The Greatest Gift: Darcy Sweet Mystery, #10
By K.J. Emrick
4.5/5
()
About this ebook
While helping her mother with last minute preparations for her wedding, Darcy Sweet gets an urgent call from a good friend of her Great Aunt Millie.
Someone has been rearranging the furniture inside Belinda Franco's home and Belinda believes that it is the ghost of her dead husband, Dominic. She asks Darcy to communicate with him to find out why he is suddenly causing mischief.
Darcy isn't convinced that it is Dominic. Is it just a case of a naughty ghost causing havoc or is there more to it?
With the unexpected help of her estranged boyfriend Jon she plans to get to the bottom of the mystery. Is there a chance that they can solve their own problems while also solving Belinda's problem at the same time?
Read more from K.J. Emrick
Pine Lake Inn Cozy Mystery
Related to The Greatest Gift
Titles in the series (21)
The Ghost of Christmas: Darcy Sweet Mystery, #4 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Murder of Crows: Darcy Sweet Mystery, #7 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Stolen Valentine: Darcy Sweet Mystery, #5 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Death Comes to Town: Darcy Sweet Mystery, #1 Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Family Secrets: Darcy Sweet Mystery, #8 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Greatest Gift: Darcy Sweet Mystery, #10 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Language of Death: Darcy Sweet Mystery, #9 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Murder Down Under: Darcy Sweet Mystery, #17 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Resorting to Murder: Darcy Sweet Mystery, #11 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Death at the Wheel: Darcy Sweet Mystery, #12 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Ghost Story: Darcy Sweet Mystery, #13 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Christmas Spirit: Darcy Sweet Mystery, #14 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Murder of Consequence: Darcy Sweet Mystery, #15 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Til Death Do Us Part: Darcy Sweet Mystery, #16 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Laid to Rest: Darcy Sweet Mystery, #18 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Missing Years: Darcy Sweet Mystery, #18.5 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Death Comes Home: Darcy Sweet Mystery, #19 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Naughty List: Darcy Sweet Mystery, #20 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Count Your Blessings: Darcy Sweet Mystery, #22 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Death Takes a Letter: Darcy Sweet Mystery, #21 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Ghost of Murders Past: Darcy Sweet Mystery, #23 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Related ebooks
Death at the Wheel: Darcy Sweet Mystery, #12 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Early Years (Darcy): A Darcy Sweet Cozy Mystery, #0 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Murder of Crows: Darcy Sweet Mystery, #7 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Language of Death: Darcy Sweet Mystery, #9 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Resorting to Murder: Darcy Sweet Mystery, #11 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Family Secrets: Darcy Sweet Mystery, #8 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Ghost of Christmas: Darcy Sweet Mystery, #4 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Stolen Valentine: Darcy Sweet Mystery, #5 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Ghost Story: Darcy Sweet Mystery, #13 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Christmas Spirit: Darcy Sweet Mystery, #14 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Witches Incorporated Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Hiding From Death: A Darcy Sweet Cozy Mystery, #6 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Death Comes Home: Darcy Sweet Mystery, #19 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5From the Ashes: A Darcy Sweet Cozy Mystery, #3 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Laid to Rest: Darcy Sweet Mystery, #18 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Death Takes a Letter: Darcy Sweet Mystery, #21 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Murder Sweetly Served: Cocoa Narel Chocolate Shop Mysteries, #3 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Borrowed, Blue, Dead: Citrus Beach Mysteries, #7 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Murder of Consequence: Darcy Sweet Mystery, #15 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wake the Dead Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSequins of Events: Arabella Black Paranormal Cozy Mysteries, #2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Kringle Jingle Murders: A Darcy Sweet Cozy Mystery, #36 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsNews and Nachos: Tri-Town Murders, #2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Mystery Begins: A Connor and Lilly Mystery, #1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Season to Kill: A Moonlight Bay Psychic Mystery, #10 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Scares and Dares: A Paranormal Witch Cozy Mystery Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBrooms Away: Arabella Black Paranormal Cozy Mysteries, #1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCandidate for Murder: A Darcy Sweet Cozy Mystery, #35 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHenry Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFrankie B: Part-Time Mermaid: Marina Witches Mysteries, #8 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Mystery For You
Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Summit Lake Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Pretty Girls: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Paris Apartment: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Life We Bury Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone: A Murdery Mystery Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5False Witness: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Write a Mystery: A Handbook from Mystery Writers of America Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Hidden Staircase: Nancy Drew #2 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Last Flight: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Dean Koontz: Series Reading Order - with Summaries & Checklist Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5None of This Is True: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Kept Woman: A Will Trent Thriller Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Murder of Roger Ackroyd Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Eight Perfect Murders: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Hunting Party: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Finlay Donovan Is Killing It: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Sydney Rye Mysteries Box Set Books 10-12: Sydney Rye Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Woman in the Library: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Pharmacist Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Big Sleep Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5European Travel for the Monstrous Gentlewoman Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Did I Kill You?: A Thriller Novel Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Good Daughter: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Club: A Reese's Book Club Pick Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The People Next Door Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Pale Blue Eye: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Pieces of Her: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Complete Short Stories Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Reviews for The Greatest Gift
3 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
The Greatest Gift - K.J. Emrick
CHAPTER 1
The Heaven's Touch Dress Shop in Oak Hollow had promised to stay open late on Saturday. They would be happy to accommodate Darcy's request, as long as Darcy's mother promised to buy her wedding dress and the bridesmaid's gowns from them.
Eileen Sweet hadn't been interested in wearing a wedding gown at all, at first. She reminded her two daughters that this was her second wedding, and she was fifty-seven years old after all. A little old for all the trappings of white dresses and lace. Those had been her words. Darcy and her sister Grace had argued that every bride needed a special dress, but Eileen held her ground.
