Murder Under the Tree by Susan Bernhardt Page A

Everyone received a sweater from me. It was starting to be a signature gift kind of thing. Also I gave everyone, including myself, a greeting card saying that a donation was given in their name to Save the Children, an organization which impacts the lives of children and families in poverty.
    Andy was our supplier of books each Christmas. He always had mysteries for me, which I loved. This year he had also provided me with the non-fictional title, Private Eye: How to Improve your Skills at Sleuthing, Surveillance, and Solving Mysteries . I smiled when I saw it and looked over at Phil, who rolled his eyes, when he read it, but smiled too. “Sorry this comes a little late, but you can save it for next time.” Andy smiled.
    “There better never be a next time,” Phil mumbled under his breath to me, then turned to accept his gift from Andy.
    I received a Monet umbrella from Rose, and Will gave me a digital recorder since, according to him, I had been so fascinated with his when he had listened to a lecture on it at home. Phil gave the usual music related things to the boys. The last present I opened was from Phil. It was a lovely scarf. I loved it, but I didn't think he would be whispering on the phone about a scarf. My big surprise must still be coming! I flung the scarf around my neck and gave Phil a big kiss.
    We decided to walk the seven blocks to Christmas Eve Mass at St. Mary's. The snow had tapered off. Everyone's twinkling lights were on, as were the sky's. The moon lit the way through the snow. While walking, I started humming Christmas carols. Soon we were singing. A few people that we met along the way joined in. We stopped singing and listened to the church bells when they started to ring.
     

 
Chapter Five
     
    Thursday, December 25
    Christmas
     
    Christmas dawned, all calm and all bright. Everyone slept in. I crept down the stairs to avoid waking anyone, and turned the tree lights on. Had Phil put the secret present under the tree for me to find this morning? Not seeing one, I walked into the kitchen, made a pot of coffee, and glanced at the clock. Our guests would be arriving for Christmas dinner at one o'clock, giving me five hours to get everything ready. Turning on Christmas music softly in the kitchen, I started humming as I put a ham and asparagus strata together. Thoughts of Christmas memories from long ago, with my parents and brothers and sisters, brought a smile to my face.
    When I turned around, I saw Phil standing in the doorway watching me.
    “Merry Christmas, Kay!” He walked over, put his arms around me, brushing my face with his lips.
    I smiled. “Merry Christmas! You're up early.” I ran my finger over the shape of his lips. Then I looked at him a little funny. If Phil was planning to surprise me with an extravagent gift, he was doing a good job of disguising the fact. I turned and put the strata in the oven.
    “It already smells fantastic.”
    I started peeling a mango for the fruit salad. Phil hugged me from behind. I didn't know if I would be able to finish making breakfast. But everyone would be down soon. I looked down at what I was doing. I had peeled the mango down to the pit. I reached for another.
    “Ham and asparagus strata.”
    He twirled me around and kissed me again. Maybe this was my Christmas surprise. An attentive, adoring husband. I'd take it!
    “Morning, Mom and Dad,” Will said, yawning as he came into the kitchen. What's for breakfast?”
    “Merry Christmas, Will!”
    “Oh...Merry Christmas! When's everyone coming?”
    I glanced at the clock. “Soon enough. We'll be ready to eat breakfast in about a half an hour.”
    Andy and Rose came into the kitchen in their pajamas. “Merry Christmas, everyone.”
    “Merry Christmas, you two,” I said. “Everyone's up early.”
    “Then let's open our Christmas stockings,” Will said.
    We headed into the living room and sat down. Will took the handmade stockings down and handed them out. I had given everyone a paperback