She sensed from the moment she had donned her robe and slippers that today was going to be one of those days.  Her morning shower was barely warm and when she tried to make coffee the glass pot shattered.  She had promised herself to put the tree up, but the way her luck was going today she procrastinated until noon.  Convinced she was making excuses for being lazy; she hauled out the tree and ornaments and began decorating her place for the holidays. 
“Awesome, simply gorgeous,” she expressed while placing the last ornament on the top of her small tree that stood on a sturdy end table.  The beautiful gold star, a last gift from her mother before her death, had become an enduring treasure.  She decided to turn on the tree lights even though the day had dwindled into early Saturday evening and was not dark yet.   Holly flipped the switch and then stepped backward feeling a soft inner glow.  “I love the magic of lights.” Her new townhouse seemed cozier with
 the addition of the holiday tree and other arrangements she had placed on the fireplace
mantel.  Satisfied that the room was exactly the way she wanted it, Holly Greene walked into her kitchen and fixed some hot spiced cider.  With cup in hand she wandered back into the living
room whispering a sigh of relief that the tree was still standing.  Since her day had started out
 with a couple of kinks, she wasn’t sure what
 would happen next.   Her only objection at the
 moment was having no one to share her
Christmas spirit.  May as well sit down and toast the season.  No sense wasting good cider.  She plopped her petite body down in a chair across the room and raised her cup.  Ordinarily, it wouldn’t have mattered whether she was alone or not, but this Christmas she would turn twenty nine and bemoaned the thought of no love prospects in sight.  Her job in the marketing department of a widely known cereal company kept her occupied day and night.  It didn’t leave her much time for developing a relationship. 
  Deep in thought when the doorbell rang, she brushed her long dark hair away from her face and rose to answer the summons. The postal carrier handed her a small package and the daily mail.  A message on the outside of the box caught her attention.   ‘Do not open until Christmas’.  She didn’t recognize the return address.  Leery at first, she wanted to catch up with the mail carrier and have it returned to the sender, but the post mark changed her mind.  Since it was from Canada, she figured it was a surprise from her sister who was spending the holiday there with her husband skiing.  Just to be safe she shook it, dropped it on the floor and then examined it carefully.  The box is light as a feather, and it didn’t explode, she laughed, feeling reasonably safe.  She chuckled while placing it under the tree and got ready to do her Saturday grocery shopping.  She had planned on being gone a very short time, so she decided to leave the tree lights on and enhance the Christmas atmosphere of the neighborhood.  She left word with her neighbor, Jenny, of her action in case of a problem and made way to her car.

 

Luke Mercer groaned and winced as he anchored both hands underneath his knee, lifted his leg, and propped his injured foot on a small bench near his desk chair.  Yesterday had been one hell of a day.  He and his partner had been called out on a domestic case that had escalated into a violent family argument.  An irate ex-husband stomped hard on his right foot while he tried to cuff him.  He wasn’t prepared for that sort of attack and ended up in the emergency room.  His foot was broken and now he was in a boot cast for six weeks, or more, if it didn’t heal.  He was thankful he wasn’t sent home on medical leave.  Until the doctor cleared him, he would be on light duty.  It didn’t matter to him.  He had plenty of paper work that needed attention.  Besides, he wasn’t involved with anyone at the time so no worries about dancing on New Year’s Eve.
Amidst all the activity around him, he leaned back in his chair and watched a few of the unit secretaries putting up a holiday tree.  He hadn’t been into Christmas much since he was so far away from his family in Wisconsin.  Four years after he received his badge he was promoted to Detective along with a required relocation.  He’d grown to love this medium size town in Colorado and was committed to his job.  At thirty one years of age he was still a single man.  He had dated a lot, but nothing serious crossed his path since his move from Wisconsin.  The woman he had been involved with didn’t want to move away from her family so they went their separate ways.  Probably for the best, he thought.  She married another man and had kids now.  But, his Mom and Dad, brother and sister still lived in Wisconsin and it might be a good time to go for a visit.  The phone rang.  He set aside his thoughts and pressed the speaker button.
“Detective Mercer,” he announced, happy to have the distraction.
“Mercer, grab your coat and hobble out to this address.  It’s an easy call; a break in and theft.  I’m sending a uniform with you.  He has the address.”  His captain signed off.
He smiled and caught himself before getting sarcastic. The captain irritated him with his brevity.  At least it gets me out of here for awhile.

