her Christmas bliss.

You’re in my way.

She turned to find Herman trying without success to keep his balance. He lurched at Sarah causing her to plant both hands on his chest to keep him from wiping her out in his wake. I’m sorry. You bumped into me.

Uh-uh, you’re blocking the sidewalk...get...get out of my way. Go back to your pathetic little bitty bookstore with the rest of the book nerds.

Sarah took a step backward and let go of the tottering man. She was no stranger to the Burnetts. His family had taken part in the living history events at Fort Ranson along with hers. After she and Tanner had married, it seemed like Tanner was always having to walk away from a fight with the man during the annual Christmas and Santa’s Market at Old Fort Ranson there in Cedar Wells. Burnett was obnoxious when he was sober, but his repulsive behavior worsened with every drink he downed.

It didn’t help matters that he belonged to one of the wealthiest ranching families in West Texas. His parents were nice enough, and his grandparents had been favorites of Sarah’s grandparents. Herman’s brother was even tolerable, but this guy was a loose cannon.

Sarah straightened and looked him in the eye. Herman, you need to go sleep off whatever you’ve got going on before you get yourself in trouble.

You ain’t my mama, and your Mr. Cavalry Man isn’t here to take up for you anymore. Might as well just shut your lip. He swayed.

Sarah’s face burned. Her late husband had been proud to be a member of the cavalry during the living history events at the fort. Sarah had talked him into the idea of reliving Texas history when they’d married. He’d played along to humor her, but it hadn’t taken long for her to win him over.

She opened her mouth to say something she’d be apologizing to God for later but stopped when a green Chevy pickup pulled into a parking spot in front of the Brush and Plume.

Herman’s brother, Daniel, jumped out and slammed the driver-side door. Where’ve you been? I’ve been all over town looking for you. You’re supposed to be setting up your tent on the parade grounds at Ranson.

Blood rushed to Herman’s face. Sarah was sure he was about to spew foul words at his brother, but instead he stumbled and almost fell into the light pole.

Daniel swore under his breath. It’s just barely noon, and you’re already drunk. He caught his brother by the elbow. Hello, Sarah. I’m sure sorry. I hope he hasn’t caused you problems.

Other than being obnoxious, he didn’t cause me any harm. He did get himself thrown out of Stella’s, though, and you'd better keep him away from the Ochoas this weekend after he slapped Viv on her rear end.

Daniel closed his eyes and sighed. Thanks for the heads up. Again, sorry. Come on. Get in the truck. He yanked his brother toward the passenger side, while seeming to ignore the foul language pouring from Herman’s mouth.

Daniel Burnett was much smaller than his older brother. It made Sarah sad to see Daniel trying to manhandle Herman into the front seat of the pickup.

Lord, help that man...and bless his brother for tolerating the jerk. Okay, God probably frowned a little at the close of that prayer. After watching them drive away, she turned her attention back to her shop. Through the window, Sarah saw that Maddie and Ariel had their hands full with shoppers.

She pushed open the heavy, red door and greeted the customers inside. Maddie stood in the children’s room with her arms full of picture books while two regular shoppers, Mildred and Abbie, browsed the shelves. The duo always bought books for their great-grandchildren. Between the two widows, there were seventeen little ones. Sarah would visit before they left, but first she needed to help Ariel with the line building at the register.

Merry Christmas. Sarah made her way past the line, greeting the customers. As she tucked her jacket under the counter, Cowboy, her middle-aged corgi, opened one eye and raised his head from his Christmas pillow with a Glad you’re back look before closing it again to resume his nap. She patted him on the side and picked up a large Brush and Plume bag for the customer at the register. She’d spent a little extra on the Christmas-themed bags this year, but she loved the idea of her customers being able to reuse the sacks as gift bags. They were made of brown and red plaid recycled paper with a decorative Merry Christmas just below a bow on the side. The coiled paper handles made the bags sturdy totes for Christmas shopping along Main Street, so many returning customers made sure the Brush and Plume was their first stop to shop.

Ariel totaled the sale on the old register as Sarah bagged the books. They took turns keying in inventory changes out of sight below the counter. The customer at the counter put her hand on the top of the old register. I’m so glad we stopped in here. It’s like revisiting my childhood. The five and dime store my granny took me to had one of these.

Thank you so much. We’re glad you stopped in, too. Sarah tapped on the antique. This is one of my favorite finds.

Sarah and her husband, Tanner, had worked hard to recreate the nineteenth century throughout the store from furniture to fixtures and even the register. Tanner had connected an advanced computer system to the antique register and installed out of view, so she and her employees rang up each and every sale on the 1899 National cash register. Sarah had been ecstatic to find the solid-brass machine at an estate sale just after they’d purchased the building that housed her bookstore, artist’s studio, and her third-floor loft—now her permanent residence. After her husband’s death, she just hadn't been able to return to the ranch house they’d called home.

Mildred and Abbie finally made their way to the counter with Maddie in tow. The familiar scents of lavender and cotton candy tickled Sarah’s nose. No matter how many times the