Chapter 25
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
B unny nibbled at the last of her carrot muffin, her eyes scanning the crossword grid in front of her. She had just filled in the last box, completing the puzzle. A sense of accomplishment washed over her, because it wasn’t just the crossword she had conquered today. Maxi’s art lesson had been a success, and she may have solved a problem for two people.
“Now, if only I could solve this gift mystery,” she mused.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the jingling melody of her phone. Glancing at the screen, she saw it was Sam.
“Hey, Sam, what’s up?” she greeted him, the excitement already building in her voice.
“Bunny, you won’t believe what I found!” His voice crackled with enthusiasm. “I was at the library, going through some old church bulletins, and guess what? I think I’ve found a clue about our Christmas gift mystery.”
“Do tell!” she urged.
Sam read out a line from one of the bulletins, dated back to one of the years they had suspected the present could be from. “Listen to this: ‘To the family who has put the holidays on hold, may you find your Christmas spirit again.’”
Bunny’s heart skipped a beat. “That could explain the undelivered gift! A family that didn’t celebrate Christmas that year for some reason might have forgotten about a hidden present.”
“Exactly,” Sam concurred. “I think we should dive deeper into these church bulletins. Maybe we can figure out why they didn’t celebrate Christmas that year. We could even talk to Father Frank.”
“Sounds like a plan. Meet you downtown?”
“Sure, in about thirty minutes?”
“Perfect. Oh, and by the way, I finished the crossword. I win our little challenge,” Bunny gloated, unable to suppress a chuckle.
Laughing, Sam replied, “You always do, don’t you? See you soon.”
After hanging up, Bunny grabbed her keys, slipped on her coat, and headed out to her car. The engine roared to life, and she took the familiar route downtown, her thoughts racing ahead of her. As she pulled into a parking spot, she glanced around. The area was buzzing with activity; it was dusk, and the twinkling streetlights cast a magical glow. The small village was loaded with tourists, and everyone seemed to be enjoying the magic of Lobster Bay Prelude.
She peeked down the street where Maxi’s art gallery was located. Through the paper-covered windows, she could see shadows moving about and lights flickering on. Good , she thought. Looks like things are coming together for the big reveal.
Now, if she could just solve the mystery of the undelivered present.
Bunny spotted Andie and Shane walking toward her. Her eyes instantly lit up, and she couldn’t wait to tell Andie that they might be on to something.
“Hey, you two. Don’t you look cozy.” Bunny was glad to see the couple so happy together.
“Thanks. We are.” Shane put his arm around Andie’s waist and squeezed. Andie beamed.
“How’s the Crosby job coming along?” Shane was retired from the Navy and now a carpenter who specialized in additions around town. He’d built quite a business for himself and was doing a kitchen renovation at one of Bunny’s friends’ houses.
“We’re making good progress. Should wrap up just in time for their family Christmas,” Shane responded, a pleased smile gracing his face.
“How’s the investigation going?” Andie asked.
“I thought you’d never ask,” Bunny teased. “Sam might be on to something. In fact, I’m heading to the library to meet him.”
“Really? Do tell!” Andie’s eyes sparkled with keen interest, reflecting her impatience to hear the details.
Bunny quickly spilled the beans about the church bulletin Sam had discovered, about the family that had “put the holidays on hold,” and their plans to delve deeper into the church archives.
“That’s amazing! It sounds like you’re getting close!” Andie said, visibly thrilled.
“As promising as that lead sounds,” Shane added, his tone tempered with a touch of caution, “don’t forget the present is really old, and there weren’t many clues in the trunk to begin with. It might still be impossible to figure out exactly where it came from.”
Bunny nodded, acknowledging the note of caution in Shane’s words. “You’re right, of course. But we’ve got to follow every lead we have, no matter how slim the chances.”
“Absolutely,” Shane agreed, his eyes meeting hers in a reassuring gaze. “But sometimes, mysteries are part of the magic, too.”
“True, but either way, it keeps Sam and me exercising our gray matter, so it’s all good.” Bunny gave them each a pat on the arm. “Well, I better be on my way—Sam’s waiting. Nice to see you both!”