 

Holly pulled her car into the driveway of her home and pressed the brakes.
It’s so dark.  I don’t remember turning off  the tree lights.
 She put the car in park, clicked the garage door opener and sat for a moment studying her living room window.  After pulling the car in, she got out, gathered the grocery bags and went in through the back door setting her purchases on the table.  She stood for a moment in shocked disbelief.  
 “Oh my God,” she screamed.  “My tree is gone.  What the hell?” 
She flipped on a lamp and looked around.  Astounded, she realized the danger she was in and rushed out the back door grabbing her handbag as she flew by the table.  In an instant she was banging on her neighbors door. 
“Jenny, call the police.  Someone’s been in my house.  I think I’ve been robbed.” Jenny moved quickly to her table phone and carried out the request without questions.  When she returned, Holly briefly explained and told her she would wait on the porch for the authorities to arrive. 
It wasn’t long before a marked car pulled into the driveway of her home.  A uniformed officer and a man in a dark overcoat got out. 
“Hey, Officers,” she shouted as she walked toward her townhouse.  “I am the owner here, and I think I have been robbed.”
As she approached the two men she noticed one had an orthopedic boot on his right foot.  He tipped his head downward meeting her eyes and began to speak.  For a moment she was caught off guard.  His disarming features left her speechless. 
“Miss,” he said.  “I’m Detective Luke Mercer and I am here to investigate your complaint.”
“Yes, sure,” she hesitated drawing her purse close to her body.
“Can you tell me what happened from the beginning, please?”  He asked officially.  “In the meantime, I’ll have the officer go in and take a look around.”
“We may have to go in with him.  I’m not exactly sure what all is missing other than the tree.  I rushed out when I realized I’d been robbed.”
She stared at him for a moment assessing his attributes finding it difficult to concentrate on the current situation. There was no ring on his left hand and he appeared to be around her same age.  She couldn’t tell what was underneath the overcoat, but the man’s height towered her five foot six frame.  His eyes were a strange silvery blue and she felt as though he looked right through her when asking a question,   Although, she recognized a slight kindness in his smile.
“I’ll follow you, since it takes me a little more time to get around these days,” he grinned and pointed her toward the door.
No doubt he was referring to his foot.  “How’d that happen,” she asked before realizing she was being nosey.  “Sorry, it’s none of my business.”
“No problem.  I got on the wrong side of a violent domestic call.”
“Ouch!  That’s a painful way to get out of work.”
He threw back his head and laughed. 
She couldn’t wait to get into a lighted room and have a better look. 
Whew, is it just the night that makes him so handsome?

 

His eyes focused on the gentle sway of her hips as he followed her through the front door.  Talk about being lucky.  Not only am I on light duty, but a gorgeous view to boot!  He smiled inwardly as she turned toward him speaking before he could get out a word.
“It’s gone, my beautiful tree, and all my hard work, down the tubes, an entire afternoon wasted.”  He wasn’t sure if she was going to cry or if she was plain pissed off that someone had the nerve to come into her home.
“I’m sorry, Miss Greene.  Is there anything else missing?”
He waited as she scanned the room and then his eyes caught her sudden realization.
“My package is gone.  The dirt bag took my package.  I hadn’t even opened it, so I don’t know what was in it.” 
God, she’s pretty in a riled state.  He was way off track thinking these thoughts when he was supposed to be working.   Job or no job, she’s one hell of an attractive woman.
Luke figured he better get on with the details. 
“Why don’t we finish looking for other missing items and then you can come down to the station and file an incident report.”
“Sounds good,” she replied a bit reluctant.
He trailed behind her through the rest of the house, jotted down notes and then left feeling a little light hearted that he would be seeing her again, soon.

