All The Gift I Need (Echo Falls Texas #11)

Chapter One

Sergeant Tom Applegate parked his Echo Falls patrol car in front of Clem’s Restaurant and wondered, not for the first time, why decent men lost their heads over simple things.

A stolen Santa wasn’t usual for the small town, nor was this a case that would normally land on his desk.

With two officers out sick, he took the call.

He straightened his gear and scanned the neighborhood. The air smelled faintly of apple pie and diesel. Holiday lights blinked from shop windows, and somewhere between Slade’s General Store and the diner, the eight-foot stuffed St. Nick had vanished.

Probably a prank.

But around here, even grand theft holiday had a way of turning personal.

He stepped out of his car. The door creaked against the chilly wind, hinting at an inbound cold front.

Two weeks before Christmas and every person in Echo Falls knew what that meant.

A bad weather threat could stir up folks faster than a full moon.

Still, the sun was shining, and Main Street bustled with the usual breakfast rush at Clem’s, neighbors laughing in street conversations, and shoppers balancing bags.

The whole town hummed with anxious, joyful pre-holiday energy.

The decorating process on this block escalated to the ridiculous last Christmas; and this year’s decorations vied for the attention of the space station.

Strings of colorful lights tangled with a blinding array of white ones flashing in chaos from every surface, tree, and window.

Personally, he preferred the lighted Santa and reindeers from the roof of Carlsson’s Cars – classic, yet mysterious.

Not that his grandmother’s mechanic shop being in the same building had anything to do with his fondness.

Or a long-ago, clandestine high school memory he would never confess. No, tradition spoke to him.

He thumbed his shoulder device. “Unit 1-2 out at Clem’s.”

“Copy, Sarge.” Norah Albright, their new day-time dispatcher, brought smarts, calmness, and efficiency to a thankless job using a touch of humor that was appreciated.

He winced as the roar of Christmas music from Slade’s Clothing Store vibrated in his ears overwhelming Clem’s choice. The decorating competition had branched to music, too. Was Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer on blast? Sweet baby Jesus.

He put on his cop face and stomped across the lot to the restaurant entrance where Garrett Slade and Clem Harlowe were in an animated, finger-poking, ear-splitting argument with an audience.

Fortunately, no shoving or fists were involved. Yet.

But the windows were filled with Clem’s restaurant goers eyeing the scene, and traffic had backed up with car viewers from Slade’s businesses across the street.

The two men were downright territorial about their decorations which violated the spirit of the season, but Tom would leave judgment to the reverends at their particular churches.

“Dispatch, would you send a second unit this way?”

“Copy, 1-2.” Crowd control left him irritated and snappy, especially for an argument between two pillars of the community who should know better.

“Why you cantankerous, lying, idea-stealing, bootlicking, third-rate cook. Give back my Santa.” Garrett’s red face and rapid breaths made Tom pause in alarm. Dr. Jackie wasn’t at the hospital today. She did need a day off once in a while.

Clem had a smirk under his mustache and a nasty spark in his eye. “And I keep telling you I ain’t got your ratty Santa. He doesn’t fit my theme.”

“Theme, scheme. You didn’t steal it for you. You stole it to keep my attractions from being better than yours.”

“They’re already better without your musty, ugly Santa.”

Tom rolled his eyes. “Gentlemen.” He studied the audience, some of them too young to be witnesses of such nonsense.

“That man…” Clem sputtered.

“This jerk…” Garrett shouted over Clem.

“Both of you be silent. Move along people. No entertainment here today.”

Two teenagers hovered near the argument, phones raised to catch every second. One was Jake Cara, his partner’s little brother. The other was Daniel Leonard who lived out by the pumpkin farm.

“Out or I take your phones.” He pointed at Bret’s brother for good measure. Kid knew he’d carry the tale to Bret.

Wide-eyed, the two boys pocketed their devices and bolted for their bikes.

Another Echo Falls police car entered the lot, Detective Carmen Vogel behind the wheel. Only the stupid argued with the diminutive, tough detective.

Tom took a step back and stared across the street to the empty patch where Santa had been.

A flicker of pink caught his attention. Mianna Devlin, fourteen-years-old, fearless, and a high IQ troublemaker, paced the crime scene in her bubble-gum pink pants, matching rubber boots, and a poofy jacket with a candy-striped scarf flapping like a battle flag. What on earth was she doing?

