Free Shadows on a Maine Christmas (Antique Print Mystery Series Book 7) by Lea Wait Page A

don’t know what she did with the money. Maybe new clothes.” Nick looked at Will. “I don’t pay attention to what jewelry she’s wearing. I wouldn’t even know what she’d done if the pawnbroker hadn’t called to tell me he’d had her in his place and figured the necklace didn’t belong to the guy who pawned it.”
    “What did you do?”
    “I got it back, and put it in my safe deposit box. There could come a time when she’d want it. And I skinned her alive for what she’d done.”
    “But it was hers,” said Will.
    “Yeah. It was,” said Nick.
    “Is she going to college next year?” asked Maggie.
    “She’s smart enough. But I don’t know about college. I don’t want her to go far away, you understand. I don’t want her getting in any trouble.” He leaned over. “I don’t think she’s applied anywhere, and that’s fine with me. Biggest reason I’d have to tell her to apply is this boy, Jon Snow, she thinks she likes. She needs to get away from him.”
    “What kind of a boy is he?”
    “Just a kid. No one she should be planning her life around,” said Nick. “So what should I tell Emily about the jewelry?”
    “Is Emily in touch with Zelda? Do they see each other?” asked Maggie.
    “Nah. Not for a few years. When Zelda was eleven or twelve Emily came up to Maine for a weekend and bought her a fancy lunch and a pile of clothes she didn’t need. Now she sends her cards and money for her birthday when she remembers. Not close.”
    “Why don’t you suggest she invite Zelda to go and visit her for a week or so? As a graduation present. Maybe it’s time they got to know each other better,” Maggie suggested.
    “I don’t think you understand. I let Zelda go, she might never come home. Speaking of which,” he stood up, “I should be getting home now. I’m expected. We’re decorating our tree tonight. Maybe I‘ll see you both tomorrow night at the Westons’ party.”
    Maggie looked at Will as Nick left. “That was abrupt.”
    Will shrugged his shoulders. “You were telling him what to do about Zelda. He’s a little touchy about her.”
    “He asked me!”
    “No difference. It’s just his way. Don’t worry. Next time we see him he won’t even remember. We need to be getting back home anyway.”
    Maggie finished her beer. “Nick makes me curious to meet Zelda, though.”
    “Better not tell him that,” said Will. “He’ll think you’re trying to recruit her for your college in New Jersey and planning to take her away.”
    “You’re joking?” said Maggie, as Will helped her on with her jacket.
    “I’m not sure, actually,” said Will. “Nick’s a little protective about Zelda. I’ve found it’s better to keep your peace when it comes to her.”

10
    ’Twas The Night Before Christmas—A Chance to Test Santa’s Generosity. 1876 black-and-white wood engraving by Thomas Nast from Harper’s Weekly . Nast, a German immigrant, began working as an artist for Harper’s when he was fifteen. Later, using his own five children and his home in Morristown, New Jersey, as subjects, each year he drew at least one Christmas illustration for Harper’s . He based his ideas on Clement Moore’s poem “The Night Before Christmas,” but his drawings give us the vision of Santa we have today. In this engraving one of his young sons is in pajamas, hanging a stocking almost as long as he is from the mantel of Nast’s home. Santa’s face and a circle of holly are pictured on the fireplace screen. 10 x 14 inches. Price: $225.
    By midmorning on Christmas Eve wrapped packages were appearing under the Christmas tree. Maggie added several boxes of her own to the pile, resisting peeking at the tags, but feeling like a child. She hadn’t had a tree with unknown gifts under it since she’d been a little girl.
    Christmas was for children. Next year. Next year …
    Will’s telephone rang several times about the offer he’d made on the Victorian house, but he didn’t volunteer what was