 

Holly sat down on the sofa for a breather after showing the detective and police officer to the front door.  She leaned over resting her elbows on knees and head in her hands.  A big sigh followed.  The only emotion she felt at the moment was sheer frustration followed by a slight rush of heat at the thought of Detective Mercer.  She hoped he was unattached and then wondered why she was more interested in him than the robbery.  She knew she had to get down to the police station and file the complaint.  Now I’ll have to start over with a new tree and my mother’s star is gone.  The most upsetting part of the robbery was losing the star; it meant so much to her.  No sense being upset over something I have no control over.  She would get a new tree and ornaments tomorrow and rebuild her holiday spirit.  Besides, it would have to be done as soon as possible.  There was no time on Christmas Eve since she had volunteered to help serve meals at the mission. 
  She got up from the sofa, made her way to the bathroom to freshen up and headed for the police station. 
Anticipation lifted her mood when she asked the person at the front desk for Detective Mercer and was escorted to his office.  He was busy at his computer, but appeared to be expecting her.
“Have a seat, Ms. Greene; I’ll be right with you.”
She decided to take one of the chairs across the room.  Who knew how long it would take him to finish.  From where she was seated, she had a good view of his entire person.  What if he realized she was sizing him up?  God, how embarrassing that would be!   She licked her lips slowly while eyeing his facial features.   He was more of a sensual handsome than gorgeous. From what she could determine he was lean, probably all muscle.  The sleeves of his dark blue dress shirt were rolled up and his tie loosened at the neck.  A few darks hairs curled at the neck of his white tee shirt.
“Mercy,” she whispered just as he turned toward her with an arresting smile.
“I have the report finished.  As soon as it prints out, I’ll have you go over it and make any necessary corrections.”
“Thanks, I’m pressed for time now that I have to start over.  I was hoping to be all done by Christmas Eve day since I’m volunteering at the mission.”
 “That’s very kind of you to give your time.”  The printer spit out the report.  “Look this over, sign and date.  I can’t promise you we’ll ever retrieve your belongings, but if anything turns up, your information will be in the system.”
 She felt his eyes watching her every move while going over the form.  Is he being a detective or a man right now?  I wonder.  From the corner of her eye she could see his elbow on the arm of his chair; head relaxed in one hand rubbing his chin. 
 Glad the report was short; she signed at the bottom and handed it to him. 
 “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be on my way.”  Holly stood and prepared to leave.
 “Oh, one more thing, Ms. Greene, I’ll see you at the mission Christmas Eve.  I will be working the serving line, probably along side you, since I’m a regular volunteer.”
 Even though his words took her by surprise, she replied nonchalantly, “Great, I’ll see you then.”
 She left the station almost happy someone had stolen her tree. 

 

