A Midnight Clear Page 17

  There was always a feeling of let-down once the sun set on Christmas. All the build-up, all the anticipation, but the event always seemed to be over so fast. I put the holiday music back on to help me ease the transition back to normal life, picked up the remaining scraps of wrapping paper to throw out, and went into the kitchen.

  Taco had finished his dinner and was licking a paw. The dishes were cleaned and put away. Judge Beck was out front talking to Heather and saying goodbye to Madison and Henry. They’d be back Sunday evening, but I always missed them so when they were gone. And next year would be especially difficult since it would be Heather’s turn to have them for the holiday.

  Determined not to let such a wonderful day end on a sad note, I put a cup of cider in the microwave, adding a few spices once it was hot. The moonlight reflecting off the snow lit up my back yard. On impulse, I grabbed a blanket from the living room and headed out the back door, hot cider in my hand and Taco at my heels.

  The blanket didn’t quite keep the cold from the metal chair from seeping through to my legs, but at least my hands were warm from the steaming mug. I watched Taco hop off into the snow, shaking his paws and yowling in annoyance at the wet white clinging to his fur. After a few feet he was back, jumping into my lap to curl up in the blanket.

  I sipped my cider, mesmerized by the cold serenity of the night. Even the faint sound of the back door and Judge Beck sliding onto the chair next to me disrupted the peaceful quiet.

  An envelope appeared at my elbow. I took it and looked questioningly up at the judge.

  “I didn’t want to give this to you while the kids were here,” he said softly, as if he was reluctant to disturb the silence of the night. “They’re refundable, so if you say ‘no’ it’s not a problem. I just thought…I wanted… But if you can’t get out of work, or if you think it would be too awkward, or it’s not your thing, it’s okay.”

  He looked rather flustered, and I had no idea what the heck he was babbling about, so I opened the envelope, assuming there would be some enlightenment within.

  It was a plane ticket and a brochure for a ski resort—the same ski resort he and Madison and Henry were going to. The same week they were going.

  I stared at the brochure, suddenly mute.

  “The kids would love it if you came with us,” he said. “I…I would love it if you came with us. We’ll have a lot of fun. I booked a suite in the lodge with a fireplace and a balcony overlooking the slopes. Henry and I can share a room, and you and Madison can share the other. There’s two queen beds in each room, and private bathrooms for each, but I can get you a separate room if you think that would be better.”

  I didn’t think it would be better, but all the words I wanted to say didn’t seem to want to come out.

  “But…” The judge clenched his hands together. “You’re family, Kay. We think of you as family. I think of you as family. I want you to come with us. I want you to stay in the suite with us. If you’re comfortable with that, I mean.”

  I reached out and put my hand over his clenched ones, finally finding my voice. “Thank you. I want to go, and I definitely want to stay with you—I mean with all of you. To room with Madison, I mean. Thank you for including me. This is the best Christmas present I’ve had in a very long time.”

  He smiled, unclenching his hands to entwine his fingers with mine. “So there’s one more thing I need to ask you.”

  I was family. He considered me family. He’d invited me to go on a vacation with him and his children. Suddenly the moon and stars seemed brighter, Taco on my lap seemed warmer and softer. The judge’s hand in mine felt so very right, as if it belonged there.

  “Yes?” I asked, somewhat breathlessly.

  His smile widened into a grin. “Are you a ski person, or a snowboard person? Because according to Henry, only old fogies like us ski.”

  There’s more Kay and friends coming your way with Book 10 in the Locust Point Mystery Series. To be notified of new releases, subscribe at https://libbyhowardbooks.com/subscribe/

  Also by Libby Howard

  Locust Point Mystery Series:

  The Tell All

  Junkyard Man

  Antique Secrets

  Hometown Hero

  A Literary Scandal

  Root of All Evil

  A Grave Situation

  Last Supper

  A Midnight Clear

  Fire and Ice

  Acknowledgments

  Special thanks to Lyndsey Lewellen for cover design and typography, and to Jennifer Cosham for copyediting.

  About the Author

  Libby Howard lives in a little house in the woods with her sons and two exuberant bloodhounds. She occasionally knits, occasionally bakes, and occasionally manages to do a load of laundry. Most of her writing is done in a bar where she can combine work with people-watching, a decent micro-brew, and a plate of Old Bay wings.

  For more information:

  libbyhowardbooks.com/