After a week of trying to convince her, they had worn their mother down and convinced her that her fiancé deserved a bride in a white dress. Darcy had met James Bollinger now, finally, and she had to admit she approved of the man as a future husband for her mother. He might not ever replace her father, but then what man ever could?
At any rate, the wedding was in two weeks. They needed to get their dresses now.
James was a tall man with a warm smile. He had this faint British accent that emphasized the stiff way he held himself and his neatly trimmed dark hair and moustache. In a different decade, Darcy might have described the man as dapper. He had a warm smile, though, and he made Darcy's mother laugh. Darcy couldn't remember the last time she'd heard that sound.
I like this one, mom.
Grace, holding one hand under the bulge of her belly, held a dress up in the other. It was pretty and low cut and would have left their mother's arms and shoulders bare. The lace across the bosom trailed down to the waist, and Darcy could see how long the train of it was.
Eileen raised an eyebrow. I think that might show off a bit more skin than I'm comfortable with, Grace dear. Remember, I'm not young anymore.
Darcy's mother was a very proper, old-school woman. She always kept her silver hair done up and neatly tucked in place. She had spent half an hour getting ready to leave Darcy's home in Misty Hollow this afternoon, putting on pressed slacks and a matching blue top and a string of pearls, even though they were going to be the only ones in the dress shop.
You'll always be young to us,
Darcy offered. She had to agree with her mother, though. Something a little less revealing might be more her style.
Oh yes. Well,
the store clerk said, I think I have just the thing for you, Miss Sweet. Do hold on right here.
Darcy met Grace's eyes and could tell they were both thinking the same thing. The nice saleswoman had gone after just the thing
for their mother four separate times now. One dress had been pink, one had sported a high choking collar, and the other two had been straight out of the nineteen-seventies.
On a whim, Darcy picked a dress off the rack and held it up in front of her. Turning to one of the many mirrors in the store, she imagined herself wearing it. The plunging neckline might be too much for her, but she liked the lace and the three-quarter sleeves. Her long, dark hair would settle just so over the shoulders, and if she wore green earrings to highlight the color of her hazel eyes…
Grace stepped into the reflection behind her. Maybe we can get one for you while we're here, sis.
Darcy snorted and put the dress back like she hadn't just been daydreaming about it. Her jeans and sleeveless red top suited her just fine, thank you very much. I'd need someone to get married with before I could wear it, don't you think? A wedding dress isn't something you buy for the fun of it.
With a mischievous grin, Grace shrugged. You know Jon will come back. If he doesn't, there's always that Lorne guy you told me about from college. I saw the letters he wrote you.
Darcy gasped. You little sneak. When did you see those?
Grace checked out her profile in the mirror, running a hand over the swollen curve of her belly. Her hazel eyes were a shade darker than Darcy's. Now, they shone with amusement. You can't hide anything from a police detective like me, sis. Especially not when you keep the letters on your kitchen table.
Darcy felt her cheeks heating. Lorne and she had reconnected at a friend's funeral less than two weeks ago, and since that time they had written several letters and e-mails back and forth. It was more complicated than that, of course. The friend whose funeral Darcy had gone to attend, Chloe Marrin, had been Lorne's fiancé. On top of that Darcy had proven that Chloe had been murdered. If that wasn't enough, Darcy kept putting Lorne off because she was holding onto the hope that Jon Tinker would come to his stupid senses and come back to her.
If only wishing for it could make it true, she thought.
The saleswoman came out from the back room just then, saving her the further embarrassment of trying to explain to Grace that Lorne had already offered to come visit next week.
The woman who had been searching through the store's entire stock to find their mother the perfect dress was also the owner of the Heaven's Touch Dress Shop. Helena was her name. She was a short woman with Asian features and olive skin and a smile that seemed to be a permanent feature.
This,
she said, "is the dress. The dress. For you."
In her hands she held a cream colored gown. It had a ruffled neck, and long sleeves with flared cuffs. A lace pattern sewn across the front. A flared skirt had a smooth, short train.
It was gorgeous.
Oh, Mom,
Grace said, it's perfect. You have to wear that one.
Darcy could see how much her mother liked the dress. It was written on her face and in her eyes. Still, her mom cleared her throat and stuffed her hands into her pockets. For just a moment, Darcy could see something of herself in her mother's heart-shaped face. I don't know,
she said, even though it was obvious that the saleswoman had gotten it right this time.
It is definitely for you,
Helena said. You will look so lovely in this. Yes. Come try it on in the dressing room.
Eileen allowed herself to be led to the back of the store, behind a gauzy white curtain, with an uncertain look back at her daughters.
She'll make a beautiful bride,
Darcy said when the curtain closed again. I'm very happy for her.
Yeah,
Grace agreed. Weird, isn't it? We went from dreading every time she showed up in our lives to being a part of her second wedding almost overnight.
Not quite that quickly,
Darcy pointed out. I mean, Mom is still Mom, and she probably always will be. But her man James has definitely changed her. She's a lot easier to be around now.
More so than when we were girls, right?
Right.
She laughed together with Grace then went back to looking at the stock of dresses. It was like being a little girl playing dress up, in a lot of ways, with the pretty white and off-white gowns all around them.
One in particular caught her eye. Pleats and sequins down the gown, cap sleeves with white floral designs on them. Taking it off its rack, she held it up to herself. It was every girl's dream to get married in something like this.
You'd look pretty in that one,
Grace said.
Think so?
Darcy asked.
I bet any man would be happy to stand next to you in that.
Darcy sighed and turned to the mirror. There's only one man I'm interested in having next to me…
Jon Tinker.
He was here. Standing there in the entrance to the shop.
She had to blink several times