 He drove into the parking lot behind the mission.  A woman who looked like Holly was going through the back door.  She had been on his mind all day and he was looking forward to this evening and hoping they would have time to get to know each other better.  It was a stroke of fate that her tree was stolen and he had been the one to make the call.  Normally this was not his territory.   If he hadn’t been on light duty it never would have happened.  He got out of his car and walked to the kitchen.
 The kitchen supervisor put him on the dessert section at the end of the line, a chair near by if he needed to get off his feet.  Holly was a couple people before him.  He stepped to her side, put his hand on her shoulder, bent down and whispered in her ear, “Merry Christmas.”
 “Detective Mercer, I see you made it, Merry Christmas.”
 “Will you join me for dessert after we’re done?  That is, if you’re not already spoken for.”
 She smiled back at him. 
“Is that a yes?” he asked hopefully.
 “I’d love to.” 
 Before taking his position, he hobbled into the dining area.  It was decorated nice and someone had put in a lot of effort making it very festive.  Even gifts were placed under the tree.  He suspected those gifts were items any family could use.  There was a Santa at the door heartily doling out holiday cheer. 
 Once they were finished serving he would find a nice quiet table in the corner and enjoy Holly’s company. What a great way to spend Christmas Eve.
 Several hours later the kitchen closed.  He cleaned up his area and noticed Holly had finished cleaning hers.  They grabbed a cup of coffee and pie and went into the dining room to look for a table.  Santa was sitting at the piano playing a soft holiday melody and next to him a small tree stood on a table.
 Luke nearly fell over Holly as she stopped dead in her tracks in front of him.  Her pie and coffee crashed to the floor.
 “My tree,” she said with stunned emphasis.
 “Holly, how can you be sure of that?”
 “The star at the top of the tree was a present from my mother.   I’d know it anywhere.  It’s engraved if you’d like to check.” 
 One of the volunteers rushed over to help clean up.  The Santa continued with his beautiful music.  Luke decided he would talk to the Santa, and headed toward the piano.  Santa looked up from the keys when Luke approached him and then ended the tune.
 “Sir, I have a few questions if can take a short break.”
 “And who may I ask would like to speak with me?” Santa demanded.
 He reached in his shirt pocket and fished out his identification.  “I’m Detective Luke Mercer, off duty, volunteering tonight.  A friend says this tree, or at least the star belongs to her.  Do you know anything about it?”
 “And is this your friend?” he asked as a young woman approached the piano.
 “Yes, this is Holly Greene.  She was robbed a couple days ago of her tree, the ornaments, and an unopened package that she’d received through the mail.”
 After a long silence, Santa bowed his head, took a deep breath and raised his eyes to Holly.  “My name is Henry Gibbons, and I’m sorry, Ms. Greene.”
 “How did you get into my home?” she asked.
 “Suffice to say, I’ve had a lot of practice the last few years.”
 “I guess I should have asked what you were looking for.”
 “I was out on my daily walk.  When I circled back to the mission, you see, I live and work here, I noticed you leaving the house and the tree lights were on.  I didn’t want the place to go up in smoke so I went in and turned them off.  A spur of the moment thought made me realize the people at the mission needed some Christmas cheer no matter how it came to them.  That’s when I noticed a box left out on the table and put everything in it, including the package.  It’s not been opened.”  He rose from the bench, retrieved the package and handed it to her.
 “Your tree has done so much good for so many people, including me.  Look around the room,” Henry pointed to the large gathering of unfortunate people, smiling, enjoying dinner.
 “What good has this robbery done for you, other than possible jail time, Mr. Gibbons?”  Luke asked concerned.
 “Years ago, I was on my way to a lucrative career as a musician and tragedy sunk me to the bottom of hell.  These good people at the mission helped me find my way and tonight I play for the first time since that tragedy occurred.”
   Luke Mercer didn’t know what to say.  He was touched by the story, but the man had broken the law.  He turned to Holly.  There were tears in her eyes. 
 “It’s your call, Holly.  Do you want to press charges?”  Without thinking he thumbed away the tears now rolling down her face.
 “No, but I want the star back.  Let the mission enjoy the tree.  It looks beautiful here.”  She walked toward the bench and sat down next to Henry Gibbons.  Luke heard her tell the man she wasn’t going to press charges but she wanted him to go down to the station and talk with Luke about what he had done.
 As Luke left the mission with Henry at his side, Holly followed in her own car.  At the station she sat in the same room with Henry while he gave his statement.  No charges were filed as Holly waived her complaint.    Luke truly believed Holly when she told him Henry was sorry for what he had done, and that she was happy the tree was given to a good cause. 
 Luke took Henry back to the mission and Holly went home.
 

 

 She fixed a glass of wine and sat on the sofa near her tree.  After a few sips and several sighs over the evening events, she picked up the package covered in brown paper with a mailing label addressed to her.  It’s a small wonder this all came back together.  What were the odds I would have gotten this back?  She tore off the paper and opened the box.  How odd.  No wonder it was so light.  There was a message written on colorful holiday paper. ‘Tonight an unexpected magic will touch you, Love, Your sister.’ As she read the message over a second time, her doorbell rang.  She wasn’t expecting anyone and looked out the small peep hole on the center of her door. 
 Luke.
 She opened the door.  He smiled at her, holding a box in one hand and something in a plastic bag that she didn’t recognize in the other.
 “Are you still up for the pie and coffee?”  His grin made her legs wobbly.
 “Absolutely, please come in.”
 She took the box and carried it into the kitchen.  When she returned he stood with hands on his hips, clutching the bag in one hand and said, “Well, since we solved the crime and all turned out so well---and---it’s Christmas Eve, I thought a little mistletoe was in order.”  He opened the plastic sack and dangled it in front of her.  “Care to join me?”
 At that moment, she threw her arms around his neck and he pressed his lips to hers.  He pulled back from her a moment.  “I want to know everything about you.  Are you game?”
 “Funny, I was thinking the same thing about you.”  She reached for him.
 “Merry Christmas to us,” he said, holding the mistletoe over her head and kissed her softly.

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Haunted Hunt