Stress tightened his shoulders, and he made a conscious effort to relax. Without a lick of his easy-going humor, he turned to the two men. “You two are pillars of the community. Unacceptable.”

Clem had the grace to blush. Garrett’s face reddened even more. “He started it.”

Tom raised his hand to stop Clem from answering. “I don’t care. I’m ending it. Each inside your respective businesses. I’ll handle Santa, and you two stay away from each other until you both cool off.”

Clem frowned, fiercely stuck in anger. “What would you have me do? He came at me.”

“You should have called the police department and let us handle it. It is a theft, and the detective is right there.” He pointed at Carmen. “Should I let her yell at you, too?”

“No,” Garrett spit out. “I’m done. He lopped down the stairs.

Tom turned to Clem. “And you?”

“Not me either. I’ll get you both coffee.”

“That would be appreciated.” After he figured out what the heck Mia was doing on his crime scene.

&&&&&&&&&&

Summer LeFey Applegate couldn’t put a finger on why her nerves were twanging like an old guitar, but she fought the need to fidget while Sissy Murray checked if Mayor Helen Applegate had time in her schedule to talk with her daughter-in-law.

Summer could have had this conversation at one of the weekly family dinners, but the work realm was better for this topic.

The mayor’s exterior waiting area was tastefully decorated with classic antiques. She recognized some of the pieces since Tom had the same collector’s eye. The burgundy drapes and gold accents mixed with white walls, leather furniture, and a rich smell suggesting an old family law office.

“Tell her to get in here.” Helen’s voice rang with pleasure and authority.

Sissy came back smiling. “She’ll see you.”

Summer grinned, nerves dropping away. “I heard.”

She slipped past the admin and into the office.

Pleasure swept through her, and she grinned.

The bright yellows, golds, and oranges of her Reservoir at Sunrise painting shone from the wall behind Helen’s desk.

There had been much discussion about where the painting would go when Bill retired from the law firm.

Rick took over his dad’s old office and wanted the painting left. Instead, Helen won the right.

“Summer! What a nice surprise.” Helen gave her a tight hug.

“Sorry to drop in. I was on Main Street shopping for Christmas and decided to stop. I have something to ask you.”

“Ask. You want something to drink.”

“No, I’m fine. I want to gift the town with a mural.”

Helen stepped back and sat on her desk, confusion and curiosity on her face. “Tom mentioned this last Christmas. I assumed you’d dropped the idea.”

“Not dropped. Put off while I went to Chicago. Honestly, I want to stay home instead of all this traveling, but I need projects. The town’s first Americana Festival is scheduled, right?”

“Yes, next summer. The planning, my word! I never envisioned it would take so long to launch. What did you have in mind?”

“There’s the first problem. I stopped at the Brewery and checked their building, and it’s long blank wall. Too many drawbacks and no ideas.”

Helen settled further against the desk and pursed her lips. Summer saw the wheels spinning in her brain. “I have a few thoughts. But I have no idea what this entails. City property, personal property? Where permission needs to come from, you’re familiar with the process.”

“Yeah. I am. You’ll need a sketch of what I planned to be sure it’s appropriate, too.”

Helen rolled her eyes. “It’ll need input, yes. Any preliminary ideas?”

Summer sighed. “None. Usually depends on the space. I was going to study town history, if it’s written anywhere, and see if something sparks.”

“Check the library. Lori Devlin, our librarian, can help you. Adelina James at the nursing home, too. She used to gather town information. I think she donated it to the library when she moved out of her house, but the woman is the expert on our history along with Art Snidely.”

“I know Mr. Snidely, and we haven’t been to the nursing home lately, not since Hal David’s funeral, I guess. I’ll talk to Tom and make the time. Caroling with them sounds good right now.”

“You’re donating this? Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“What does Jonathan have to say?” Helen’s knowing expression made her stomach drop. Jonathan Freeman was her manager, her other family, and he negotiated things like this. It didn’t ever fall to her. Mainly because her creative side ruled against her business side.

“Haven’t talked to him about it yet.”

“You should do that, honey.” Helen’s words came in her mom-told-you-so voice.

“I will. I’ll call him when I get home.”

“And I will research what this is going to take and get some addresses together for us to compare. Work for you?”

Summer let the idea bloom. Excitement burst spreading a smile over her face. “Yes, works for me.”

Helen stretched out her arms, and Summer gave her a quick hug. “You’ll put little Echo Falls on the map.”

Summer pulled back and zipped her coat, grinning with glee. “Only what the best little town in Texas deserves.”