Twelve Graves of Christmas – A Jane Ladling Mystery Read Online Gena Showalter

Categories Genre: Novella, Romance Tags Authors:
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Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
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Conrad waved her over. “Ladies first.”

What manners. Taking a place at the counter where all the food was laid out, Jane selected all of her favorite dishes. But as everyone gathered at the table, the atmosphere became even more strained. People picked at their food. The meal she’d looked forward to and planned meticulously had grown into an uneasy affair. Most of her traditional roasted turkey and ham remained on the platter, growing sad. The butternut squash soup remained untouched in the tureen. But it was her cornbread dressing preparing to go soggy in Grandma Lily’s china that pushed Jane over the edge.

She flattened her palms on the table. “Did everyone wear their listening ears today?” she demanded. All eyes zoomed her way. “None of you are worthy of my desserts. Or my food! So, leave your plates and grab a coat. Your food is going to chill–and so are you. We’re going outside to hunt for gold.”

“Outside…in the cemetery?” Lorelei asked with a shudder.

“But the game is on,” Wyatt complained, twisting in his chair to glimpse the television screen in the living room. He didn’t seem to care that his date was currently making happy-eyes at Conrad, who radiated tension.

The other men made muttering noises of agreement. Sora shrugged.

Steadfast, Jane shook her head. “If it’s not the Bulldogs playing, it’s not football, as my Pops used to say. So let’s go. I’ll meet you at the front door and give you your assignments.”

Five minutes later, her crew stood by the front door as ordered. “Beau and Sora, you’ll be together. Your assignment is to investigate Dr. Gabriel Dansing’s headstone, while keeping this phrase in mind. Barreling dads gin.”

The two grumbled, but off they went.

“Don’t come back until you’re smiling,” Jane called. She turned to Conrad. “You’re with Lorelei.” He opened his mouth to protest as the other woman eagerly hooked her arm through his, but Jane shook her head, silencing him. The former daters needed to clear the air. What she knew? He would never make a move on his foster brother’s date. “You’re searching the gravesite of Sueann Pickens and thinking of sunken ice naps. I’m working with Wyatt.” She smiled at Conrad’s brother–who was about to get a stern talking to. “Ready?”

The four of them headed outside in the waning sunlight. Perfect. Just enough time to burn off their frustrations and work up an appetite. Those pies would not be scorned. At a fork in the cobblestone path, their groups split. Conrad cast her a final, unreadable glance. She put her nose in the air.

“Are we really hunting gold or are you planning to knock some sense into me?” Wyatt asked as soon as they were out of earshot of the others. “Because I already know I shouldn’t have brought Lorelei. I just thought…I don’t know. Con called me the other day, and I heard the frustration in his voice. I thought I’d help him out.”

Her breath hitched. Conrad might wish he’d never moved in with her?

“Like an idiot,” Wyatt continued, “I suspected he regretted moving here. I invited Lorelei to show him exactly what he’s not missing. Didn’t realize she’d pounce on him like a lioness on a gazelle. But more than that, being here…seeing Con with you, I realized I didn’t have anything to worry about. Big bro was simply concerned about his lack of progress on your case. Seriously, the guy’s a goner for you. He kept his attention on the kitchen the entire time you were cooking. At the table, he watched you. He doesn’t want to be anywhere else, I can tell.”

Comforting–troubling–words. “Has he told you about the Ladling curse?”

“He has.” Wyatt reached out, clasped her hand and squeezed. “And if anyone can break that curse, it’s Conrad.”

Longing flooded her as they reached the gravesite of William King. “Yes. Well.” Could he truly? Could anyone? “Thanks for looking out for him. You’re a good brother.”

He gave her a rueful grin. “He’s the one who’s always taken care of me. I’m just happy to help him any way I can. With that in mind, I’m gonna give you my best advice. Give him a chance. You’ll never regret it.” Before she could protest, he said, “So, what’s our assignment?”

She cleared her throat to dislodge a sudden lump. “We’re looking around, keeping the phrase wailing milk in mind.”

They spent the next twenty minutes examining the massive headstone. Truly the biggest in the entire cemetery. They studied the carvings and noticed little nicks on the side that might or might not resemble tears. Hmm. She recalled the map she’d studied last night, and again, something niggled at the back of her mind.

What am I missing? What, what?

Footsteps sounded, Conrad and Lorelei approaching. The redhead appeared disappointed but resigned, while Conrad had shed layers of stress. Mission accomplished! Beau and Sora weren’t far behind them. The pair had shed layers of stress as well. They weren’t smiling, but they weren’t uncomfortable anymore, either. Excellent.


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